Fall 2022 is a mammoth year for fantasy fans with both House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power premiering simultaneously, but fans can continue to get their fantasy fix in the video game medium as well. Though the former series certainly leans into George R. R. Martin's brand of low/dark fantasy, there are plenty of games to satisfy fans of J. R. R. Tolkien's high fantasy world.
Unsurprisingly, the RPG genre naturally fits this kind of setting best and, as such, many of the best fantasy games fall under this category. However, between the Middle-earth games and the likes of Skyrim, there's plenty of variety to enjoy.
Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor
Though not an RPG, the open-world action-adventure game Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is unsurprisingly one of the easiest recommendations for franchise fans thanks to falling under Tolkien's universe. It's regarded as non-canon to the mainline series, however, with the game serving as its own timeline following the Gondorian Ranger named Talion as he and an Elf Wraith he bonded with go on a mission to avenge their murdered loved ones.
Interestingly, Shadow of Mordor takes a dark-fantasy approach to Tolkien's world in this grittier rendition. Nonetheless, longtime fans will find plenty to be warmly familiar with, and the Batman: Arkham-inspired combat along with the ingenious Nemesis System makes for an immersive Lord of the Rings experience.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most enduring games ever, regardless of genre. It's one of the games with the best replay value thanks to its flexible character build system that allows for countless different types of playthroughs, on top of the wealth of rich main and side story content before even reaching the Dawnguard and Dragonborn DLC expansions.
And aside from the engaging role-playing mechanics to shape the protagonist and stories, it's easy to see how the developers drew from The Lord of the Rings for inspiration. Skyrim features a sweeping and classical high fantasy world dense with lore, worldbuilding, and wondrous creatures and sights to see that will make Tolkien fans feel at home.
Middle-earth: Shadow Of War
If fans enjoyed their alternative prequel adventures to The Rings of Power in Shadow of Mordor, then Shadow of War will be a natural next step. The series shifts into an action RPG, with the story continuing the grim quest of Talion and the Elf Wraith Celebrimbor as they attempt to forge a new Ring of Power to build up an army capable of going to war against the Dark Lord Sauron.
The overall reception was still positive, though lower than Mordor, with praises mainly going to the improved combat mechanics and an even more intricate Nemesis System when overthrowing and recruiting Orc tribes. Thankfully, the controversial and predatory microtransactions have been removed to make the game a much more palatable experience.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Looking back on Nintendo's revered The Legend of Zelda series, fans can see the clear atmospheric, thematic, and narrative inspirations drawn from The Lord of the Rings. The games typically have vibrant high fantasy settings with prophetic-like stories that play out like classic fables, and Breath of the Wild might be the best modern example.
It's the latest mainline entry in the tentpole franchise, masterfully blending the series' usual action-adventure elements with an action RPG. Breath of the Wild's liberating open-world level design makes it a joy to get lost in Hyrule, as it's filled with tense encounters and meticulous attention to detail in the landscape that could make Tolkien fans proud.
Divinity: Original Sin II
While the subgenre can be tough for newcomers, Larian Studios' Divinity: Original Sin II is one of the greatest modern CRPGs available. The game is a loving homage to the classic days of RPGs on PC, played from an isometric perspective where players manage a party of unique characters.
One of its most lauded aspects is its strategic turn-based combat and how rewarding it is for player choice in shaping the characters and story at large. There's a plethora of entertaining and well-written main and side quest content to venture through, and Divinity: Original Sin II is set in an upbeat and diverse high fantasy world packed with lore that genre and Lord of the Rings fans should be thrilled to delve into.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
Should players want to try their hand at the JRPG subgenre, Square Enix's Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age is one of the best modern JRPGs when it comes to high fantasy. The game seems like a direct continuation of what Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King laid the foundation for on the PS2, with the Akira Toriyama-style world wonderfully realized on more modern hardware in a suitably colorful fashion.
Its turn-based combat is very traditional by JRPG standards, but it's the best modernization of it. And in terms of scope and upbeat fantasy world design, Dragon Quest XI is perhaps among the best choices for a JRPG equivalent to Tolkien's work.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware's latest action RPG epic certainly falls within the realm of dark fantasy -- with George R. R. Martin as a collaborator to boot -- but Elden Ring is far too engrossing of a fantasy game to pass up for any genre buff. Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki's signature narrative style is subtle yet enticing, packed to the brim with detailed lore to uncover.
Gameplay-wise, character progression is free-flowing and the combat is a thrilling amalgamation of their past work on Dark Souls III and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice that's complemented by an impressively substantive open world with something meaningful to discover in every direction. How dedicated Elden Ring is to being a compelling piece of fantasy media is more than enough to satisfy fans of House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power all the same.
Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire
Obsidian Entertainment is also responsible for giving the CRPG genre a deserved spotlight in the modern age of gaming. Their Pillars of Eternity series has been well-received so far, with Deadfire reaching comparable praise to Larian's Divinity: Original Sin II.
In addition to a pulsing high fantasy universe, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire cleverly blends sea-faring elements into its world with nautical adventures and pirate themes. It'll give fans a taste of something familiar alongside an inventive twist, and has the excellent long-form writing Lord of the Rings fans would expect from a fantasy RPG.
Dragon Age: Origins
Before developer BioWare saw its reputation tumble in the gaming industry, Dragon Age: Origins earned its place alongside the likes of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the Mass Effect series as part of their "golden age" of games. Origins is a unique case, as its setting blends the best of both worlds of Tolkien's high fantasy and Martin's dark/low fantasy styles that do justice to its influences and itself as a standalone fantasy universe.
Like with many of BioWare's acclaimed early RPGs, Dragon Age: Origins plaudits went to its engaging and strategic combat, as well as enthralling storytelling that players could meaningfully shape with serious choice-driven gameplay.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is another riveting dark fantasy game that any genre fan can get invested in regardless of the atmospheric approach. Even seven years later, it still admirably holds its own among its contemporaries as one of the best modern RPGs.
The creative team lovingly adapted author Andrzej Sapkowski's source material with such sincerity that Geralt of Rivia and his adventures have made him a mainstream icon. Tolkien fans appreciate attentive character writing and rewarding role-playing mechanics, and The Witcher 3 has that in spades from the mainline story, side quests, and equally acclaimed DLC expansions Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.
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