Best Action RPGs Like The Witcher 3

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the greatest games ever made. That should not be a controversial statement. Developed by CD Projekt Red and released in 2015, The Witcher 3 garnered near-universal praise for its ambitious storytelling and immersive setting. The game’s success propelled the somewhat niche franchise into the mainstream. In this long and sprawling adventure, The Witcher 3 concludes Geralt’s journey satisfyingly… and that’s not even getting into the awesome combat, graphics, characters, lore, and everything else along the same lines. There aren’t many games that feel as fresh as CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece, but for any person who wishes to enjoy a similar experience, here are some of the best action RPGs like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Updated on May 11, 2023 by Mark Sammut: The Witcher 3 is one-of-a-kind, but some games should be able to scratch a similar itch. Hogwarts Legacy Original Release Date February 7, 2023 Developer Avalanche Software, Portkey Games Platforms PS5 PS4 (April 4, 2023) Xbox Series X/S Xbox One (April 4, 2023) PC Switch (July 25, 2023) Hogwarts Legacy is, ultimately, a considerably different experience than The Witcher 3, but the former could hit the spot for fans of the latter. Both titles immerse players in fantastical and magic-laden worlds, albeit ones that are not that similar mechanically. While The Witcher series focuses on Geralt, Avalanche’s game permits players to create their own wizard, encouraging a full role-playing experience. RELATED: Common Mistakes To Avoid While Playing Hogwarts Legacy Hogwarts Legacy offers a beautiful world, plenty of side content, fun combat with a fair amount of variety, and replay value thanks to its selectable houses. While the main story is decently long and enjoyable, Hogwarts Legacy is often at its best when players are simply existing within its universe, similar to The Witcher 3. Get it on Amazon here! Elden Ring Original Release Date February 25, 2022 Developer FromSoftware Platforms PS5 PS4 Xbox One Xbox 360 PC Elden Ring has taken the gaming world by storm in a way that the popular but still niche Dark Souls games never quite managed. Set in a vast world that demands to be explored, Elden Ring mostly leaves players to their own devices as they traverse the unknown in search of the Great Runes. Unsurprisingly, this journey proves to be extremely difficult. Honestly, Elden Ring’s combat, lore presentation, and pacing are not that similar to The Witcher 3 – FromSoftware’s game is very much its own beast. That said, when it comes to action open-world RPGs, both releases are game-changers and deliver experiences that are hard to top. Get it on Amazon here! Planescape: Torment Original Release Date December 12, 1999 Developer Black Isle Studios Platforms PS4 Xbox One Switch PC Android iOS Describing Planescape: Torment as an “action RPG” is generous since its combat is static and one-note. That said, the bland battles are worth putting up with to experience everything else this classic has to offer. While The Witcher 3 is generally treated as the standard-bearer for quality writing in RPGs, Planescape: Torment held that title for a very long time. More importantly, the game’s story, world-building, and dialogue have aged quite well. Permitting someone goes in with realistic expectations, Planescape: Torment is still a must-play RPG and one of the best extensions of the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Get it on Steam here! Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Original Release Date July 29, 2022 Developer Monolith Soft Platforms Anime visuals, party-based combat, and a fantasy setting with sprinkles of sci-fi, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has little in common with The Witcher 3 on the surface. However, both games have similar strengths as they deliver well-written stories set within massive worlds defined by political strife. Like CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece, the Switch exclusive dedicates a great deal of time and effort to exploring its main characters and their relationships. RELATED: Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Best Attackers Arts Ultimately, Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s biggest strength is its ability to immerse players in a fully-realized setting drenched in history, conflict, and nuance. The combat system takes a while to reveal all of its depth, but it does expand nicely as the lengthy campaign progresses. Get it on Amazon here! Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Original Release Date October 5, 2018 Developer Ubisoft Quebec Platforms PS4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch PC Google Stadia Any of the last few Assassin’s Creed games are safe picks for those seeking epic adventures; however, Odyssey gets the nod when it comes to games like The Witcher 3 since it marked the point when Ubisoft’s series fully embraced role-playing elements. Dialogue options and branching paths are integrated into the storyline, providing players with more agency than in previous Assassin’s Creed titles. The open-world is enormous and blends history with fiction, creating a landscape littered with jaw-dropping vistas and neat details. Although not quite reaching The Witcher 3 level, Odyssey’s story is solid enough, as are the combat and progression systems. Get it on Amazon here! Kingdoms Of Amalur: Re-Reckoning Original Release Date September 8, 2020 Developers 38 Studios, Big Huge Games, Kaiko Platforms PS4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch PC Kingdoms of Amalur excels in different areas than The Witcher 3. Its story is a bit uninspired and doesn’t become anything more than just serviceable; conversely, the game’s combat is smooth, fast-paced, flexible, and creative. The protagonist lacks Geralt’s personality; however, Kingdoms of Amalur’s customization options provide players with plenty of room to create their own heroes. The Witcher 3 and Kingdoms of Amalur both take place in rich fantasy settings that are visually captivating, although the latter’s world is far more colorful than the former. For those seeking an action-heavy RPG, this game is the way to go. Get it on Amazon here! GreedFall Original Release Date September 10, 2019 Developer Spiders Platforms PS5 PS4 Xbox Series X/S Xbox One PC Placing the player in the boots of a noble emissary exploring a mostly undeveloped island, GreedFall offers a large and dynamic map to uncover. The third-person view that mixes a nice range of melee weapons and firearms gives this ARPG a unique feel that will resonate well with fans of The Witcher games. There are a ton of cool, original monsters to meet and slay, though the vibrant natural world offers more than just combat. Players can romance various companions along the way, build diplomatic relations with powerful politicians, and bring peace to the divided factions crowding the island. Get the Gold Edition on Amazon here! Cyberpunk 2077 Original Release Date December 10, 2020 Developer CD Projekt Red Platforms PS5 PS4 Xbox Series X/S Xbox One PC Google Stadia CD Projekt Red’s follow-up to The Witcher 3 had big shoes to fill; unfortunately, Cyberpunk 2077’s launch was anything but smooth, with the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game being riddled with bugs. On PC and next-gen consoles, the action RPG is a far more enjoyable experience, allowing for the game’s strengths to shine through more clearly. RELATED: Cyberpunk 2077: The Strongest People In Night City According To Lore Cyberpunk 2077’s greatest achievement is Night City, a bustling metropolis filled with skyscrapers stamped with the sigils of corporations that tower over gang-torn streets. Although it trades a third-person perspective for FPS gameplay, Cyberpunk 2077’s engrossing storytelling, convincing NPCs, and dense world are deeply reminiscent of The Witcher 3. Get it on Amazon here! Deus Ex Original Release Date June 23, 2000 Developer Ion Storm Platforms Similar to how The Witcher 3 set a new standard for writing in RPGs, particularly for side quests, 2000’s Deus Ex raised the bar when it comes to player freedom. Blending first-person shooter gameplay with RPG concepts like customization and non-linear levels, Ion Storm’s masterpiece was well ahead of its contemporaries in many areas. Even all these years later, few games come close to matching Deus Ex’s stellar level design and immersion, and that includes its highly-regarded sequels. Deus Ex is a very different experience than The Witcher 3, but they both represent the RPG genre at its best. Although dated in some ways, Ion Storm’s classic holds up very well overall; in fact, Deus Ex can be described as timeless. Get it on Steam here! Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines Original Release Date November 16, 2004 Developer Troika Games Platforms Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines might seem somewhat antiquated in this day and age, but the action RPG was a game-changer in 2004. Prior to The Witcher 3, Troika’s project helped set the standard for writing in video games, and the range of choices the RPG provides players is still impressive nearly two decades later. Narratively, Bloodlines is among the genre’s greatest representatives, and time has done nothing to change that perspective. Bloodlines 2 is in production, although a release date has yet to be announced. Provided someone goes into the 2004 release with reasonable expectations considering its age, they will find one of the best games like The Witcher 3. Get it on Steam here! Horizon Forbidden West Original Release Date February 18, 2022 Developer Guerrilla Games Platforms An argument could be made that Horizon Forbidden West is an action-adventure title rather than an RPG; however, the PlayStation exclusive takes enough ideas from the latter genre to qualify. Guerrilla Games’ sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn does not deviate too far from its predecessor’s blueprint, opting instead to fine-tune what came before while also offering a bigger sandbox for players to explore. Horizon Forbidden West’s open-world is gorgeous and densely populated with content, be it side quests or challenges. RELATED: Horizon Forbidden West: Every Weapon Type, Ranked Like The Witcher 3, Sony’s game emphasizes its main story, building upon the solid base established by Horizon Zero Dawn. While their personalities are not that similar, Aloy and Geralt are both used to being treated as outsiders, although they are willing to lend a helping hand if the need arises. Horizon Forbidden West’s combat starts strong and gradually improves as Aloy unlocks more weapons and abilities. Get it on Amazon here! Grim Dawn Original Release Date February 25, 2016 Developer Crate Entertainment Platforms Grim Dawn is an isometric action RPG in the style of Diablo and Titan Quest, therefore, any person contemplating whether they should pick up this game should be aware that it plays nothing like The Witcher 3. Like most entries in this subgenre, Grim Dawn is primarily loot-driven, and the game does not hold back on drops. Even though it is very much a different type of beast from CD Projekt Red’s RPG, Grim Dawn also envisions a dark fantasy world that has a more grounded aesthetic compared to other similar games. While not the focus, the game’s story is pretty good as well, taking place in a world ravished by a war that left humanity on the brink of annihilation. Get it on Steam here! Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen Original Release Date April 23, 2013 Developer Capcom Platforms PS4 PS3 Xbox One Xbox 360 Nintendo Switch PC Capcom’s Dragon’s Dogma is finally receiving a sequel, something that has been a long time coming. Slightly underrated at the time of its release, Dragon’s Dogma gradually garnered a cult following, particularly once the Dark Arisen expansion hit the scene. In some ways, Capcom’s game is the inverse of The Witcher 3 since it excels in combat while not offering too much story excitement. Dragon’s Dogma unleashes players in a dark fantasy world filled with imaginative and horrifying monsters, most of which pack quite a punch. Even though its map is not especially large, the game makes Gransys seem bigger than it really is by limiting fast travel and cramming a lot of content into a small space. Get it on Amazon here! Alpha Protocol Original Release Date June 1, 2010 Developer Obsidian Entertainment Platforms Before proceeding any further, it should be noted that Alpha Protocol is far rougher around the edges than The Witcher 3. With janky controls, lackluster gameplay, and quite a few bugs, the game’s negatives can be difficult to overlook, but they do not detract from its positives: story and customization. Set in a futuristic sci-fi world, Alpha Protocol centers around a secret agent who goes on worldwide missions, and players are given the freedom to warp Michael Thorton’s personality, skillset, and future. Alpha Protocol has branching storylines, dialogue options that genuinely matter, and great world-building. This RPG rewards multiple playthroughs, each one better than the last since players steadily become more adept at circumventing the game’s frustrations. In many ways, Alpha Protocol is similar to the first Witcher game, at least in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Get it on Amazon here! Kingdom Come: Deliverance Original Release Date February 13, 2018 Developer Warhorse Studios Platforms PS4 Xbox One PC Amazon Luna No game is exactly like The Witcher 3, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance arguably has the most similar-feeling world. While the latter does not have fantastical creatures, Kingdom Come’s Bohemia is a gritty and dirty place that prioritizes realism above everything else. If The Witcher 3 is a dark fantasy, then Kingdom Come is the version set on Earth. Kingdom Come’s open-world is vast, punishing, but also capable of inspiring moments of beauty. The game’s first-person combat comes with a steeping learning curve as players need to master their swordsmanship (or other weapons) to stand a chance in any of the harder battles. Like The Witcher 3, Kingdom Come is an immersive sim that strikes a grim tone and makes players work for every success. Get it on Amazon here! Mass Effect 2 Original Release Date January 26, 2010; May 14, 2021 (Mass Effect Legendary Edition) Developer BioWare Platforms PS4 (Mass Effect Legendary Edition) PS3 Xbox One (Mass Effect Legendary Edition) Xbox 360 PC (Original & Mass Effect Legendary Edition) When it comes to games that are similar to The Witcher 3, it goes without saying that most BioWare games from their golden age are a great fit. Mass Effect 2 is one such game that is a must-play for anyone who was invested in the story of The Witcher 3. RELATED: Secrets Behind The Making Of Mass Effect 2 While BioWare games tend to focus more on party interactions, individual character stories, and the like, there will still be enough similarities between Mass Effect 2 and The Witcher 3 to satiate any person’s role-playing urges. The biggest difference between both these games is their settings… which is where the next game on this list comes into the picture. Mass Effect Legendary Edition, a compilation containing BioWare’s trilogy, is available on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Get it on Amazon here! Bloodborne Original Release Date March 24, 2015 Developer FromSoftware Platform PS4 The Witcher 3’s combat is awesome, and any player who wishes to enjoy a tighter and more challenging version of this combat should definitely try out Bloodborne. The fast-paced nature of the game’s combat will definitely feel right at home with the battles in The Witcher 3, and that’s not the only selling point of Bloodborne. The beautiful Gothic world of this game has a number of Lovecraftian elements that make the levels of Bloodborne equally haunting and engrossing to explore. Get it on Amazon here! Gothic 1 & 2 Original Release Date November 23, 2001 October 28, 2003 Developer Piranha Bytes Platforms Piranha Bytes is synonymous with eurojank, which are basically games