Summary
There are plenty of games that are pure fantasy, likeGod of WarandDragon’s Dogma, while others are pure realism,like theRed Dead Redemptionfranchise orFirewatch. This list illustrates games that successfully blend magical elements into otherwise historical or real worlds, adding depth to the gameplay, style, and lore in turn.
These games may vary quite wildly in their art styles and gameplay, but all successfully blend beautiful open-world environments with magical elements, whether that be in their characters, settings, or side quests. Some games lean into deep cultural and mythical ties when exploring magic, such asAssassin’s Creed OdysseyorGhostwire: Tokyo, while others reflect darker, more creative, and unusual explorations of the supernatural and surreal, likePersona 5andMetal Gear Solid.
The magical elements ofStardew Valleyare subtle, but go hand in hand with the adorable pixel-art graphics and cozy narrative that the game is beloved for. Elements of magical realism within the game include the Wizard Rasmodius,mysterious figures like Krobus, the enchanted forest, and, of course, the mysterious and elusive character of the Witch.
Players ofStardew Valleyget to explore the beautiful open-world map of Pelican Town, where they work as farmers trying to improve the sense of community and live off the land. These activities are certainly added to by the curious and often bizarre goings-on in the town, many of which have unusual or supernatural causes.
This RPG is highly exploration-driven, with players getting the chance to roam about a remote island in an alternative version of the 18th Century. There’s a distinctly colonial element to this game, which explores the relationship between nations and foreign settlers, with a hint of magic added for good measure.
Thisindie mix of the historical and surrealis sure to immerse players, and both the narrative and the visuals are dense with stunning details that make this game an unforgettable experience.
TheWitcher 3is a celebrated example of magical realism embedded in an otherwise naturalistic world. Players act as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter on a mission to find his adopted daughter, Ciri. The open-world setting here is vast and stunningly detailed, making it an extremely immersive experience for players.
This seamless integration of fantasy with the historical all coexists with a Slavic-inspired world that includes elements like alchemy, magic, and supernatural combat abilities.The plot of this game is vast and filled with lore that fans of historical and fantasy games are bound to enjoy.
A gripping action RPG,Assassin’s Creed Odysseyis set within the depths of the Peloponnesian War in Ancient Greece, focusing on exploration and combat while also dipping its toes into the wealth of supernatural mythology that comes with the territory.
Players can look forward to encountering mythological icons like Medusa and the Minotaur, which add credence to the setting, rather than detracting from the splendor of Ancient Greece. The mythological elements are just one aspect of a densely packed game full of exciting action and varied narrative.
Disco Elysiumis an unusual RPG that doesn’t fit into traditional genre conventions butfocuses largely on storytelling. The game is set in Revachol, a city full of corruption and unrest. Magical realism comes to players through strange dialogues, hallucinations, and philosophical themes that punctuate the gameplay, as well as through the Pale and the strange ending.
The story ofDisco Elysiumis charged with mystery from the beginning, when the player, a detective, wakes up in a strange hotel room with no recollection of how they arrived there. While the game is technically an open world, the layout is murky, and much of the exploration comes from thought-provoking dialogue.
Persona 5is a JRPG with two distinct elements:a social simulation set in a Tokyo schooland a surreal ‘Metaverse’ where players dungeon-crawl and seek to fix the psychological corruption of evil characters through turn-based combat, all while in the form of ‘Personas’, spiritual manifestations of the characters' psyches.
The gameplay inPersona 5is super varied. It is consistently engaging, and the story has lots of depth. Players spend half the game in the real world: going to school, working part-time jobs, and having random conversations with people in the city. All this makes the surreal elements all the more exciting by contrast, really driving home the sense of magical realism in the combat.
