Like manyfantasysubgenres, the “sword and sorcery” genreis reasonably loosely defined, but is usually about heroes, or a hero, of action, going on a violent and exciting adventure in a wild, untamed setting. Typically speaking, magic is known to be dark and dangerous, and while the stories tend to be lower stakes and less politically focused thanGame of Thrones, there are many supernatural elements associated with sword and sorcery titles. Many games can fit the genre, and a large part of that comes from the adventure and action of these titles.
In games, the sword and sorcery subgenre allows the player to take control of risk-taking, sword-wielding heroes as they embark on quests that aren’t always about saving the world. The supernatural elements and sometimes wild nature of the settings often cause sword and sorcery to have some crossover with dark fantasy, especially because of the brutality of both. As a result, it has become the perfect playground for many of gaming’s best.
10The Witcher 3 Has Both Swords And Sorcery In Spades
And Geralt Is The Perfect Sword And Sorcery Protagonist
With all its accolades over the last decades,The Witcher 3: Wild Huntdoesn’t need much of an introduction. It has one of the most well-crafted fantasy worlds and some of the best characters RPGs have to offer. As far as role-playing is concerned, while book Geralt is often a white knight trying to pretend he’s anything but that, players have a lot of choice when it comes to the silver-haired Witcher’s adventures, and this level of choice is whathelps makeThe Witcher 3so special.
The Witcher 3won 2015’s Game of the Year award and solidified developer CD Projekt Red’s fame in the industry.
Geralt literally has access to swords and sorcery,and his violent quests throughout a brutal world fit in well with the subgenre, especially because he’s a quintessential sword and sorcery protagonist. Fitting the archetype of a skilled warrior with magical capabilities, his quests through the Northern Realms in a hunt for Ciri (and more Gwent cards) are the perfect sword and sorcery adventure. With so many sidequests to do while ignoring the main questline, many never get bored withThe Witcher 3, and there’s a reason it’s so beloved a decade later.
9The Elder Scroll 5: Skyrim Is A Must-Play For Everyone
And Mods Can Make It Any Game Players Want
Skyrimis another game that doesn’t need much of an introduction, and it feels like most of the world has played it by now. While players have access to a myriad of builds (and seem to always fall back on stealth archery), having access to weapons and magic while embarking on a quest through a wild country filled with evil sorcerers makes it fit the subgenre well. The wildness of the world is sometimes due to flying mammoths and being launched into space by angry giants, but it tracks with sword and sorcery.
Players can be almost anyone they want inSkyrim, from a dragon-slaying hero to a petty thief and rampant mass-murderer.Mods can also enhance the experience,which helps when considering that the game was released a couple of console generations ago, and plenty of quintessential mods makeSkyrimfeel likeElder Scrolls 6already. While not the purest example of sword and sorcery, there is enough inSkyrimto fit the subgenre, and if players want to go in that direction, that’s what mods are for.
8Warcraft 3 Is Still One Of The Best Fantasy Strategy Games
Just Ignore The Remake
While its remake gave it a bad wrap,how great and influentialWarcraft 3was shouldn’t be forgotten. Everyone thinks ofWorld of Warcraftwhen it comes to theWarcraftIP, but the franchise’s third game has one of the greatest stories ever written, despite being a little campy and occasionally featuring weak dialogue by modern standards. Iconic characters like Jaina, Thrall, Grommash, and Arthas all carry weight and helped to shapeWorld of Warcraftinto the phenomenon it is today.
That’s without talking about the combat,which has aged quite well as the quintessential RTS experience. With powerful warriors, supernatural elements, and evil sorcerers, who are usually categorized as warlocks inWarcraft, there’s quite a lot of overlap with Sword of Sorcery inWarcraft 3, despite its high fantasy setting. This is often helped by how dark and grittyWarcraft 3is specifically, especially with Arthas' descent into becoming the Lich King.
7Breath of Fire 2 Is A Massively Underrated JRPG Gem
And The Most Fitting For The Sword And Sorcery Genre
While it’s not the most popular JRPG name,no JRPG fits the sword and sorcery genre better thanBreath of Fire 2, and it helps that the game is also stellar. It can be a little confusing at times, but it’s famous for having an epic story and fun yet weird systems, like the shaman system. It’s also known for its challenge, and while it might be a little rough around the edges thanks to its age, there are plenty of elements that help it stand out.
Ryu,Breath of Fire 2’s protagonist, is a skilled sword-for-hire with unique magic, fitting in with many other protagonists in the genre. The story is all about a hero’s journey and a battle between good and evil, with the world playing host to some pretty dark and complex moments. Of all the classic JRPGs out there, Capcom’sBreath of Fire 2is probably the one that fits best for those looking for a sword and sorcery experience.
6Diablo 2 Is Still The Best Game In The Series
And Its Recent Remake Is The Best Way To Play It
Thanks to its dark fantasy world, the heroic journey of its powerful protagonists, supernatural elements, and plenty of swords and sorcery,theDiablofranchise fits the sword and sorcery subgenre well, despite leaning into being a bit more Biblical and gothic with its angels and demons. Sword and sorcery is known for being distinctly pagan, although that doesn’t meanDiablo,as a series, doesn’t fit. The wild, untamed, and sometimes near-apocalyptic state of the world works well withthe subgenre.
