7 best games like The Witcher 3 to play in 2024
To me, The Witcher 3 is about three core things: preparing to hunt monsters, actually hunting monsters, and the feeling you’re in a living, breathing world.
Of course, the game has also got phenomenal writing and Geralt in a bathtub, but since no game will be exactly like it, these are the three criteria that seem best to focus on if you’re looking to scratch that Witcher itch.
Best games like The Witcher 3
Horizon Zero Dawn & Forbidden West
Click to enlarge- Platforms: PS4, PS5
- Release date: 2017, 2022
- Key features:
- Robot dinosaurs
- Crafting
- Thrilling sci-fi mystery
Fans of Geralt will also enjoy playing as Aloy, and not just because they both have luscious hair. The Horizon games feature a wide variety of mechanical monsters that inhabit specific biomes and require proper planning to take down effectively. Aloy can craft various bombs and ammo types out of salvaged robot dinosaurs.
With a thrilling post-post-apocalyptic sci-fi story and absolutely gorgeous graphics, monster hunting has never been so fun. This doesn’t have the mercenary aspect of The Witcher, but the thrill of the hunt is still very much present.
Bloodborne
Click to enlarge- Platforms: PS4
- Release date: 2015
- Key features:
- Lovecraftian monstrosities
- Frenzied combat
- Blood... so much blood...
A hunter should hunt beasts, and that’s exactly what you’ll do in FromSoftware’s blood-drenched, gothic horror. Step into the hunter’s dream, set in the twisted city of Yharnam, inspired by the most horrifying place of all: London.
Murderous, Lovecraftian nightmares infest the streets, and it’s your job as a hunter to put them out of their misery using trick weapons with two forms, giving you the upper hand. You’ll cleave your way through flesh and sinew and bathe yourself in the blood of your fallen foes. Sink deeper into the nightmare and pray you emerge with your spirit intact.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Click to enlarge- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
- Release date: 2018
- Key features:
- Realistic and punishing gameplay
- Nonlinear quests
- Real-world locations
Kingdom Come: Deliverance takes the living world aspect of The Witcher 3 to the extreme. If you enjoy simply existing in the Continent, trying to survive the Kingdom of Bohemia, this is one of the most realistic RPGs ever made - almost to a fault. While the appeal of many games lies in the power fantasy, Deliverance puts you in the shoes of a medieval peasant and then thoroughly kicks your butt.
There are no classes; you level up skills as you use them, so do what you want. Your clothes and armour wear and get dirty over time, and perishable food will spoil. Quests can be completed in a multitude of ways, and your reputation is decided by your words, actions, and even how long you take to respond during conversations. This is as close as you’ll get to a simulation of living in the past.
Skyrim (Survival mode)
Click to enlarge- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
- Release date: 2011
- Key features:
- Immersive world and mods
- Challenging
- Stealth archers
Vanilla Skyrim is only like The Witcher insofar as it’s set in a high-fantasy world with magic and trolls. With the free Survival mode added to the Special Edition, the game hits the same sweet spot The Witcher does.
The Dragonborn now needs to eat, sleep, and stay warm, and health doesn’t automatically regenerate. This means going through a long dungeon feels like a real challenge, and the bosses at the end are truly hard to overcome once your supplies have been whittled down. Completing Skyrim with Survival mode active requires patience, planning, and a solid knowledge of the world around you. The perfect challenge for a Witcher.
Monster Hunter: World
Click to enlarge- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
- Release date: 2018
- Key features:
- Monsters
- Hunting
- Lots of weapons and playstyles
The clue’s in the name with this one. If you like hunting monsters, you’ll love Monster Hunter. Go it alone or team up with friends and strangers, just don’t go unprepared. There are plenty of weapons to master and dozens of unique monsters to take down.
More action than RPG, World features multiple styles of combat for you to master. You can also interact with the environment too, meaning your brain is just as much of a weapon as your charge blade. Remember, Witchers aren’t just strong, they’re smart.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Click to enlarge- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
- Release date: 2018
- Key features:
- Living, breathing, rootin’ tootin’ Wild West world
- Emotional story
- Plenty of minigames
This is Rockstar’s masterpiece, a living, reactive world that you can lose yourself in for hundreds of hours. Go hunting, fishing, look for herbs, play poker, shoot some bandits, hold up a pharmacy, the choice is yours.
The Wild West may seem a far cry from magic and monsters, but the freedom is sure to appeal to any Witcher fan, and the monsters you hunt in Red Dead Redemption 2 are the ones within.
What is the best game like The Witcher 3?
Dragon’s Dogma
Click to enlarge- Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
- Release date: 2012
- Key features:
- High fantasy world
- Epic monster fights
- Engaging class system
Dragon’s Dogma is a criminally underrated gem from Capcom. Set in the high-fantasy world of Gransys, it sees you on the hunt for the dragon that stole your heart—not in a romantic way, it literally ripped it out of your chest, still beating.
Featuring Shadow of the Colossus-esque climbable monsters, a robust character creation, and some of the most devastating magic spells I’ve seen in a video game, this is one you need to play. Limited fast-travel options mean you often need to trek across the large world, fighting off deadly monsters as your supplies dwindle and you rush toward the comfort of the tall city walls.
Now that you know the best games to play if you're looking for something like The Witcher 3, check out our lists homepage for more recommendations on similar titles for Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo 4, and Red Dead Redemption 2.
