When you find a game you love, it's a bummer when it ends. Even if you've spent hundreds of hours playing an expansive RPG, you just can't wait to get back into something that gives you the same feeling of adventure.

Or maybe you're just super addicted to match-three games and you want to find another game like Candy Crush.

No matter what your favorite games are, there are great alternatives out there. We've put together some of those alternatives for your favorite games here. Read through the whole list, or skip to your favorite game right away!

  1. Games Like Skyrim
  2. Games Like Dark Souls
  3. Games Like Assassin's Creed
  4. Games Like Grand Theft Auto
  5. Games Like Tomb Raider
  6. Games Like Destiny
  7. Games Like Call of Duty
  8. Games Like League of Legends
  9. Games Like Candy Crush
  10. Games Like Minecraft
  11. Games Like Stardew Valley

1. Games Like Skyrim

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Skyrim, possibly above all else, is known for its sprawling, open-world design. There are hundreds of hours' worth of exploration here. Combine that with a great story and a Mariana Trench-deep fantasy world, and you have one of the best RPGs (if not one of the best games) of all time.

This adventure set the bar high, and few games have reached it. But if you're looking for more games like Skyrim (or games like The Witcher 3, another similar and popular title), you have a few choices.

Divinity: Original Sin II

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

The Divinity games might be a bit more like Diablo than Skyrim, but the huge worlds, mind-boggling number of NPCs and quests, and intriguing plot will appeal to Skyrim fans. The character progression lets you build out your character in an infinite number of unique ways, which adds another level of depth.

Buy: Divinity: Original Sin II on PC

Dragon Age: Inquisition

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

The Dragon Age games share many fans with the Elder Scrolls series. Your choices affect the world around you, and the huge number of options you have for each situation make your playthrough unique. Dragons, magic, and intrigue abound. We loved it, and we think you will too.

Buy: Dragon Age: Inquisition Deluxe Edition on Origin | PS4 | Xbox One

Fallout 4

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Another open-world game by the maker of Skyrim, Fallout has a distinctly different feel. But despite its post-apocalyptic leanings, you'll get the same immersive experience. Exploration, storytelling, and opportunities to make a difference in the world around you abound. Trade your battleaxe for an assault rifle and roam the wastelands.

Buy: Fallout 4 on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

2. Games Like Dark Souls

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

An entirely different kind of RPG, the Dark Souls games are known for their claustrophobic, dark themes and punishing difficulty. These games are really, really hard. But the sense of accomplishment you get from completing them, and the sense of dread generated by their engrossing atmospheres, can't be beat.

The obvious alternative to Dark Souls is Bloodborne. It's a spiritual successor that takes the theme in a different direction (and the result is amazing). But there are a few other games like Dark Souls you should try, too.

The Surge

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Had enough dungeons and dragons? The Surge takes Souls-like difficulty, melee combat, and RPG leveling to a futuristic sci-fi setting. You'll find more flexible character customization than you're used to in other action RPGs, which is a nice change.

Buy: The Surge on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

Salt and Sanctuary

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Though it may draw more from Bloodborne than Dark Souls, Salt and Sanctuary perfectly channels the soul-crushing difficulty. The 2D graphics might make it look tame, but the brutality and gore fit right in with Souls. The bleak animation is gorgeous, and Souls fans will appreciate the cool leveling mechanics.

Buy: Salt and Sanctuary on PC | PS4

Nioh

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Nioh's unique setting brings a new twist to the dark fantasy world. Real events from Sengoku-era Japan combine with folklore and a whole lot of supernatural melee combat. Both warlords and demons await your blade, but they don't go down easily.

Buy: Nioh on PC | PS4

3. Games Like Assassin's Creed

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

When you talk about games like Assassin's Creed, you have to be careful to specify what aspect you're interested in. Is it parkour-based, and open-world? Does it reward stealth? A good game like Assassin's should be a little bit of each (though you can usually ignore the stealth part if you want).

If you've already played through the entire AC series, there are plenty of other games like Assassin's Creed for you to try.

Dying Light

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

A zombie game? Like Assassin's Creed? Well, in some ways, yes. It's an open-world game that involves both story and side quests. And lots of parkour. It doesn't have the old-world feel of AC, but it features a lot of its best characteristics.

Buy: Dying Light on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

Shadow of Mordor

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Another game you might not expect in this list. But again, it features an open world, lots of parkour, and hand-to-hand combat. Add in the interesting (though sometimes disturbing) Nemesis system, and you have yourself a smash hit.

