Best Games Like Ocarina of Time: Modern Controls & Open World
The top pick for a game like Ocarina of Time with modern controls and open-world exploration is Immortals Fenyx Rising. It combines the puzzle-box dungeons, climbing, and combat of Breath of the Wild with a more linear, story-driven structure that echoes the classic Zelda formula, all wrapped in a snappy, modern control scheme. Its Greek mythology setting and witty tone make it feel fresh, but the core loop of exploring, solving, and upgrading will instantly resonate with any Ocarina fan.
What to Look For
When hunting for a game that captures the Ocarina of Time magic, focus on these specific elements rather than just “open world� or “Zelda-like.�
- Modern Controls: The original’s tank-like controls are dated. Look for smooth camera control, contextual actions (climbing, dodging, parrying), and intuitive button mapping. A game that feels good to move around in is non-negotiable.
- Meaningful Exploration: Ocarina’s Hyrule was compact but dense, with secrets tucked into every corner. You want a world that rewards curiosity—hidden chests, optional bosses, and environmental puzzles that lead to tangible upgrades, not just collectible filler.
- Dungeon Design: The heart of Ocarina is its themed dungeons (Water Temple, Forest Temple) with locked doors, keys, and a central gimmick. Look for games that offer structured, puzzle-heavy dungeons, not just open-ended caves or shrines.
- Progression & Upgrades: Ocarina’s hook is the constant drip of new items (hookshot, boomerang) that unlock new areas and abilities. A good substitute should have a similar loop of earning a tool, then using it to access previously unreachable places.
- Story & Atmosphere: The time-travel narrative and the melancholy of a doomed Hyrule are iconic. Look for a game with a strong central quest, memorable characters, and a world that feels like it has history.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Strengths: The most direct modern heir to the 3D Zelda formula. It has a large, colorful open world that is a joy to traverse with gliding and climbing. Dungeons are called “Vaults of Tartaros� and are essentially puzzle-box challenges that require using your godly powers (like the “Stratos� bow or “Herakles’s� gauntlets) in clever ways. Combat is fast, with light/heavy attacks, parries, and dodges that feel responsive. The skill tree and gear upgrades give a constant sense of progression.
Trade-offs: The tone is much more comedic and lighthearted than Ocarina’s epic seriousness. The story is a retelling of Greek myths with a narrator, which can feel less personal. The world, while beautiful, is more “Ubisoft-style� with icons littered across the map, which can overwhelm some players.
Who it’s for: Players who want the closest thing to a modern Ocarina in terms of structure, with a polished, accessible control scheme and a huge world to explore.
Darksiders II
Strengths: This is a darker, more combat-focused take on the Zelda formula. You play as Death, and the game features massive, interconnected dungeons that are pure Ocarina—each one has a unique item (like the Voidwalker or the Soul Splitter) that you use to solve puzzles and defeat the boss. The world is a hub-and-spoke design with several large open areas that encourage exploration. The loot system and RPG mechanics add a layer of customization that Ocarina never had.
Trade-offs: The story is grim and the art style is very “2000s edgy,� which might not appeal to everyone. The combat is more hack-and-slash than Ocarina’s deliberate swordplay, and the game is quite long, with some pacing issues in the middle.
Who it’s for: Players who loved the dungeon crawling and item-based puzzles of Ocarina but want a deeper combat system and a more mature, gothic fantasy setting.
Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm
Strengths: This is a love letter to Ocarina of Time, made by a small team that clearly grew up on the game. It features a similar three-act structure, a young hero with a magical sword, and a world that opens up as you gain new abilities. The controls are modernized with a lock-on system, dodging, and a context-sensitive action button. The game is available on multiple platforms and is often on sale for a low price.
Trade-offs: It is a much smaller and less polished game than the other entries. The voice acting is rough, the combat is simplistic, and the open world is fairly empty compared to the giants. It’s more of a “B-tier� experience, but it nails the core Zelda vibe.
Who it’s for: Budget-conscious players who want a direct Ocarina homage with modern quality-of-life improvements, and don’t mind a less ambitious scope.
Death’s Door
Strengths: This is a top-down action-adventure that captures the spirit of Ocarina’s dungeons and exploration, but with a tight, modern combat system. You play as a crow reaper who must retrieve stolen souls. The game features a compact, handcrafted world with secrets around every corner. Each dungeon has a unique mechanic (like the fire hookshot or the bomb arrow) that you use to solve puzzles and fight bosses. The controls are crisp, with a dodge roll and a melee/ranged attack that feel excellent.
