Once a player has finished exploring the forests and plateaus in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, they might suddenly be struck with some sort of Hyrule hangover. After all, Nintendo's expansive open world is full of unique moments of discovery, compelling puzzles, and challenging enemies ever created in the last decade.

While there may not be many games as celebrated as Breath of the Wild, there are plenty of other titles with large worlds, awesome monsters, and nooks and crannies just waiting to be explored. So, let's take a tour through a few projects with massive maps, swords, explorative adventures, or all of the above. The following titles may not be Breath of the Wild, but they will certainly scratch the same itch.

Updated April 6, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Even after all these years, Breath of the Wild still looms large over the open-world genre. Nintendo's masterpiece was a landmark release for gaming in general, and it will likely stand the test of time. As replayable as the game is, fans might occasionally wish to venture away from Hyrule; consequently, another game like BOTW was added to this article.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Building On BOTW

After more than six years, Nintendo has finally released Breath of the Wild's sequel, and the developer has somehow done the impossible: Tears of the Kingdom is not a disappointment. Obviously, Zelda games are nearly all of extremely high quality, but BOTW garnered such universal acclaim that a successor needed to be near-perfect to live up to the hype, especially since its sandbox gameplay might not seem as fresh. Make no mistake, TOTK is very much a proper BOTW sequel, including taking place in the same Hyrule and featuring many of the core mechanics that defined the 2017 release. That includes weapon degradation, an overabundance of shrines, and a structure that prioritizes player freedom above everything else.

Wisely, Tears of the Kingdom sees no need to mess with a winning formula, opting instead to enhance rather than redefine the base experience. However, the sequel still incorporates novel ideas that give it a different feel to BOTW. For one, the game introduces and makes brilliant use of a fusion ability that allows Link to combine weapons, shields, and materials. The latter is especially important since many of the puzzles encourage players to craft unique devices to complete them. Once again, the story takes something of a backseat, although TOTK's opening hours have a bit more direction than BOTW, which makes sense since the sequel finds Hyrule in an era of recovery rather than desolation.

If someone dislikes BOTW, they are likely to have the same reaction to TOTK, particularly if they are not into sandbox-driven content. Conversely, anyone who adores the 2017 release might very well fall in love with the sequel.

Palworld

Crafting, Survival, & Pokemon?

Similar to BOTW, Palworld offers an open-world experience that takes inspiration from multiple areas but still succeeds in being a unique, one-of-a-kind package. Before its early access debut, Pocket Pair's project seemed too good to be true. Blending survival elements with monster collection, third-person shooting, base building, and exploration, the game appeared destined to stretch itself too thin; however, those fears proved to be largely unfounded. Even in its current incomplete state, Palworld is already fantastic, with most of its ideas gelling to create a surprisingly consistent whole.

While their core gameplay loops are quite different, Palworld and BOTW both excel in allowing players the freedom to move at their own speeds. They present goals that can be worked towards without forcing them upon players, leading to a campaign that is always about the journey and not the destination. Crafting is also a big part of Palworld, especially during a playthrough's early hours.

Super Mario Odyssey

Expanding Another Nintendo Classic

Nintendo's 2017 was positively stellar. The release of a console along with two amazing titles established the company as a top-of-the-line console manufacturer and video game developer once again. The first game that was launched along with the Switch was Breath of the Wild, while Super Mario Odyssey came out later that same year.

Just like Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey has secrets awaiting the player at every corner. It makes for an excellent platforming title where players have all the freedom in the world to accomplish challenges and unlock the wealth of content that lies within.

Games like BOTW take a classic property and frame it around modern gaming conventions; Super Mario Odyssey isn't quite as big of a departure from previous 3D Mario games as Breath of the Wild is to The Legend of Zelda, but it is in the same ballpark.

Monster Hunter Rise

Challenging But Accessible Combat

The Monster Hunter series has been on a constant high since the debut of Monster Hunter World, a game that most people consider to be the most accessible title in the series. So, it's only a given as to why so many people were hyped for Monster Hunter Rise.

The game is another excellent entry in the Monster Hunter series. The tough combat and weapon variety make Rise a decent recommendation for Switch owners seeking games like Breath of the Wild. Within Monster Hunter Rise's small explorable areas, players are free to utilize their tools, experience, and knowledge to hunt the massive beasts that await. Now, it should be noted that Rise has a very different gameplay loop than BOTW, with the game focusing exclusively on boss encounters rather than open-world exploration. Still, if someone is craving an action-focused Switch project, Capcom's release is a safe bet.