Buy: Shadow of Mordor on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

Dishonored

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

While the Dishonored series doesn't have the open world or free-running aspects of Assassin's Creed, it does have a great mix of action-adventure and stealth. In fact, stealth is even more important in Dishonored. But you always have the option to wage war.

Buy: Dishonored on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

4. Games Like Grand Theft Auto

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

One of the most popular and controversial series of all time, Grand Theft Auto is tough to beat for sprawling cities, over-the-top crime, and just the right amount of realism. Open-world mayhem is really the only qualifying criteria for games like Grand Theft Auto.

Just Cause 3

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Like GTA, the Just Cause games are about wreaking havoc on a large scale. Though the third entry isn't about crime, it'll give you the over-the-top action you're looking for.

Buy: Just Cause 3 on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

Yakuza 0

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

This game, about crime in 1980s Japan, has some similarities to GTA. But it also sports some notable differences. There's less to explore, the combat feels a little arcade-y, and there are some extremely goofy mini-games. But at the core, it's a game with a great story about criminals.

Buy: Yakuza 0 on PS4

Watch Dogs 2

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Though the first Watch Dogs had more hype than positive reviews, the sequel is a worthy follow-up. It's more high-tech than Grand Theft Auto, but still captures some of the same adrenaline-rush-inducing combat and open-world exploration. We have some tips to help you make the most of the adventure.

Buy: Watch Dogs 2 on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

5. Games Like Tomb Raider

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

The Tomb Raider revival that took place in 2013 has brought the always-entertaining Lara Croft back to the spotlight. Her new games are phenomenal storytelling affairs with character development, platforming, and adventure.

None do it quite like Tomb Raider, but there are a few games like it that you can check out.

Uncharted

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

These two series have been compared so many times that I'm not sure I have to say anything here. If you want more archaeological adventure full of zip lines, danger, and guns, check out this series right away.

Buy: Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection on PS4

Horizon Zero Dawn

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

The open-world nature of HZD breaks away from the linear story of Tomb Raider, but there are a lot of parallels to draw here. Mostly in that it's all about adventure (and hunting robo-dinosaurs, which definitely feels like something from the early Raider games).

Buy: Horizon Zero Dawn on PS4

The Last of Us

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

While there's no spelunking, The Last of Us channels a lot of aspects that Tomb Raider gets right. Stealth, high tension, good storytelling, and fun combat all make this one of the best games of the last decade.

Buy: The Last of Us Remastered on PS4

6. Games Like Destiny

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

With a universe-spanning story and a delightful blend of sci-fi and fantasy, Destiny is tough to match. But there are a few games you might want to try, especially if you're looking for games like Destiny 2 (our tips) to put a lot of hours into.

Warframe

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Billed as one of the best games like Destiny, Warframe is free-to-play, which is a big bonus. While it doesn't feel as tight or polished as Destiny, the collecting and crafting will keep you playing for hundreds of hours.

Play: Warframe on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

While the aesthetic is way different, Borderlands has a lot of the aspects that make Destiny so much fun. An engrossing world, super-fun shooting action, a variety of game modes, and unique art style make this a classic.

You can definitely seek out the original on PC, PS3, or Xbox 360. But jumping into The Handsome Collection to check out the pre-sequel and the sequel shouldn't be a problem.

Buy: Borderlands: The Handsome Collection on PS4 | Xbox One

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Looking for more first-person shooter/RPG hybrids? Deus Ex is a great series to get into, and the latest game packs a lot of punch. (Don't miss our Deus Ex tips if you're trying the series for the first time.)

Buy: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

7. Games Like Call of Duty

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Call of Duty is synonymous with multiplayer shooters. Grab your rifle, head out to the battlefield, and don't stop shooting until you win. That's really all there is to it. (Maybe that's why it's time for Call of Duty to call it quits.)

But there are some great games like Call of Duty that will expand your horizons a bit.

Overwatch

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

With over 25 unique characters, Overwatch offers a fast-paced, high-adrenaline, strategic shooter experience. There's no story mode, just a whole lot of multiplayer chaos. It's astonishingly addicting.

Buy: Overwatch on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

Titanfall 2

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Though the original game didn't get the best reviews, the sequel has been praised for its solid multiplayer gameplay. Switching between the pilot and the mech adds a new element of variation on the classic Call of Duty formula. Plus, developer Respawn Entertainment was founded by ex-CoD developers.

Buy: Titanfall 2 on PC | PS4 | Xbox One

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

One hundred people parachute into a battleground where they need to find weapons, vehicles, and gear. Then they use what they've found to take out other players and survive. It's like Call of Duty with higher stakes, and it's awesome.

