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There’s a particular itch that only fantasy action adventure games scratch: a sword in hand, a dungeon door you can’t open yet, and a nagging feeling that the item you need is hidden somewhere you already walked past. Plenty of games promise that feeling. Far fewer deliver it in a way that suits your patience, your platform, and the kind of challenge you actually enjoy.
This guide puts four very different takes on the formula side by side. One is the 1998 blueprint for the whole genre, now being remade for Nintendo Switch 2. One is a polished, compact tribute built by a small studio. One is a gorgeous, hand-painted puzzle marathon that demands real persistence. And one trades tight dungeons for a sprawling JRPG with kingdom building. None of them is the “best” for everyone, so instead of crowning a single winner, we match each game to the player who’ll love it most.
Quick picks: which adventure fits your play style?
Side-by-side comparison
| Ocarina of Time (remake) | Oceanhorn 2 | Baldo: Three Fairies Ed. | Ni no Kuni II | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform (linked edition) | Nintendo Switch 2 | PlayStation 5 | Nintendo Switch (plays on Switch 2) | PS4, PC, Switch |
| Style | Dungeon-driven 3D adventure | Linear action adventure | Open-world puzzle adventure | Action JRPG with strategy layers |
| Combat | Lock-on sword and shield, item tools | Melee plus ranged “Caster Gun,” AI companions | Simple melee, positioning matters | Real-time party battles with helper creatures |
| Puzzle intensity | Medium–high | Medium | Very high | Low |
| Typical length | About 25–30 hours (original) | 20+ hours | Publisher says 80+ hours | About 40 hours for the story |
| Newcomer friendly | Yes | Yes | With assisted mode | Yes |
| Availability | Releases Nov 5, 2026 | Out now | Out now | Out now |
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — the blueprint, rebuilt
- Developer: Nintendo
- Edition linked: Multi-language, Nintendo Switch 2
- Release: November 5, 2026
- Best for: Genre fans, returning veterans, curious first-timers
- Pre-order
Almost every game on this list owes a debt to Ocarina of Time. When it arrived on the Nintendo 64 in 1998, it solved problems 3D games had been fumbling for years: how to aim at an enemy that’s circling you, how to make a camera behave, and how to build dungeons that feel like one giant interlocking puzzle rather than a string of rooms. The lock-on targeting system it introduced is still standard in action games today.
The story is simple but lands with surprising weight. Link, a boy raised in a forest village, is pulled into a struggle against Ganondorf and ends up leaping seven years into the future to find the kingdom of Hyrule in ruins. Swapping between child and adult Link, and seeing how your actions in one era reshape the other, is still one of the cleverest structural ideas in the genre.
What’s new in the Switch 2 remake
Nintendo describes this version as a faithful remake rather than a reinvention. The overworld and dungeons follow the original’s layout, but the presentation has been rebuilt from scratch with new visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, an orchestral soundtrack, and a camera you can move freely. Link can now jump on command and roll or dash across Hyrule Field, which should take the sting out of the original’s long walks. There’s also a charming touch for the ocarina itself: you can hum a learned melody into the Switch 2’s built-in microphone and Link will play it in-game.
Not every change is universal applause. The new puppet-theater-inspired art direction has split longtime fans, and the world is still divided into separate zones with loading transitions, a choice Nintendo made to stay true to the 1998 structure.
Because the remake hasn’t launched yet, this section is based on the original game’s design and Nintendo’s official gameplay reveal, not hands-on time with the new version.
- Dungeon design that still sets the standard for the genre
- Time-travel structure gives the world real depth
- Modern movement and camera fix the original’s rough edges
- Requires a Nintendo Switch 2
- New art style won’t appeal to every purist
- Zone-based world feels old-fashioned next to modern open worlds
Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm — a compact love letter
- Developer: Cornfox & Bros. (published by FDG Entertainment)
- Edition linked: PlayStation 5, US physical
- Original release: 2019 (Apple Arcade), 2020 (Switch), 2023 (PS5, Xbox, PC)
- Best for: Players who want a focused adventure they can finish
If Ocarina of Time wrote the textbook, Oceanhorn 2 is the student who studied it closely and then added a few ideas of its own. This prequel takes place a thousand years before the first Oceanhorn, in a world where a young knight must rally humans, the owl-like Owrus, and the fish-folk Gillfolk against the warlock Mesmeroth and his army.
