With the advent of Nintendo’s latest epic Zelda adventure, it feels like the open-world rulebook has been re-written once again. Indeed, continuing in the footsteps of its hugely acclaimed predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom somehow manages to expand upon its forebear’s blueprint in meaningful and engrossing ways.
But what if you’re hankering for more experiences that scratch the ol’ Zelda: TOTK itch? Well, we’ve compiled a selection of top-notch titles that could prove to be your next Hyrule-esque voyage. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the best games like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Let’s do it!
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Ember Lab’s debut is undoubtedly an unabashed love letter to Nintendo’s iconic franchise. Set in a whimsical fantasy world that’s gradually succumbing to the corruption of a nefarious force (sound familiar?), the titular hero must join forces with a bunch of super cute critters known as the Rot. Yes, they may not sound all that cute, but when you lay your eyes on them, we promise you’ll be taken with the wee blighters.
Featuring fast-paced combat, environmental puzzles a la the Shrines from TOTK, a myriad of nail-biting boss battles, and animation that feels ripped straight out of Studio Ghibli’s textbook, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a wonderfully satisfying Zelda-like, all wrapped up in a lush, painterly aesthetic.
Death’s Door
Imagine working a soul-crushing job in an office, but said office is a bureaucratic, pencil pushing organization that collects… souls. Yep, that’s what Death’s Doors’ pint-sized protagonist has to contend with as he works his 9 to 5 as a debt-collector soul-collector in the afterlife. While things kick off tickety-boo, with our loveable crow tasked with bringing in the soul of a mysterious monster, it soon becomes clear that the critter in question doesn’t want to give up the ghost. Figures, right?
This sets into motion an adventure that sees our avian hero journeying to three dungeons to collect three giant souls from a trio of very important creatures. Blending Souls-like game design with the combat and exploration of the 2D Zelda titles of yore, Death’s Door is a terrific Zelda-like experience, especially for those with a reverence for the original classic titles from back in the day.
Tchia
Tchia is an open-world Zelda-like and the debut project from Bordeaux-based studio Awaceb. Set in the jaw-droppingly stunning tropical archipelago of New Caledonia and inspired by real world fables and steeped in real-life history, players must step into the shoes of the titular protagonist. From the off, Tchia goes through the stressful ordeal of seeing her father being kidnapped by the island’s ruler Meavora, which establishes the premise of the story.
With a multitude of abilities at her disposal, like soul jumping — which allows our heroine to assume control of animals and inanimate objects to solve puzzles — Tchia must strike out on an adventure to rescue and reunite with her father, while making a bunch of friends on her journey. While it may look like a lighthearted trip on the surface, themes of identity and cultural heritage help to imbue the experience with some additional depth.
Ravenlok
If you’re after a short and sweet 3D Zelda-like, then Cococucumber’s enchanting action-RPG may well fit the bill. Loosely based on Lewis Carroll’s beloved Alice in Wonderland fable, players assume the role of Kira who accidentally falls through a mirror into a mystical world known as Dunia. Talking rabbits, an Evil Queen and even the dopey duo Tweedledum and Tweedledee make an appearance.