Buy: PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds on PC | Xbox One

8. Games Like League of Legends

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Multiplayer combat takes a different tack in League of Legends. It's much more strategic, and the fantasy setting is a far cry from typical shooters. MOBAs are really popular right now, and there are a lot of games like League of Legends that you can try out.

Heroes of the Storm

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Blizzard's MOBA works a bit differently. There's no last-hitting, experience is shared across an entire team, and there are objectives you'll need to complete on each map. It differs greatly from typical MOBAs, but still channels what's great about the genre.

Play: Heroes of the Storm on PC

Battlerite

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

This game does away with minions, laning, last-hitting, and item stores. It's just one big teamfight. Which is what you really like about League of Legends anyway, isn't it? Battlerite takes a while to get used to, but it's super fast and a whole lot of fun.

Play: Battlerite on PC

Vainglory

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

This is a game like League of Legends, but it differs in one important respect: it's a mobile MOBA. It's 3v3, and takes place on smaller maps, but it's really a fantastic mobile MOBA. Last-hitting and jungling are important, and vision plays a surprisingly strong role. It's a fantastic take on the MOBA genre.

Play: Vainglory on iOS | Android

9. Games Like Candy Crush

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Match-three games are popular because they're simple and fun. Games like Candy Crush need to meet those criteria to be successful, and these three games have them in spades.

Gridland

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

This one really surprised me. It's much more strategic than you might think at first, and you can spend hours playing it. Saying much more than that would ruin the fun! It's only available on a website, but it works great on mobile.

Play: Gridland at DoublespeakGames

Two Dots

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

While not a match-three game, this will appeal to players looking for games like Candy Crush. You need to connect as many similar dots as possible. It sounds simple, but as you unlock new features and abilities, you'll see that there's a lot to this puzzler.

Play: Two Dots on iOS | Android

Puzzle Quest 2

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Like Gridland, Puzzle Quest adds an RPG element to the match-three formula, and does so with an impressive amount of success. If you want to combine match-three with Dungeons & Dragons-style role-playing, you can't go wrong with this.

Buy: Puzzle Quest 2 on PC

10. Games Like Minecraft

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

At the time of this writing, Minecraft is the second-best-selling video game of all time. Which means other developers have put out a lot of games like Minecraft. Few live up to the high standard set by the original game, but these are great alternatives!

Roblox

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

You can do just about anything in Roblox, from building a theme park to starring in a fashion show. With a stronger focus on moderated social interaction, Roblox is a good alternative to Minecraft (especially if you want mobile apps).

Play: Roblox on PC | Xbox One | iOS | Android

Terraria

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

GamesRadar described Terraria as "Minecraft for the Castlevania crowd," which is a fitting characterization. You'll need to build shelter to defend yourself from the nighttime hordes of zombies and other baddies, and you'll have tons of space to explore and craft during the day.

Buy: Terraria on PC | PS4 | Xbox One | iOS | Android

Castle Story

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

A more tactical alternative to Minecraft, Castle Story requires that you harvest resources with your units and turn those resources into an impenetrable castle made of blocks. Designing your own defenses is a lot of fun, and the tactical nature makes it a more strategic experience.

Buy: Castle Story on PC

11. Games Like Stardew Valley

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Who would've thought that a farming sim would be so popular? Stardew Valley's farming and building are relaxing, while managing your time in the game is challenging enough to be interesting. It's a tough combination for games like Stardew Valley to nail.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

In addition to starting your own farm, you'll need to explore a dreamy island to collect Sprites and open up the map in this title. Lots of exploring and the lack of combat make this a laid-back experience that focuses on the evoking feelings of wonder.

Buy: Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles on PC | PS4

World's Dawn

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Combining farming and some RPG-like elements, World's Dawn is an alternative to Stardew Valley that takes many cues from the original. But with a disparate art style and a different story, it's a good alternative to Stardew.

Buy: World's Dawn on PC

Rimworld

best alternatives to popular favorite video games

Although it's a "colony sim" and not a farming sim, fans of Stardew Valley are likely to love this one. Manage your colony's facilities, moods, needs, technology, and military to survive the hostile environment! It's still in Early Access, but it's actively under development.

Buy: Rimworld on PC

What Similar Games Do You Suggest?

Now when you finish some of the most popular game franchises on the market, you'll have plenty of similar games to get into next. And if want to play new games that are totally out of the box instead, why not look into some free, open-source games?

Let us know in the comments what you suggest fans of these games play next. And if you want to hear alternatives for any of your favorites that aren't listed here, ask away in the comments!