9 Most Perfect Single-Player Zelda Clones Nobody Plays, Ranked
From a yoyo adventure to a game where you die every minute, these nine overlooked single-player Zelda-likes are ranked by weirdness.
1. In Tilia's journey across islands, she seeks her missing father after a pirate raid kidnaps him. The game features progression through exploration, leading to ancient dungeons filled with challenges. Tilia's quest to reunite with her father adds a personal touch to the game's progression loop.
2. Elliot's adventure in Huther begins when the kingdom's ruins draw his attention. The game showcases Zelda-like progression as Elliot gains weapons, bombs, and a boomerang to navigate through four eras of the kingdom. The dungeons, set in different periods, provide a consistent map to explore while revealing Huther's history.
3. The fox protagonist in this game stumbles upon a rusty key, which becomes his primary tool for uncovering secrets and progressing through the game. With a limited inventory and no text instructions, players must rely on visual cues to understand the game's mechanics. The game's simplistic design and focus on item discovery provide a unique take on the Zelda-like formula.
4. Oran's return to his hometown reveals a changed world following his parents' deaths. The game tasks Oran with navigating dungeons, each of which grants him a new tool to access previously inaccessible areas. As Oran earns trust from townsfolk and completes quests, he earns gifts and experiences the potential for romantic relationships, adding a personal element to the game's exploration and dungeon progression.
5. As Pippit, a bat with a yoyo weapon, Pippit aims to retrieve the last piece of his aunt's soul scattered across the city. The crime bosses in each district represent Zelda's dungeon challenges, while the yoyo powers obtained from defeating them mirror the progression system found in Zelda games. Yoko Shimomura's composed soundtrack further enhances the game's nostalgic feel.
6. In this 3D collect-a-thon, Tavian finds himself in a strange woodland after a river incident. The deity that has chosen him as its warden tasks him with finding a lost god. Tavian's three wardens, each possessing unique abilities, aid in navigating dungeons tailored to their skills. Cardboard Keep's aesthetic, reminiscent of N64-era games, complements the game's collect-a-thon style and adventurous spirit.
7. Exiled from her home due to a magical accident, Zia heads to Haven, a sanctuary for the last remaining mages. The fire magic that destroyed her town also puts her on the run from the mage-king. In this game, players navigate dungeons filled with puzzles and challenges, similar to Zelda games. The protagonist's journey to restore magic while avoiding the mage-king's wrath creates a compelling narrative within the single-player Zelda clone format.
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