Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Gothic 1 and 2 are the closest games to Drova’s overall design. They share the most important combination: a weak protagonist, trainer-led skill growth, faction commitment, chapter-based progression and quests that can permanently change your position in the world. Choose Outward instead if survival pressure and difficult expeditions matter most. Choose ELEX or Risen for the same broad faction-and-training lineage in a fully 3D world, and look to Dread Delusion or Death Trash for stranger indie interpretations of dark-fantasy exploration.
This guide uses Drova – Forsaken Kin—the pixel-art action RPG released on October 15, 2024—as the comparison point for the title “Drova II: Torn Lands.” Its current Steam listing shows 4,868 English reviews and 93% positive sentiment. The game describes itself as a handcrafted open-world RPG inspired by grim dark classics and Celtic mythology, with a society divided over control of spirits that govern nature.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What makes a game feel like Drova?
Drova is not defined by pixel art alone. Its appeal comes from several systems working together: you begin as an insignificant character, learn from people in the world rather than simply unlocking everything from a menu, choose between opposed factions, and discover how the setting works through exploration and consequences. The world is compact enough to learn but open enough that quests and travel can change your route through it.
The Steam description says that your choices and actions shape the environment. That helps explain why ordinary “dark fantasy RPG” recommendations can miss the point. A game can share the atmosphere or the combat and still feel unlike Drova if it lacks faction lock-in, trainer-led progression or the zero-to-hero pacing. The recommendations below are therefore separated by the part of Drova you want to preserve.
#1 Best Overall
- 192-page full color hardcover packed with tools and guidance to help gamemasters run immersive campaigns.
- Includes expert advice for new and experienced GMs tailored to the Warhammer The Old World roleplaying system.
- Features campaign-building tools like Grim Portents, Contacts, and Dark Threads to create dynamic narratives.
- Expanded setting details for Talagaad with guidance for adapting adventures to other regions and stories.
- Contains bestiary, magic items, downtime events, and corruption paths to enrich gameplay and surprise players.
Quick picks by the experience you want
| Game | Best for | Where it matches Drova | Where it differs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gothic 1 and 2 | Closest overall structure | Factions, trainers, chapter progression, compact world, consequence-heavy quests | Older presentation and interface; not pixel art |
| Outward | Survival pressure and expeditions | Underpowered beginnings, preparation, punishing travel and combat | Looser faction and chapter structure; stronger survival emphasis |
| ELEX | Faction politics in 3D | Faction identity, training, reactive quests and broad exploration | Fully 3D, larger-feeling spaces and rougher interface tolerance required |
| Risen | Classic 3D faction RPG pacing | Training, faction choice, exploration and world reactivity | Older 3D presentation rather than Drova’s 2D style |
| Dread Delusion | Indie exploration and surreal dark fantasy | Dark atmosphere, discovery and unusual world design | Not a close match for Drova’s faction-led structure |
| Death Trash | Harsher CRPG systems and tone | Indie dark-fantasy edge, systems-driven play and build experimentation | Much stranger visual and tonal approach; grotesque content |
| Dark Souls, ELDEN RING or Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen | Selected combat or mood traits | Methodical combat, dark-fantasy atmosphere or action-RPG exploration | None reproduces Drova’s complete 2D faction-and-trainer framework |
1. Gothic 1 and 2: the closest overall match
If your favorite part of Drova is the way the world teaches you its rules, start with Gothic. A Steam comparison specifically points to Drova’s trainers, two major exclusive factions and chapter structure as elements shared with Gothic. Community recommendations also repeatedly place Gothic 1–3 alongside Drova for players seeking the same progression and atmosphere.
Why the progression feels so similar
In both games, the protagonist starts with little status and limited competence. Improvement is tied to people and institutions in the world: trainers teach skills in exchange for points, and faction commitment changes which opportunities remain available. That makes advancement feel like a social achievement rather than a checklist of universal upgrades. You do not simply become powerful because the story says you should; you earn access by making choices and investing in a path.