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is also on the Switch, and it has far more content than Rise. However, it is also a lot more difficult.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Liberating Exploration

Breath of the Wild's unfettered exploration allows players to experience some truly magical moments. In 2017, this feeling was something that most gamers hadn't experienced since the release of Skyrim.

To this day, Skyrim still stands tall as one of the best open-world RPGs around. Bethesda hit a gold mine with this title that it hasn't stopped mining since. Although there is far more emphasis on story in the 2011 RPG than Breath of the Wild, Skyrim shines the brightest when treated as a sandbox for players to immerse themselves in.

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

Stunning Fantasy World

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora garnered a slightly mixed critical reception at launch, which has become something of a trend for Ubisoft's open-world releases in the 2020s. The publisher is known for adhering to a fairly strict formula, and fatigue is very much a real thing; conversely, entries that tried something new like Far Cry 6 did not quite manage to stick the landing, leading to divisive reactions. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is, for better or worse, an open-world Ubisoft game. In fact, many have described it as basically Far Cry but set in an alien world, which is reductive but also does not sound like a terrible idea.

Unsurprisingly, Pandora is the game's main selling point, and Massive Entertainment pulled all the stops to ensure that James Cameron's world is translated beautifully into video game form. The setting feels genuinely alive, with the environment reacting to the Na'vi similar to the movies. The first-person combat is satisfying, especially once players unlock a few skills, but it is nothing like Breath of the Wild's action. Nevertheless, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora's world is immersive and a blast to explore.

Sonic Frontiers

A Semi-Successful Open-World Evolution

Sega's iconic Blue Blur has made his open-world debut, and as tends to be the case with every 3D Sonic the Hedgehog release, Sonic Frontiers is divisive. On the one hand, the title suffers from pop-in on most consoles and uses a combat system that gets old quickly; conversely, the game's world can be a lot of fun to explore, and its story is pretty good by the franchise's standards.

Sonic the Hedgehog's transition to open-world has not been as seamless as The Legend of Zelda's, but Sonic Frontiers is far from a horrible effort as well. If nothing else, long-time fans of Sega's license can look forward to spending time with some of gaming's most beloved personalities.

Asterigos: Curse Of The Stars

Weapon Variety

2022 was a good year for AA-style action games. Steelrising and Soulstice both fit the bill, but they are quite far removed from Breath of the Wild. While not extremely similar to Nintendo's masterpiece, Asterigos: Curse of the Stars deserves a recommendation, particularly for fans of action RPGs. As Hilda, players head to the cursed city of Aphes in search of the protagonist's father. Before long, Hilda becomes involved in a mission to free Aphes of its doomed fate.

Combat-wise, Asterigos has quite a bit in common with Dark Souls, although the gameplay is more fast-paced and forgiving. Hilda immediately has access to all of her weapon types, which range from melee-focused swords and poles to long-range options like magic. Like Breath of the Wild, Asterigos encourages players to experiment with their weapon selection to see which one is the best fit for them.

Grounded

Sandbox Delight

Obsidian's Grounded casts players as shrunken kids who find themselves lost in their yard, a familiar place that transforms into a very dangerous jungle when viewed from the perspective of an ant. Similar to Breath of the Wild, Grounded is a proper sandbox that largely leaves players to their own devices except for a few story beats. Featuring a fairly wide map that is split into unique zones that could require special gear to traverse, the game is absolutely stuffed with things to discover, and Obsidian's RPG roots shine through in robust progression and equipment systems.

Grounded emphasizes base building quite a bit, to the point that players will spend a significant portion of their time crafting and improving their houses. Although fun in single-player, the title also supports co-op, allowing four friends to take on the yard's challenges as a unit.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey & Valhalla

Massive & Gorgeous Open-Worlds

The Assassin's Creed series has gone through a major resurgence since the release of Syndicate. As the series progressed, the entries gradually incorporated more RPG mechanics and fantasy elements, and Odyssey was the first entry to really qualify as a full-blown role-playing game.

