If exploring The Depths, flying across the Sky Islands, and walking across all Hyrules have left you wanting more, then no worries! Here are 10 games that you will certainly enjoy if you liked The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Well, if we are going to talk about games that are like Tears of the Kingdom, we might as well include its predecessor, Breath of the Wild. Although it is set in the same Hyrule and lacks the Sky Islands and The Depths, I can assure you that BoTW feels like a different game. It has aged quite well and some even prefer this Zelda installment more than Tears of the Kingdom. I just say that it is a different game that will make you appreciate ToTK a lot more, and vice versa.
Death Stranding
Perhaps this entry will be the most controversial of the bunch due to the game’s polarizing nature. The truth is that, while this game may be regarded as an auteur game, it is a game that is worth trying due to its narrative and its gameplay that features Kojima at its best, for better or for worse – depending on how open you are to trying new gaming experiences. And to be honest, expanding creative boundaries will always be a positive thing. All you need to do is go past the DoorDash simulator meme talk and you’ll be good to go.
Elden Ring
While the experience of dying in a consistent and frustrating manner might be more explicit in the Dark Souls series, Tears of the Kingdom is indeed particularly harder than previous Zelda titles – especially those Gloom Hands. Moreover, Elden Ring is also an open-world game that will make your experience feel like ToTK, although a bit more grim, violent, and gory. There is a reason why this game won the Game of the Year award, so you better give it a chance if you haven’t just yet.
Genshin Impact
The number of people who have praised Genshin Impact and even regard it as a better version of Breath of the Wild is quite baffling to me, but the game does have its charm. And it is no wonder that players have made that comparison, since this game is just one of the many that have been heavily inspired by BoTW, with a sprinkle of gacha and a huge amount of playable characters. It is also free-to-play, so there is no excuse to give it a chance.
Horizon Zero Dawn / Horizon Forbidden West
I’m a huge Horizon fan, and not including this game would be a huge mistake and almost an unforgivable sin. Some mechanics are pretty Zelda-like – let’s be honest, what adventure game doesn’t borrow from Zelda? – but what made me a fan was the story and how you discover it. I was invested in it and it gives you an overwhelming feeling that I haven’t felt in any other game for a while. The interaction between characters, the enemy design, and battle systems, just adds to a couple of games to a series that deserves more praise.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
I’m a huge fan of Greek mythology thanks to Age of Mythology and my time reading short tales about the heroes and myth creatures. On top of that, I’m a huge Zelda fan as well! And Immortals Fenyx Rising is Breath of the Wild, Greek Edition. Now, it isn’t a shameless copy, not at all, but many of its mechanics are inspired by BoTW such as the ability to glide and, of course, the many Vaults that might as well be Shrines. Adorned with a very particular sense of humor, Immortal Fenyx Rising might just as well be the next game you play.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
The story of Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a tale that pretty much resembles that of Breath of the Wild. I mean, a pretty beautiful world that is on the verge of being completely corrupted and overwhelmed by an evil force? Seems like Calamity Ganon is doing some freelance work over here. Moreover, it also features the same similarities as Immortals Fenyx Rising which makes Kena: Bridge of Spirits a perfect choice for a Zelda-like experience.
Sable
One of the best indie titles from 2021, Sable does have a lot of similarities to Tears of the Kingdom like the Chum Eggs which are pretty much the equivalent of Korok Seeds. However, what pops out is the incredibly beautiful art style that is quite unique, inspired by the work of legendary French artist Moebius. The only thing that may not be Zelda-like is the lack of enemies, but what results is a story-driven exploration game that will take your breath away.
Shadow of the Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus is a classic that enjoyed a revival thanks to its remake in 2018. It features the story of a young man trying to resurrect a girl by facing the Colossi all across the world is beyond engaging. The story is a very minimalistic narrative that relies heavily on your actions to tell its tale. I don’t know about you guys, but being able to face any of the Colossi in whichever order you like sounds like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, so maybe they are Shadow of the Colossus-like games? A debate for another day.
Related: Are there difficulty settings in Tears of the Kingdom? Explained
Tunic
Whether you want to experience a game that has some similarities to Zelda or not, Tunic is a game that you need to play. While it shares more similarities to 2D Zelda titles than to Tears of the Kingdom due to its feel, perspective, and art style, the way this game tackles puzzles and presents its narrative is wonderful – which is oftentimes pretty cryptic. Overall, a critically acclaimed game that could follow another critically acclaimed game. What could go wrong? After all, we play as a green-tunic-wielding fox with a sword and shield, so the transition should go smoothly.
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Published: Nov 24, 2023 09:00 am