​​​If there was ever an essential class that players could choose just one from classic fantasy worlds, it would have to be wizards, right? They are some of the most iconic and imposing characters and have formed a core part of the genre ever since Gandalf the Gray was first introduced in Tolkien's The Lords of the Rings. Since then, wizards have flooded the genre, and naturally made their way into open-world video games where players can actually pick them as their go-to choice to play.

There are so many fantastic RPGs with deep innovative game mechanics that correlate directly to wizards. Mastering magic abilities and spells can be some of the most interesting and intricate parts of open-world RPGs, and naturally, wizards are the best pick for those wishing to explore this path. Let's therefore take a look at which games allow players to play as a wizard in rich, vibrant open-world designs.

The Wizardry franchise is one of the most iconic and important dungeon crawlers to have ever existed. It paved the way for fantasy games as we know them today with the first game in this series releasing all the way back in 1981 with Wizardry: Proving Ground of the Mad Overlord, which had a more recent remake. Even way back then, this series featured some intricate RPG mechanics where players had to seriously pay attention to their stats and abilities. Whilst not necessarily traditional open-world settings, players are given absolute freedom to explore open dungeons at their own pace and in whichever order they like, much of which is even procedurally generated!

Earlier titles featured a mechanic similar to Dungeons & Dragons whereby spells and spell slots had to have a rest period before being used again, meaning players had to constantly micromanage their utilities. There are different spell classes in each title and new sets of robes to adorn in a vast labyrinth of seemingly endless rooms. It's the ultimate hardcore dungeon-crawler franchise and one of the best picks for players looking to play as a wizard.

There aren't any traditional melee weapons or classes to be found in this epic open-world RPG. Instead, Citadel: Forged With Fire introduces a unique weapon system made with wizards specifically in mind. Everything is essentially enhanced by spells here, where players customize their spell loadouts based on certain schools of magic.

It features an intricate spellcasting system using a substance called Essence which players earn, and these can then be used to upgrade each school of magic and ultimately forge new spells. It goes much deeper than that too, as depending on how players craft and level their spells, stats like damage, range, and effectiveness can all vary greatly, making for some of the most authentic wizarding experiences in gaming. Pair that with being able to fly around a huge open world on broomsticks and there's a winning formula.

Two Worlds 2 also features an impressively innovative spell-crafting experience using a system that the game refers to as DEMONS (Dynamic Enchantment, Magic, Occultism & Necromancy System). Essentially, players can create spells from scratch by combining different magical elements which allows for some great trial and error in finding the perfect combinations. It also allows for some really creative gameplay as further effects can be stacked on top of each spell which means enemies might explode or levitate and then explode upon their death or upon the spell being cast.

It's a great spell sandbox system which makes it a great world to explore as a wizard. Magic in the game is so much more powerful than any of the other combat options, it actually makes players question why they would even consider not playing as a wizard. That being said, finding spell cards for the spellcrafting can be a bit tedious and it's not exactly a straightforward system. But it's certainly an amazing open-world title that is best experienced by players assuming the role of a wizard character!

Both Dragon's Dogma 1 and 2 feature the two classes, Mage or Sorcerer. Both of which are essentially wizard classes with some slight variations. Spells are cast by charging them up, which often makes them seem extremely powerful. The wizarding gameplay here is also a lot more tactical than many other RPGs, perhaps more akin to that of an MMO. Positioning really matters and players won't be able to get away with simply button-mashing their spells.

Dragon's Dogma 2 features one of the most impressive open worlds from recent RPG releases, and its fun and effective gameplay further enhances the quality of the game. Of course, players don't have to play as a wizard, but the sorcerer is definitely one of the most powerful and entertaining classes in the game, making it a perfect choice to play as a wizard.

It's hard not to mention Harry Potter when talking about wizards, and that makes Hogwarts Legacy one of the best titles to examine when looking at games with wizard playable characters. Not only is it a fantastic open-world experience, but it also does a great job of nailing the wizarding mechanics that fans would expect from such a prominent franchise.

