Young adult fantasy continues to be among one of the most popular and best-selling book genres in existence. I grew up on YA fantasy book series like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Eragon. But one thing I've noticed throughout my significant reading time is that adult fantasy is not quite as popular. Obviously there are some heavy hitters out there like the A Song of Fire and Ice series and the many novels penned by Brandon Sanderson, but generally speaking, it always seems like we're forever in need of more adult fantasy books and television shows.
That's why I've started seeking out video games to get my fantasy fix these days. There are so many massive role-playing games out there that can sometimes even surpass the type of depth and worldbuilding you might find in a book series. Add in the interactive element and room for exploration and it's easy to understand why people find video games to be the perfect fantastical escape.
Dragon Age
Dragon Age has long had one of the best and most expansive fantasy worlds in gaming, which is quite an impressive feat when you consider how many challenges the developers at BioWare have faced over the years. Thedas is a fascinating world populated by a variety of races, including elves, dwarves, and the Qunari.
Like all of the best fantasy worlds, Dragon Age features a little bit of everything. You have your massive mystical beasts (including dragons, of course), but most of the games involve dealing with the sociopolitical ramifications of conflicts between rival continents like Ferelden and Orlais. Just like our own world, Thedas is split into different regions, each of which has its own vast history, culture, and religious customs. And since Dragon Age encompasses four massive RPGs, there is plenty of room for players to explore and influence the world and characters around them through choice-based gameplay.
There is no shortage of lore. Even after you exhaust all dialogue options with every NPC and read every codex entry, you can continue exploring the world of Thedas via novels and comics that fill in the gaps between games or expand on various side characters. It's really a marvel what BioWare was able to accomplish with this game, and the same can be said for their popular sci-fi franchise, Mass Effect.
Final Fantasy XIV
You could arguably put almost any Final Fantasy game on this list and have it apply, but Final Fantasy XIV has probably the most in-depth and engrossing story in the franchise. It's an MMORPG and has been around for more than a decade now, with every expansion building on the last and later editions like Shadowbringers and Endwalker being hailed as having some of the best storytelling in gaming ever.
Eorzea is an incredibly vast and diverse region, with different races, city-states, and cultures. Getting to know the NPCs, particularly the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, is one of the game's highlights. Most fantasy stories, books or otherwise, are known for having great characters, but a game like this elevates those relationships to a new level as players forge bonds and deep emotional connections to characters we journey with for hundreds of hours from beginning to end.
And that's not even taking into account some of the game's eventual twists, where your Warrior of Light is thrust into new dimensions and worlds and treated to engaging side stories that serve to enhance what came before, often reframing past revelations in a new way.
Pillars of Eternity
Pillars of Eternity has gotten some much-needed love this year with the release of the RPG Avowed, which is set in the same fantasy world of Eora. Pillars of Eternity is a little unique from some of the other entries on this list as it wasn't a wholly original concept, but rather a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and Planescape Torment, games that take place within the campaign setting of Dungeons & Dragons. Still, Pillars of Eternity is brilliant high fantasy, and its sequel Deadfire is considered even better.
There are many fascinating fantasy races in this game, and the character customization goes into greater depth than in other games, allowing for players to really hone in on a specific type of backstory that they want to influence the way they interact with NPCs and the world around them.
While Avowed changes things up, becoming an action role-playing game with first-person and third-person perspectives, it's still set in Eora and players who have fully explored the previous Pillars of Eternity games will be rewarded with additional insight, context, and references. These games never forget that excellent writing and worldbuilding are at their foundation.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the newest games on this list. It comes from Atlus, the same studio that gave us Persona 3, 4 and 5. Released late last year, Metaphor earned several award nominations at The Game Awards and was listed as many people's favorite of 2024. Set a medieval fantasy realm called Euchronia, Metaphor reflects elements of our reality and then incorporates them into a fantasy world rife with trouble.
As a Japanese RPG, Metaphor doesn't have the same fantasy vibe you might get from other titles on this list, but that's what makes it stand out. The story follows an orphan from a maligned tribe of people known as the Elda. After the King is assassinated, the boy, Will, is sent on a mission to wake the prince, who has been cursed and placed in a mysterious slumber.
While there might not be many lore books floating around in this game, the world itself is brimming with life; there are plenty of NPCs to chat with, as well as characters who all come with their own intricate backstories and character arcs. Metaphor also doesn't shy away from political and social themes, as racism plays a significant part in this story and the way the various tribes of people are treated by others. If you want a game that rivals a fantasy book and tells a tighter, more character-oriented story, this is the one for you.
The Elder Scrolls
There's a reason that the three main games in Bethesda's legendary series—Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim—all took home Game of the Year Awards. The Elder Scrolls takes place on the continent of Tamriel, with the different games exploring different regions and cities, like Cyrodiil and the Imperial Province.
I would wager that the amount of text found just in the books and codex entries in this franchise is enough to rival some of the lengthiest fantasy book series in existence. These games are jam-packed with stories, ranging from heroic fables and epic quests to smaller tales tucked within small villages and dank caverns.
Like any good fantasy world, Tamriel is really good at making the player feel immersed. Exploring the maps could lead you anywhere from a secret meeting of cultists to incredible treasure. The feeling of exploration is incredible, but what's even more exciting is knowing that every place you visit has a reason for existing and contains a purpose and story that further enhances the world.
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