The Lord of the Rings is an essential franchise that changed the very way the fantasy genre is seen, establishing timeless tropes and themes that every medium still uses today. The movies are regarded as the undeniable peak of the fantasy genre, but while everyone focuses on movies and TV shows, video games are becoming increasingly popular. Indeed, sooner rather than later, they’re bound to take the throne as the largest medium in the world.
Contrary to what many might believe or say, video games are art, and they should be considered as such, which is why this list will rank ten fantasy video games, whose potential adaptations can be as good as The Lord of the Rings. Everything on this list is subjective, but it takes the opinions from fans and the reviews from critics. From story to visuals, gameplay, worldbuilding, immersion, mechanics, originality, and overall quality, these ten video games are recognized as the best in fantasy and have everything to take over the big screen.
10
‘Bloodborne’ (2015)
With no hope of a remaster or PC port, Bloodborne seems to be stuck in one place, which is a shame, considering it is one of the best video games of all time. This Soulsborne game takes place in a gothic Victorian-era city where players explore the nightmarish city to find a cure for the disease that turns people into monstrous creatures.
Soulsborne games are known for their difficulty, and Bloodborne is one of the toughest, with players needing to learn attack patterns to avoid its unforgiving combat system. This video game could be a successful movie, but it arguably is better as a playable experience, simply to go through the painstaking effort of beating the game and the ultimate satisfaction. Bloodborne is a unique fantasy experience that goes against traditional norms to redefine the genre.
9
‘Fable 2’ (2008)
Every major gaming company has its flagship fantasy game, and for Xbox, it is Fable, which is set to receive a new game after decades in 2026. While there is a lot of debate about the best game in the franchise, it is arguably Fable 2, which enhanced the core of the first game. When a former ruler takes over the kingdom again, the player must set out on a journey of strength to conquer the evil king.
Fable isn’t the most renowned game, but the second one is still an elegant fantasy experience that feels more whimsical compared to many other games. The main story, side quests, and social aspect were all incredibly immersive, putting fans in the shoes of the character and in this fantastical world. More importantly, Fable 2 has room for improvement, meaning a big-screen adaptation would not only be appreciated — it would arguably be necessary.
8
‘Final Fantasy VI’ (1994)
Final Fantasy is one of the most widely recognized franchises on this list, with dozens of entries, making it a worldwide sensation. Even though Final Fantasy VII gets all the glory, Final Fantasy VI is arguably the best game in the franchise. A militaristic dictatorship is at the head of a magical arms race, prompting the players to grow their crew and take down their authoritarian rule.
This entry has some of the best pixel art in the franchise and in gaming in general, wowing fans with its ahead-of-its-time visuals and spectacular music. However, its gameplay and characters are the real heavy hitters, using a classic formula that still holds up today. Each character grows over the game with profound detail, making this nostalgic classic a beautiful tale that would excel as a movie.
7
‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)
The Legend of Zelda franchise is one of the most influential and important in the gaming world, pushing the fantasy genre forward and innovating games with every entry. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the first 3D title, following Link in the present and the future as he tackles dungeons to find powerful resources that will help him defeat Ganon and save the titular princess Zelda.
With a Zelda movie on the way, fans can experience this timeless franchise on the big screen, but there’s an argument that nothing will beat the games. Ocarina of Time is arguably the greatest game of all time, and like The Lord of the Rings did for literature, it forever revolutionized the game medium. Thus, it stands to reason that a movie would do the same for the video game adaptation subgenre. Ocarina of Time is an institution, and if the upcoming movie doesn’t adapt it, someone should, sooner rather than later.
6
‘God of War’ (2018)
Sony was on top of the gaming world for a while, especially when it revealed its God of War revival, winning Game of the Year and regaining its icon status. Kratos now lives a humble life, but when his wife dies, he and his son journey across a Nordic land to lay her ashes to rest at the highest peak. Unfortunately for them, malevolent gods hunt them down for reasons unknown, for now.
