Best PS5 Games Like Zelda

Everybody loves The Legend of Zelda. After all, this legendary series has forever revolutionized gaming, due to its beautiful presentation, engaging gameplay, innovative mechanics and incredible boss fights. The only real problem with this franchise is that it is 100% exclusive to the consoles of the company that created it, Nintendo.

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For fans of Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker, these action-adventure classics play just like the 3D Zelda games that inspired them.

Unfortunately for PlayStation 5 users, there are no Legend of Zelda games on Sony’s current console. But this isn’t much of an issue, because this franchise has been so undeniably important that it has even influenced the development of multiple high-quality action-adventure titles that are available to play on non-Nintendo systems. This means that the PS5 has a lot of great games that look, play and feel like The Legend of Zelda in its catalog, and these are some of the most prominent examples.

8

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

A Fun Adventure Game With Beautiful Art And Animation

Systems

Released

September 21, 2021

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence

Upon first glance, it’s immediately evident that the former PlayStation exclusive Kena: Bridge of Spirits has been influenced by the Legend of Zelda series: It features a strong female protagonist, a dynamic combat system, multiple unique power-ups that can be used to solve interesting puzzles and some really solid boss fights.

If that wasn’t appealing enough already, Kena: Bridge of Spirits also has a beautiful, colorful art style that makes it look like an animated Hollywood movie. This is no coincidence, though, since its developer, Ember Lab, got its start as an animation studio, and it went viral in 2016 when it released a Majora’s Mask short film titled Terrible Fate. So the Zelda-like elements of this game are most likely intentional.

7

Tunic

A 2D Zelda Game With An Adorable Protagonist

Released

March 16, 2022

ESRB

e

Many modern action-adventure games for the PS5 strive to replicate the style of the 3D Legend of Zelda entries, like Ocarina of Time or Breath of the Wild. But Isometricorp Games’ Tunic is a fascinating exception, because the developers confirmed that they were inspired by the classic isometric Zelda games in 2D from the NES/SNES era.

This is immediately evident by looking at Tunic’s adorable fox protagonist wielding a sword and a shield, coupled with its distinct perspective and gameplay. Nevertheless, this endearing adventure game never feels like a blatant copy, as it instead plays more like a respectful homage with enough unique elements to make it stand out. Fans of traditional 2D Zelda games should definitely give Tunic a try, because there aren’t many other projects like it in the modern market.

6

Sand Land

An Anime Open World Game With A Big Focus On Vehicles

Systems

Released

April 26, 2024

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language

Based off of the cult classic manga by Akira Toriyama, Sand Land is a 2024 release that flew under most people’s radars, despite being a solid example of a surprisingly fun action-adventure game with colorful graphics and eccentric characters that will definitely appeal to fans of The Legend of Zelda franchise. In this title, Beelzebub and his friends will have to explore a giant open map with multiple locations, treasure chests, dungeons, items and bosses in every corner.

Sand Land already has a lot of classic elements from the action-adventure genre that make it both entertaining and engaging, but what makes it truly stand out from other similar games is its focus on giant machines and vehicles, like cars, tanks and even giant mechas, for both its high-octane combat and its endless exploration. Curiously enough, this sole element makes Sand Land especially appealing for fans of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which also allows players to create and customize their own constructs to traverse an open-world map.

5

Immortals Fenyx Rising

It’s Like Breath Of The Wild, But With An Epic Greek Twist

Released

December 3, 2020

ESRB

T for Teen: Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

When Ubisoft’s Immortals Fenyx Rising came out back in 2020, many criticized it for its glaring similarity to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, the very same people who pointed that out also clarified that this doesn’t mean it’s a subpar experience at all, since making a game that plays and looks a lot like Breath of the Wild for systems where that game isn’t available (like the PS5) is quite a brilliant idea.

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The main appeal of Immortals Fenyx Rising is the fact that it’s entirely based off of Greek Mythology, which means most players will be immediately familiar with all of its characters, enemies and bosses. Aside from that, it does borrow many features from Breath of the Wild that make its gameplay very enjoyable, like a vast open world, engaging exploration, unique abilities that can be used for both puzzle-solving and combat and even a bunch of epic and intense boss fights.

4

Oceanhorn 2: Knights Of The Lost Realm

More Than Just Another Zelda Clone

Released

September 19, 2019

ESRB

t

Due to the frequency in which shameless clones of The Legend of Zelda (and other Nintendo IPs) often appear on digital storefronts, many gamers have wrongly accused Cornfox & Bros’ Oceanhorn series of being nothing more than that. In reality, however, these are solid action-adventure titles, especially the sequel/prequel, Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm.

Since the first entry was basically an homage to classic 2D Zelda games, Oceanhorn 2 is an obvious tribute to modern 3D Zelda adventures, and it wears those inspirations on its sleeve. With its sword-wielding protagonist, vibrant art style, appealing exploration, interesting open world and fun puzzles, Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm is one of the closest things to a true 3D Legend of Zelda experience that gamers can experience on their PS5s.

3

Horizon Forbidden West

Sony Now Has A Beloved Action-Adventure Game Series Of Its Own

Systems

Released

February 18, 2022

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence

When Horizon Zero Dawn first came out in 2017, gamers around the world claimed that the PlayStation brand finally had a unique and exclusive action-adventure game that could go toe-to-toe against Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series. Of course, this rivalry and these comparisons didn’t stop when Sony released its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, in 2022.

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It has all the traditional elements one would expect from a Zelda-inspired game in this genre, like a vast open world with unique locations and memorable side quests, engaging action combat in which Aloy’s bow and arrow take center stage, designated areas that work like dungeons and complex bosses that have to be approached as if they were a puzzle. Nevertheless, Horizon Forbidden West also features a distinct post-apocalyptic setting and a fascinating narrative that helps it stand out from other similar titles.

2

God of War Ragnarök

Kratos’ Newest Journey Leans More Into The Adventure Than The Action

Systems

Released

November 9, 2022

ESRB

M For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

There’s no denying that God of War popularized the hack-and-slash genre during the mid-2000s, but the series went in a completely different direction when the God of War reboot came out in 2018. Its recent sequel, God of War Ragnarök, carries that new gameplay style and, as a result, has become one of the absolute best action-adventure titles in the PlayStation 5’s entire catalog.

Like its predecessor, Ragnarök focuses a lot less on violent combat and epic boss battles (even though those still are two prominent elements of this game) and puts a bigger emphasis on a slower but more methodical combat system and linear exploration set in a semi-open world that is brimming with sidequests, items and enemies. In a current gaming landscape in which most developers are set on making bloated open world games, God of War Ragnarök’s more traditional gameplay – which is reminiscent of classic 3D Zelda games – feels extremely refreshing.

1

Elden Ring

Took What Made Breath Of The Wild So Great And Applied It To The “Soulslike” Genre

Systems

Released

February 25, 2022

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a total game-changer for the industry, and it has influenced countless open-world action-adventure titles that came after it, with the most prominent and impressive example being 2022’s Elden Ring. With this award-winning game, FromSoftware took everything that made Breath of the Wild so great, implemented it into a challenging action RPG similar to Dark Souls, and made it all work extremely well.

It may not be immediately evident to some, but Elden Ring has a lot of Breath of the Wild DNA in it. This is because the main appeal is its huge open world that can be completed in any order, and that it’s filled to the brim with weapons, items, enemies, dungeons and bosses that can completely change the experience, making it more or less difficult depending on the player’s actions. Any gamer who enjoys both the modern Legend of Zelda games and FromSoftware’s Dark Souls franchise definitely has to experience Elden Ring on their own.

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