Best Games Like Zelda To Play Before Tears Of The Kingdom

We finally have a release date for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and while it may not be until May 13th, 2023, it’s nice to finally have something to look forward to. That being said, now that we do know, it’s going to make the wait unbearable. Zelda has become a staple of Nintendo, and it’s been an eternity since the last mainline entry.

But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. In fact, there are plenty of games to get stuck into in the meantime, especially if you’re craving that Zelda-like experience. To help make the countdown go that little bit quicker, we’ve curated an array of titles that embrace that Zelda formula and have created their own unique spin on it.

With so many indie titles, and even AAA games adapting the recipe for success, here are 10 Zelda-like games to tide you over until The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

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Death’s Door

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Death's Door is one of the most recent titles to be released, but by no means one of the weakest. When it released back in 2021, it instantly became a hit with critics and gamers alike. The game was praised for its unique world, which mixed animated visuals with a gothic representation. Despite being an isometric title, each area of Death's Door is fuelled by incredible level design and artistic direction.

Of course, the gameplay complements its visuals extremely well, borrowing the traditional Zelda formula and merging it with other franchises such as Dark Souls. While it never reaches the devilish difficulty of the latter, it does manage to keep players on their toes during the game's many combat encounters and epic boss fights. All of this is packaged with some excellent dungeon design, meaning if you're a Zelda fan, this is one not to be missed.

Tunic

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Another release to hit in the past year, Tunic is a Zelda-like right down to its very core. Instead of embracing the design of more recent titles in the franchise, Tunic goes back to basics, with some incredibly old-school ideas. 

Instead of relying solely on superb dungeons and being an enthralling adventure, Tunic does its best to not guide the player through the game too much. Problem-solving and discovering all the game's secrets - including simple controls - delivers an extra dimension to the game, making the entire experience one giant puzzle to solve.

As you explore, you'll come across pages of an in-game manual that will slowly but surely teach you the Tunic's world and mechanics, making the experience akin to learning a new language. It's incredible how seamless its lessons are, meaning this is one of the best Zelda-likes out there if you're looking for a more retro-style experience.

Okami

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When you look at any list such as this, Okami always rears its head - and for good reason. It unashamedly wears its Zelda influences on its sleeve, but takes the formula in a different direction with its mesmerising art design. With a visual flair that's reminiscent of a watercolour painting, every frame of Okami is beautiful enough to be framed.

Again, as with every other game on this list, it also marries up well with its gameplay. Okami uses its visual art style as anything but a gimmick, as it entrusts players with a mystical paint brush, which acts as your main tool in the game. Whether you use it to slash enemies or rebuild a part of the world through a few brush strokes - there's nothing quite like it. Combined with an emotional story drenched in Japanese mythology, it's perhaps one of the more unique titles on this list.

Sable

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Speaking of visceral experiences, Sable is another that will have your eyes watering with how gorgeous it is. With an incredibly detailed handcrafted world, every single corner of Sable absolutely beams with personality. It's hard to quantify into words just how pretty the game is, and needs to be played to be believed.

Heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, players are entrusted to make their own adventures in Sable, with very little handholding throughout the adventure. By adopting Breath of the Wild's mechanic of being able to climb anywhere and everywhere, it allows for an incredible amount of freedom and discovery.

The story also compliments its game design, curating a narrative about finding yourself in the world and becoming the person you want to be. Combining all these elements together, Sable is a truly mesmerising experience that transcends the Zelda comparisons it lovingly holds.

Immortals Fenyx Rising

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Ubisoft's take on creating a game that embodies the Zelda experience was a surprising success. Immortals Fenyx Rising does very little to hide its inspirations, outside its Greek mythology, but that's absolutely fine. What it does instead is takes the known formula and refines it.

Heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, everything in Immortals Fenyx Rising is what made the Nintendo game so special. Tons of puzzles scattered across the world to solve, exhilarating combat, unique abilities, and a sense of playfulness, as players are able to experiment and create their own unique solutions to problems.