The biggest departure from the classic formula is that you’re not alone. Two companions travel with you: Trin, the granddaughter of the city of Arcadia’s leader, and Gen, a robot who fights with an old samurai blade. You can direct them in combat and have them help solve environmental puzzles, which gives dungeons a light co-op flavor even though it’s a single-player game. You also get the Caster Gun, a ranged weapon that makes fights feel closer to a third-person action game than a pure sword-and-shield adventure.
The PS5 edition bundles every quality-of-life and content update released since launch and targets 4K at 60 frames per second, so it’s the smoothest way to play. Expect around 20 hours for the main quest, plus side quests if you want to linger.
The trade-off is ambition. The world is handsome and well built, but it’s more linear than the other games here, and some players find the combat light and the story fairly familiar. Think of it as a satisfying weekend-to-two-weeks adventure rather than a genre-shifting epic.
- Clean, attractive world with smooth PS5 performance
- Companion commands add variety to puzzles and fights
- Reasonable length that respects your time
- More linear than its inspirations
- Combat lacks depth for action veterans
- Physical copies can be limited in stock
Baldo: The Guardian Owls – The Three Fairies Edition — beautiful and stubborn
- Developer: NAPS team
- Edition linked: Nintendo Switch, US physical (Switch 2 compatible)
- Includes: The Three Fairies expansion and an assisted mode
- Best for: Puzzle lovers and art-first players with patience
Baldo is the game on this list you’ll remember for how it looks. Its villages, forests, and temples are painted in a soft, storybook style that openly pays tribute to classic Japanese animated films, and simply wandering its open world is a pleasure. You play as Baldo, a young boy tangled up in a mysterious prophecy, exploring towns full of odd characters and hunting for hidden temples.
Underneath the charm, though, is one of the most demanding puzzle adventures you can buy. Dungeons are dense with traps, switches, and block puzzles, and the game rarely points you in the right direction. Solving a room can feel like a genuine eureka moment; failing to solve it for an hour can feel like the opposite. That’s why its playtime varies so widely. The publisher advertises more than 80 hours, and a big share of that comes from working out where to go next.
The game had a rocky reputation when it first launched in 2021, with players pointing to bugs and cryptic progression. The Three Fairies Edition is the version to get today: it packages the original with the Three Fairies expansion adventure and adds an assisted mode that softens the difficulty for players who want to enjoy the world without banging their heads against every puzzle.
- Stunning hand-drawn art direction
- Huge amount of content for the money
- Puzzles reward careful, lateral thinking
- Vague guidance can leave you stuck for long stretches
- Combat is the weakest part of the package
- Not ideal for players who dislike trial and error
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom — the big, warm JRPG
- Developer: Level-5 (published by Bandai Namco)
- Original release: 2018 (PS4, PC); 2021 Prince’s Edition (Switch)
- Music: Joe Hisaishi
- Best for: RPG fans who enjoy management and strategy on the side
Ni no Kuni II is the outlier here, and that’s exactly why it belongs in the comparison. It isn’t a dungeon-first adventure. It’s a full Japanese role-playing game that borrows the genre’s sense of exploration and wraps it in a much bigger package of systems.
You follow Evan, a young king forced from his throne in a coup, and Roland, a man from our world who mysteriously appears at his side. Rather than simply reclaim his crown, Evan sets out to found a new kingdom where people can live without fear. The tone is sincere and optimistic, supported by a sweeping score from composer Joe Hisaishi and character art from former Studio Ghibli animator Yoshiyuki Momose.
