Sometimes gamers just want to take a swan dive out of reality and into vast realms of enchantment to get that much-needed slice of magic in their lives. Sure, they can lock and load with the over-abundance of FPS games, or simply go for some absent-minded arcade action. But what about those titles that make the outside world melt away?
The fantasy genre has been a popular source of inspiration since the dawn of gaming and has shown no signs of slowing down. But with so many titles to choose from, which one is truly the king of the castle? Why not ask the good folks over at Metacritic before riding off on another adventure?
Kingdom Hearts (Metacritic Score: 85)
It's probably the most lore-heavy title on the list, but it's also arguably one of the most beloved RPGs in existence. This marriage of Final Fantasy's beauty and epic scale with Disney's charming characters and personal brand of magic resulted in an absolute smash. Take up the Keyblade as Sora and explore various Disney realms with Donald and Goofy in this ultimate crossover experience. A must-play for any gamer or Disney fan, but be warned— it's a major investment.
Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition (Metacritic Score: 90)
Diablo has always been one of the legendary kings of the dungeon crawler genre, but its third entry is the one that took everyone and their mother by storm. Although the game made some questionable visual choices, the realm of Sanctuary was larger than ever, and positively loaded with loot to collect and demons to decimate.
With seven different classes and a wealth of choices to satisfy any play style, there's no creature infernal or divine enough to stand in the Nephalem's way.
Dragon Age: Origins (Metacritic Score: 91)
When it comes to narrative-heavy worlds, players can't go wrong with the Dragon Age series. While Inquisition is the largest and most open of the series, Origins is the one that truly captures that epic fantasy sense.
With a realm J.R.R. Tolkien could be proud of, this game puts players in the role of a Grey Warden who must combat the Darkspawn before they consume the world with their demonic forces. A standard good-vs-evil story, but one loaded with story-shaping choices.
Final Fantasy VII (Metacritic Score: 92)
One of the heavy hitters of the RPG genre, Final Fantasy VII truly showed off what the famous JRPG series was capable of.
Rich in story and character development, the saga of Cloud Strife and the rest of his party fighting against the forces of the Shinra Corporation is considered by many to be one of the greatest games of all time. Not the conventional swords-and-sorcery motif of its predecessors, but certainly in a class all its own.
Bloodborne (Metacritic Score: 92)
While FromSoftware's infamous Dark Souls series might have put a new spin on the hack-and-slash genre with its dark and disturbing visuals and insane difficulty, it's Bloodborne's distinct Lovecraftian style that earns it a spot on this list. The world of Yharnam is a Gothic horror fan's dream come true. With its werewolves, zombified citizens, and ancient horrors, there's more than enough ways to sharpen one's blade or end up a pile of gore.
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt (Metacritic Score: 92)
For players who want to get absolutely lost in a world of monsters and magic, look no further than this incredible third entry in the prolific Witcher series. Even if they haven't played any of the original titles, the adventures of Geralt of Rivia are far too deep and rich in gorgeous fantasy lore to avoid.
Hardcore gamers will appreciate the legions of sidequests and crafting, and others will enjoy the wonderful world inspired by the fantastic book series.
World Of Warcraft (Metacritic Score: 93)
There is perhaps no fantasy title so popular among the masses than Blizzard's World of Warcraft. Possibly one of the biggest MMORPGs in existence, WoW has entertained and delighted gamers of all breeds since 2004. Fight for the Horde or serve the Alliance in this absolutely astounding game that continues to gain new players every day. With so much content and so many quests, it's easy to see why it became so popular.
God Of War (Metacritic Score: 94)
When it comes to the action-focused arm of the fantasy genre, there are few who rock the medium in shades of crimson better than Kratos. An oldie but a goodie, the original God of War title offered a gruesome and gritty spin on classic mythology.
With the blades of chaos, players can slice and dice their way through minotaurs, gorgons, and other beings of Greek myth as the infamous Ghost of Sparta. What it lacks in complex narratives and lore, it more than makes up for in pure carnage.
Skyrim (Metacritic Score: 94)
Is there any fan of the fantasy genre that doesn't know about Skyrim? It's been played, replayed, and given several re-releases on a multitude of consoles. It's hard to find any true gamer who hasn't given themselves to the realm of Tamriel.
It might not be the most polished game, but it's certainly one of the most expansive. There's no one "right way" to embark on this fantasy epic other than to just create a character and have fun.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild (Metacritic Score: 97)
Easily the most talked-about Nintendo game in decades, there are few fantasy titles as immense and beautiful as Breath of the Wild. A new spin on the classic save-Hyrule formula, Nintendo gives players the most invigorating Zelda title yet.
With a stunningly gorgeous open world and a rich and emotional narrative, there's nothing further to be said about this game other than to tell people to simply add it to the their must-play (or must re-play) list.