10 Greatest Fantasy Video Games of the Last 10 Years

Published Aug 13, 2026, 1:08 PM 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. The fantasy genre is one of the biggest in general, but that is especially true for video games, which contain some of the grandest open-world titles out there. With immersive worlds, engaging gameplay, and intriguing lore, everyone can get behind a fantasy video game. Titles such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are particularly renowned, but those are getting up there in age. Every year there seems to be a new major AAA fantasy game that shakes the world, and that is mainly because the genre is a modern-day sensation, with some of the best coming out in the past ten years. That is why this list will rank the ten best fantasy video games of the past decade based on gameplay, design, worldbuilding, narrative, originality, visuals, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. To clarify, this list will feature games released from 2017 to 2026. 10 'Monster Hunter: World' (2018) Image via Capcom One fantasy franchise that is always quietly popular is Monster Hunter, and while their most recent game is fantastic, the best of the past ten years is arguably Monster Hunter: World. Players are part of a research team tracking the Elder Crossing, a mysterious migration of dragons that brings them to a new world with more dangerous creatures and mystery at every corner. Monster Hunter was always a traditional franchise, but Monster Hunter: World modernized the series and brought it into a new era that could celebrate better gameplay and adventure. However, the classic loop of crafting and hunting is better than ever, enhancing the new action-adventure feeling. The best part of Monster Hunter: World is its ecosystem, which feels authentic and lived-in as monsters interact with one another. 9 'Fire Emblem: Three Houses' (2019) Image via Nintendo Nintendo has a lot of fantasy franchises, and many of them are critically acclaimed, including Fire Emblem, which found a new fanbase when it released Fire Emblem: Three Houses. With the nation split into three distinct parts, players control Byleth, a mercenary who is enlisted to become a professor. When Byleth starts having prophetic visions, their nightmare slowly becomes true. The Nintendo Switch introduced a lot of fans to new franchises, meaning the console contains some of the best fantasy games of the past ten years. Fire Emblem benefited greatly from it, also because Three Houses was such a good game, with many fans considering it the best Fire Emblem game ever. Players get perspectives from each house, splitting the narrative into distinct parts that increase the complexity and intrigue. Not to mention its classic grid-style combat and social management make the gameplay extra engaging. 8 'Hades' (2020) Image via Supergiant Games Most of the best fantasy video games of the past decade are AAA blockbusters, but that doesn't mean indie titles can't also be good, such as Hades. Zagreus is the son of the titular god, and all he wants to do is escape Hell, which is tricky when every creature is trying to stop him. Trying to reach Olympus and meet his mother, Zagreus repeats the endless cycle of trying to get out. Hades solves the impossible challenge of narratives in roguelikes by weaving the main story into the gameplay. This spot-on approach creates a satisfying plot that works in tandem with the gameplay. The fast-paced controls create tense battles, and with multiple weapons and play styles, each run feels fresh, especially since it works into the story, proving why Hades is a masterful indie game. 7 'Final Fantasy VII Rebirth' (2024) Image via Square Enix Final Fantasy is an incredible franchise, and Final Fantasy VII is perhaps the best entry. The remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, could be even better. As the second game of the remake trilogy, it follows the group's escape from Midgar. Cloud and his friends explore further into the world to pursue Sephiroth and stop him from realizing his ultimate goal of godhood. When combining sales from all the adaptations of this story, Final Fantasy VII is one of the best-selling video games ever. The graphics are absolutely phenomenal, displaying a visual prestige unlike any other video game. However, the remake also expands the story, deepens the world with new characters and mini-games, and fleshes out the dynamics and relationships with the characters. 6 'Hollow Knight' (2017) Image via Team Cherry As mentioned, indie games can provide some fantasy masterpieces too, and Hollow Knight in particular revolutionized a couple of genres. Controlling a small but fierce insect, players travel into Hallownest, a world that has been taken over by a mysterious plague. Now gamers must battle against the possessed beings of the world and learn about its mysteries. There are many great metroidvania games, and Hollow Knight set the blueprint for modern interpretations through its advanced gameplay and hand-drawn art style. The world and visuals are absolutely gorgeous, which works in favor of its tight platforming and combat controls. From the vibe to the gameplay to the art, everything about Hollow Knight is flawless. 