There is often a clash in video games between realism and fantasy. It's, of course, possible for these two things to work together, but it's equally possible for the two to be at odds with one another, with developers having to choose between a more realistic but tedious mechanic versus one that is less realistic, but perhaps skips over some of that tedium. There are also games that are strictly grounded in simulating reality, and those that are little more than power fantasies stuffed into a sandbox, where the player's enjoyment is the only law worth following.
There are plenty of happy mediums within these two extremes, with titles that manage to include some heavy simulation elements while also focusing on broader character-building moments, the kind of thing that might be seen in an RPG more comfortably detached from reality. These games, when executed properly, can hit all the right notes, feeling grounded and immersive, but also with the capacity for iterative storytelling that makes so many open-world and simulation games popular today.
6 Project Zomboid
An Isometric Horror Wonder
Project Zomboid
- Released
- November 8, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- The Indie Stone
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC
With over ten years of development behind it, Project Zomboid has become a staple for anyone who likes in-depth survival or exploration games, showcasing what a good open-world can do, and how something as tried and tested as the zombie genre can still be terrifying with the right elements. Zombies are keenly aware of even the slightest sound, as would befit a simulation game, but players can invest in stats to make themselves quieter, like one would expect in an RPG.
Players will have to work on their skills, building a character that can survive the rigors of the post-apocalyptic world, while also trying to survive on the basic needs of food, water, and shelter. It's a difficult balancing act that Project Zomboid has honed to a fine art over its many years, and today players will be hard pressed to find a zombie game as polished as this one.
5 7 Days To Die
A Fantastic Sandbox World To Survive In
7 Days to Die
- Released
- June 28, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- The Fun Pimps
- Platform(s)
- Linux, macOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Weak
On the topic of zombie games that can hold a candle to Project Zomboid, however, 7 Days To Die has a robust and fantastic procedural generation system that makes every world feel lived in (un-lived in?) And some highly unique mechanics based around both the zombies and survival which help it stand out against a saturated market. The game is record-breaking for a reason, and any fan of zombies should give it a try.
The physical realities of light and sound alerting zombies, as well as the bodily needs for food and water, are braced against the RPG elements players can invest in, building up skills through experience in order to better their chances of survival come the dreaded seventh day.
4 Valheim
Surviving In A Hostile But Idyllic Landscape
Valheim
- Released
- February 2, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- r
- Developer(s)
- Iron Gate AB
- Publisher(s)
- Coffee Stain Studios
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- Platform(s)
- Linux, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Few games are as lush and vital as Valheim. It's a world where, even with its many perils, players feel like they want to live here, if only to experience another sunrise, or see more of the vibrant forests and plains that define much of the game world.
8 Best Open World Games Where You Slay Giants
These open-world games absolutely nail the grueling and epic experience of slaying giants and other gigantic creatures.
The in-depth leveling system within Valheim makes the world come together quite cohesively as an open-world RPG, even with the heavy survival elements. All these things mesh beautifully with the Norse-inspired fantasy that defines the game's aesthetic.
3 Kenshi
Truly Blurs The Line Between Colony Sim, Survival Game, And RPG
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- nr
- Developer(s)
- Lo-Fi Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
This game has the same incredibly dense character-building that people might see in a TTRPG, alongside the character-management system of a strategy game, and the resource mechanics of a hardcore survival game. Oh, and throw tower-defense mechanics in there as well, just for fun. If that sounds like such a huge blur of genres that it becomes its own thing, that's exactly what Kenshi is - a game with no contemporaries.
Its elements still, however, bring out the best from RPG, open-world, and simulation mechanics, with enough depth in each of these for players to keep themselves occupied for hours - and that's without looking into the thriving mod scene this title has developed.
2 Battle Brothers
Half-Dead Mercenary Simulator Or RPG? The Player Decides.
Battle Brothers
- Released
- April 27, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Overhype Studios
- Genre(s)
- Indie Games, Tactical, RPG, Strategy, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Anyone who finds the idea of a "trans-continental logistics simulator" boring clearly hasn't played Battle Brothers. This game will have players managing, rationing, and tending to the wounds of a group of rowdy mercenaries in a procedurally generated world where every town has a problem that needs solving. Each mercenary has morale to keep track of, individual strengths and weaknesses, and a background that impacts how they interact with the other band members.
Each mercenary also, however, has a collection of stats that make up their archetype as a fighter (hint: spear and shield. Just give everyone a spear and shield), while the player, who takes on the role of mercenary captain, comes face to face with many events that ask them to make difficult, company-defining decisions.
1 Rimworld
A Colony Simulator And Story Generator
RimWorld
- Released
- October 17, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
This game acts as a vehicle for some of the strangest, most horrifying, or most beautiful stories through the use of iterative narratives. Watching as the pawns that define each Rimworld colony succumb to madness or the elements, or thrive in spite of these things, is incredibly satisfying.
With just a handful of character traits, some stats, and some key skills—everything that goes into a good RPG, Rimworld gives players a simulation-RPG experience like no other, on a world where every tile is explorable terrain.
10 Best RPGs To Escape Reality, Ranked
Need a break from everyday life? These RPGs offer rich stories, emotional journeys, and the freedom to disappear for hours.