that prioritize mechanical depth over visuals. Even though it sounds like a criticism, “eurojank” is really a term of endearment, and a lot of that goodwill can be traced back to the first two Gothic projects. Generally, the sequel is considered superior, but as Gothic 2 continues directly from its predecessor, newcomers should start from the beginning. The original game is pretty good too, so it is hardly a painful sit. RELATED: Great Games That Are Hard Fantasy Gothic is rough around the edges, fairly ugly by 2001 standards, and punishingly difficult at times, and the same can be said about the sequel. On the positive side, the games craft believable worlds that emphasize player growth and immersion. Rather than focusing on massive maps, Gothic fills its real estate with NPCs that genuinely seem like they have their own lives beyond the player’s actions. The protagonist is also fairly weak and takes a while to become a powerhouse, which means players have to be very careful to not get into fights with the wrong people. Get it on Steam here! Middle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor Original Release Date September 30, 2014 Developer Monolith Productions Platforms PS4 PS3 Xbox One Xbox 360 PC High fantasy settings are a dime-a-dozen in video games, and it can be quite challenging to select a game that does justice to its setting. Thankfully, Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor manages to evade this problem since its setting is already as established and legendary as can be. It certainly helps that the game is extremely fun to play, with the visceral combat being an absolute blast in every sense of the word. People who play Shadow of Mordor will definitely have an extremely positive and enjoyable experience indeed. Get it on Amazon here! Red Dead Redemption 2 Original Release Date October 26, 2018 Developer Rockstar Studios Platforms PS4 Xbox One PC Google Stadia It would be impossible to talk about excellent open-world games with RPG elements without mentioning the masterpiece that is Red Dead Redemption 2. A prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption, which is also a must-play, RDR2 is a meticulously crafted epic that tells a complex narrative during a period of American history defined by change. RELATED: Hidden Secrets Many Still Haven’t Found In Red Dead Redemption 2 Rockstar Games truly blew everyone’s expectations out of the water with the release of this stellar title, which is arguably the greatest video game Western of all time. Get it on Amazon here! Fallout: New Vegas Original Release Date October 19, 2010 Developer Obsidian Entertainment Platforms The intricate plot and game-altering decisions of The Witcher 3 are one of the game’s biggest selling points, and people who wish to enjoy such consequence-heavy decision-making in their games should definitely try out Fallout: New Vegas. This game takes everything good about the first two Fallout games and combines them with the modern conveniences introduced in Fallout 3. In the process, Obsidian crafted a sublime role-playing experience that no self-respecting gamer should miss out on. Get it on Amazon here! Original Release Date November 11, 2011 Developer Bethesda Game Studios Platforms PS5 PS4 PS3 Xbox Series X/S Xbox One Xbox 360 Nintendo Switch PC While the story of The Witcher 3 is definitely one of the biggest reasons why people love this game, another aspect that should also be highlighted is its fantastic open-world exploration. Therefore, it’s only a given that people who love exploring the beautiful world of The Witcher 3 would also enjoy playing Skyrim, which is considered to be right up there with the best role-playing games ever made, and for good reason. Through mods and ports, Skyrim has remained relevant for more than a decade, as millions of players have and will continue to immerse themselves in its engrossing lore and world. While Skyrim’s first-person combat has very few similarities with The Witcher 3’s gameplay, both RPGs excel in other areas like their quests and depth. Get the PS4 version on Amazon here! The Witcher 2: Assassins Of Kings Original Release Date May 17, 2011 Developer CD Projekt Red Platforms Typically, it goes without saying that someone should start with the first rather than the last chapter in a trilogy, but The Witcher is an exception. The third entry served as this universe’s introductory point for a lot of people, and the game’s popularity far eclipses its predecessors. Although they do tell one ongoing story, CD Projekt Red succeeded in making The Witcher 3 accessible as a standalone experience. As such, even people who adored the game might not feel tempted to revisit the previous entries. Even though its writing is fantastic, 2007’s The Witcher’s gameplay is polarizing and completely different from anything that came after it. Fortunately, the same cannot be said for The Witcher 2, which incorporates many of the same ideas as its successor. While consisting of separate zones rather than a continuous open-world, the RPG still contains its share of exploration and side quests, and the latter are decent in their own right. The combat system is also similar to The Witcher 3, which means people will either love or hate it. More importantly, Assassins of Kings tells a great story. Get the Xbox 360 version on Amazon here! MORE: The Witcher 3: The Most Important Choices You’ll Have To Make In The Game