The Best Heroic Fantasy Games, Ranked

The Best Heroic Fantasy Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

  • Heroic fantasies focus on worthy individual goals, distinct from grand world-saving adventures in high fantasy.
  • Nariko’s sacrifice and personal mission in “Heavenly Sword” exemplify the intimate nature of heroic fantasy tales.
  • Games like “God of War” and “Tyranny” explore heroes with moral dilemmas in the context of personal ventures.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that each of these games presents a unique and compelling story that resonates deeply with players. However, if I had to pick one game that stands out as the epitome of heroic fantasy for me, it would be God of War.

Many players might be familiar with the concept of high fantasy, where grand stakes and epic journeys take center stage as either a lone hero or a group embarks on a mission to save the world. Yet, there’s another subgenre of fantasy, often overlooked by fans, that shares this same realm.

Heroic fantasy games often center around principal characters with a strong sense of righteousness, pursuing noble objectives that are meaningful to them personally rather than being world-shaping events. These tales can be considered heroic even if they focus on rescuing a family or community, making them more intimate and relatable compared to the grandiose themes common in high fantasy where the fate of entire worlds rest on the success of the protagonists.

8. Heavenly Sword

Nariko’s Quest To Save Her Clan Compels Her To Risk Her Life For This Worthy Cause

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One lesser-known but captivating hack-and-slash game on the PS3, Heavenly Sword, stood out with its stunning graphics and entertaining combat. However, many players felt let down due to the brief duration of its main narrative. The enduring memories of Nariko’s journeys among those who experienced this game hint at the promise of a remastered version that could introduce a new wave of fans to this remarkable title.

The main character chooses to employ a perilous blade in an attempt to protect her tribe from a ruthless antagonist portrayed by Andy Serkis. She is prepared to sacrifice herself for this mission, demonstrating great courage and valor. After narrowly escaping death, she harnesses her newly acquired powers to obliterate the army of King Bohan.

7. Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor

Talion Swears To Get Revenge For The Death Of His Wife And Family By Taking On Sauron

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Following the tragic loss of his wife and loved ones at the hands of Sauron’s sinister forces, Talion finds new life and allies with Celebrimbor to confront Sauron’s armies across Middle-earth in the game “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor“. Driven by a single purpose — vengeance for his family — the ranger aims to engage the Dark Lord in personal combat.

This narrative is a deeply personal account, skillfully utilizing the Nemesis System to encourage players to overpower as many orc leaders as they can. Meanwhile, while the hobbits diligently work to save Middle-earth from Sauron’s insatiable ambition, Talion’s motivations strike a chord and are easier to understand on an emotional level.

6. Yes, Your Grace

Governing A Small Kingdom Sets Up The Underdog King Eryk As A Compelling Protagonist

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  • Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • Release Date: March 6, 2020
  • Developer: Brave at Night

Among the distinctive kingdom management RPGs worth exploring is the engaging indie game titled “Yes, Your Grace“. In this game, players take on the challenge of managing a faltering kingdom and aiding it to withstand various adversaries that pose threats to its survival.

As King Eryk, the main character, sometimes takes questionable actions, it’s challenging not to feel for him as he navigates his challenges, striving to maintain harmony within his family and kingdom while handling the wealth and military affairs. The game’s magical aspects seamlessly blend in, and the examination of traditional relationships in this story makes it an excellent representation of what heroic fantasy games are known for.

5. The Witcher

An Amnesiac Witcher Must Stop The Order Of The Flaming Rose And Its Leader

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Prior to discovering Ciri and playing a crucial role in safeguarding the world against the peril of the White Frost, Geralt was a man suffering from amnesia due to severe injuries sustained during the Pogrom of Rivia, causing him to lose his memory. The first Witcher game sees the White Wolf grappling with rekindling old connections while simultaneously unearthing a vast conspiracy centered around the Order of the Flaming Rose.

In due course, following many explorations and encounters, Geralt confronts Jacques de Aldersberg, the head of the Order. This makes for a thrilling end to the story and takes on a deeply personal note for Geralt when he discovers that this leader was once under his care, a ward who inadvertently traveled through time and later leveraged the knowledge he received from Geralt to amass power, becoming dangerously intoxicated by it.

4. Tyranny

While Players Can Be Evil If They Wish, The Fatebinder Can Always Try To Uphold Better Morals With Their Actions

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Heroic fantasy often revolves around characters who generally stand on the side of righteousness, making it challenging to market games like Tyranny, as they delve deeply into the complexities and varying manifestations of evil. In this game, the Fatebinder could evolve into a villainous figure if players choose such an outcome.

Conversely, Tyranny could be the epitome of heroic fantasy if the Fatebinder chooses to battle against the oppressive tyranny encircling them and strives to bring a glimmer of goodness to a chaotic world. Challenging Kyros is no small task, but the Fatebinder’s Archon powers are miraculously activated at the critical moment to aid them and their comrades in overcoming Kyros’ formidable strength.

3. Hades

Zagreus’ Goal Is Simple — He Just Wants To Reach The Surface And Meet His Mother

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Regardless of Hades allowing players to control a multitude of gods and divine beings, Zagreus’ determination to uncover his mother’s whereabouts is quickly identifiable for fans. He navigates through various realms of the underworld, experiencing numerous deaths, all in pursuit of learning more about his background. This tenacity makes him a likable character.

To achieve this objective, Zagreus can employ an array of potent weaponry to confront the inhabitants of the Underworld and vanquish numerous adversaries, culminating in a battle against his father, Hades. Notably, Supergiant Games excels at blending gameplay and storytelling, employing the game’s roguelike mechanics to ensure Zagreus’ narrative is as engaging as it can be.

2. Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

The Prince Must Make Up For His Mistakes And Prevent The Vizier From Achieving His Heinous Goals

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Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time stands among the most outstanding action-adventure games ever created, thanks to its superb storytelling about characters and flawless platforming elements that boost its esteem. Initially, the Prince might come off as arrogant and unappealing, but as he journeys with Farah to rectify his errors, his character undergoes growth and development.

In this rephrased version, let’s say: The Prince’s mission to revive his kingdom keeps the story within manageable limits, allowing players to empathize with his human tribulations, such as losing his father and seeing his people succumb to the Sand of Time. As the game reaches its climax, fans will appreciate how the Prince matures, and his last words leave no doubt for Farah that he was sincere throughout.

1. God Of War

The Reboot Focuses On A Personal Tale Of Kratos And His Son Trying To Fulfil Faye’s Final Wish

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The initial God of War trilogy presents Kratos in an epic struggle where the stakes couldn’t be higher, as he challenges all of Olympus in a quest for vengeance against repeated injustices. While the first game incorporates elements of heroic fantasy, it revolves around Kratos’ hatred stemming from Ares deceiving the Ghost of Sparta into murdering his wife and daughter.

In the reboot of God of War, players are given a straightforward objective that gradually captures the hearts of fans. Kratos and his son embark on a journey to Jotunheim to scatter Faye’s ashes, an objective that initially appears uncomplicated. However, their voyage is filled with tough adversaries and even meddlesome gods, making this seemingly easy task anything but ordinary.

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    2024-12-09 18:36