By There’s no other game like The Witcher 3, period!
But there’s a limit to how many times you can replay the game. So there will come a time when you want to find something similar but also different.
I faced the same problem and went searching for games similar to Witcher 3 that offer the same vibe.
One of the best features of The Witcher 3 is its open world. Unlike most other open-world games, Witcher 3 has a highly engaging world where there’s always something happening no matter where you go. That’s what I’m focusing on in this list.
These are the best games like Witcher 3 that also have engaging and immersive open worlds with tons of quests, NPCs, and exploration.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
Of all the games I’ve played, Red Dead Redemption 2 has the most interactive open world. It has the best-designed random encounters in any game.
You can ride your horse to a distant corner of the map, and you will somehow come across an NPC needing help or even trying to rob you.
In addition to all these random encounters and the stunning open world map with multiple biomes, RDR2 also has one of the best story campaigns with incredible characters and quests.
RDR2 is a 10/10 game in every aspect. And if it had a great soundtrack like The Witcher 3, I would even go as far as to say that RDR2 is better than Witcher.
2. Tainted Grail: The Fall Of Avalon
This is another incredible game that deserves more recognition. This game shares many similarities to games like Skyrim but also has an engaging world that often reminded me of Witcher 3.
Tainted Grail: The Fall Of Avalon is a first-person RPG that features an amazing campaign with quests that keep you on the edge of your seat. The open world map of Tainted Grail is full of interesting things for you to explore.
You will meet strange NPCs that give you side quests and creatures that will challenge your combat skills. Many of the locations in this game have very unique settings and visual effects that will amaze you.
3. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed games are known for their repetitive quests and huge yet empty open worlds. But I make an exception for Valhalla.
I’ve played every major Assassin’s Creed game released so far and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is one of my favorite titles in the series for a few reasons.
The open world map in Valhalla feels much more engaging than other AC titles. It looks and feels more vibrant and rich with interactive elements such as explorable locations with hidden lore and stories that tie to Norse mythology.
Some of the quests do start to feel a bit repetitive after you get near the ending of the main campaign, but the immersiveness of the world will keep you too busy to notice it.
I also loved the sailing and plundering aspect of the gameplay. Many of the quests inspired by Norse mythology also gave Witcher vibes as well.
4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is basically a medieval life simulator. It has one of the most immersive open worlds with realistic NPCs.
Popular streamer CohhCarnage claims KCD2 to be a better game than RDR2. I disagree, but he makes a good point about how incredible the world feels in this game.
Every quest, side quest, and interaction with characters in KCD2 will leave you with memorable dialogue and scenarios. NPCs even have daily routines. If you follow them, you’ll see how they go to work, talk to other NPCs, and go to sleep.
The game does a great job of giving you a zero-to-hero feeling as you start off your character as an ordinary person and gradually become a hero.
You should play KCD 1 first to understand the full story, but KCD2 is superior in many ways. So there’s no harm in starting your journey with KCD2.
5. Ghost of Tsushima
The open world in Ghost of Tsushima is not as dense or populated as The Witcher 3 or RDR2, but it is one of the most beautiful worlds you’ll ever experience.
Ghost of Tsushima takes place in rural Japan during the time of the Samurai warriors. You play as a lone Samurai fighting against the Mongolians to defend his land. This involves a lot of incredible stealth missions and sword battles, just like in The Witcher 3.
Exploration in Ghost of Tsushima is done quite differently than most other games. You won’t find any map markers in this game; instead, you will find subtle cues like smoke or golden birds that will direct you towards locations of interest.
There are also a lot of side-quests, collectibles, lore, springs, and various other things you can discover just by exploring the map.
6. TESV: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim needs no introduction. It is the most iconic RPG ever released in the recent history of video games.
Skyrim and The Witcher 3 have a lot in common but with their own unique traits. Skyrim focuses more on questing and provides you with a more linear path toward progression. You can still explore on your own and discover things in the world, but Skyrim’s open world map is slightly limited and not very interactive.
