Games That Are Basically Zelda Meets God Of War

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Released in North America for the NES in 1987, The Legend of Zelda revolutionized the action-adventure game genre. The series has remained popular for so long that its impact on gaming is immeasurable. God of War, which debuted on the PS2 in 2005, also left its mark. Though inspired by other titles, it distinguished itself with its intense and violent gameplay, establishing a unique space within the action genre.

Both The Legend of Zelda and God of War are incredibly popular and important game series. It makes you wonder if any games have successfully blended elements of both. The games below fall into the action-adventure category, but they often feature darker, more intense stories and combat alongside a sense of fun and wonder.

Darksiders

A Hodgepodge Of Inspirations

Darksiders perfectly combines elements from the Zelda and God of War series, and it’s a standout title. Players control War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who is sent to Earth as the apocalypse begins. He quickly realizes the conflict between angels and demons isn’t what it seems, and he must find a way to restore order and prevent further destruction.

This game takes place in an open world where you’ll find tools and weapons to help you explore and conquer dungeons. One particularly neat item lets you create portals, similar to the one in the game Portal. The world feels inspired by the Zelda series, and the combat, along with the serious main character, is reminiscent of God of War. Of all four games in the Darksiders series, the original remains the strongest.

Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver

A Vampiric Legend

Kain, a character from the Legacy of Kain series, would likely be a great, intense choice. He’s similar to Kratos in terms of anger, but Raziel’s fury from Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver also works well. Raziel was betrayed by his master, Kain, and cast into the underworld to suffer forever. However, he refused to accept his fate and escaped to get revenge on Kain and all vampires.

Though it originally came out on the PlayStation 1 around the same time as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered actually feels more engaging as an action-adventure game today, thanks to the recent HD update. The first game remains excellent, offering straightforward combat, clever puzzles, and a compelling story enhanced by fantastic voice acting for its time.

Pandora’s Tower

Eat Your Heart Out

Pandora’s Tower is a Wii game that didn’t get much attention, likely because it was hard to find and released near the end of the console’s lifespan. The game follows Aeron as he climbs a tower to find a cure for his beloved Elena, who is afflicted with a debilitating illness. Players need to collect hearts to sustain her, which is a somewhat unsettling mechanic, but driven by a heartfelt story of love.

This game feels like a massive, interconnected dungeon similar to the ones in Zelda, where you constantly find new tools and improve your chain sword as you progress. That sword is incredibly versatile – you can use it to grapple and pull down obstacles, swing across gaps, and even control the battlefield. While the time limits and slightly imperfect motion controls can be frustrating, a high-definition remake with more standard controls would really enhance the experience. Despite those minor flaws, it’s a fantastic game that deserves more attention.

Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow

The Rise Of Belmont

Both the Castlevania and Zelda series often involve finding new abilities or items to overcome obstacles and progress. While some argue Zelda games are actually “Metroidvanias,” the Castlevania game most influenced by Zelda is Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.

This game is a fresh start for the series, starring Gabriel Belmont as he battles a variety of terrifying monsters and demons. Players can look forward to challenging puzzles and epic boss fights. Fans of God of War will appreciate the similar combat style and dark, gothic atmosphere. Gabriel’s whip functions in a way that’s reminiscent of Kratos’s Blades of Chaos, and it’s obvious the developers drew inspiration from God of War during the game’s creation.

Elden Ring

Breath Of The Bewildered

Elden Ring is an expansive open-world game similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but with the challenging combat that FromSoftware is known for. Expect tough enemies and bosses, though you won’t find many traditional puzzles. Instead, you’ll encounter strange characters who can guide you on your journey.

Players can also summon a horse named Torrent, which many are finding to be an improvement over the popular Epona. Torrent can even double jump! While the movement isn’t as smooth as in games like God of War, fans of that series will likely appreciate the game’s dark atmosphere and over-the-top, violent combat.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Two Heroes, One Destiny

If you enjoy the God of War games, several Assassin’s Creed titles could be a good fit. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey delves into ancient Greece, similar to the original God of War, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla focuses on Vikings and Norse mythology, much like the 2018 God of War reboot. However, Assassin’s Creed Shadows feels like the best combination of both series, as it features two playable main characters.

Yasuke is a powerful character, similar in build to Kratos, but generally more calm. Naoe, on the other hand, is quick and agile like Link, but driven by a desire for revenge. Players can switch between controlling Yasuke and Naoe as they journey through a beautifully rendered feudal Japan, completing quests, defeating samurai, developing their base, and tackling small puzzle dungeons.

Nier

Straight To Gestalt

Nier first came out in Japan as two different games: Gestalt and Replicant. The gameplay was nearly identical in both, but they featured different main characters with slightly varied backstories. The version released in North America was Gestalt, and it tells the story of an older father trying to save his daughter in a fantasy setting.

The game featured open areas between levels, and while there were some puzzles, it mainly focused on action. Its story and characters share similarities with the God of War games, but the world design and dungeons are reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

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2025-11-03 20:07