Open-world games with magic systems aren’t as common as one may think beyond the big examples. There are games with magic that aren’t fully open-world, like Baldur's Gate 3, with tons of classes and characters all gifted in magic from the great depths of Dungeons & Dragons lore.
While not exactly magic, the open-world Pokemon games, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A, have the titular Pokemon performing moves like Water Gun or Flamethrower that are like elemental spells. So, while those games don’t incorporate everything in an open-world RPG with magic, these games do. They will be ranked based on how good the magic is and the overall quality.
Cat Quest 2
Spellcasting Dogs And Cats
Cat Quest 2 lets players swap between two different characters, a cat and a dog, or they can play a co-op campaign. In the beginning, players will get a starter fire and ice spell for their fuzzy heroes and can then learn and grow other spells as they visit vendors.
Players can explore the world map, fighting enemies along the way, or they can dive into dungeons. The spell and combat system is not that complex, and the overall game is meant more for a younger audience, but there’s no denying the charm in playing an open-world game with these swappable pets.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
A Mage Of All Vocations
Dragon’s Dogma 2 lets players choose a class, called a Vocation, and the basic set of starters includes an Archer, Fighter, Mage, or Thief. Vocations can evolve into Advanced or Hybrid classes, and a Mage evolutionary example is the Sorcerer. Mages have the advantage of most magic types that RPG fans should be familiar with.
They can cast offensive spells like fire, defensive spells to boost elemental resistance, imbue weapons with the elements, or heal party members. A Mage should definitely be in the party, but whether players should play as one is debatable, as Dragon’s Dogma 2 exceeded more as a melee-based action RPG.
Hogwarts Legacy
Back To Books
Hogwarts Legacy is the Harry Potter game fans dreamed about ever since the first game appeared on the PS1. It’s a magic open-world that is inviting to explore with many spells to learn from classes and quests, but they aren’t as varied as something more fantasy-based.
Players won’t be casting a large amount of elemental spells and will instead learn more practical magic, like the ability to lift objects. Wizards and Witches aren’t devoid of offensive magic in the game, and the spells available do make combat interesting, especially if players decide to learn some dark spells.
Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning
Enhancing Combat
Magic in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a good accompaniment to the melee-based strikes players can create combos with in combat. Players could go full mage and focus on a wand weapon as well, but this game is better played as a melee RPG like Dragon’s Dogma 2.
That said, the available spell list is nicely varied, and ending a combo with a sharp lightning strike or an earth-shattering split can make all the difference. Spellcasting area magic is also good for leveling the playing field if there is a larger number of monsters approaching. With no set classes, players are free to design their character how they like, from melee skills to spells.
Elden Ring
From Spells To Summons
Elden Ring is another RPG without set classes, even though players do have to start out with a preexisting build. For magic enthusiasts, an Astrologer or a Confessor will give them a good bit of gear to start spellcasting on the double.
Using ranged weapons or spells is one of the easiest ways to stay alive in the game, as getting too close can often be dangerous for those bad at blocking or dodging attacks. Spells come in all forms, from attack magic to curative magic to summon spells, the latter of which are some of the strongest magic in Elden Ring.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