Combat is fast and real-time. You control one party member while the others fight alongside you, and you can call on Higgledies, small elemental spirits that cast buffs and attacks on command. Between story chapters, you’ll grow your kingdom of Evermore by recruiting citizens, constructing facilities, and researching upgrades, and you’ll lead armies in top-down skirmish battles. Expect roughly 40 hours for the story, and many more if you chase side content.
The main criticism is that the game is fairly easy on its default setting and its story doesn’t have the emotional punch of the first Ni no Kuni. Puzzle fans will also find very little here to chew on. But if you want an adventure that keeps giving you new things to manage and unlock, it’s the most generous of the four.
- Kingdom building adds a satisfying long-term goal
- Accessible, flashy real-time combat
- Gorgeous animated look and an excellent soundtrack
- Low challenge for experienced RPG players
- Very few real puzzles or dungeon riddles
- Story is more gentle than gripping
Head-to-head: category winners
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dungeon design | Ocarina of Time | Each temple is a self-contained puzzle box built around a single new tool. |
| Puzzle challenge | Baldo | Nothing else here asks you to think this hard or this laterally. |
| Combat depth | Ni no Kuni II | Party control, Higgledies, and army skirmishes give it the most variety. |
| Visual style | Baldo | The hand-painted art is a genuine showpiece, though Ni no Kuni II runs close. |
| Respect for your time | Oceanhorn 2 | A focused 20-hour quest with little padding. |
| Amount of content | Ni no Kuni II | Story, side quests, kingdom management, and battles keep stacking up. |
| Story and characters | Ocarina of Time | Its time-travel narrative remains the most memorable of the group. |
Which game should you buy?
For genre veterans and nostalgic players
Go with Ocarina of Time. If you played the original, the remake’s modern controls and voiced cutscenes are a reason to revisit. If you’ve only heard about it, this is the most comfortable way yet to see why it’s so influential. Just make sure you have, or plan to get, a Switch 2.
For busy players and PS5 owners
Oceanhorn 2 is the easiest to recommend if you want the classic adventure feeling on PlayStation without committing to a 60-hour saga. Its companions and ranged combat also keep it approachable for younger players.
For puzzle obsessives and art lovers
Baldo: The Three Fairies Edition is for players who see a locked door as a personal challenge. Keep a notebook handy, and don’t feel guilty about switching on assisted mode if a puzzle starts eating your evening.
For RPG fans and strategy tinkerers
Ni no Kuni II is the pick if you care more about party battles, upgrades, and watching a kingdom grow than about solving dungeon riddles. It’s also the most relaxed of the four, which makes it a good choice for unwinding.
Looking for more to play this year? Our roundup of the best video games of 2026 so far covers releases across every genre, and if you collect physical imports, our guide to the best Asian import PS5, PS4, and Switch game deals is worth bookmarking.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ocarina of Time remake a new game or a port?
It’s a full remake for Nintendo Switch 2. The story and world structure follow the 1998 original, but the visuals, music, cutscenes, camera, and movement have all been rebuilt.
Which of these games is best for kids or first-time adventure players?
Oceanhorn 2 and Ni no Kuni II are the most forgiving. Ocarina of Time is also approachable, though some dungeons can be tricky. Baldo is the hardest for newcomers unless you use its assisted mode.
Can I play Baldo: The Three Fairies Edition on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. The linked physical edition is a Nintendo Switch release listed as compatible with Switch 2.
Do I need to play the first Oceanhorn or Ni no Kuni before the sequels?
No. Oceanhorn 2 is a prequel set a thousand years before the first game, and Ni no Kuni II tells a standalone story with new characters. Both are easy to jump into.
Which game offers the most hours for the money?
Baldo and Ni no Kuni II both run long, but for different reasons. Baldo’s length comes largely from challenging puzzles, while Ni no Kuni II’s comes from its RPG systems and side content.
Final verdict
Ocarina of Time is the history lesson you’ll actually enjoy, Oceanhorn 2 is the dependable short trip, Baldo is the beautiful brain-teaser, and Ni no Kuni II is the cozy long haul. Pick the one that matches how you like to play, and you’ll get far more out of it than chasing whichever game has the biggest name.
