Single Player fantasy games that are actually good(not skyrim)?

[RangerDruid]

Hi all, I'm new here.
I know you escapees are probably sick of a lot of these recommendation threadss, but i really want to know...

Are there any good offline/single player fantasy games that are ACTION focused and NOT RPG(though I don't mind RPG elements), where you have a party(so not like The Elder Scrolls games) that follows you around? I find theres a surprising lack of these.

What I have in mind is omething like Mass effect 2 in a fantasy setting, or an actiony version of Neverwinter Nights?? If the fantasy theme in games has been done to death why is it so hard to find a game like this?

 

[keideki]

*cough cough* previous elder scrolls games *cough cough*

 

[2xDouble]

Dragon Age is the prime example, specifically Dragon Age: Origins.

Also, welcome to The Escapist!

 

[barash]

Risen is quite good, though a bit lacking the the last act.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Ok I'll add Fable 1 - very nice fantasy action, with minor RPG elements.

 

[Littaly]

It doesn't include a party following you around, but I'm still going to cautiously recommend Dark Messiah: Might and Magic. The story is laughable, the writing is even worse and the graphics are below average, even for it's time. But the gameplay actually features some of the better first person fantasy combat out there. At least if you ask me, I know there are a lot of people who have a problem with it, and I'll admit it's far from perfect. If you can find a demo, or if you see it on sale for almost nothing on Steam, I say give it a try.

 

[xvbones]

Hi all, I'm new here.
I know you escapees are probably sick of a lot of these recommendation threadss, but i really want to know...

Are there any good offline/single player fantasy games that are ACTION focused and NOT RPG(though I don't mind RPG elements), where you have a party(so not like The Elder Scrolls games) that follows you around? I find theres a surprising lack of these.

What I have in mind is omething like Mass effect 2 in a fantasy setting, or an actiony version of Neverwinter Nights?? If the fantasy theme in games has been done to death why is it so hard to find a game like this?

The Witcher: Enhanced Edition and The Witcher 2 will scratch that itch.

They got kind of a rough reputation when they were released for a lot of glitchiness that has been mostly smoothed out and away. They have interesting stories with interesting characters in a total crapsack world where very often the 'correct' answer is literally only the one that benefits you the most.

Combat is very heavily focused on timing, hitting LMB at the appropriate moment to keep a swirling blade combo going through multiple enemies. That said, combat in both games is quite challenging, unless you set it to Easy buttonmashing will kill you.

It's very much a solo experience, you won't have companions or any shit like that.

If you're looking for the story AND the party, you want Dragon Age: Origins. Just Origins, mind you, the xpac Awakening was a huge letdown and Dragon Age 2 was... you will hear multiple opinions, I personally don't think it was half as bad as its press, but regardless, DA: O is the one you want. It's a great game with great, strategic combat, great characters, great writing and a great plot.

Those are my strongest recommendations;
Witcher: Enhanced Edition; The Witcher 2 and Dragon Age: Origins.

Take them as you will.

 

[wooty]

Legend of Zelda games perhaps? Any of them.

Definately fantasy adventure games, bits of action, fair amount of puzzles in them, not-rpg styled.

 

[Michael Hirst]

Demons Souls, you don't NEED to play it online and the gamplay is judged a lot more by player skill than by just grinding numbers. (no party characters though)

Fable is a fun option it's not very deep and imo wasn't really groundbreaking but is definitely a fun game, same goes for number 2, I haven't played Fable 3 yet so I can't judge it.

Diablo 2, it's not a very deep game but very fun, it's a lot of button mashing especially if you're playing as barbarian but a very good game that doesn't require a HUGE knowledge of RPG's to be enjoyed.

The Dragon Age games may fit your tastes OP, personally I don't like Dragon Age 2 becuase it's TOO action focused but others like it exactly for that reason.

 

[viranimus]

I would also add Dark souls to the Demon's souls suggestion.

While it is technically a RPG, it honestly focuses so much on the action as opposed to statistical micromangement that comes with RPGs.

Honestly neither are really hard.. they just require patience and persistance is all but its about the most rewarding gaming exp available .

