7 Games Like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom You Need to Play Now

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There’s a special kind of magic in Tears of the Kingdom. That rush when you climb a distant peak, catch the sun glinting off a river, and realise the world is bigger  and more alive than you imagined. The open-world freedom, the thrill of discovery, the hidden puzzles tucked away off the beaten path: it’s addictive. If you’ve finished Zelda and find yourself craving more worlds to roam, more secrets to uncover, and more moments that make you stop and just stare, you’re in the right place.

Below, we’ve rounded up seven games that capture that same sense of awe, adventure, and exploration. Some lean on story, some on pure freedom, but all deliver immersive experiences perfect for exploration fans.

 Quick Picks: Top Exploration Adventures

• Elden Ring : For vast, mysterious landscapes and a challenging, lore-rich journey.
• Horizon Forbidden West : Epic environments, mechanical wildlife, and optional quests that reward curiosity.
• Immortals Fenyx Rising : Mythical puzzles, light-hearted storytelling, and flying through the skies.
• Genshin Impact : Collectables, elemental puzzles, and gorgeous open worlds.
• Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut : Serene wandering in feudal Japan with cinematic landscapes.
• Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen – Monster climbing, freedom to explore any nook, and combat depth.
• Subnautica: Below Zero – Immersive underwater exploration with environmental puzzles and survival challenges.

 

1. Elden Ring

• Time to play: 50–100+ hours
• Pacing: Medium (can swing between tense combat and open exploration)
• Boredom risk: Low
• Best for: Solo explorers who love secrets, lore, and worldbuilding
• Commentary: Every corner of the Lands Between hides something magical  a forgotten shrine, a hidden dungeon, a climbable cliff with breathtaking vistas. Unlike typical RPGs, Elden Ring rewards curiosity more than combat skill alone. Its verticality and sprawling landscapes make discovery feel earned.

2. Horizon Forbidden West

• Time to play: 40–80 hours
• Pacing: Medium
• Boredom risk: Low
• Best for: Players seeking visually stunning worlds and layered exploration
• Commentary: From frozen peaks to lush canyons, every biome in Horizon offers unique challenges and rewards. Climbing mechanical beasts or exploring ruins reveals hidden lore. Side quests don’t just pad the map; they deepen your sense of immersion.

3. Immortals Fenyx Rising

• Time to play: 30–60 hours
• Pacing: Fast
• Boredom risk: Medium
• Best for: Solo or casual players who want humour, puzzles, and Greek mythology
• Commentary: Imagine Zelda’s climbing and gliding mechanics, but infused with bright colours, witty dialogue, and playful combat. Each mythological dungeon is a puzzle in itself, and the freedom to traverse mountains or dash through valleys gives the same “just one more adventure” feel that makes exploration addictive.

4. Genshin Impact

• Time to play: Ongoing
• Pacing: Medium
• Boredom risk: Medium
• Best for: Collectors, puzzle solvers, and those who love free-to-play open worlds
• Commentary: While it’s a gacha game, the world of Teyvat is crafted with exploration in mind. Climbing, gliding, and elemental puzzle solving give players the same sense of freedom as Zelda, and hidden treasures tucked behind mountains or underwater caves reward patient adventurers.

5. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut

• Time to play: 30–60 hours
• Pacing: Slow–Medium
• Boredom risk: Low
• Best for: Players who savour serene wandering and atmospheric storytelling
• Commentary: The wind literally guides your path in this game, leading you to bamboo forests, shrines, and hidden villages. The combination of cinematic visuals, subtle side quests, and carefully designed environments makes every moment feel alive, perfect for those who loved Zelda’s contemplative exploration.

6. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

• Time to play: 40–80 hours
• Pacing: Medium
• Boredom risk: Medium
• Best for: Players who enjoy climbing monsters, tactical combat, and open-world freedom
• Commentary: Verticality takes centre stage here  literally. Scaling dragons, griffins, and other giant beasts feels exhilarating, while the dynamic day-night cycle and freeform exploration make the world feel lived-in. Pawns (AI companions) provide both tactical depth and personality.

7. Subnautica: Below Zero

• Time to play: 20–50 hours
• Pacing: Slow
• Boredom risk: Medium
• Best for: Patient explorers and survival enthusiasts
• Commentary: This is exploration with stakes. Beneath icy waters lie alien creatures, hidden caves, and environmental puzzles. Every dive is both thrilling and nerve-wracking, giving players a sense of wonder akin to climbing a hidden mountain in Zelda  but underwater and eerily beautiful.

Tears of the Kingdom and are craving more breath-taking worlds to explore, this guide is for you. We’ve curated seven open-world adventure games that capture the thrill of discovery, puzzle-solving, and immersive exploration. From the sprawling mysteries of Elden Ring to the serene beauty of Ghost of Tsushima, each title offers unique landscapes, hidden secrets, and memorable adventures that appeal to solo players and exploration enthusiasts alike. Discover which games will reignite your sense of wonder and find your next favourite world to roam.