Diablo 2is widely considered to be the best game in the series to this day, and Blizzard knows this, considering that it recently remadeDiablo 2with shiny, new visuals.Diablo 2is the gold standard for ARPGs, and its dark, atmospheric setting sets the tone perfectly for its gothic world. Anyone who is afan of ARPGshas probably playedDiablo 2by now, but for those possibly looking to get into the genre,Diablo 2: Resurrectedis probably the best way to get started.
5Dark Souls Kick-Started The Soulslike Craze
A Flawed Masterpiece That Started It All
While virtually everyone has heard of the originalDark Souls 1,only a smaller niche has actually played the game. It’s flawed and shows some signs of a stretched budget, butthere’s a reason whyDark Soulscreated an era of pretenders, from its dark, fascinating world, to its addictive gameplay and painfully difficult bosses. The metroidvania-style, interconnected world helped make it special too, especially since developer FromSoftware hasn’t done this as much since.
While a little on the apocalyptic side,Dark Souls 1fits the sword and sorcery subgenre well thanks to the heroic and death-filled quest of the Chosen Undeadwith swords and magic at their disposal. The world is wild, gritty, and dark, hence the name, and whileDark Soulsis a unique blend of many subgenres, thus creating something unlike anything else, it does borrow a lot from the sword and sorcery genre. All theDark Soulsgames are at least worth a go, andDark Souls 1is where many start their Souls journey.
4God of War Is A Sword And Sorcery Tale In Ancient Greece
Especially God Of War 3
TheGod of Warseries has had a massive boost after the Norse Saga, but the Greek Saga that started it all shouldn’t be forgotten. While Ancient Greece isn’t the typical setting for a sword and sorcery story,Kratos' vengeful quest with blades and magic at his disposal, along with his rippling muscles, fit the subgenre well, especially because Greece is made into an untamed hellscape byGod of War 3.God of Warhas always been dark and gritty, and while it hasn’t always been as subtle as the Norse Saga, the Greek Saga is still amazing.
God of War 3is my personal favorite from the Greek Saga, although others have stated that it peaked atGod of War 2. Still,GoW 3has aged the best, largely due tohow memed Kratos' linesand rage from that game are. With the sword and sorcery genre focusing more on personal struggles (at least typically),Kratos' war on Olympus is at its most personal inGoW 3, largely due to having nothing else left after Pandora’s sacrifice and his Titan allies betraying him.
3Baldur’s Gate 3 Is A Genre-Defining CRPG
And Has Plenty Of Swords And Sorcery To Go Around
2023’s Game of the Year has become a genre-defining, instant classic, and while fans ofBaldur’s Gate 3might not be the typical fans of classic sword and sorcery tales, the choices available to the player make it fit into the genre. The world has plenty of magic, evil sorcerers, supernatural elements, and a surprising amount of darkness, despite how vibrant it can look and how cheery some companions are. It’s all about a quest to rid the world of the Absolute that can often end in violent encounters.
Baldur’s Gate 3was made by Larian Studios, who gained fame in the CRPG space with theDivinityseries.
Baldur’s Gate 3might be the most important gamefor the CRPG genre since the first game of the series, bringing the genre to a wider audience than ever.BG3’s cinematic elements, amazing storytelling, fun, turn-based action, and boat-load of decisionshelped it appeal to so many people, while also being true to Larian Studios' philosophy of making a game that it wants to play.Baldur’s Gate 3is quite simply incredible.
2Dragon Age: Origins Started The Series On Top
And It Has Never Reached The Same Peak Again
Dragon Age: Originsis peak Bioware, and while the series has become polarizing since the release ofDragon Age: The Veilguardand its mixed reception, the widespread love forOriginsshouldn’t be forgotten. It had tactical gameplay, some of Bioware’s most witty dialogue, plenty of choices that made the player feel like their decisions mattered, and a great cast of characters. Its complexity and morality within its fantasy setting help it fit into the sword and sorcery subgenre too.
What helpsOriginsstand above its successors is its writing.The gritty atmosphere, impactful choices, and excellent pacing are the best out of all the games, and it released when Bioware knew exactly what it wanted to do with its projects. In an era where it felt like the studio couldn’t miss its mark with roleplaying titles,Originsdelivered a uniquely fleshed-out world. There are plenty of swords and magic, of course, and while it does feel dated now,Originsis still a marvel thanks to its writing.
1Pillars Of Eternity Is The Perfect Classic CRPG Experience
And Has Plenty Of Grit For Sword And Sorcery Fans
It hasn’t made the impact that theBaldur’s Gateseries did, butPillars of Eternityis a brilliant, classic-style CRPG with amazing roleplaying options, a dark and seemingly dying world, beautiful Infinity Engine-style visuals, and solid yet brutal gameplay.PoEhas plenty of depth, and while it might not be for everyone,those who have playedBG3and are looking for more CRPGs should give it a go. There’s so much lore to uncover and enough reading to make a library jealous.
PoEexcels because of its roleplaying and world. Thanks to the bleakness of its setting, it fits into the typical sword and sorceryfantasygenre experience and provides plenty of variety when it comes to its combat. It feels like it draws a lot of inspiration from tabletop RPGs, too. Those who love to playDungeons and Dragonsand go on heroic quests will find plenty to enjoy withPillars of Eternityand its sequel,Deadfire.