Trade-offs: It’s not 3D, so it lacks the vertical exploration and scale of Ocarina. The story is cryptic and minimalist, and the game is short (around 10-15 hours).
Who it’s for: Players who want a tighter, more focused experience that prioritizes dungeon design and combat over a sprawling open world. It’s perfect for those who loved the “dungeon� part of Ocarina the most.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Strengths: This game has a gorgeous, Pixar-like art style but hides a surprisingly challenging combat system and a world that is heavily inspired by Zelda’s structure. You play as Kena, a spirit guide, and you explore a ruined forest, gaining new abilities (like a bow and a bomb) that open up new areas. The “Rot� creatures you collect are used to solve puzzles and interact with the environment. The controls are smooth and the game is a visual treat.
Trade-offs: The open world is more of a series of interconnected paths than a true sandbox. The story is emotional and sometimes heavy, and the combat difficulty can spike unexpectedly, especially on bosses.
Who it’s for: Players who want a visually stunning, story-driven adventure with solid combat and puzzle-solving, and who appreciate a more linear but still exploratory world.
How to Choose
Your choice ultimately comes down to budget and what you value most. If you want the biggest, most feature-complete experience that feels like a true modern successor, Immortals Fenyx Rising is the safest bet, especially if you can find it on sale. If you’re on a tight budget, Oceanhorn 2 is a great value that scratches the itch, even if it’s rough around the edges. If you prefer a more focused, dungeon-centric experience with tight controls, Death’s Door or Darksiders II are excellent choices—the former for a shorter, indie-style game, the latter for a longer, loot-heavy adventure. If you want a game that feels like a modern AAA Zelda but with a unique identity, Kena is a strong pick, though it’s more linear than the others.
Common trade-offs: Open world vs. dungeon focus—Fenyx and Oceanhorn offer vast spaces, while Death’s Door and Kena are more curated. Combat depth—Darksiders and Fenyx have deep combat systems, while Oceanhorn and Kena are simpler. Story tone—Fenyx is comedic, Darksiders is grim, Kena is emotional, Death’s Door is mysterious. Pick the one that matches your mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any of these games actually like Ocarina of Time, or just “Zelda-like�?
Yes, all of them share the core loop of exploring a world, entering themed dungeons, earning a new item, and using it to progress. They are not just open-world games with swords; they have structured dungeons and item-gated progression, which is the heart of Ocarina.
Do any of these have a time-travel mechanic like Ocarina?
No, none of them feature time travel as a central mechanic. The closest is Darksiders II, which has a “Void� mechanic that lets you teleport between two locations, but it’s not time-based. If time travel is a must, you might want to look at The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (which has a 3-day cycle) or Braid, but those are not open-world.
Which game has the best modern controls?
Immortals Fenyx Rising and Death’s Door both have excellent, responsive controls that feel great on modern controllers. Fenyx has a more complex moveset (climbing, gliding, parrying), while Death’s Door is simpler but extremely tight.
Are these games too hard for casual players?
Most are accessible, but Kena and Darksiders II can be challenging, especially on higher difficulties. Oceanhorn 2 is the easiest, and Fenyx has a difficulty slider that lets you adjust combat challenge. All have difficulty options except Death’s Door, which is moderately challenging but fair.
Which game has the best story?
If you want an emotional, character-driven story, Kena is the strongest. Darksiders II has a rich lore but a less personal narrative. Fenyx is more humorous and lighthearted, while Oceanhorn 2 is a straightforward hero’s journey.
Can I play these on PC or console?
All of these are available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch (except Darksiders II is not on Switch, but it is on PC/PS/Xbox). Oceanhorn 2 is also on mobile devices, which is a plus for portability.
Bottom Line
For the best overall experience that successfully modernizes the Ocarina of Time formula, Immortals Fenyx Rising is the clear winner. It offers a huge, beautiful world, tight controls, and a structure that respects the classic Zelda design. If you want a cheaper or more focused alternative, Oceanhorn 2 and Death’s Door are excellent choices. Whichever you pick, you’ll find a game that honors the spirit of Ocarina—exploration, puzzle-solving, and the thrill of a new tool unlocking a new path.
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