YOU WON'T BELIEVE The Top 10 Open-World Games to Play as a Wizard

In the realm of timeless fantasy adventures, I’d say there’s one class that truly stands out: the wizards. From the moment Gandalf the Gray graced the pages of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” they’ve been an indelible part of the genre, their mystique and power captivating us ever since. It’s no wonder that wizards have become a staple in these worlds, and with the advent of open-world video games, they’ve found their way into our virtual hands as a character we can embody and control.

Instead of focusing on games with intricate magic mechanics that resemble wizards, let’s delve into open-world RPGs where you can embody a wizard character. Mastering magical abilities and spells is an engaging aspect of these games, offering a unique experience for players who wish to traverse the path of the mystic. So, here are some games that offer rich, immersive worlds where you can play as a wizard.

10. Wizardry Franchise

The Staple Dungeon-Crawling Franchise for Wizard Aficionados

The “Wizardry” series is renowned for being one of the pioneering dungeon crawler franchises that significantly shaped modern fantasy games. Its journey began in 1981 with the release of “Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord,” which was later remade more recently. From its early days, this series boasted complex RPG mechanics requiring careful attention to characters’ stats and abilities. Although not typical open-world games, they offered players the flexibility to explore vast dungeons at their leisure, in any sequence they preferred, with a significant portion of these environments being procedurally generated!

Previous game versions included a system akin to Dungeons & Dragons, where spells and spell casting required rest periods before reuse, requiring players to frequently manage their magical resources. Each title offers distinct spell classes and the opportunity to customize your character with various robes in an expansive maze of seemingly endless chambers. This franchise is renowned for its hardcore dungeon-crawling experience, making it an excellent choice for those wishing to play as a wizard.

9. Citadel: Forged with Fire

A Sandbox RPG Exclusively for Wizards!

Released: July 22, 2017
Developers: Blue Isle Studios
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC

In this grand open-world RPG, you won’t come across any conventional melee weapons or classes as you might expect. Instead, the game Citadel: Forged With Fire offers a distinctive weapon system tailored for wizards. Essentially, everything is amplified by spells, and players can customize their spell arsenals according to various magical schools.

The game incorporates a complex magic casting mechanism using a material called Essence, which players accumulate. They can then employ this Essence to enhance each branch of magic and eventually create unique spells. Moreover, the way players customize and develop their spells significantly impacts attributes such as damage, range, and potency, resulting in highly realistic magical encounters. Add to that the ability to traverse a vast open world on broomsticks, and you have a combination that guarantees an engaging gaming experience.

8. Two Worlds 2

Wizarding Magic Systems Featuring Customizable Spells

In addition to its captivating storyline, Two Worlds 2 offers a unique and dynamic spell-crafting experience through its DEMONS system (Dynamic Enchantment, Magic, Occultism & Necromancy System). This enables players to concoct spells from assorted magical components, fostering an engaging experimentation process in discovering the ideal mixes. Moreover, this feature encourages imaginative gameplay as additional effects can be layered onto each spell, resulting in enemies experiencing unpredictable outcomes such as exploding or levitating before they ultimately explode upon death or when the spell is cast.

This game offers a fantastic magical sandbox environment that invites immersive exploration for those assuming the role of a wizard. The magic in this game surpasses other combat options, leading players to ponder why they wouldn’t opt for a wizard character. However, it should be noted that gathering spell cards for spellcrafting can be somewhat laborious and the system isn’t always straightforward. Nevertheless, this open-world title is truly captivating and delivers an unparalleled experience when playing as a wizard!

7. Dragon’s Dogma Franchise

Elemental Magic in Sprawling Open Worlds!

In Dragon’s Dogma 1 and 2, the character classes of Mage or Sorcerer are both present, essentially serving as wizard roles with minor differences. These characters cast spells by building up energy before releasing them, making them appear incredibly potent. The gameplay associated with these wizards is more strategically oriented than many other RPGs, possibly resembling that of an MMO more closely. Positioning in this game is crucial, as mindlessly pressing spell buttons won’t cut it.

In “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” the open world stands out as one of the most impressive from recent role-playing games, boosted by its engaging and efficient gameplay, which adds to the overall quality of the game. Although players aren’t required to choose the wizard class, the sorcerer offers an incredibly powerful and entertaining playstyle, making it a great pick for those who prefer playing as a wizard.

6. Hogwarts Legacy

There’s Nothing Greater Than Being a Wizarding Student of Hogwarts

It’s tough not to bring up Harry Potter when discussing wizards, which makes Hogwarts Legacy one of the top choices for examining games featuring playable wizard characters. Not only is it an exceptional open-world game, but it also excels in capturing the wizarding mechanics that fans would anticipate from such a well-known franchise.