With Norse mythology and a healthy dose of unbridled rage, God of War is a must-play experience that took the gaming world by storm. It has one of the best and most intricate narratives, with a beautiful story and an immersive world that puts the viewers in the characters’ shoes. The core loop is fun, and the game is well-paced, managing its difficulty well, despite some overbearing challenges. All in all, God of War is a fantasy masterpiece with a brilliant story that shoud be fairly simple to translate into the big screen.
It may be a long time until fans get The Elder Scrolls VI, but they can play The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim if they somehow haven’t already. Waking up in a carriage with dragons attacking, players embark on a journey that will take them all over the frost-covered province. They must defeat Alduin, a world-eater prophesied to destroy the planet, adding more stakes to this fantastical world.
For years, Skyrim was the definitive fantasy game, and for many, it still is, proving its timeless gameplay and narrative still hold up. While this list keeps mentioning how good the immersion in each game is, every entry provides a phenomenal experience, including Skyrim. It has some of the most detailed and expansive NPCs, building the world through characters, lore, history, and setting. Perhaps more than any other game on this list, Skyrim needs a movie adaptation; its story is simply too good for it not to work as a cinematic experience.
4
‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)
Many games on this list have won Game of the Year — five to be exact — and Baldur’s Gate 3 is the most recent. Putting the world of Dungeons and Dragons into a game was a tough ask, but Larian proved to be up to the task, creating an unforgettable, expansive experience with lore and original content aplenty. The player travels, trying to get a parasitic tadpole out of their brain.
The attention to detail, love and care put into this game is beyond most, proving to be a real passion project that shook up the industry, revolutionizing modern gaming. This should put it higher, but many fans aren’t too keen on its gameplay. Regardless, it allows the player to do nearly everything, giving a sense of agency that affects the gameplay and setting. Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the best modern games ever, and such a compelling and intricate world is begging to make the journey to the big screen.
3
‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)
From books to games to a TV show, fans of The Witcher have plenty of good food, although many don’t appreciate the show. Regardless, The Witcher 4 is now in development, and fans can comfortably say The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the best games ever. Geralt must protect Ciri from the titular Wild Hunt, which plans to steal her for nefarious purposes.
Some of the gameplay may feel clunky, but the story and side quests are where this game shines. The monster-hunting aspect is incredibly engaging, and the narratives are just as compelling, whether it be a large story mission or a simple side quest about investigating a well. It builds its dark fantasy world through small interactions and side quests, making it feel more realistic and lived in. The show deviated far too much from the books and has never been an adaptation of the games; thus, a proper big-screen version of The Wild Hunt could be just what the fantasy genre needs.
2
‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
FromSoftware earns another game on this list, this time being Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed Game of the Year winner made with a world, lore, and story by George R.R. Martin. The player controls the Tarnished, a being on a quest to become the Elden Lord by defeating those stronger than them in an epic quest for strength.
With an Elden Ring movie in production, fans will know if it can match The Lord of the Rings, but the potential is already there, even if they know the video will probably remain superior anyway. Indeed, the video game is already incredibly cinematic: the gameplay is challenging, but it offers players many ways to circumvent the tedious bosses. The lore, story, enemies, and world are all immaculate, coalescing to create a dark fantasy experience that no movie can even come close to.
1
‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017)
Fantasy games in general are some of the best, since they offer unique gameplay mechanics and a sprawling world to explore, meaning The Lord of the Rings had a tough time comparing. But no game does fantasy or open world better than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Link awakens from a hundred-year sleep, but now we must traverse a fallen kingdom to defeat Ganondorf, who caused this world so much pain.
The Legend of Zelda finds a second entry on this list, proving the franchise is a landmark of the fantasy genre. The story may be a bit lacking, but players can use the systems to do anything and explore anywhere. The lore and fantasy feeling elevate every aspect, but it is the best fantasy game ever because of its gameplay. It is unfair to compare video games to movies, as they offer different but equally incredible ways to experience fantasy. However, more fans get a complete experience out of video games, and Breath of the Wild proves that, bringing players into a world where they can go anywhere and do anything. Already an immersive experience, Breath of the Wild can be just as immersive as a movie, and it’s probably only a matter of time until it becomes one.