Since its launch, it's gone on to release on Xbox Game Pass, had multiple expansions, and is relatively cheap for anyone else out there looking to dive in. Ubisoft has fallen from grace in recent years, but Immortals Fenyx Rising was - and still is - a glimmer of hope in the AAA video game landscape.

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Darksiders 2

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You could take any of the Darksiders series and pop it in the list, but Darksiders 2 is perhaps the one that ticks the most boxes for anyone looking for a bit of Zelda in their life. Gorgeous fantasy world? Check. Tons of items to unlock and the ability to open up new areas with? Check. Simplistic, yet engaging combat that has you coming back for more? Check.

Darksiders 2 builds upon its predecessor and allows for a more open and exciting world to explore. Unlike the ravaged ruins of Earth seen in the original, the sequel contains lush green landscapes, stunning snowy areas, and incredibly intricate dungeons that will leave you exploring every nook and cranny as to not miss anything. This is truly an adventure worth taking.

Oceanhorn

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If you're like us and tired of waiting for The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker to hit Nintendo Switch, then Oceanhorn may just fill that void. You can't go wrong with the original or its sequel, Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm, but for us, the first game just comes out on top. 

This bite-sized adventure has you travelling from island to island, completing puzzles and exploring dungeons. It has a simplistic art style, having originated on mobile devices, but feels completely at home on the Nintendo Switch. If you're looking for a nuts and bolts Zelda-like experience, you can't go wrong with Oceanhorn at all.

CrossCode

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If you haven't heard of CrossCode, it absolutely needs to be on your radar. Unlike other games on this list, CrossCode takes a more futuristic approach to the Zelda formula by placing you in an MMO-esque world. If you're familiar with anime such as Sword Art Online, you will feel right at home here.

When you initially start CrossCode, the Zelda influences aren't exactly apparent. You'll spend the early hours living in a single-player take on an MMO game. This means you'll be grinding to level up, visiting towns, and completing a lot of quests. However, stick with it and the layers soon begin to peel off as more gameplay elements are introduced.

Eventually, you'll be introduced to dungeons and relax into a Zelda-like rhythm as you explore the world and gain new abilities. Additionally, with the added RPG systems and punchy combat, you'll have plenty to sink your teeth into. If you're looking for something different that still retains some of that Zelda DNA, you'd be hard-pressed to find something as unique as CrossCode.

Genshin Impact

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While every game on this list has been solely single-player experiences, Genshin Impact is the opposite. It is possible to play the game solo, but it's recommended to lose yourself in the world of Teyvat with friends. This free-to-play title allows you to unlock a handful of characters as you advance through the story, but you'll need to drop a bit of extra cash to earn any on top, or complete in-game events. Honestly, with how engaging Genshin Impact is, it won't be long before you're tempted.

As for how it fits in the Zelda-like category, it takes many of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's mechanics, mixes in an anime aesthetic, and adds a dash of online-style gameplay into the mix. You'll be running, climbing, and even gliding across the world as you complete quests and explore dungeons with your party. Many were worried this would be a simple knock-off before release, but thankfully, Genshin Impact has proven it has a place in this world.

Baldo: The Guardian Owls

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When Baldo: The Guardian Owls launched, it was a bit of a mess, as developer Naps Team clearly fell under the weight of their ambitions. As a small indie title, it aimed high and missed the mark with a host of bugs and other strange gameplay decisions. Despite the world being against them, the team managed to salvage Baldo and turn it into the incredibly fun experience it is today.

Based on Studio Ghibli's gorgeous art style and the classic open-world Zelda adventure, Baldo: The Guardian Owls has turned into something of a hidden gem. Listening to player feedback and polishing up the game extensively since its launch back in 2021, it's now absolutely an experience any Zelda fan will want to undertake.

It may not always get things right, but the charm and love that has been poured into this game shines through any cracks. If you're looking for a lengthy and traditional Zelda-like title, Baldo: The Guardian Owls will most likely be right up your alley.

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