Odyssey is an excellent journey through Ancient Greece. It might be a bit too bloated with content, but players who look past this minor issue will find themselves enjoying one of the better Assassin's Creed games.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is an easy recommendation for players who wish to jump into a world filled with Vikings. A stunning open-world full of intrigue, side quests, and puzzles, along with an intricately woven storyline await RPG (and Breath of the Wild) fans.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

A Fun Twist On The Pokemon Formula

Similar to how Breath of the Wild reformed Zelda as an open-world experience, Legends: Arceus did the same to Pokemon, although its map is split into biomes. Game Freak's 2022 release is the storied franchise's most ambitious entry in a long time, and it changes several things that have been ingrained into Pokemon for seemingly forever.

Legends: Arceus reworks the processes for both catching and battling Pokemon, offering mechanics that heighten the player's involvement while enhancing unpredictability. Visually, Legends: Arceus leaves something to be desired and is not as impressive as Breath of the Wild; that said, the game is still a lot of fun, which is the most important thing.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

All About Exploration

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is about as pure and wholesome of an adventure game as the genre is likely to ever produce. The player crashes their boat onto Gemea, a mostly peaceful, beautiful island filled with charming characters, calm animals, and not much in the way of danger.

There is something of a narrative tied to a force that blocks new areas, but Yonder never pressures the player into action, instead encouraging them to tackle things at their own pace. While the game lacks the combat of Breath of the Wild, Yonder more than delivers in the exploration department.

Marvel's Spider-Man

Awesome Movement & Traversal

Marvel's Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has been on plenty of awesome video game adventures, but Insomniac's adaptation of the superhero is a touch above most of the competition. As Peter Parker, players get to accomplish their heroic duties in New York City, a playground that proves to be ripe with crimes of both the supervillain and normal variety.

In most areas, Spider-Man is not all that similar to Breath of the Wild, but the one thing they share is a focus on traversal. Forget the (awesome) combat and (entertaining) story, this superhero romp is at its best when Spidey is simply swinging through the air, dodging and turning his way around skyscrapers. This is a sandbox game that nails movement, making the minute-to-minute gameplay a joy to experience.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is very much cut from the same cloth as its predecessor, and the same can be said for the MIles Morales spin-off.

Sea Of Thieves

Great Co-Op Option With A Make-Your-Own-Fun Mentality

Breath of the Wild's greatest achievement is arguably the freedom it provides. Once he enters Hyrule, Link can venture in any direction, crafting an adventure that follows the player's preferences, pacing, and style. While there is plenty to do within the game's world, people decide how they interact with the content.

Rare's Sea of Thieves is similar in many ways. Whether solo or as part of a crew, players essentially create their own fun, and that largely consists of sailing across the sea in pursuit of thrills, treasure, and maybe a Kraken. There are some missions to complete, but they are merely there to provide a little guidance – they are building blocks for the real meat of the experience. Sea of Thieves garnered a mixed reception upon release, but it has amassed a steady following since then.

Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of Dana

Blend Of Action, Story, & Exploration

Nihon Falcom's Ys debuted a year after The Legend of Zelda, and the action RPG is still going strong more than 30 years later. Despite producing almost nothing but greatness, the series took a while to really find its footing in Western nations, but Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana helped bridge that gap. Requiring no prior knowledge of the story, players are dropped onto a mysterious and seemingly desolate island after a shipwreck leaves Adol stranded. From there, Adol recruits a couple of characters, forms something of a hub, and sets out to explore the island.

Ys 8's lives and dies by its hack and slash combat, which happens to be incredible. Each character specializes in a weapon type, and the party members can be swapped on the fly during battles. While limited compared to BOTW, Ys 8 handles exploration quite well since the game's map is decently sized but not too big.

Moonlighter

Charming Indie Action RPG With High Replay Value

Have you ever wanted to work as a shopkeeper by day, then spend your nights as a vigilante treasure hunter who scours dungeons with nothing but your sword and courageous spirit? Well, that's exactly what players sign up for when they start this old-school dungeon crawler from Digital Sun.

