Summary
- Sun Haven offers unique races and customizations for a vivid fantasy experience.
- Enshrouded challenges survival in a blight-ridden world with engaging combat and multiplayer options.
- Palia provides a laid-back and cozy experience with community interactions, romances, and various activities.
One of the biggest joys with gaming is the escapism it offers, allowing players to travel to a different world that is unlike the one they live in. Many role-playing games are perfect for this, as players are transported to a fantasy world, with many giving them the freedom to do whatever they wish as they go on their adventures.
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These open-world games do offer a main story campaign to complete, but their settings are so immersive that exploration almost always takes priority.
Gamers who are looking for a new fantasy life for themselves should look no further than these particular titles. They are easily among the best games for living a fantasy life, not only due to the game itself being rated highly on sites such as OpenCritic, but also due to them consisting of an interesting fantasy world that the player can happily get lost in without even continuing the main story.
Sun Haven
A Pretty Pixel Fantasy Life
Sun Haven
- Released
- March 11, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
With a variety of cozy games that are perfect for a player looking to start their own fantasy life, Sun Haven is arguably one of the greatest options. The game already starts off as any fantasy player's dream when they are asked to choose a race to play from multiple options, such as Elves, Naga, Demons, and so much more, followed by them fully customizing their character.
While players build up their farm, they unlock all sorts of magical spells that make the daily tasks of a farmer far easier, with the rain cloud spell being arguably one of the most loved of all. With multiple towns to visit in Sun Haven, there is plenty to discover outside its interesting story.
Enshrouded
Survive And Thrive In A Lost Kingdom
Enshrouded
- Released
- January 24, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Keen Games
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Open-World, Action RPG
Even with the game still currently in early access, Enshrouded has proven itself to have great potential for players looking to live a fantasy life. Those who are looking for a bit of a challenge with their life should consider games like Enshrouded, which test a player's survival skills in a blight-ridden world as the last of a dying race of people.
Enshrouded is a survival game that has something for all players. With enchanting combat for intense battles or simply staying at base building magnificent structures, players are free to live the way they want. On top of that, Enshrouded can also be enjoyed by up to 15 other people on a server.
Palia
An MMO Fantasy Life Sim Like No Other
Palia
- Released
- August 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Singularity 6, Inc.
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, MMO
Palia is another incredible multiplayer fantasy life experience for gamers to enjoy. While Enshrouded has players exploring a survival world, Palia is far more of a laid-back title that sits well with those who enjoy cozy gaming. Like any good relaxing experience, Palia provides players with multiple activities to complete, from gathering resources to crafting furniture, fishing, or even creating their little farm.
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The community is a large part of Palia, with many working together to collect some of the rarest materials, but the players aren't the only best thing. Even with many other players also interacting with the same NPCs, it's possible to start romances with a few of the characters in this fantasy world.
Fable 2
Classic Fantasy Fun In A Well-Developed World
Fable 2
- Released
- October 21, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Lionhead Studios
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360
Classic RPG titles are still some of the best for those looking to live a fantasy life in games. Fable 2 is a game that many players remember fondly for its interesting world and how easy it was to get invested in. When the player wasn't trying to be a hero in Fable 2, they could instead become a homeowner and own plenty of houses and shops across the world of Fable 2.
Players could also work various jobs, such as at the pub or helping the blacksmith, but when they weren't trying to make money in this fantasy world, they could settle down with one of the NPCs instead. Almost any NPC is available to be romanced in Fable 2, and the player can eventually start their own family as long as they have the space.
Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma
Build Villages And Help Gods
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Marvelous
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
The Rune Factory series is another great option for those looking to live a fantasy life, with the latest title, known as Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, being one of the best to focus on living that life to the fullest. In between saving the gods and stopping all the runes being stripped from Azuma, the player is free to help build up the various villages named after the different seasons.
With a whole roster of NPCs to get to know, as players unlock more of the gods, the festivals will return, and eventually, the player can think about settling down in Azuma. Much of the end-game content of Guardians of Azuma cannot be unlocked until the player has married and had their first child, allowing them to finally experience one of the best games for living a fantasy life.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Get Lost In All Sorts Of Side Quests And More
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
- Released
- October 28, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Unsurprisingly, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim has found itself a deserving spot as one of the best games for living a fantasy life. In the open world of Skyrim, there is plenty more to do than simply the main story, with many players abandoning the chance of ever being the Dragonborn.
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These JRPGs combine deep fantasy settings with rich plots and iconic character journeys that continue to inspire fans around the world.
Instead, players can go on their own adventure across the world of Skyrim, finding new side quests to complete that see them joining various guilds. With the Special Edition of the title releasing in 2016, players have even been able to enjoy all the DLCs, with Hearthfire DLC being perfect for anyone looking to settle down by building their own home, getting married, and adopting kids.
Fantasy Life I: The Girl Who Steals Time
Perfect For Living A True Fantasy Life
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
- Released
- May 21, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // Mild Fantays Violence
- Developer(s)
- Level 5
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2
After countless years, Fantasy Life returned with Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time. It's no surprise to see that this game is one of the best for living a fantasy life, with the latest title providing players with all the classic life options and more.
Besides grabbing a license for one of the many fighting, gathering, or crafting lives available, Fantasy Life i has hooked countless gamers with its Animal Crossing: New Horizons-style island decorating mechanic that players will eventually unlock. Here, players can use their lives to craft various pieces of furniture for the island, and they can even terraform it to suit their needs.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Explore Forgotten Ruins And Great Cities In A Huge Open World
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
By far, one of the greatest games for living a fantasy life has to be The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. While the player may not be able to make their own custom character or start a family of their own like some other games mentioned, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt makes up for this by providing players with a wondrous open world that truly feels alive.
With many morally gray situations, players can take a break from the stories to instead have a game or five of Gwent or go out into the wilderness to do some exploring of the various ruins and wreckage spread across the map.
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