The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launched in 2023, it expanded what players expected from open-world games. It wasn’t just about exploring a massive world. It was about experimenting with physics-based building, solving puzzles through creative problem-solving, and discovering secrets at your own pace. Every shrine rewarded exploration, every Ultrahand creation opened new possibilities, and the freedom to tackle challenges in any order made each playthrough feel personal.
Below are 15 games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that focus on open-world exploration, physics-based puzzles, creative problem-solving, and player-driven discovery. Some stick to pure exploration, some add building mechanics, and others experiment with survival systems—but all of them reward curiosity and experimentation.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| Game | Core Similarity | Best For |
| Breath of the Wild | Same core systems | Zelda fans |
| Elden Ring | Open exploration | Challenge seekers |
| Genshin Impact | Elemental puzzles | F2P alternative |
| Immortals Fenyx Rising | Puzzle shrines | Lighter difficulty |
| Minecraft | Creative building | Sandbox builders |
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Why it’s similar
Breath of the Wild shares the same core systems—open-world exploration, physics-based puzzles, and freedom to approach challenges in any order.
What makes it unique
It’s the direct foundation for Tears of the Kingdom, offering the same world with different mechanics and a more focused narrative.
Key features:
- Open-world exploration
- Physics-based puzzles
- Shrine discovery system
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: Switch, Wii U
2. Elden Ring
Why it’s similar
Elden Ring rewards open exploration with minimal guidance, letting you discover secrets and bosses through curiosity.
What makes it unique
Its challenging combat and dark fantasy setting create a more punishing experience than Zelda’s accessible difficulty.
Key features:
- Open-world exploration
- Player-driven discovery
- Challenging tactical combat
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
3. Genshin Impact
Why it’s similar
Genshin Impact uses open-world traversal, elemental puzzles, and climbing/gliding mechanics similar to Zelda’s exploration loop.
What makes it unique
Its free-to-play gacha system lets you collect characters with different elemental abilities to solve environmental puzzles.
Key features:
- Elemental interaction puzzles
- Climbing and gliding
- Free-to-play model
Price: Free (with microtransactions) | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Mobile, iOS
4. Immortals Fenyx Rising
Why it’s similar
Immortals Fenyx Rising features puzzle-heavy shrines, ability-based traversal, and physics interactions that closely mirror Zelda’s design.
What makes it unique
Its Greek mythology setting and lighter tone create a more comedic take on the open-world exploration formula.
Key features:
- Shrine-style puzzle vaults
- Climbing and gliding
- Greek mythology theme
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Stadia
5. Horizon Forbidden West
Why it’s similar
Horizon Forbidden West combines large-scale open-world exploration with crafting systems and meaningful discovery.
What makes it unique
Its post-apocalyptic setting with robotic creatures creates a sci-fi spin on environmental exploration.
Key features:
- Open-world exploration
- Crafting and resource gathering
- Traversal abilities
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
6. Red Dead Redemption 2
Why it’s similar
Red Dead Redemption 2 creates a living world with emergent interactions where exploration feels meaningful and unscripted.
What makes it unique
Its realistic simulation systems make every interaction feel grounded—weather affects gameplay, NPCs remember you, and the world evolves over time.
Key features:
- Living world systems
- Emergent gameplay
- Environmental storytelling
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia
7. Skyrim
Why it’s similar
Skyrim offers open-ended progression and the freedom to explore and build your own path without linear objectives.
What makes it unique
Its deep RPG systems let you completely customize your character’s skills, playstyle, and story choices.
Key features:
- Open-ended RPG progression
- Freedom to explore
- Extensive mod support
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
8. Dragon’s Dogma 2
Why it’s similar
Dragon’s Dogma 2 focuses on open exploration with dynamic combat and environmental interactions.
What makes it unique
You can climb large enemies during combat, creating Shadow of the Colossus-style encounters in an open-world RPG.