Faction lock-in and consequence-heavy quests
Gothic is the best recommendation when you want decisions to close doors as well as open them. The major factions are not cosmetic labels. Joining one establishes your identity and changes the way the campaign unfolds. This is the closest match for Drova players who enjoy choosing a side, living with that choice and seeing the world respond.
Compact worlds that reward attention
Gothic’s spaces are compact compared with many modern open-world RPGs. That density is important: learning a route, remembering who controls an area and recognizing a useful trainer all matter. It produces the same “I know this place now” satisfaction that comes from gradually understanding Drova’s handcrafted world. Eurogamer’s quote displayed on Drova’s Steam page captures this discovery-led appeal: “Gradually discovering how this realm works had much of the magic of the old days.”
Who should choose Gothic first?
- Choose Gothic 1 if you want to experience the original faction-and-chapter formula.
- Choose Gothic 2 if you want a broader continuation of that structure and more room to develop a character.
- Expect older presentation and interfaces. The recommendation is about progression design and atmosphere, not modern technical polish.
2. Outward: the best choice for survival pressure
Outward is the right answer when “like Drova” means being vulnerable, preparing carefully and learning the safest way to cross a hostile world. Community comparisons place it beside Drova as a Gothic-like RPG with more emphasis on combat and survival systems.
Rank #2
- ADORABLE & ACCESSIBLE RPG: Dungeons & Kittens is a charming tabletop roleplaying game where brave kittens and powerful meowgic explore a whimsical fantasy world filled with adventure and discovery.
- COMPLETE CORE RULEBOOK: This 288-page hardcover includes everything needed to play—core rules, world lore, character creation, magic systems, and guidance for both new and experienced players.
- CREATE YOUR OWN KITTEN HERO: Features a simple, fun character creation system that builds each kitten’s abilities and personality from their quirky childhood background and experiences.
- MASTER THE ART OF MEOWGIC: Learn intuitive spellcasting rules and expert advice that make magic easy to understand, creative to use, and delightful at the table.
- READY-TO-PLAY CONTENT INCLUDED: Comes with pre-generated characters and four complete adventures, perfectly designed to help storytellers and players jump straight into their first epic tales.
Every expedition has a cost
Outward’s central appeal is the pressure surrounding travel. You are underpowered, dangerous trips require preparation, and success comes from understanding routes and risks rather than assuming that every encounter is balanced for your current level. That complements Drova’s feeling of earning every safe path, even though Outward applies the idea through stronger survival friction.
How it differs from Drova’s structure
Outward is a looser structural match than Gothic. It should not be sold as a replacement for Drova’s faction-led, chapter-based progression. Its strength is the expedition loop: prepare, travel, fight or avoid danger, and return with the knowledge needed to attempt a harder journey. If you mainly want trainers, exclusive factions and tightly authored chapters, Gothic remains the better pick.
Co-op and decision-making
Outward also stands apart through its co-op availability. That makes its survival problems a different kind of challenge: preparation and combat can be shared, while the world remains open-ended enough that players must still decide where to go and how much danger to accept. Pick it when the question you want the game to ask is, “Are you ready for this trip?”
3. ELEX and Risen: Drova’s lineage in 3D
ELEX and Risen are the choices for readers who want Drova’s faction politics and progression translated into a fully 3D world. Steam community recommendations frequently group them with Gothic and Drova. They are particularly suitable if faction identity, training and world reactivity matter more to you than pixel-art presentation.
ELEX: broader faction identity and exploration
ELEX is a good fit when you want the largest-feeling version of this design family. Its appeal lies in choosing a faction, learning what that group values and navigating a world where quests can react to your position. The trade-off is that its 3D spaces and interface ask for more tolerance than Drova’s deliberately focused 2D presentation.
Rank #3
- ANIMAL FANTASY ROLEPLAYING GAME: Enter a post-apocalyptic medieval world where cats, dogs, and other animals wield "meowgic" and ancient tech to survive and thrive.