Sure, Moonlighter is more akin to the 2-D Zelda games of old than Breath of the Wild, but it's hard not to obsess over the plucky protagonist Will and his quest to find true adventure. This title is hard, creative, and tells a heartwarming story about wholehearted ambition. There may not be prophecies or princesses involved, but the swordplay and story should help with Breath of the Wild withdrawals.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Very Different, But Also A Standard-Setter For Open-World Projects

The Wither 3 and Breath of the Wild changed the open-world genre for the better, albeit in almost opposing ways. While the latter focused on player freedom and exploration, the former emphasized nuanced writing and deep role-playing. Consequently, CD Project Red's masterpiece is a very different experience from Nintendo's title, and this extends to the combat system and general gameplay.

Despite their differences, The Witcher 3 should still be regarded as a must-play for BOTW fans, particularly if someone is looking for a more story-heavy experience. Both titles bring to life fully realized worlds and do brilliant jobs of immersing players within their universes.

Okami

Stunning Classic That Has Aged Well

There's never been a better time to hop into the shoes (or paws) of the Japanese Sun Goddess Amaterasu and "brush up" on some 3D action-adventure. This Nintendo Switch port of Capcom's 2006 classic is definitively the best version of the game, and the pairing of the white wolf and black brush has never been more fun.

At first glance, Okami may feel like it can be beaten surprisingly fast. However, it soon becomes clear that this is a long and epic adventure with both a winding narrative and a surprisingly expansive world. Playing as a divine wolf painting her way through a stylish take on Japan may not seem like a solid comparison to Breath of the Wild, but once fans start playing it, it's hard to find anything to complain about.

A Short Hike

A Beautiful And Simple Journey

A Short Hike might not initially seem like the most obvious recommendation for games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, largely due to its short length, far smaller world, and lack of combat. This game follows a bird as she travels up a park trail toward its peak where she hopes to get reception for her phone. The process of getting there is left at the player's discretion.

This freedom is what links A Short Hike to Breath of the Wild, and both games are very much about the journey and not the destination. People who enjoy diving into Hyrule just for the sake of exploration and traversal will probably love A Short Hike.

Horizon Zero Dawn & Forbidden West

Beautiful World & Fun Combat

Horizon Zero Dawn takes players and drops them into a post-apocalyptic Earth where humans seem to have forgotten to save their progress at about 500 A.D. The flora and fauna missed the memo, however, as humans must face off against giant mechanical beasts that are just out and about, and the world bears more than a few scars from humanity's fall from dominance.

Guerilla Games' open-world action RPG is also known for several other things, mainly: a fleshed-out heroine, difficulty, and robot dinosaurs. It's massive, aggressive, unforgiving, and ultra-compelling, and while this take on the distant future doesn't feel at all like Hyrule, the addictive gameplay and profound story definitely do.

In 2022, Guerrilla Games released Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn. Setting players loose on a whole new area to explore, the second game takes everything that worked about its predecessor and expands on it, offering a better-paced story, superior combat, and an open-world that is just as beautiful as the original game.

Darksiders 2

Takes Hints From Classic Zelda

The first and main reason to play Darksiders 2 is the genius pun in the title. It's just glorious. Another reason is the game's unique blend of RPG elements, massive world, and incredibly fun boss fights. Those are also glorious. But if all this glory wasn't enough, the reincarnation of Death's journey also packs in an incredible amount of DLC to expand upon the already epic journey from 2012.

This M-rated adventure's predecessor is a prime 3D game that warrants the description of "Zelda-like," although the sequel is arguably better thanks to its improved combat system and a heavier focus on exploration. If someone has finished Breath of the Wild but not Darksiders 2, then they have found a stalwart way to keep the open-world buzz alive.

Oceanhorn 2: Knights Of The Lost Realm

Very Heavily Inspired By BOTW

Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas is a top-down adventure game that is unabashedly inspired by classic Zelda, and its sequel is very much cut from the same cloth. Opting for a full 3D aesthetic, Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm looks very similar to BOTW, although its combat and gameplay loop are closer to older projects like Twilight Princess.

Now, it should be said that Oceanhorn 2 does not come particularly close to capturing the magic of Nintendo's iconic franchise, which is to be expected. That said, the game is decent in its own right, provided someone goes in with realistic expectations.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

One Of The Switch's Best JRPGs

The Nintendo Switch does not have many major exclusive open-world games, but the few exceptions are all brilliant. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 will likely tempt Breath of the Wild fans since they are both among the most ambitious Switch releases and feature expansive maps that are just begging to be explored; however, while certainly recommendable, the JRPG is a very different beast than Zelda's 2017 release.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is driven by its story and characters, both of which are fantastic. While open-world, the game is not structured to be as free as BOTW, and the focus is largely on following the main story while completing a few side quests. The real-time combat system is also far more complex than a Zelda game, which is by no means a bad thing.

