Seth Parmer is a Staff Writer at TheGamer and has previously worked as a freelance Wikis Editor over at IGN. He can be found @Parmersan on Twitter, where he shares his thoughts on games and anime.
Where Winds Meet has been out for a little while now, allowing players to sink their teeth into the nearly unlimited amounts of content it has to offer, which range from quirky side-quests to its emotional main story to its exhilarating combat, making you play ‘just a few more minutes’ until you’re suddenly dozens upon dozens of hours in.
While there is nothing quite like this game out there, some games come very close in key areas, allowing you to find similar enjoyment if you really vibe with specific aspects of Where Winds Meet, whether that be its combat, online components, Imperial China aesthetic, or something totally different!
Nioh 2
Leading the charge is Nioh 2, which features intense combat and boss encounters that will push you beyond your limit. If you cranked up the difficulty for Where Winds Meet’s combat and love the idea of using many different weapons and abilities to overcome the immensely challenging obstacles in your way, then Nioh 2 should be high up on the list of games you should check out next.
Let’s face it, turn-based JRPGs are still the king of the RPG genre, and here’s why.
Furthermore, Nioh 2 has character customization, and it’s pretty good. While it’s not as in-depth as most recent titles, it serves its purpose, allowing you to create your ideal hero and fit them with sick armor and gear as you progress through the game. It’s also set in Japan, which may not be as mesmerizing as Where Winds Meet’s Imperial China setting, but it’s still extremely pleasing to the eye in its own way!
Ghost Of Yōtei
Speaking of visually pleasing games, Ghost of Yōtei is up next and is, hands down, one of the best-looking games this year. Heck, it may even be the best-looking title this generation. It’s that stunning. If the scenic and breathtaking environments, solid storytelling, and smooth combat of Where Winds Meet are what’s keeping you pressing forward, picking up Ghost of Yōtei is a must, as it offers all of the above and then some.
Ghost of Yōtei may lack the online aspect, for now, but there’s so much jam-packed into its sprawling open world that you will get lost in its beauty the moment you start Atsu’s revenge-fueled quest. Overall, this game shares many similar vibes with Where Winds Meet, despite being set in Ezo-era Japan. Not only is it one of the best offerings of this year, but it will also scratch many similar itches you may be left with after you’re done with Where Winds Meet!
Wuthering Waves
A bit of an oddball up next with Wuthering Waves, one of the more recent gacha titles that picked up lots of steam due to its surprisingly robust single-player story and high-octane combat that will keep you locked in for hours on end. If the expansive and more non-linear aspects of Where Winds Meet are what appeal to you most, then you must check out Wuthering Waves.
Additionally, Wuthering Waves is also free-to-play, but as mentioned, it is a gacha title, so you will be poked and prodded a bit more to spend your hard-earned money on pulls. However, the gacha system here is pretty generous, and you never really feel the squeeze that forces you to roll to progress. So, if you’re in the market for another free-to-play open-world RPG with fluid action, then your next game is likely this one!
Black Myth: Wukong
Do you like the Mystic Arts system present in Where Winds Meet? Do you like its emphasis on hack-and-slash combat, while also making it feel smooth? If you said yes to both, let us introduce you to Black Myth: Wukong, a stunning action RPG that shares similar combat systems and mechanics and is also heavily influenced by Imperial China, making it a match made in heaven. It can also get pretty challenging, which is always a good sign.
Black Myth: Wukong has everything you want and more, but unfortunately, it doesn’t offer any multiplayer experience. Nonetheless, if that’s not a dealbreaker for you and you have yet to give this jaw-droppingly gorgeous action RPG a go, now’s the perfect time to dive in. If no online is a dealbreaker but you adore everything else about it, we still think it’s a solid enough experience that you’ll enjoy despite that, just snag it on sale if that’s the case!
Naraka: Bladepoint
What about a game that is only online and is also heavily inspired by the Far East? Well, with Feudal Japan and Imperial China serving as the standout aesthetics, you will feel right at home if you love the atmosphere and vibes of Where Winds Meet. And, since Naraka: Bladepoint is a melee-focused and martial-arts-based battle royale, you will also get your online PvP fix, as well as your hack-and-slash fix, all under the same roof.
Naraka: Bladepoint won’t be for everyone, but we still strongly recommend dipping your toe in, as it may surprise you. Its combat systems and mechanics are surprisingly deep, and dropping in for a quick round has never been as intoxicating as what’s present here. Every character feels unique and capable, and each weapon can deal disturbing amounts of damage in the right hands. Give it Naraka: Bladepoint a shot!
Black Desert Online
Lastly, we have Black Desert Online, an enormous MMORPG with one of the best character creators and some of the best combat in the genre. While it can be a bit of a slog to start, and it can become very egregious regarding monetization, you can easily sink dozens to hundreds of hours into this game without spending a dime on upgrades or cosmetics. There’s just that much content for you to access right off the bat.
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Everything from deep character progression, fast and fluid combat, intense PvP encounters, and interesting side quests is all present in Black Desert Online, and it will absolutely scratch quite a few of the same itches that Where Winds Meet does. Furthermore, Black Desert Online is extremely stunning but doesn’t go for a Far Eastern aesthetic, which may or may not be a dealbreaker for you.
Overall, if what you’re looking for is immersive gameplay with a robust character creator and kickass gameplay, then you should still give Black Desert Online a shot, even if you want a more fantastical or Easter-inspired setting. It knocks everything it needs to out of the park and will give you plenty to see and do until you start feeling the pressure of monetization. But by that point, you will either be too far gone or ready to move on anyway!
So many games to choose from and so little time! These beginner aRPGs are perfect for those just getting into the genre.
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