- COMPLETE RPG STARTER SET: Includes everything you need to start your adventure—rulebook, adventure guide, character sheets, dice, and more, all beginner-friendly.
- PLAY AS ADVENTUROUS KITTENS: Explore a whimsical world through the eyes of brave, magical kittens with unique personalities, abilities, and heroic destinies.
- FAMILY-FRIENDLY STORYTELLING: Perfect for kids, teens, and adults, Dungeons and Kittens offers wholesome fun, creativity, and cooperation in a safe, enchanting fantasy setting.
- PERFECT INTRO TO TABLETOP RPGs: Easy-to-learn rules and step-by-step instructions make this an ideal gateway into the world of tabletop roleplaying games, especially for animal lovers.
Risen: a more compact classic-RPG feel
Risen is the better 3D recommendation when you want the older-school rhythm of exploration, training and faction commitment without making visual scale the main attraction. Like Gothic, it is useful for players who want progression to be embedded in the world and for whom joining a group should affect the campaign rather than merely alter dialogue.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Choosing between them
| If you prioritize… | Choose | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| A larger-feeling 3D world and stronger faction identity | ELEX | It emphasizes faction choice, exploration and reactive questing in a broader setting. |
| A tighter classic-RPG rhythm | Risen | It keeps training, faction choice and exploration central without relying on pixel art. |
| The closest structural match overall | Gothic 1 or 2 | Its trainer and chapter model is the clearest parallel to Drova. |
4. Dread Delusion: an indie dark-fantasy alternative
A Steam-tag similarity index gives Dread Delusion an 81% match to Drova, with Souls-like and Dark Fantasy among the overlapping tags. That makes it a credible recommendation, but for a different reason than Gothic. Choose it for exploration density, atmosphere and an unusual indie world rather than for a one-to-one recreation of Drova’s faction framework.
What carries over
The strongest overlap is the feeling of entering a setting that does not explain itself all at once. Exploration is central, the world has a surreal edge, and the tone fits readers who prefer dark fantasy that feels strange rather than conventionally heroic. Like Drova, it rewards curiosity and attention to the environment.
What does not carry over
Dread Delusion is not the first recommendation for trainer-led skill growth, two-sided faction commitment or chapter progression. Its structure and presentation differ from Drova’s. Treat the 81% figure as a tag-based similarity signal, not a claim that the two games play identically.
5. Death Trash: the darker CRPG edge
Death Trash also appears as an 81% Steam-tag match and overlaps with Drova through CRPG and Souls-like classifications. It belongs on this list for readers who want a harsher, stranger and more systems-driven dark-fantasy RPG.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Why it may appeal to Drova players
Death Trash emphasizes systems, build experimentation and a confrontational tone. It is a fit if you enjoy discovering how mechanics interact and do not need a conventional heroic presentation. Its CRPG edge gives choices and character development a different emphasis from Drova’s trainer-and-faction progression.
The important warning
The visual and tonal approach is very different, including grotesque content. Do not choose it expecting Drova’s handcrafted Celtic-inspired atmosphere or its exact action-RPG rhythm. Choose it when you want the dark-fantasy premise pushed toward something stranger and more abrasive.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.6. Dark Souls, ELDEN RING and Dragon’s Dogma: selective matches
Dark Souls, ELDEN RING and Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen appear in the same related-game tag list, but they are partial matches rather than direct substitutes.
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is relevant for methodical combat and dark-fantasy atmosphere. Encounters demand observation, timing and persistence, which can appeal to Drova players who value a difficult but learnable combat loop. It does not reproduce Drova’s 2D faction-and-trainer structure.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
ELDEN RING
ELDEN RING shares the dark-fantasy mood and an emphasis on discovery through exploration. Its scale and structure are fundamentally different, however. Choose it when you want a much larger world and combat-focused discovery, not when your priority is a compact faction RPG.
