Summary
- Elden Ring is an open-world game with rewarding exploration that draws inspiration from Breath of the Wild, perfect for Zelda fans.
- Bosorka is a great adventure game in a dark fantasy world with fun combat. Players take on the role of powerful young witches.
- Harvestella, a life-sim RPG, feels like Zelda in many ways and is a great choice for gamers, especially those playing with kids.
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most critically acclaimed series of all time, rivaled only by the likes of Super Mario and Grand Theft Auto. Consequently, the series' Nintendo exclusivity is a source of frustration for many gamers. Thankfully, the variety in playstyle between many of Link's adventures, along with the huge catalog of games available on PC, means that there are many PC games similar to Zelda.
Although there are plenty of straight-up Zelda clones out there, most of them are just rip-offs that aren't worth playing. As such, this list will include games that are great in their own right rather than titles that are as close to The Legend of Zelda as possible.
Updated on February 15, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: The Legend of Zelda is one of the most popular video game series of all time, which is why so many PC players are unhappy at the fact that most of these titles are restricted to Nintendo's console. Still, the gameplay loop is so popular and influential that a lot of quality video games have added their own spin to the formula. From AAA offerings to indie gems, there is a wealth of titles that fans of Zelda games can check out for themselves.
26 A Short Hike
A Simple & Fun Game Where Players Can Climb Using A Mechanic Pretty Similar To Breath Of The Wild
A Short Hike
A short and sweet adventure full of lovable anthropomorphic characters and a simple gameplay loop, A Short Hike is all about finding cellphone reception by reaching the peak of a mountain. To accomplish this, the player character (a humanoid bird) must collect golden feathers to improve their gliding and climbing abilities.
This is a gameplay loop that fans of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom will be infinitely familiar with. Once players have explored the game world enough, they'll have enough stamina to climb to the very top of the mountain without any issues.
25 Sengoku Dynasty
A Zelda-Esque Game With A More Realistic Historical Twist
- Platform: PC
- Released: August 10, 2023
- Developer: Superkami
- Genre: Role-playing game, Simulation
Sengoku Dynasty is a calming and beautiful sim that lets players explore feudal Japan while creating and expanding villages amidst picturesque forests, mountains, and cherry groves. During their adventures, players not only get to explore a stunning open world but learn about medieval Japanese life.
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Gaming fans can choose to become leaders, craftsmen, warriors, or monks before they embark on their profound journeys. Players will also be able to master various weaponry, including Yari and Katanas. Sengoku Dynasty is a great choice for players who are looking for Zelda-like games with a more realistic historical twist since they'll be able to enjoy its beautiful open-world and captivating tales while combating enemies.
24 Sea Of Thieves
Perfect For Fans Of The Wind Waker
Sea of Thieves
- Released
- March 20, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Rare
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Sea of Thieves is one of the best co-op open-world games filled with pirates, mythical sea monsters, and ghostly ships. Gaming fans get to explore a vivid, cartoonish open world while embarking on epic quests for buried treasure, battle pirates, and navigate treacherous waters.
Sea of Thieves' shared-world environment encourages players to form pirate crews with pals or befriend and betray other sailors depending on what kind of character they want to be. Players also get to discover beautiful islands and unravel tales steeped in mystery, reminiscent of Zelda's iconic story arcs. However, gamers can also enjoy unscripted encounters as well as dynamic weather that will make every one of their voyages uniquely challenging.
23 Dredge
A Beautiful Game Focused On Exploration That Features A Sinister Twist
Dredge
- Released
- March 31, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Black Salt Games
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Dredge takes its players on a surprisingly calming Lovecraftian adventure as they explore a beautifully designed open world and all its chilling mysteries. Players get to explore a peculiar archipelago while diving deep to uncover long-buried secrets and the murkiest of pasts.