Hyper Light Drifter

Similar Setting To BOTW

Heart Machine's stylish, old-school action game is chock-full of awesome art, addicting combat, and moody inferred storytelling. This journey through a broken and decaying world pits players against fearsome mechs, all sorts of projectiles, and an abstract story that challenges the player to think.

Combat requires skill, the story requires reflection, and enjoyment of the world requires nothing at all. If atmosphere, mystique, and amazing combat mechanics were things a player loved about Breath of the Wild, then Hyper Light Drifter should be first on their to-play list.

Elden Ring

Similar Open-World Design Mentality

FromSoftware's Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild are vastly different in a number of key areas. While Nintendo's game certainly has its dark undertones, Elden Ring is a Lovecraftian nightmare in comparison. Set within the Lands Between, the game's world is an unforgiving place filled with terrifying monstrosities that are aggressive, relentless, and, in some cases, massive. Elden Ring's combat expands on Dark Souls' systems, coming with a wide range of build options so that players can approach scenarios in their preferred way. Melee, ranged, magic, and even stealth are all viable forms for approaching battles.

For all their unique elements, these two fantastic games do share one very important thing: they approach open-world design in similar ways. Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild drop players on a vast map and simply let them explore. Although the former does provide more direction than the latter, the Tarnished are free to roam as they see fit, and there is a lot to discover in the Lands Between.

Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity

A BOTW Spin-Off

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity was released for the Nintendo Switch as a follow-up to Hyrule Warriors. To be clear, the gameplay is very different from Breath of the Wild, as the Hyrule Warriors games take on the hack and slash format of the Dynasty Warriors franchise.

However, the reason that it's a great recommendation is that Age of Calamity is a prequel that is set 100 years prior to the events of Breath of the Wild, depicting the Great Calamity. This makes it a must for anyone who is a fan of the Breath of the Wild storyline and wants to know more about the backstory.

Immortals Fenyx Rising

BOTW Combined With The Ubisoft Formula

Naturally, Breath of the Wild's success rippled throughout the industry, encouraging a few developers to take inspiration from Nintendo's masterpiece. Ubisoft's Immortals Fenyx Rising was arguably the most unabashedly BOTW-esque project to spawn from this movement, especially since it was quite a high-profile release by modern standards. Ubisoft also does not explore new IPs all that often, so this 2020 title still came as a breath of fresh air despite its similarities to Link's 2017 Hyrule adventure. While someone's mileage may vary depending on their tolerance for the publisher's tropes, Immortals Fenyx Rising has plenty of positives that make it an easy recommendation for not only fans of BOTW but also anyone searching for an open-world game in general.

Inspired by Greek mythology and presented as a hero's journey narrated by Prometheus to Zeus, players take control of the eponymous Fenyx, a Greek soldier who must free the gods who have been corrupted by Typhon. The Golden Isle serves as the story's main setting, and it is divided into clearly defined regions that are tied to specific deities. Fast-paced and stylish, the combat is fairly typical for a hack and slash title, and the system improves once Fenyx unlocks all his godly powers.

Genshin Impact

Far More Than Just A BOTW Copy

In hindsight, early rumblings that Genshin Impact was just a Breath of the Wild clone were largely off-base. MiHoYo's action RPG has been nothing short of a resounding success since its 2020 launch, and it is still going as strong. The publisher regularly releases major and minor updates to keep the player base engaged, and the game has amassed a dedicated community filled with people who are enamored by everything that takes place within Teyvat. Now, Genshin Impact takes a few pages from BOTW's playbook, mainly its art style and a handful of traversal mechanics, but they are fairly superficial similarities; overall, the two games play completely differently.

Despite being a free-to-play title, Genshin Impact is a single-player RPG that focuses on real-time squad combat rather than a conventional MMO. As a gacha game, players will be spending a lot of time trying to pull new characters and weapons as they try to piece together their ideal party. Within battles, players can swap between four characters with the click of a button, and the available roster's members are diverse enough to encourage team setup experimentation. The world, Teyvat, is constantly expanding as new regions become playable, and the map is now massive.