The promise of a Zelda dungeon—finding a tool to open a door to find a better tool—has inspired a genre of action-adventure games. While titles like Tunic and Death's Door often receive widespread acclaim, many other games that adopt this loop of puzzle-solving, ability-gated progression, and distinct dungeons often go overlooked. This list explores nine such titles that offer their own unique takes on the Zelda formula.
Ocean's Heart (2021)
This game centers on Tilia, a young woman searching for her father who disappeared while pursuing pirates that raided her island home. As Tilia embarks on her quest, she acquires weapons and tools that unlock new areas, mirroring Zelda's progression system. The narrative is peppered with whimsical humor, featuring a cartel of muscle-bound guards and a side quest dedicated to a dog's birthday. Exploration is key, with ancient dungeons offering challenges and rewards that aid Tilia in her journey.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (2026)
Developed by the team behind Octopath Traveler, this game presents a world where humanity's last bastion is the walled Kingdom of Huther, surrounded by beastmen. Elliot, a somewhat eccentric adventurer accompanied by a fairy named Faie, is tasked with investigating ruins outside the kingdom's walls. These ruins lead him through doorways into different historical eras of Huther. The game features classic Zelda elements such as a sword, bombs, a bow, and a boomerang. Players will navigate a familiar overworld across four distinct time periods, delving into dungeons that require the use of acquired tools.
Master Key (2024)
Master Key presents a minimalist adventure where players control a fox who falls into a cave and discovers a large key. Without explicit instructions, progression relies on deciphering pictographic clues scattered throughout the world. The gameplay loop involves discovering new items and using them to uncover secrets. The game features a retro aesthetic, with a monochrome palette that players can customize. The world contains hidden challenges, such as a sword in a stone that drains health upon attempted retrieval.
Prodigal (2020)
Set in a Game Boy Color-inspired world, Prodigal follows Oran, who returns to his hometown after a decade of absence to learn of his parents' demise. The adventure sees Oran exploring dungeons, each granting a new tool that opens previously inaccessible areas. This progression mechanic is a direct nod to the Zelda series. Beyond dungeon crawling, Oran can build relationships with townsfolk through gifts and quests, with some characters even serving as potential love interests, blending Zelda-like exploration with dating sim elements.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo (2025)
In this unique take on the genre, the player character, a young bat named Pippit, wields a yoyo instead of a sword. When rival crime bosses scatter his aunt's soul, the fifth piece imbues Pippit's yoyo with her voice. The game's structure mirrors Zelda's, with four distinct city districts, each led by a boss, culminating in the acquisition of new yoyo abilities. Players must manage upgrades carefully, as accumulating debt increases the risk of boss encounters. The soundtrack features contributions from Yoko Shimomura, known for her work on Street Fighter 2 and Kingdom Hearts.
Warden: Melody of the Undergrowth (2016)
This 3D collect-a-thon draws inspiration from N64-era adventures, featuring hand-painted scenes and a color palette reminiscent of Wind Waker. Players assume the role of Tavian, a newly appointed warden of the woods tasked with finding a lost god, accompanied by two other controllable wardens. Each warden possesses unique abilities that are utilized in dungeons designed around their talents. The game encourages players to manage their inventory of weapons, which have a quick snap-back mechanic, suggesting players should stock up from fallen enemies.
Mages of Mystralia (2017)
Magic is outlawed in Mystralia due to past destruction caused by a paranoid mage-king. Zia, exiled after an accidental fire spell destroys her home, seeks out the last mages. With the help of a talking spellbook, she learns to wield forbidden magic, starting with a base set of spells and customizable runes. Combining runes with spells allows for unique effects, such as fireballs or dash attacks. The game involves exploring dungeons, fighting enemies, and collecting resources, all while navigating the legal restrictions on magic.
Kharon's Crypt – Even Death May Die (2022)
In this game, Death has been imprisoned by a king seeking immortality, and Kharon, a ferryman figure, escapes this confinement by traversing a continuous mega-dungeon. The top-down combat will feel familiar to Zelda players. Kharon possesses the ability to inhabit any enemy, allowing him to fight using their unique skills or solve environmental puzzles inaccessible in his base form. The game explores themes of death and imprisonment with challenging boss encounters.
Minit (2018)
Minit offers a unique challenge where the player character dies every 60 seconds after picking up a cursed sword. Players respawn at the last visited location, retaining collected items, allowing for gradual progress within the strict time limit. The gameplay loop involves exploration, item-gated progression, and confronting a boss at a sword factory. Despite the short lifespan, the game provides ample opportunity for discovery and engagement within its minute-long cycles, drawing comparisons to the time-loop mechanics of Majora's Mask.