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However, players will get to do much more than just selling fish. They'll also have to plan and manage other things, including upgrading boats if they want to safely explore the ocean's shadowy depths and confront what the fog hides. Dredge has over a hundred and twenty-five aquatic creatures to discover, as well as stunning islands teeming with tales. It's perfect for players who are looking for an experience similar to that of The Legend of Zelda.
22 The Mageseeker: A League Of Legends Story
A Great Action Title With The Zelda Spirit
The Mageseeker: A League Of Legends Story
- Released
- April 18, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Digital Sun
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story is a colorful and action-filled RPG that transports its players into the magical kingdom of Demacia, where the evil Mageseekers are trying to oppress the magic-using citizens. Players will get to step into the shoes of a powerful spell-stealing mage who managed to break free from his unjust captivity.
As players embark on their journey, they'll get to learn more about this complex fantasy realm while fighting epic battles to conquer tyranny and liberate their homeland. It's one of the most exciting PC games like Zelda on Steam with a fun fantasy story. Beginner players can find useful tips about the best spells in The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story that will make their experience much more entertaining from the start.
21 Cult Of The Lamb
Combines Zelda-Esque Exploration With Cult Management
Cult of the Lamb
- Released
- August 11, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Massive Monster
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- Roguelite, Indie Games, Simulation
Cult of the Lamb is perfect for Zelda fans who have a dark sense of humor and love roguelike games. Thanks to this action colony sim, players can explore a dark fantasy realm and become possessed lambs who have to start and grow their own cult at all costs.
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The player's goal is to embark on an adventure and gain as many woodland followers as possible to eventually become the one true cult. Gamers will have to perform normal tasks like building new structures and collecting resources, but they will also have to perform dark rituals and fight non-believers and rival cults to absorb their power.
20 Harvestella
A Life-Sim RPG That Feels Like Zelda In Many Ways
Harvestella
Harvestella is a beautifully designed title that's also a great choice for gamers who are looking for games to play with kids. Thanks to this stunning life-sim RPG, players get to explore an atmospheric fantasy realm where they'll have to find a way to overcome the dangers of Quietus.
During their adventures, players will get to know a charming but dangerous world that's visited by the Quietus, a mysterious disaster that plagues the realm each season. Players will have to explore a magical open world, build a self-sufficient life, find allies, and fight against various threats that could end all life in this title.
19 Bosorka
A Great Adventure Game With Fun Combat In A Dark Fantasy World
- Platform: PC
- Released: 14 April, 2023
- Developer: Sengi Games
- Genre: Action
Bosorka is an action roguelike game set in a dark fantasy setting where players can become powerful young witches who have to save the world by defeating dangerous and evil demons. Players will have to find a way to stop the ancient Grimoire from summoning terrifying demons and monsters if they hope to succeed.
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During their adventures, players will get to learn how to combine runes, fly various brooms, and use a fine variety of spells to save the world from destruction. Bosorka has a vibrant and beautiful design and takes players on a thrilling journey with many locations and challenging bosses from the netherworld.
18 Elden Ring
The Open World Exploration Is Rewarding And Takes Cues From Breath Of The Wild
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
It's not often that a game - or any piece of media for that matter - is able to live up to expectations when it's the most highly anticipated release of its year. FromSoftware managed to pull off the impossible, though, by creating an RPG of such incredible size and scope that it blew away even some of the most optimistic of fans.
Elden Ring is comfortably on the Breath of the Wild side of the Zelda gameplay scale, with its enormous open world that is packed with things to do and enemies to defeat.
17 Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
A Brief Adventure That Takes Inspiration From A Link To The Past's Gameplay
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
There aren't many lists where Elden Ring and Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion would both qualify. One is a 100+ hour RPG epic that pushes boundaries of scale and magnitude in gaming, while the other can be finished before lunch.
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Still, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion deserves a spot on this list, as while it was never going to be a game of the year contender, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable 2-3 hour adventure that has a great sense of humor and memorable cast of characters. The gameplay struggles to impress at times, but Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is still a great option for those wanting a light-hearted take on the Link to the Past formula.