In this game, there aren’t any classes to choose from since players automatically play as a wizard. However, they have the freedom to customize their character by learning new spells and using various wands. The combination-based spellcasting system adds an exciting layer to Hogwarts Legacy, making it feel like a genuine part of the magical world from Harry Potter. It offers a unique, ultimate wizarding gaming experience.

5. The Elder Scrolls Franchise

The Elder Scrolls Provides Infinite Replayability for Mages and Wizards

The Elder Scrolls series has significantly shaped the gaming world much like J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings impacted literature. Since the debut of The Elder Scrolls: Arena in 1994, countless fantasy games have drawn inspiration from this influential franchise. Today, it remains a powerful force, particularly in titles that allow players to assume the role of a wizard. Among these, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind stands out for its exceptional wizard abilities.

In Morrowind, players enjoy unrestricted spellcasting and have access to six distinct magic schools: destruction, alteration, illusion, conjuration, restoration, and mysticism. They are free to tailor their spells, modifying factors such as range, power, or duration, depending on varying mana demands. Moreover, Morrowind offers one of the most immersive open worlds for a wizard character, providing unique abilities exclusive to wizards, like flight, walking on water, and teleportation.

4. Dragon Age: Inquisition

Some of the Best Spell Animations in a Lively, Vibrant World

In Dragon Age: Inquisition, players have the option to select a mage as their character, which essentially equates to the traditional wizard class. Since magic plays a crucial role in this game, opting for a mage is an excellent pick for a playable character. Players can customize their playstyles, leaning towards defense or offense according to their preferences within the magic system. However, it’s worth noting that wizards are among the most potent character types available in the game.

Adventure truly kicks off for gamers once they reach level 10, allowing them to select a distinct wizard journey via specialized skills such as knight enchanters, necromancers, or rift mages. Each of these paths offers a unique gameplay experience, ensuring that each playthrough is unlike any other. Players must make thoughtful decisions when choosing their wizard character based on how they envision the combat being executed. Besides battle, magic can also be employed in puzzle zones to expand exploration and seal rifts.

3. Outward

Become a Full-Fledged Wizard with Powerful Rituals and Spells

The game showcases a complex magic system that offers an intriguing and rewarding experience for those playing as a wizard. While the fundamentals may appear straightforward, delving deeper into spellcasting demands time and commitment. But for those who persevere, they’ll discover one of the most satisfying wizard character journeys in gaming.

In this game, traditional mana regeneration doesn’t exist and players can’t use magic until they’ve given up some of their maximum health and energy. This isn’t just about pressing buttons to cast spells; it’s designed to simulate the entire spellcasting ritual. There are various schools of magic for players to choose from, allowing them to customize their spells. The way you use magic in this game also influences the open-world design, such as lighting up caves with light magic or casting weather protection spells. This magic system is closely connected to the game’s world, making it a great fit for characters who are wizards.

2. Divinity: Original Sin 2

Deep Spellcasting Customization in this Turn-Based Epic

The critically acclaimed game, “Divinity: Original Sin 2,” is one of the finest open-world fantasy games ever crafted, making it an excellent pick for those who prefer playing as a wizard. In this game, magic permeates every facet, from battles to exploration, and it’s indispensable for the player. The cooldown times and action points ensure a smoother magical experience. However, players should still strategically manage their spells and abilities; yet, the system is more lenient compared to harder core mechanics.

This game doesn’t make magic easy by any stretch of the imagination. There are eight distinct skill trees related to magic that players must navigate and manipulate. By experimenting with these, they can craft some of the strongest and most effective spells and abilities in the game. What’s more, spells interact not only with the surroundings but also with each other, enabling chain reactions and allowing for the creation of complex combos. At first glance, this system might seem straightforward, but those who opt to play as a magical character will find endless enjoyment in exploring its intricate workings.

1. Baldur’s Gate 3

Taking all the Right Wizard Mechanics from Dungeons & Dragons to Video Games

It was inevitable that the wizard mechanics from Dungeons & Dragons would eventually find their way into video games, and Baldur’s Gate 3 does just that, delivering an impressive integration. While Baldur’s Gate 3 straddles the line between RPG and open-world gameplay, its robust wizarding mechanics make it easy to overlook this hybridity. From the start, players can delve deeply into character creation to craft a unique and captivating wizard character unlike any other. There’s little else to add about this exceptional title, but for those seeking an unparalleled wizard playable character, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the clear choice.

In this game, the battle system mimics that of its board game version, requiring players to tactically manage their magic points, items, and skills. Plus, they can mix multiple classes to create an exceptionally powerful mage character. The game boasts one of the most captivating and intricately designed open worlds in gaming, with top-notch magical systems that replicate the essence of Dungeons & Dragons. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a potent wizard in this virtual realm.

2025-03-25 09:07

YOU WON’T BELIEVE The Top 10 Open-World Games to Play as a Wizard