 

[wolf thing]

dragon age origins is great but id ignore number 2, dark souls is great but alittle hard, the wizardry games are bad ass but alittle old, the fable game are cool,

 

[Azahul]

I'll second the vote for the Witcher. To my utter shame I haven't had a chance to play the Witcher 2, because my computer crashed and burned and I need a new one, but the first Witcher was amazing and is hands down my favourite RPG, well, next to Baldurs Gate 2 anyway. It's action-like, an amazing world, and if you've read the books a lot of the character portrayals are hands down perfect.

 

[LiberalSquirrel]

Are there any good offline/single player fantasy games that are ACTION focused and NOT RPG(though I don't mind RPG elements), where you have a party(so not like The Elder Scrolls games) that follows you around? I find theres a surprising lack of these.

What I have in mind is omething like Mass effect 2 in a fantasy setting, or an actiony version of Neverwinter Nights?

Welcome to the Escapist!

Let's see. As has already been recommended by a few others on the thread, try the Dragon Age series. It's made by the same people as Mass Effect, after all. One thing I would suggest, though, is not to ignore Dragon Age 2, as has already been suggested. It amps up the action elements a lot from the original, so if that's what you're looking for, you may prefer it to Dragon Age: Origins. It's gotten some mixed press, certainly. But personally, I'd recommend it, as I quite enjoyed it.

Secondly, how do you feel about JRPGs? The "Tales of..." series- such as Tales of Vesperia, in the current console generation- would certainly fit your description. And there's Infinite Undiscovery, a fun (but certainly not perfect) RPG that's considerably more action-y than most JRPGs. And the Star Ocean series, though the current generations iteration of the series (Star Ocean: the Last Hope) is by far the weakest of the series, in my opinion, though it still isn't a horrible game, and the combat is quite satisfying.

 

[plugav]

What I have in mind is omething like Mass effect 2 in a fantasy setting, or an actiony version of Neverwinter Nights?? If the fantasy theme in games has been done to death why is it so hard to find a game like this?

Well, as far as I know, Mass Effect 2 is one of a kind so far, so the lack of fantasy games in that vein is not really that surprising. Dragon Age 2 tries to be like this, but sadly falls short - on the PC it plays like an easier version of Origins, and on the consoles it's supposedly a button mashing marathon.

If the lack of a party isn't a dealbreaker, I found both Fable and Dark Messiah of Might & Magic to be quite enjoyable. Oh, and the Legacy of Kain series is worth a look, if you're into oldies and don't mind a few puzzles and platforming sections.

 

[Virmire]

Only ones I can think of are KOTORs which are sci fi-fantasy. The upcoming MMO The Old Republic would be as well, if that peaks your interest.

 

[4173]

Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance / Dark Alliance 2 don't give you a party, but are very action-y.

 

[droid]

Magicka [http://www.magickagame.com/] is combat focused in a fantasy setting. It is not an RPG in any way. There are no conversational choices and the story is just a set of pop culture references, so it isn't much like ME in that regard. It can be played single player, though it is a bit easier if you have "friends" to revive you after they stab you in the back. Again.

Edit: Sacrifice [http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/sacrifice] might fit. It is set in a mythic/fantasy setting, the gameplay is spellcasting/summoning/RTS. Each level you are given a choice of who to serve and that affects what happens later in the story.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Err Xenoblade Chronicles is HRPG but it's really good!

It's a sci-fi fantasy but it does got a party of three following the lead (you). It is action base in that during battle, you can move around an enemy and you deal auto attack (when close) while you can use spells/ skills to deal more damages.

It's different from most JRPG that you can save whenever you want as oppose to savepoints and when you die, you just spawn from the last area you visit without losing your cash etc.

 

[RemuValtrez]

There's a whole list of them, most already have been mentioned.
But first off, why not Elder Scrolls? It is actually a great game with plenty of action in it, and a good storyline to boot.

Baldur's Gate, Divine Divinity (A lot like Diablo 2), Divinity 2, Diablo 2, Magicka, DragonAge, Demons Souls (and Dark Souls), Fable (I would suggest Fable 1/Fable: The Lost Chapters)

And as for the whole Party element, there are definitely a lot of these. Though the main ones that come to mind are all Final Fantasy Related.