Best Games Where You Play As A Wizard

Magic is often used in fantasy video games, and as a result, wizard characters are fairly common. However, while certain games feature wizard NPCs or potential party-members/companions, there aren’t many that put the player themselves in the shoes of said magic-user.

By giving players control over a wizard character, these games offer an inherent promise of magical abilities. For games such as LEGO Harry Potter, the implementation of this magic is more standard, while games such as Noita go above and beyond to provide players with a more granular experience. There are several great options available for those looking to play as a wizard in a video game.

6 KeeperRL

A Base-Building Rogue-Like Where Players Control An Evil Wizard

KeeperRL

Systems

Released

March 31, 2015

Developer

Michal Brzozowski

KeeperRL combines classic rogue-like gameplay with RPG mechanics and a clear Dungeon Keeper influence that puts players in the role of an evil wizard. In this game, players build up their dungeon, filling it with traps and digging out multiple floors in order to expand. In true Dungeon Keeper fashion, players are also given a host of minions to help them.

Each run of Keeper RL takes place in a unique, procedurally-generated world. Building, expanding, and managing the dungeon plays similarly to colony-sims such as Dwarf Fortress and RimWorld, taking place in real-time. However, once players take control of their units, the game enters a tactical turn-based mode. This results in a distinctive combination of colony-sim management and tactical rogue-like combat.

5 LEGO Harry Potter

Family-Friendly Fun In An Iconic World Of Wizardry

Harry Potter is almost synonymous with the word “wizard,” right alongside such icons as Gandalf, and the LEGO Harry Potter games put players right into the action, allowing them to play as a variety of wizards in the Harry Potter universe. LEGO games may be relatively formulaic, but LEGO Harry Potter’s faithfulness to its source material makes it a worthwhile adventure for Harry Potter fans.

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Related

The Best Harry Potter Games Of All Time

Even though Harry Potter games tend to be extremely hit-or-miss, a few releases capture the magic of the books, movies, and the overall universe.

Players who don’t traditionally enjoy LEGO games, however, are unlikely to find much to enjoy here. Furthermore, as with many early LEGO games, LEGO Harry Potter is beginning to show its age. Still, for fans of the family-friendly fun that these games offer, LEGO Harry Potter is certainly a stand-out, and it’s jam-packed with wizardry.

4 Wizard Of Legend

A Pixel-Art Action Rogue-Like About Casting Spells

Wizard Of Legend is a top-down dungeon-crawler with the rogue-like genre elements. The game features a rogue-like structure and satisfying combat that revolves around casting magical spells. In the game, players take on the role of wizards, fighting through a challenging gauntlet of enemies.

Much of the fun in Wizard Of Legend comes from unlocking new spells and creating powerful load-outs for the wizard who wields them. This also adds a great deal of replay value to the game, as there’s a large variety of spells to experiment with.

3 Wizard With A Gun

A Stylish Top-Down Shooter With Magical Bullets

Wizard With A Gun is an action-packed top-down adventure that features a stylish art-style akin to Don’t Starve, albeit less Gothic. In the game, players take on the role of a wizard who battles it out with various enemies using a magical gun. This results in satisfying run-and-gun gameplay with a variety of magic combos, which players can create using the game’s various bullet types.

Wizard With A Gun may have a relatively weak wizard theme, as it plays more like a weird-west game, but its stylish action more than makes up for this. Furthermore, the game can be played both solo and in online co-op.

2 Rift Wizard 2

A Traditional Rogue-Like With An Extensive List Of Spells

• Platform: PC
• Released: March 24, 2024
• Developer: Dylan White
• Genres: RPG, Strategy

Rift Wizard 2 is an indie game currently in Early Access on Steam that combines classic rogue-like elements with magic-focused gameplay that puts players in the robes of a powerful wizard. For fans of the challenging turn-based gameplay that traditional rogue-likes offer, Rift Wizard 2 is an incredibly rewarding experience. However, it can be quite tough, and its faithfulness to traditional rogue-likes makes it a somewhat inaccessible title.

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Fans of roguelikes and turn-based gameplay may want to consider the following entries.

As with all traditional rogue-likes, Rift Wizard 2 features turn-based combat on a grid. This combat rewards strategic thinking, tactical positioning, and efficient threat-assessment, rather than quick reflexes and skill-based abilities. Rift Wizard 2 features a ridiculous number of spells and a variety of equipment that allow players to take each run in an entirely unique direction. Rift Wizard 2 is more than meets the eye, and any fan of wizards and/or spell-casting action should consider looking past its old-school visuals.

1 Noita

Combining And Casting Spells In A Physically Simulated Pixel-Art World

Noita

Systems

Released

October 15, 2020

Developer(s)

Nolla Games

This side-scrolling rogue-like features real-time, spell-slinging action that’s both brutal and unforgiving. Much of the fun in Noita comes from its physically simulated, pixel-art world, in which every pixel is part of the simulation. This deep simulation results in an abundance of emergent gameplay, making Noita hilariously unpredictable.

Noita has players combining spells to create unique and powerful wands, and this provides a great deal of replay value by encouraging strategic thinking and experimentation. On top of its physics simulation, emergent gameplay, and rewarding magic system, Noita is built with exploration in mind. Noita also features a treasure trove of secrets, which provides a great deal of replay value. Gamers looking for a title that allows them to play as a wizard will find Noita to be one of the best options.

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8 Best Wizards In Gaming

Magic wielders are fun characters to play and battle in video games, and these are the best, most iconic examples