Key features:
- Enemy climbing mechanics
- Open exploration
- Dynamic AI companions
Price: ~$69.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
9. Minecraft
Why it’s similar
Minecraft’s creative building systems mirror Tears of the Kingdom’s Ultrahand mechanics—experimenting with tools to solve problems your own way.
What makes it unique
Its block-based sandbox gives you unlimited creative freedom without predefined objectives or story constraints.
Key features:
- Creative building systems
- Player-driven solutions
- Survival and exploration modes
Price: ~$26.95 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Mobile
10. No Man’s Sky
Why it’s similar
No Man’s Sky centers on exploration-focused gameplay with the freedom to roam and discover at your own pace.
What makes it unique
Its procedurally generated universe contains billions of planets to explore, making discovery truly endless.
Key features:
- Infinite exploration
- Base building systems
- Space travel
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
11. Subnautica
Why it’s similar
Subnautica combines exploration, survival, and discovery in a way that rewards curiosity and experimentation.
What makes it unique
Its underwater setting creates unique traversal challenges and environmental storytelling through alien ocean biomes.
Key features:
- Underwater exploration
- Survival mechanics
- Base building
Price: ~$29.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
12. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Why it’s similar
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey features open-world traversal, quest variety, and strong climbing/exploration mechanics.
What makes it unique
Its ancient Greece setting and branching narrative choices create an RPG-focused take on historical exploration.
Key features:
- Open-world traversal
- Climbing mechanics
- Choice-driven story
Price: ~$59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Switch (cloud)
13. Outer Wilds
Why it’s similar
Outer Wilds delivers pure discovery-driven gameplay that rewards curiosity instead of following objective markers.
What makes it unique
Its 22-minute time loop forces you to piece together knowledge across multiple runs to solve cosmic mysteries.
Key features:
- Discovery-driven gameplay
- Time loop mechanics
- Solar system exploration
Price: ~$24.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
14. Shadow of the Colossus
Why it’s similar
Shadow of the Colossus emphasizes exploration with minimal guidance, focusing on scale and environmental traversal.
What makes it unique
Its entire gameplay centers on climbing massive creatures—16 boss battles with no standard enemies in between.
Key features:
- Minimal guidance exploration
- Colossi climbing puzzles
- Atmospheric world design
Price: ~$19.99 | Platforms: PS4, PS5
15. Just Cause 4
Why it’s similar
Just Cause 4 offers physics sandbox gameplay where you solve problems creatively using grappling hooks and environmental tools.
What makes it unique
Its over-the-top action and destructible environments create a more chaotic, explosive take on open-world freedom.
Key features:
- Physics-based sandbox
- Creative problem-solving
- Grappling hook mechanics
Price: ~$39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Full Comparison Table
| Game | Price | Platforms | Best For |
| Breath of the Wild | ~$59.99 | Switch, Wii U | Zelda fans |
| Elden Ring | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox | Challenge seekers |
| Genshin Impact | Free | PC, PS4, PS5, Mobile | F2P alternative |
| Immortals Fenyx Rising | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Puzzle shrines |
| Horizon Forbidden West | ~$69.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 | Sci-fi exploration |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Living worlds |
| Skyrim | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | RPG freedom |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | ~$69.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Dynamic combat |
| Minecraft | ~$26.95 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, Mobile | Creative building |
| No Man’s Sky | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Infinite exploration |
| Subnautica | ~$29.99 | PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Underwater survival |
| AC Odyssey | ~$59.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Historical RPG |
| Outer Wilds | ~$24.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Discovery focus |
| Shadow of Colossus | ~$19.99 | PS4, PS5 | Boss climbing |
| Just Cause 4 | ~$39.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One | Physics chaos |
Conclusion: What to Play First
If you loved The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, start with Breath of the Wild, Elden Ring, or Genshin Impact. Those three best capture the exploration freedom, puzzle-solving, and discovery-driven gameplay. Players who want building mechanics should try Minecraft, while those seeking lighter difficulty will enjoy Immortals Fenyx Rising.
No matter which you choose, every game on this list rewards curiosity and experimentation. If you have a favorite that belongs here, drop it in the comments.
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