Best Value
- Live another life, in another world: Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of the elder scrolls comes to life in one legendary experience from all three official add-ons.
- Dawnguard: The Vampire Lord Harkon has returned to power. By using the elder scrolls, he seeks to do the unthinkable - to end the sun itself. Will you join the ancient order of the Dawnguard and stop him Or will you become a Vampire Lord
- Hearthfire: Purchase land and build your own home from the ground up - from a simple one-room cottage to a sprawling compound complete with an armory, alchemy laboratory, and more
- Dragonborn: Journey off the coast of Morrowind, to the vast island of Solstheim. Traverse the ash wastes and glacial valleys of this new land as you become more powerful with shouts that bend the will of your enemies and even tame dragons
- Steam account and Internet connection required to activate the game
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Dragon’s Dogma offers action-RPG exploration and character building. It is the most relevant of these three if you want experimentation with combat roles and a journey through a 3D world. Its systems and party-oriented design still make it a selective match rather than a replacement for Drova’s faction politics.
How to choose your next game
- Start with structure. If trainers, faction lock-in and chapter progression are non-negotiable, choose Gothic 1 or 2.
- Choose pressure. If you want every journey to require preparation and for combat to punish carelessness, choose Outward.
- Choose the presentation. If you want the same broad design family in 3D, choose ELEX or Risen; if pixel-art or compact indie presentation is important, stay with Gothic, Dread Delusion or Death Trash.
- Choose atmosphere over structure. If dark-fantasy mood and methodical combat matter more than factions, consider Dark Souls or ELDEN RING. If action-RPG exploration and character building matter more, consider Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen.
- Check your tolerance for rough edges. Gothic, Risen and ELEX come from an older or rougher interface tradition. Death Trash asks for tolerance of grotesque content, while Outward asks you to accept survival friction as a core part of play.
What “best” means for different Drova players
If you want “a 2D RPG like Gothic”
The exact combination of 2D presentation and Gothic-style faction progression is uncommon among the games identified here. Drova itself is the clearest answer to that request; among alternatives, Gothic 1 and 2 preserve the progression model while Dread Delusion and Death Trash offer different indie approaches to dark-fantasy exploration.
If you want zero-to-hero progression
Choose Gothic first, then Risen or ELEX. Their shared lineage makes training, faction identity and earned status central to the experience. Outward also begins from vulnerability, but its emphasis is survival preparation rather than chapter-led advancement.
If you want meaningful choices
Gothic is the strongest recommendation because faction commitment and consequence-heavy quests are central to the comparison. ELEX and Risen are the next choices for a 3D interpretation. Drova’s own Steam description emphasizes that choices and actions shape the environment, so games that merely offer branching dialogue without reactive world structure are weaker matches.
If combat is the main reason you liked Drova
Start with Outward for combat combined with preparation and survival pressure. Consider Dark Souls or ELDEN RING for methodical, difficult combat and dark-fantasy atmosphere, keeping in mind that neither supplies Drova’s faction-and-trainer framework. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is the alternative when you want action-RPG exploration and character building.
Final ranking
- Gothic 1 and 2 — closest overall match for factions, trainers, chapters and earned progression.
- Outward — best for survival pressure, preparation and dangerous exploration.
- ELEX — best 3D option for broad faction identity and reactive exploration.
- Risen — best 3D option for a tighter classic-RPG rhythm.
- Dread Delusion — best indie choice for surreal dark-fantasy discovery.
- Death Trash — best for a harsher CRPG edge and systems experimentation.
- Dark Souls, ELDEN RING and Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen — worthwhile selective matches for combat, atmosphere or action-RPG exploration, but not full Drova substitutes.
Drova’s distinctive appeal comes from the combination of systems rather than a single genre label. Gothic is therefore the safest first recommendation, Outward the strongest alternative for survival-minded players, and ELEX or Risen the natural next step when you want that lineage rendered in 3D.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
