>>715040603 (OP)
It's a really tough feeling to capture because there are many variations of the "medieval magical adventure fantasy".
There is the "going on an adventure with a band of friends" fantasy that requires extremely well written companion NPCs to work, and therefore has to be turn based because no one has yet to figure out how to make a good action game with a big party... (Dungeon Siege tried sort of, Dragon's Dogma companions are golem husks). BG3 and Dragon Age Origins are close, but they are CRPGs, like interactive books more than immersive games.
Then there is the "explore a world of interactivity and freedom that reacts to you, no rules!" types of fantasy that has long been dominated by Elder Scrolls and Gothic. Borne from the immersive sim roots of Ultima Underworld. Sadly, Gothic in 2001 and Morrowind in early 2000s are still the peak of this genre and the space has stagnated for 25 years. The weakness here is always the storytelling and characterization and combat. No one has figured out how to do fun combat in this genre yet and the quality of writing and worldbuilding has decreased for decades while graphics get fancier.
Interestingly, GTA and Red Dead Redemption are much more enjoyable sandbox games with more interactivity than the Skyrims of the world, it's a shame Rockstar has never applied their skills to a fantasy game.
Then there is the "story driven heroes journey action" fantasy that has dominated with Witcher 3, the modern Assassins Creed games and the like. They limit the choice of the Elderscrolls type games, but make up for it with more linear storytelling. These games are relaxing and fun to play, but always feel shallow because they lack the interactivity that is the core of the D&D fantasy adventures that inspire the genre.
We're all still waiting for someone to come and make a game that actually captures the fantasy of going on a medieval magical adventure... hopefully someday a dev will do it.