However, MODs have the power to change all that. With the help of a few dozen mods, you can now completely transform the game into something entirely new. Skyrim is kept alive for this long thanks to those mods.
If you don’t mind messing around with mods, Skyrim is like a sandbox RPG experience that can be anything you want. Just be careful not to get too addicted to modding.
7. Elden Ring
I couldn’t really get into Elden Ring because I’m not a huge fan of Souls games. But I truly enjoyed my brief time with the game because of its unique open-world environments, and of course the amazing enemy encounters.
Elden Ring lets you explore a huge open world map on your own terms. You can follow the subtle cues to complete the main campaign, but you can also challenge yourself to explore the corners of the map from the beginning.
Everywhere you go in this huge world, you will find weird creatures and enemies to deal with, or puzzles to solve and challenges to face. You will never come across a boring or empty part of this world.
If you like a good challenge, Elden Ring is the perfect Witcher 3 alternative for you.
8. Horizon Zero Dawn
Both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West are quite similar to The Witcher 3 in many ways. Especially the exploration and combat aspects of these games share a few basic mechanics.
Horizon Zero Dawn and its sequel are, however, full of vibrant and colorful worlds. Even though it features a post-apocalyptic world full of robot dinosaurs, it has stunning visuals that make it worth exploring every corner of the map.
The NPCs and characters in Horizon Zero Dawn games are not as engaging as the characters you meet in The Witcher 3. But the world itself is quite immersive. You will find cool puzzles, collectibles, lore, and unlockables all across the map.
9. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of my all-time favorite games. The only reason for ranking it lower on the list is its futuristic setting, which a Witcher 3 fan might not find appealing.
But, if you’re into the whole futuristic neon-city vibes, Cyberpunk 2077 has an incredibly engaging open world with NPCs that are interesting to interact with.
Everything from its main questline to side missions, gigs, weapon mechanics, skill builds, and the overall cyberpunk vibe is quite unmatched by any other game I’ve played so far.
Not to mention the character designs, voice acting, and even all the dialog options are crafted and created beautifully in this game to offer one memorable experience that will last a lifetime.
10. Dragon’s Dogma 2
The best part of The Witcher is how much you can discover and experience when you wander away from the main roads. You can have that same experience in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
This game has a great main campaign and missions with a massive open world. But how it rewards you for wandering off the path is what makes the game worth it. You’ll find hidden treasures, strange caves, and quests that are otherwise hidden when you go exploring deep into the forests.
Also, the companion system in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is one of the best features of the game. It offers a unique way to explore and fight enemies and use them to your advantage.
11. Death Stranding
Death Stranding is not a fantasy game; it doesn’t have sword fights or even magical spells and powers. So it’s nothing like The Witcher 3. Then why is this game on this list?
Well, Death Stranding happens to have one of the best open-world designs I’ve seen in a long time. It comes close to the world design of games like RDR2 and The Witcher 3. Because in Death Stranding, the terrain and the elevations affect your movement.
Even a small rock on your path is enough to knock you off balance. When climbing mountains, you have to navigate carefully. And you have to manage what you’re carrying to reach the destination just in time.
Death Stranding often gets referred to as a walking simulator. Well, it’s exactly that, and more. The world may look empty, but it’s highly immersive. That lonely feeling you get when exploring in Death Stranding- there’s nothing like it.
12. Batman: Arkham Knight
In a way, Geralt from Witcher 3 is kind of like Batman too, right? He hunts monsters, and Batman hunts bad guys. Geralt solves puzzles, and Batman solves riddles. They are basically the same guy, right?
So why not play the greatest Batman game ever made and be like Geralt in a modern, dark, urban setting in Arkham Knight?
Batman: Arkham Knight sends you deep into the city of Gotham, full of bad guys and super-villains. Arkham Knight also has the best hand-to-hand melee combat system I’ve ever experienced. And it comes bundled with a driveable Batmobile and the ability to fly around the city in the rain.
