Best Open-World Games For Exploring Castles

It’s hard not to like a good castle. These imposing historical structures have played key roles in human history, and even today, their imposing walls and lavish throne rooms inspire the imagination. The memorable crenellations of a grand, imposing castle are now a common hallmark of the fantasy genre in all its forms.

This includes, of course, video games. Several video games help immerse players in their sprawling fantasy landscapes by incorporating castles into their worlds. Here are some of the best open-world games on the market for exploring these remarkable fortresses.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Viking Strongholds

This installment in the long-running Assassin’s Creed series takes players to the late 800s, during the Vikings’ colonization of the British Isles. As protagonist Eivor strives to establish their settlement and secure alliances, they will frequently need to infiltrate strongholds and castles throughout the realm.

Over the course of the campaign, players will frequently be called to take part in Assaults, taking down enemy fortresses in order to expand the Vikings’ area of influence. Ubisoft’s traditional focus on historical accuracy means players will be able to enjoy some remarkably lifelike detail as they storm castles with their Viking warband.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

A Mysterious Fantasy Realm

The world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. Players are never sure what they’ll encounter when they strike out into the game’s expansive world. Much of the game’s plot revolves around the conflict between the player character and a mysterious figure who both lay claim to the title of Arisen, a fabled hero set to defeat the powerful dragon and lay claim to the throne.

The protagonist’s quest to prove themselves the true Arisen will require a lot of politicking with the rulers of the land, and as such, fans will visit several castles over the course of the adventure. The franchise’s trademark giant monsters return, and many of these imposing beasts lurk in crumbling castle ruins, giving fans multiple chances to explore some fantastical fortresses.

Ghost of Tsushima

Samurai Royalty

The most commonly recognized idea of a castle is rooted in feudal European history and the sorts of castles that can still be seen in places like Britain and France. But the idea of a castle is common to history throughout the world, and as Ghost of Tsushima shows, Japan had more than a few castles of its own.

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Protagonist Jin’s desperate quest to repel the Mongol invasion takes him to some of the most important and imposing fortresses on the island of Tsushima. Palaces like Castle Kaneda and Castle Shimura are not just memorable landmarks, but home to some of the most decisive battles in the game’s blood-soaked campaign.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

Fantasy Legends

It would not be a stretch to call Lord of the Rings one of the most famous fantasy franchises in the world, if not the most famous. Tolkien’s iconic writing would in many ways define the fantasy writing which followed, and that in turn influenced the world of fantasy video games. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is a particularly prominent adaptation of Tolkien’s work that lets players experience Middle-Earth for themselves.

As the name suggests, the game takes place largely in Mordor, the region where Sauron’s influence is the strongest. As a prologue to the events of The Lord of the Rings, Shadow of Mordor takes place before the realm is transformed into the barren wasteland fans of the movies are more familiar with. This gives the protagonist Talion numerous castles to explore during his quest to avenge the murder of his beloved family.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

A History Lesson

While most open-world games featuring castles are set in fantastical worlds with dragons and monsters, Kingdom Come: Deliverance takes a more realistic approach. The game is a piece of historical fiction taking place in the Medieval kingdom of Bohemia. Protagonist Henry is caught in a massacre and subsequently swept up in a grand-scale conflict for the fate of the throne.

As players interact with the various lords vying for control of the region and take part in decisive battles for the crown, they’ll see their fair share of castles and fortresses, all inspired by the real history of Bohemia. Players who are interested in the history of feudal Europe and its iconic castles should definitely give it a try.

A Classic

Oblivion Remastered is an impressive redo of everything that made the original game special. The land of Cyrodiil, where the game takes place, is rich with history and danger, and the map is dotted with mysterious ruins for players to explore. Many of these ruins take the form of ancient, semi-collapsed fortresses, traces of deadly conflicts in ages past.

Cyrodiil’s warlike history is also reflected in the fortified towns scattered across the map. The streets of these cities are rich with adventure and intrigue, and each features a prominent castle where the city’s lord holds court. As the Oblivion Crisis, central to the game’s conflict, becomes more dire, players will often have cause to treat with these rulers in their fortress homes.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt’s Quest

The Witcher 3 is an iconic high-fantasy adventure, and the titular Geralt’s quest to save Ciri from the Wild Hunt sees him walking the line between the dangerous monster hunts he’s trained for and the just as treacherous world of politics and nobility. Geralt visits several castles over the course of his adventure, each one rife with intrigue and danger to navigate.

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The game’s iconic DLC Blood & Wine further expands The Witcher 3‘s castle offerings. One of the most prominent main story events sees Geralt and his allies storming Dun Tynne Castle, a heavily fortified castle that serves as the seat of power for the Dun Tynne region.

The Home of the Jarls

Skyrim is a particularly iconic open-world fantasy game where players must navigate a region shrouded in civil war. Fans who get immersed in this large-scale conflict will find themselves spending a lot of time in the grand castles and longhouses, which serve as the seat of power for the Jarls who reign in Skyrim.

In addition to these majestic palaces, the region is home to numerous ruined forts and citadels, some of which have been appropriated by opportunistic bandits or by one of the sides in the ongoing war. This war-torn region is rich with castles to explore throughout the Dragonborn’s quest.

Elden Ring

Rebuilding Power

FromSoft’s legendary open-world game sees the Tarnished traveling the realm in search of the great runes held by figures of legend throughout the Lands Between. Many of these illustrious demigods are holed up in ruined castles and fortresses, clinging to what’s left of their grandeur and influence. Memorable dungeons like Stormveil Castle, Castle Sol, and the Haligtree present some truly distinct takes on high fantasy fortresses.

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC expands on the game’s castles in a big way with the introduction of the infamous Shadow Keep, a vast fortress that dominates the map and acts as the home of Messmer and his forces. Players will be visiting Shadow Keep multiple times over the course of their adventure, gradually discovering more of the gruesome fortress in their quest to halt Miquella’s divine ascension.

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