10 Greatest Fantasy Adventure Video Games of All Time

Published Aug 5, 2026, 6:38 AM EDT Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts. Some of the best stories come in the form of an adventure, allowing viewers to embark on a journey of magic and wonder through their TV or movie screens. Video games in particular are great at evoking a sense of adventure, since the player has full control of where their journey goes. Titles such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mass Effect highlight some of the best adventures in gaming. But when it comes to adventure, fantasy usually follows, with the two genres pairing up perfectly. That is why this list will rank the ten best fantasy adventure video games of all time based on gameplay, design, narrative, visuals, sense of adventure, world, lore, scale, critical acclaim, fan opinion, and overall quality. If fans are ready for the adventure of a lifetime, gear up and play one of these games! 10 'Fable II' (2008) Image via Lionhead Studios The new Fable reboot comes out in early 2027, and while that is looking promising, the best game in the franchise is still Fable II. This game follows the rise to fame of an ordinary street punk who becomes the hero who will save the world. But first, they must seek revenge against the evil tyrant who is altering the future of the mystical kingdom. Each of the three major companies has an iconic fantasy franchise, and Xbox's is Fable II. Some fans say adventure is all about exploration and danger, and while that is true, daily life is also sort of an adventure. Fable II is a whimsical and charming game that lets players immerse themselves in the fleshed-out world through daily activities like shopping and getting a job on top of the action and adventure. 9 'Okami' (2006) Image via Capcom Fantasy games come in many shapes and sizes, including a mythological form, such as the gorgeous video game Okami. Amaterasu is the sun goddess of Japan, taking the form of a white wolf. Players control the goddess as they go on an adventure through the land of Nippon when a dark curse is launched by an ancient demon, threatening to destroy the entire country. Okami is one of the most visually stunning video games ever, and this glorious art style further enhances the beauty that the player experiences on their quest. This game brilliantly weaves its puzzles and combat to create an engaging system related to its core themes. Not to mention it feels like playing through a living painting, delivering a fantasy adventure unlike any other. 8 'Shadow of the Colossus' (2005) Image via Sony Computer Entertainment Fantasy games are all about wonder and magic, or at least that is what many people think, because Shadow of the Colossus is none of those things, yet it is still a perfect fantasy experience. After the death of their lover, the player makes a deal with an entity to kill the 16 Colossi in order to revive his love. However, what dangers await this journey of destruction? Shadow of the Colossus is a rather tragic adventure that ends on a bleak note, but it is what makes it such a harrowingly beautiful experience. Each boss fight is grand and cinematic, mixing the gargantuan scale with emotional depth and gameplay prestige, not to mention strikingly gorgeous visuals. But that doesn't take away from the increasingly dark adventure with one of the best video game endings. 7 'Chrono Trigger' (1995) Image via Square Enix Almost all the games on this list are 3D action adventures, but Chrono Trigger proves that 2D adventures are still incredible. When a group of adventurers accidentally travel to the future, they discover a post-apocalyptic ruin. Now, they must travel back and forth from the destroyed future and the prehistoric past in order to gain enough strength to prevent the end of the world. From the opening moments to the final credits, Chrono Trigger is a flawlessly paced adventure that keeps the momentum high throughout its exhilarating adventure. Not only is it one of the greatest 2D video games of all time, but Chrono Trigger is simply an exceptional fantasy with revolutionary mechanics that alter the future directly based on the player's actions. 6 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt' (2015) Image via CD Projekt Red More and more fantasy games are getting live-action adaptations, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but fans know nothing will compare to this unmatched gaming adventure. Geralt of Rivia puts aside his usual monster-hunting duties to search for his missing daughter, Ciri, who is being chased by the titular group of spectral warriors that want to use her for her innate magical abilities. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has a great story, but it captures its adventure perfection through the side quests and narrative lore spread throughout the world. The Slavic-inspired folktales and creatures create a unique fantasy realm, which the game accentuates through its monster-hunting mechanics and side quests. This game is nothing short of a masterpiece, and fans cannot wait until The Witcher 4. 5 'Dragon Age: Origins' (2009) Image via BioWare Disaster strikes the kingdom of Ferelden, with an ancient evil invasion being summoned by an Archdemon to destroy the world. Dragon Age: Origins follows the player's recruitment into the Grey Wardens with the mission of traveling across the land in order to reunite all the races to take up arms and join forces to stop this evil army from sweeping across the kingdom. There are many great Dragon Age video games, but Dragon Age: Origins takes the cake. The party system brings together fascinating characters who develop alongside the protagonist and reveal more about themselves on the adventure. The different origin stories and background of these colorful characters shape the way they are treated and viewed. This marvellous approach enhances the worldbuilding, making the adventure feel more real. 4 'Baldur's Gate 3' (2023) Image via Larian Studios Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game that embodies the spirit of adventure, and Baldur's Gate 3 is the video game equivalent. After the player character is infected by a Mind Flayer tadpole, they must travel around the world searching for a cure before they become a Mind Flayer. Meanwhile, a war between mortals and gods shakes up the Earth, making the adventure even more difficult. Adventure games are acclaimed for their sense of freedom, and while Baldur's Gate 3 doesn't allow the player to move around an open world, it achieves agency through unparalleled choice and intricate design. There are so many solutions to anything, with only knowledge and understanding of the mechanics being required. Everything shifts the narrative and direction of the adventure, making decisions and luck, or lack of it, a defining part of the journey. 3 'Elden Ring' (2022) FromSoftware is known for its dark fantasy video games, and its magnum opus is Elden Ring. After the titular object is shattered, the demigod children of the queen collect them. Now it is up to the player, the Tarnished One, to travel the Lands Between, defeat the demigods, reclaim the pieces, form the ring, and become the Elden Lord to rule the land. The combat may be challenging, but it is incredibly rewarding to defeat a boss after hours of trying and failing. Elden Ring is a soulslike masterpiece that redefined the formula with its open-world setting that encourages adventure and exploration, rewarding players with fascinating lore and even more boss fights. It refuses to hold the player's hand, making exploration based on curiosity paramount to the gaming experience, which is how it should be. Image via Bethesda Softworks The Elder Scrolls VI is highly anticipated and could earn a spot on this list when it comes out, but for now, that honor goes to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. After barely escaping execution, gamers set out on a divine quest of prophecy in order to slay Alduin, the World Eater, a dragon that is said to destroy the planet. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim wasn't the first open-world fantasy game, but it was the one that kickstarted its popularity by redefining the genre with unmatched scale, openness, freedom, and immersion. This dense sandbox is jam-packed with activities, from side quests to NPCs, towns, and gameplay opportunities. The main quest isn't an obligation, with the true adventure lying in the intricate worldbuilding and lore. 1 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' (2017) Image via Nintendo The Legend of Zelda franchise is home to some of the greatest fantasy video games, but when it comes to an adventure, the best is arguably The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A hundred years after Zelda sealed Ganondorf away, the land of Hyrule has been taken over by nature and monsters. But with Link finally awake, he sets out on a journey to defeat the Gerudo King and bring Zelda back. There are so many impeccable fantasy adventure games, but Breath of the Wild embodies the spirit of true adventure the best. Exploration is the name of the game, and the game encourages it, having three landmarks present from wherever the player is. Breath of the Wild has distinct regions with environmental storytelling, new side quests, scenic views, and plenty of puzzles and challenges. Players are encouraged to get lost in the lush wilderness of Hyrule and experiment with the many mechanics, proving why Breath of the Wild is among the greatest video games of the century.