8. Hyper Light Drifter
Hyper Light Driftertakes aspects ofLink to the Past, and creates an entirely different universe on top of it.
It centers around a Drifter, someone who looks to find old technologies and lost knowledge. The Drifter you play as suffers from an enigmatic illness and hopes to uncover a cure.
You’ll traverse a beautiful, 16-bit world, while wielding an energy sword. Along the way, you’ll find new weapons and ability upgrades that can help you conquer Judgement.
Related:The best indie game soundtracks of all time
7. Darksiders
Darksiders Warmastered Editionoffers a new look at the original 2010 game. At first glance,Darksidersdoesn’t resembleThe Legend of Zeldaat all.
Once you start playing, you’ll definitely see how closely the game’s mechanics shadow the classic Nintendo game.Darksidersplays like aLegend of Zeldagame with hack-and-slash elements. No, that doesn’t make it likeHyrule Warriors—it’s more like a more violentSkyward Sword.
When you explore dungeons, the game progresses in that signatureZeldafashion. You’ll find items to help you reach the boss at the end of the dungeon.
Related:Is Humble Store Legit? Why I Buy My Games There Now
6. Evoland
I’ve already talked aboutEvolandin a review, and itsLegend of Zeldaelements land it a place on this list. This game is basically a playable timeline of RPG history.
At the start of the game, the environment will lack color and music. Soon, you’ll get to wield a sword, cut down enemies, and explore maze-like dungeonsZeldastyle.
Because this game explores RPG history, it also has elements of other RPGs likeDiabloandFinal Fantasy.
5. Anodyne
Anodynehas deemed itself a “Zelda-lite” game, and rightfully so. It’s reminiscent of theOracle of SeasonsandOracle of Ages, except its theme is much darker.
You’ll scour the unsettling worlds within Young’s subconscious, using a broom to fend off any monsters that stand in your way. As you collect cards, you’ll dive even farther into the dreamscape.
4. Spiral Knights
Have you never really got over your love ofFour Swords Adventures? If that’s the case, you’ll definitely want to get your hands onSpiral Knights.
This medieval sci-fi MMO lets you team up with other players to fight monsters, solve puzzles, and find treasures. Thanks to the Clockworks, the game’s environment is constantly changing. That means you can play over and over without getting burnt out!
Related:The best lightweight PC games to play
3. Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas
You can immediately tell thatOceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seaswas heavily inspired by theZeldaseries. In particular, you’ll notice it has a distinctWind Wakeraesthetic with gameplay and dungeon designs likeA Link to the Past.
Oceanhornstarted off as a mobile game and was later ported to non-mobile systems, so you can forgive some of its shortcomings. It has the heart ofZeldathough, so definitely worth playing!
Related:The best mobile game RPGs
2. Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King
If you love the classicLegend of Zeldagames likeLink to the Past, you’ll want to check outBlossom Tales: The Sleeping King. This indie game is blatantly inspired by the earlyLegend of Zeldagames.
Despite the fact that it resemblesZeldaso much, it still offers a fresh perspective on gameplay, setting, story, and characters. You take on the role of Lily, Knight of the Rose.
It’s your goal to save the Kingdom of Blossom from darkness, and you’ll have to traverse challenging dungeons to do so.
1. Fable Anniversary
The firstFablegame was released in 2004 on the Xbox. However, theFable Anniversaryedition gives you the chance to play the remastered version of the original game.
This exciting RPG is set in theZelda-esque world of Albion. You play as the Hero, a young boy who’s family has been torn apart by bandits. As you progress and complete quests, your choices influence the way that Albion’s villagers view you.