There aren't any classes to pick from here, because it's a given that players will be playing as a wizard, but they can nurture their own builds through learning new spells and equipping different wands. Combo-based spellcasting makes Hogwarts Legacy a truly thrilling experience and the open world is designed to immerse the player in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. It's one of the ultimate wizarding experiences in gaming.

The Elder Scrolls franchise is to gaming what The Lord of the Rings was to literature - genre-defining. Almost every fantasy title since the release of The Elder Scrolls: Arena in 1994 owes some form of inspiration to the series, and it continues to showcase its legacy even today. It's the most recent titles that are a major highlight when it comes to being able to play as a wizard, and it's actually The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind that features the best wizard abilities.

Morrowind allows complete freedom in spellcasting and features 6 magic schools, including destruction, alteration, illusion, conjuration, restoration, and mysticism. Players can fully customize their spells, directly affecting their range, power, or duration, based on varying mana requirements. Morrowind also features one of the best open worlds to interact with as a wizard playable character, including wizard-exclusive abilities like flying, water walking, and teleportation.

Players can pick to play as a mage in Dragon Age: Inquisition, which is once again synonymous with the standard wizard class. Magic is essential in this game, so, naturally, it's a great choice to play as a wizard playable character. Players can tailor their play styles to be more defensive or offensive based on their preferences surrounding the magic system, but wizards are perhaps the most powerful choice of character type in the game.

The fun begins when players hit level 10, where they can then choose a unique wizard path through specialization skills, including knight enchanters, necromancers, or rift mages. Each of these features a unique playstyle which will make one playthrough completely different from another, so players will need to choose wisely based on how they want their wizard playable character to carry out combat. Magic can be used by wizards beyond combat in puzzle areas, unlocking further exploration and closing rifts.

Outward features an in-depth magic system where playing as a wizard will be an incredibly challenging yet highly rewarding experience. It might seem easy to learn the basics, but it requires some time and dedication to properly master the spellcasting system here. If players manage to do so, however, they're in for one of the best wizard playable character experiences in gaming.

There isn't any traditional mana regeneration, and players don't even have access to any magic until they've sacrificed a certain amount of their max health and stamina. It's an immersive system where players aren't simply pressing buttons to cast spells; it aims to capture the whole spellcasting ritual. Once again, there are different magic schools so that players can pick and choose their spells, and wizarding gameplay directly affects the open-world design by illuminating caves with light magic or weather-based protection spells. It's a magic system that works in synergy with the world around the player, making it a perfect choice for wizard playable characters.

A highly regarded masterpiece, Divinity: Original Sin 2 remains one of the best open-world fantasy titles ever made, and it's a great choice to play as a wizard character here. Magic is tied directly to every aspect of the game, from combat to exploration; it's essential for the player. Cooldown times and action points allow for a more seamless experience with magic. Players will still have to manage their spells and abilities, but it's a bit of a more forgiving experience compared to more hardcore mechanics.

That's not to say it's simple by any means. There are eight magic-based skill trees that players will have to manage and combining these through experimenting can create some of the most powerful and effective spells and abilities in the game. On top of this, spells react not only to the environment but also to each other, allowing for multiple chain reactions and combo building. It's a system that seems simple at first, but players will have an endlessly fun time diving into the intricate mechanics if they choose to play as a wizard playable character.

It was only a matter of time before the wizard mechanics from Dungeons & Dragons became fully integrated into video games, and Baldur's Gate 3 achieves exactly that to grand effect. Sure, Baldur's Gate 3 is a bit of a blurred line between an RPG and an Open-World, but with wizarding mechanics so fledged, it's hard not to give it a pass. Straight off the bat, players can take a deep dive into the character creation and create a compelling and immersive wizard playable character like none other. There's not a lot more that needs to be said about this fantastic title, but it sure is the definitive pick for a wizard playable character.

The turn-based combat in the game takes direct inspiration from its tabletop counterpart, meaning players will have to manage their spell slots, items, and abilities strategically. Players can also utilize the multi-class system to build an even more powerful wizard playable character. It's got one of the most immersive and richly detailed open worlds in gaming, some of the best magic and spellcasting systems, and it's a perfect recreation of virtual Dungeons & Dragons. Players should jump at the chance to take on the role of a wizard playable character here.