10 Dark games like World of Warcraft that you should try

The resemblance to World of Warcraft is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, tone and setting. The common ground extends to skill tree progression and a third-person camera. It sets itself apart with melee combat and co-op play.

Shelved next to World of Warcraft for good reason: dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and magic-based combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and online features. They part company on combat and visuals: this one brings melee combat and crafting mechanics.

Shelved next to World of Warcraft for good reason: dark, oppressive atmosphere, magic-based combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on multiplayer gameplay and skill tree progression. The distance is in visuals and progression — its own ground is ranged combat and an isometric view.

Same family as World of Warcraft: dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and fantasy world. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and PvP competition. Where the two diverge is combat and tone: cozy, relaxing feel and melee combat.

Genre puts it alongside World of Warcraft, and so does dark, oppressive atmosphere, magic-based combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on skill tree progression and a third-person camera. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and ranged combat.

It comes from the same genre as World of Warcraft and shares dark, oppressive atmosphere, magic-based combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on PvP competition and a third-person camera. The distance is in setting and combat — its own ground is melee combat and historical setting.

Shelved next to World of Warcraft for good reason: dark, oppressive atmosphere, fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay. They part company on combat and progression: this one brings ranged combat and an anime aesthetic.

With World of Warcraft it shares deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration. Both also lean on a third-person camera and fantasy world. The distance is in combat and tone — its own ground is strong narrative focus and a sandbox world.

The overlap with World of Warcraft is in what it evokes rather than what it is: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world. Both also lean on PvP competition and skill tree progression. The distance is in combat and visuals — its own ground is melee combat and an isometric view.

Where it meets World of Warcraft is tone and place, not genre: deep RPG systems, dark, oppressive atmosphere and magic-based combat. The common ground extends to fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is visuals and genre: action RPG combat and melee combat.