Over 70 years later, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien remains one of the most influential works of fantasy ever created, shaping the genre as it’s known today. The world of Middle-Earth embodies everything fantasy fans love about the genre — rich, iconic locations, diverse races and cultures, fantastical creatures like dragons, and a deep sense of history filled with memorable characters and impactful events.
In gaming, fans of Middle-Earth have plenty to choose from, with titles inspired by both Tolkien’s original books and Peter Jackson’s equally iconic film trilogy. Some of the most notable include LEGO The Hobbit and LEGO The Lord of the Rings, The Lord of the Rings Online, The Battle for Middle-earth, and Monolith’s open-world action games Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
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Traces of The Lord of the Rings can be found across countless fantasy books, films, and, naturally, games. While matching Middle-Earth in its depth and beauty may be impossible, some games stand out for their own original fantasy worlds, defined by unique lore, aesthetics, history, characters, and atmosphere. Below are some of the best fantasy games that offer explorable worlds almost as captivating as Tolkien’s masterpiece.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The Tamriel Continent and the Skyrim Province
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
- Released
- October 28, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Tamriel has been a true fan-favorite destination for fantasy RPG lovers for almost 30 years, offering a chance to fully immerse oneself in another world and live freely within it, joining various factions along the way. The original fantasy universe created by Bethesda has evolved with each new installment, expanding its history, lore, mysteries, prophecies, and epic scope. Every game even includes countless in-world books to read, showcasing the immense attention to detail poured in by the developers. Today, Tamriel stands as one of the most recognizable and iconic fictional universes in gaming history.
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While some elements, themes, races, and cultures in The Elder Scrolls series resemble other high fantasy works, the games feature plenty of unique aspects as well. Distinct races like the Khajiit and Argonians, the exotic flora and fauna of certain regions (especially Morrowind), diverse architecture of its cities, languages, and customs — all help Tamriel feel like a living world of its own. As players eagerly await The Elder Scrolls 6, Skyrim remains a truly special open-world experience, offering the unmistakable sense of grand adventure across the vast explorable map of Skyrim, complete with varied biomes and major cities such as Whiterun, Solitude, and Windhelm. True Elder Scrolls fans can also turn to The Elder Scrolls Online, which features the largest and most detailed rendition of Tamriel to date in all of its glory and an astounding scope.
Baldur’s Gate 3
The Continent of Faerûn
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
One of the newest major entries in the fantasy RPG genre, Baldur’s Gate 3 is set on the already well-established continent of Faerûn — part of the Forgotten Realms universe from Dungeons & Dragons. It offers the most detailed and charming depiction of this setting to date. On its own, the Forgotten Realms ranks among the most popular and recognizable fantasy worlds ever created, sharing some similarities with Middle-Earth (though its creator, Ed Greenwood, noted that Tolkien’s influence was fairly small) while standing apart in many ways. It’s a realm of strange lands, dangerous creatures, powerful magic, and mighty deities, where almost anything can happen, and where all manner of bizarre beings can be encountered.
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Baldur’s Gate 3 is most praised for its story, characters, and quests, with the explorable world being relatively compact compared to other entries on this list, and may not fully convey the same sweeping sense of “epicness” that some players might look for. Nevertheless, the sheer depth of the Forgotten Realms, with over 50 years of lore, combined with Larian’s dedication to the source material and BioWare’s original games, ensures that every corner of Faerûn feels distinct and authentic. Players are unlikely to forget their journey here, and many will gladly return to experience it again — especially while exploring the grand, reimagined city of Baldur’s Gate (also known as the City of Blood) as never before.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Continent and the Northern Realms
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Based on the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher games are set in a dark fantasy world simply known as “The Continent,” featuring numerous kingdoms, empires, and realms. The games primarily take place in the Northern Realms — Temeria, Redania, Aedirn, and Kaedwen — where a constant political struggle unfolds as the Nilfgaardian Empire seeks to conquer the North. Unlike Tolkien, Sapkowski never provided a definitive map of the Continent as he envisions it, leaving its geography open to interpretation. However, the writer ensured that the world of The Witcher is steeped in centuries of history, filled with complex events and characters that rival the depth of Middle-Earth.
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In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the Northern Realms are portrayed as diverse and beautiful destinations, deeply influenced by Slavic folklore. The game’s atmosphere, music, and mature storytelling create an unmistakable tone, complemented by breathtaking landscapes. As Geralt of Rivia, players explore dense forests and misty swamps, quiet villages and settlements, bustling cities like Oxenfurt, Novigrad, and Beauclair (from the Blood & Wine expansion), as well as countless mountains and islands. While the world of The Witcher 3 appears relatively grounded in its visuals and realism, its distinctive mood, folklore-inspired details, and original monster designs already set it apart from other fantasy, delivering another memorable setting in gaming.
Dragon Age Inquisition
The Continent of Thedas
Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Released
- November 18, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
BioWare’s own take on the original fantasy universe, the Dragon Age series is set on the continent of Thedas in the southern hemisphere of an unknown planet. Throughout the games, players explore nearly every corner of this world: from the kingdoms of Ferelden, Nevarra, and Antiva to the powerful Tevinter Imperium, each with its own culture, tone, and atmosphere. Gorgeously beautiful in its visuals and rich in detail, the Dragon Age universe was always intended as a darker take on the fantasy genre, focusing on mature themes and complex conflicts. In that sense, it aligns more closely with The Witcher than with the heroic tone of The Lord of the Rings.
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It should be noted that the aesthetics, visual style, and overall atmosphere vary noticeably between games, but among all the released entries so far, Dragon Age: Inquisition still offers the most beautiful and expansive environments, taking players all across Thedas as the leader of the Inquisition, tasked with uniting allies and restoring order to a land in chaos. From majestic forests and misty swamps to frozen peaks, scorching deserts, and stormy coasts, the game presents an astonishing variety of landscapes that still impress over a decade after release. The absence of a fully open world actually worked in its favor, allowing the developers to craft dense, visually striking, and distinct regions without the need for a single continuous map. Either way, the journey through Thedas in Inquisition remains one to remember, rivaling the greatest fantasy RPGs in scope and ambition.
Elden Ring
The Lands Between and the Realm of Shadow
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Created by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin, the open world of Elden Ring stands among the most remarkable original recent creations in gaming, with a scope and sense of grandeur matching The Lord of the Rings. Stunningly beautiful, vast, and spectacularly vertical, traveling across the Lands Between astonishes at every step, whether descending into the depths or climbing to the highest peaks to explore lost cities, towering castles, grand manors, magical academies, and ancient tombs. And always in view looms the colossal Erdtree, glowing gracefully in the distance — a striking and elegant symbol that makes Elden Ring’s world instantly recognizable.
But beauty alone doesn’t define the Lands Between. It’s an intricate world steeped in centuries of history and layered with thick, cryptic lore waiting to be uncovered. True to FromSoftware’s style, every fragment of story, every artifact, and every major character carries meaning, contributing to a rich and cohesive worldbuilding. Nothing exists here without proper reasoning. The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion introduces the Realm of Shadow, significantly expanding the map with layered and breathtaking environments — even by the studio’s own high standards. For such a new franchise, Elden Ring has already achieved extraordinary heights, leaving one lingering question: will there ever be Elden Ring 2?
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