Unearthing the Best Middle-earth Alternatives for Epic RPG Adventures
Fans of J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium and open-world action RPGs undoubtedly enjoyed the adventures in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War. These games, available across Windows, Linux, OS X, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms, offered a unique blend of combat, narrative, and the Nemesis system. However, if you've explored every corner of Mordor and are yearning for new realms to conquer and stories to experience, it's time to discover the best Middle-earth alternative games that offer similar thrills and deep RPG mechanics.
Top Middle-earth Alternatives for Your Next Fantasy Epic
Whether you're seeking vast open worlds, intricate combat systems, compelling narratives, or just another excuse to lose yourself in a fantasy setting, these alternatives to the Middle-earth series are sure to satisfy your craving for adventure.
The Elder Scrolls
The Elder Scrolls series, primarily developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is a commercial, action role-playing open world fantasy video game series available on Windows, Wine, Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation, and Xbox. Much like Middle-earth, it excels in offering expansive Open World environments and deep Gaming experiences, allowing players unparalleled freedom to explore and forge their own destinies, making it a prime alternative for those who loved Middle-earth's freedom.
The Witcher
Based on Andrzej Sapkowski's novels, The Witcher is a commercial action role-playing game series available on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and major gaming platforms like Origin, Steam, GOG.com, PlayStation, and Xbox. While perhaps less about open-world exploration than Middle-earth, its rich narrative, mature themes, compelling Quests, and robust Gaming mechanics make it an excellent alternative for players who enjoyed Middle-earth's story-driven combat and character development.
Fable
The Fable series is a commercial action RPG set in the fantastical nation of Albion, available on Mac, Windows, and Xbox. It offers a unique blend of Gaming, Multiplayer, and Single player experiences, similar to Middle-earth's focus on combat and character progression. Fable distinguishes itself with its morality system, where player choices directly impact their character's appearance and the world around them, offering a different but equally engaging RPG experience.
Gothic
Gothic is a commercial RPG series available on Windows and Java Mobile, set in a medieval fantasy world. Known for its challenging gameplay and immersive world-building, Gothic offers features like Crafting, Gaming, and a strong Single player experience. While it requires community patches for bug fixes, its deep RPG systems and focus on player choice make it a compelling alternative for those who appreciated Middle-earth's blend of action and role-playing.
Risen
The Risen series, developed by Piranha Bytes, consists of commercial, single-player, fantasy-themed action role-playing games available on Windows. It focuses on a robust Single player Gaming experience, with a strong emphasis on exploration and combat. If you enjoyed the sense of adventure and character progression in Middle-earth, Risen offers a similar sense of discovery and a challenging world to overcome.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a commercial single-player action RPG for Windows, known for its expansive lore, diverse races, and flexible class system. Featuring a strong emphasis on Gaming and a captivating Single player narrative, it provides a high-fantasy setting with fluid combat that can scratch the same itch as Middle-earth for players seeking engaging action and deep character customization.
Legacy of Kain
Legacy of Kain is a commercial action-adventure series available on Windows, primarily developed by Crystal Dynamics. While it leans more towards action-adventure with a Third person perspective rather than a pure RPG like Middle-earth, its dark fantasy setting, compelling narrative, and engaging combat make it a solid choice for those who enjoyed the atmospheric and intense encounters in Mordor.
Darksiders
Darksiders is a commercial single-player action adventure game available on Windows. Players control War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, in a Third person perspective. It offers a strong blend of Gaming, puzzles, and combat, providing a linear but highly engaging experience. If Middle-earth's combat and unique enemy encounters appealed to you, Darksiders offers a similar impactful and visually striking combat system.
Two Worlds
The Two Worlds series is a commercial action RPG available on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad. It features a real-time three-dimensional fantasy landscape with non-linear gameplay, much like the Open World nature of Middle-earth. With options for Multiplayer and Single player Gaming, Two Worlds offers a vast world to explore and a flexible character development system, making it an excellent alternative for fans of open-ended fantasy RPGs.
Overgrowth
Overgrowth is a commercial 3D action-adventure game for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Developed by Wolfire Games, it focuses on fluid combat mechanics and parkour. While not a traditional RPG with extensive character progression, its emphasis on skilled Gaming and intricate combat scenarios might appeal to players who enjoyed the fluid and dynamic combat system of Middle-earth.
From expansive open worlds to gripping narratives and challenging combat, these Middle-earth alternative games offer a diverse range of experiences for every RPG enthusiast. Explore their unique features and find the perfect fantasy adventure to embark on next, tailored to your gaming preferences!