5 Best Medieval Fantasy Video Games of All Time According to Metacritic

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The world of medieval fantasy video games has always captivated fans of epic adventures.

This genre offers immersive experiences with rich narratives, expansive worlds, and unforgettable characters.

Many titles have been released, but only a few have achieved the highest acclaim from critics and players alike.

Metacritic, a leading review aggregator, is a crucial benchmark for assessing the quality of a game.

The platform aggregates scores from various gaming publications, providing a comprehensive overview of a title's critical reception.

A high Metacritic score is often a strong indicator of a game's quality and impact on the industry.

This article will review five medieval fantasy video games that have achieved the top spots based on Metacritic scores.

Elden Ring, an action role-playing game released in 2022, has redefined the medieval fantasy genre with its vast and captivating open world.

Developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the game is a collaboration between director Hidetaka Miyazaki and fantasy author George R.R. Martin, who is responsible for the world-building.

The game is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.Since its release on February 25, 2022, Elden Ring has received immediate and "universal acclaim" from critics, achieving an impressive 96-97 Metacritic score.

Critics praised its massive open-world setting, satisfying exploration mechanics, deep gameplay systems, and rich backstory.

Many reviewers have even called the Lands Between FromSoftware's most expansive setting yet, emphasizing exploration and discovery as its primary draw.

Despite its high difficulty, some reviewers also consider Elden Ring to be the most accessible Souls game.

This allows players to avoid challenging challenges and return with more experience, providing flexibility in gameplay approaches.

Elden Ring's success extends beyond positive reviews; the game has won several Game of the Year awards and is considered one of the best video games of all time, with sales exceeding 30 million copies as of April 2025.

Released in 2011, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most iconic and influential medieval fantasy games.

It achieved a Metacritic score of 96 for the Xbox 360 version and 94 for the PC version, indicating a very positive critical reception.

Developed by Bethesda Game Studios, Skyrim is known as an open-world fantasy epic that allows players to freely explore a virtual world.

The game is praised for its legendary freedom of choice, immersive storytelling, and unprecedentedly realized adventure.

The new game engine successfully brings to life a complete virtual world with rolling clouds, rugged mountains, bustling cities, lush fields, and ancient dungeons.

This dynamic and detailed environment supports an immersive exploration experience for players.

Many consider Skyrim to be the most replayable modern Western RPG.

Its fluid build-based character progression system, rather than a traditional class system, allows players to be creative with how they build their protagonist.

Furthermore, the game features some of the most extensive side quests in the open-world genre, adding incredible depth and replayability to the gaming experience.

Baldur’s Gate III is a modern masterpiece that brings classic tabletop fantasy to life.

Based on the rules of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, the game delivers an unparalleled role-playing experience where player choice genuinely shapes the narrative.

Every dialogue option, combat decision, and moral stance can alter relationships, story outcomes, and even the fate of the world.

Set in the Forgotten Realms, the game excels in character writing.

Companions are complex, flawed, and deeply reactive to the player’s actions, making interactions feel personal and consequential.

Combat is turn-based and highly tactical, rewarding creativity over brute force.

Whether players solve conflicts through diplomacy, deception, or violence, Baldur’s Gate III captures the feeling of a living tabletop campaign better than any video game before it.

Baldur's Gate III has 97 Metascore.

Divinity: Original Sin II, especially the Definitive Edition released in 2018, is a shining example of the evolution of modern tactical RPGs.

The Definitive Edition has a Metacritic score of 95 for PC, compared to the original version's 93.

Developed by Larian Studios, the game is set in the richly detailed medieval fantasy world of Rivellon.

The game has been hailed as one of the best RPGs ever made, with a darker and more grounded narrative than its predecessor.

Critics praised the game's phenomenal mechanics, stunning art, sound design, and fantastic writing, all contributing to a groundbreaking experience.

Every element is designed to create a cohesive and immersive world.

Divinity: Original Sin II offers a rich story, compelling characters, and ample player freedom in approaching various situations.

Furthermore, the Definitive Edition enhances the gameplay and adds offline/online co-op modes, a PVP arena, and a Game Master mode, which pays homage to tabletop Dungeons & Dragons.

These features enrich the gaming experience and make it more than just a typical RPG.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt delivers a darker, more mature take on medieval fantasy.

Players step into the boots of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter navigating a morally gray world shaped by war, prejudice, and ancient curses.

Unlike many RPGs, The Witcher 3 does not present clear-cut good and evil; instead, players are often forced to choose between outcomes where no option feels entirely right.

The game’s strength lies in its storytelling. Side quests are rich, emotionally grounded, and often rival the main storyline in quality.

Villages feel lived-in, monsters are rooted in folklore, and consequences of player decisions can echo hours later.

Combined with its atmospheric open world and exceptional expansions, The Witcher 3 stands as one of the most narratively powerful medieval fantasy games ever created.

The game achieved a Metacritic score of 92.