5 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' (2025) Image via Sandfall Entertainment 2026 has been a fantastic year for gaming, but there hasn't been that definitive fantasy which instantly becomes a Game of the Year candidate. This is often a trend every year, and in 2025, that game was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In a fading world exists the paintress, an entity able to erase an entire age every year. Now, a brave group of adventurers set out on the 33rd expedition to defeat her and save the planet from becoming ageless. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a compelling masterpiece from a gameplay perspective that delivers immersive and tense combat, accomplished by using its innovative blend of turn-based combat and real-time events. However, this award-winning title is also renowned for its incredible narrative and painterly world, which sets up some of the most unique worldbuilding. With a spectacular cast of voice actors, there is no doubt as to why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the best fantasy adventure games. 4 'God of War' (2018) Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment Fantasy isn't just about elves and dragons, but mythological worlds also fit into this genre, meaning God of War has to be on this list. Putting his past behind him, Kratos now lives in the Nordic region, but after his wife dies, he honors her last wish to scatter her ashes at the highest peak. Going on an adventure with his son, the gods want Atreus for some reason, but Kratos has other plans. God of War was a drastic reimagining of the original game, but it was a much-needed coat of paint that gave the franchise a respected narrative. Boasting one of the best-written character arcs in the medium, this father-son story was touching from start to finish. Not only that, but the world design and cathartic combat combine to create one of the most engaging pieces of fiction in recent memory. 3 'Elden Ring' (2022) FromSoftware is a prolific gaming company, and their magnum opus is also one of the best fantasy games of all time, Elden Ring. After the titular ring shatters, the children of Queen Marika claim the shards for themselves. Now it is up to the player to travel around the Lands Between, defeat the demigod children, claim the pieces, and restore the ring in order to become the Elden Lord. George R.R. Martin is one of the biggest names in the fantasy genre, and he helped create the lore and worldbuilding of Elden Ring. When pairing the immaculate lore and world with FromSoftware's stellar combat and challenging gameplay, one of the best fantasy games is the product. Renowned for having some of the best boss fights in video games, this title proves its legacy through every facet of its design. 2 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' (2017) Image via Nintendo As mentioned earlier, Nintendo loves its fantasy franchises, and The Legend of Zelda is easily their biggest. 2017's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes place one hundred years after Princess Zelda sealed herself away with Ganondorf. With Link finally awake, he goes on an adventure across the overgrown backyard of Hyrule to defeat the Gerudo King once and for all. Breath of the Wild was a breath of fresh air for fantasy fans as it reinvented open-world games with its open-air format, making traversal and exploration easier. Combine this bold approach with its physics-based engine and imaginative gimmicks, and the world feels like a toy box. Breath of the Wild encourages creative problem-solving and curiosity through every facet of its world, making it a joy to get lost in. 1 'Baldur's Gate 3' (2023) Image via Larian Studios Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop fantasy masterpiece, but for those unable to play it, Baldur's Gate 3 brings that world to life. After players are infected by a Mind Flayer tadpole, they need to adventure across the world in order to find a cure. However, a war between mortals and gods is brewing, making that task much more difficult. Baldur's Gate 3 is a journey of unparalleled freedom, giving the player agency for every solution. The in-depth choices and design this game has are absurd, truly making it a product of love that is better than most games. From having one of the best video game worlds to the intricate details of the gameplay, Baldur's Gate 3 is a triumph of modern gaming that proves the past ten years have been the best in gaming history. Baldur's Gate 3 Released August 3, 2023 ESRB M Developer(s) Larian Studios Publisher(s) Larian Studios Franchise Baldur's Gate Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 5