Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
If you’ve hit the credits in Hogwarts Legacy, or would rather avoid it for valid reasons, it’s not all that obvious where to turn to get your next dose of open-world wizarding magic. There are a ton of games out there with a similarly bustling open world or spellcasting and magical themes to scratch that itch. But, there are some right duds out there, so we’ve pulled together the 7 best games like Hogwarts Legacy sure to cast a spell on you, from slow-burner slice-of-life gems to big coffer AAAs with all the trimmings.
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Little Witch in the Woods
- Forspoken
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Dragon Age: Inquisition
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
-
Release Date:
31 December 2018
- – 31 December 2018 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s): Action Adventure
Would you recommend this game?
If you’re not all that fussed about the magical arts and the academic setting in Hogwarts Legacy, but love the freedom of an open world packed full of activities, puzzles, and secrets, then Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey might be just the ticket. Take a mouthy hero, get them to island-hop the Aegean, and weave in minotaurs, medusa, and stacks of Greek mythos, and you can get an adventure that should tide over Potter fans until a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy. Its mechanics, combat, and systems are in many ways very similar. Novices will pick it all up within minutes and the difficulty is perfect for casual players that prefer a gentler ride.
Little Witch in the Woods
- Release Date:
- Platform(s): Unknown
- Genre(s): Unknown
Would you recommend this game?
If magic’s your bag, then a dive into the slice-of-life cosiness of Little Witch In The Woods is well worth it. You play as Ellie, a burgeoning witch fresh out of witch school who is sent to a Witch House to wrap up her apprenticeship. Think Stardew Valley with witches. You’ll need to help the village folks, explore a magical forest, and, hopefully, become a formal witch. It plays out as a daily life sim – potion brewing, exploration, interactions with townsfolk and creatures, fishing, and fun, simple quests. It’s a perfect palette cleanser for those after a much slower, relaxed pace than Hogwarts Legacy. Little Witch In The Woods is also a bit of a looker with a charming pixel art style.
Setting aside some pretty jarring dialogue, Forspoken drops you into a magic-infused open world that’s as beautiful as it is ripe for exploration. Throw in fun quests, crafting, hundreds of spells, and acrobatic traversal that looks and feels too good to pass up, and you’ve got yourself dozens of hours of fun. Difficulty is tuned just right and Hogwarts fans will feel right at home playing as spellcaster Frey. The tone is darker than Hogwarts Legacy, but not bleak enough to have you cowering under the covers. Due to middling reviews, it’s a bit overlooked and, as such, is often heavily discounted so you can snap it up for absolute peanuts.
A bit of an oldie by this point, but The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim remains a classic that’s a rite of passage for anyone with even a passing interest in video games. For Potter fans, Skyrim compromises many of the same mechanics and activities as Hogwarts Legacy. It bundles in a boat load of crafting, farming, fishing, skills, potion brewing, foraging, questing, hunting, puzzling, and, of course, the option of magic-themed combat that’s not too taxing with simple controls, especially with the difficulty dialled down. Introduce mods, of which there are thousands, and you can tweak and tune the game to your liking, including a rather excellent conversion mod called Enderal: Forgotten Stories. Dive in, explore, and you’ll come out 100 hours later with more than a few stories to tell.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Release Date: May 12, 2023
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Action, Action Adventure, Adventure
Would you recommend this game?
The Legend of Zelda’s shift to a vast and playful open world needs no introduction. But if you’re still on the fence about giving it a whirl, then Tears of the Kingdom might tip the balance. It features a vastly better and more satisfying buffet of quests, puzzles, secrets, crafting, and quirky combat than in Hogwarts Legacy, albeit minus the magic. Though you might want to start with the prequel, Breath of the Wild, which set a new standard for open-world interactivity and richness, Tears of the Kingdom is a better bet. It’s a refined version of the original that’s easier to pick up for newcomers with a new ability set that’s as playful as it is useful for exploration and problem solving. It’s one of the best open-world sandboxes ever and really is Nintendo as it’s very best.
Immortals: Fenyx Rising
-
Release Date:
December 3, 2020
- – 25 February 2020 (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch)
- Platform(s): Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, RPG
Would you recommend this game?
Immortals Fenyx Rising is a more casual take on Ubisoft’s sprawling worlds and is designed to be more forgiving and welcoming to players. But don’t let that put you off, it’s still rich in secrets, puzzles, and intriguing quests just like in Hogwarts Legacy. There’s no magic per se, as it’s themed on Greek mythology, but a solid story and cameos from gods and heroes will keep you entertained throughout. Though heavier on combat than Hogwarts Legacy, it’s geared towards being fun rather than challenging with a delicious mix of acrobatic skills and abilities. Bite-sized and considerate of your time, it’s one for those that were a tad overwhelmed by the scope and size of the wizarding world’s open world game.
Dragon Age: Inquisition presents a lush open world that leans more into fantasy tropes than Hogwarts Legacy, but it’s just as compelling, if only for the companions that tag along on your adventures. We’re talking endearing characters with plenty of backchat to punctuate hour-long bouts of satisfying exploration. It’s the type of adventure where decisions matter and shape how the story unravels. And boy does it have some stories with a veritable glut of side quests that will take you to all four corners of its sprawling, magical map. The mechanics and combat are a tad more demanding than Hogwarts Legacy, but they’re just as magic and spell focused and an awful lot of fun once you get your head around them. And, it has tons of dragons, creatures, and magical wonders to discover.
