Advancing technology has allowed games to grow in both complexity and scale, and we now have some of the greatest open world games to enjoy at the touch of a button.
With much to explore and so little time to do it all, it makes sense to prioritize where you invest your efforts. If you wish to step into a bevy of fantastical adventures, here’s a list of 11 of the greatest open-world games ever made!
11. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
The first game by Insomniac is widely regarded as the best Spider-Man game to date and one of the best superhero games of all time. The sequel managed to build on its foundations and deliver a cinematic masterpiece that can rival even the biggest movies for the character.
Improved traversal options, a larger map, and the ability to switch between makes it a unique superhero title. Not only is the open-world fun and diverse, but the game offers a solid story for those who want a strong narrative. It would have been amazing to see what The Great Web project could have turned out into as well!
10. Dying Light
Mirror’s Edge parkoured so Dying Light could parkour harder, with zombies! As a first-person perspective title, one might imagine all the running around clambering over surfaces can get a bit disorienting. Thankfully, Techland was able to create not only a fun action-horror experience but one that offers the player a lot to explore.
It takes only a little bit of practice to become good at the parkour in the game, but this is essential to tackle the many dangers present in Harran. A dynamic weather system and the added dangers introduced during nighttime made the world feel alive and responsive.
9. No Man’s Sky
When it was first announced, No Man’s Sky seemed a little too good to be true, and it was. The game was not even close to what was promised by the developers, and many declared it dead on arrival. Now, many updates later, people can safely say the game is what many imagined and hoped it would be at launch.
Giving the player entire universes to explore, through the magic of procedural generation, few games can boast to be on the same scale as No Man’s Sky. If having zero limits and infinite planets to explore sounds like something you’d sink hours into, then this game might be just what you need.
8. Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain
While previous installments did offer a lot of openness and flexibility in their environments, Metal Gear V would be the only one that can be described as a true open-world title. The upcoming MGS Delta is changing some things around and might also take cues from the last Kojima-led title in the series.
While Delta might still follow the formula of the original Snake Eater, Phantom Pain allows players to approach a mission with complete freedom. Choosing gear, vehicles, and attack style all emphasized the game’s open-world aspects.
7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Bethesda is right up there with Rockstar when it comes to creating immersive and beautiful open-world titles. While the Fallout franchise is also one to consider, Skyrim has spanned three generations of consoles and is still actively played today!
The world of Tamriel is both magical and deadly, and the ability to choose your destiny makes it even more engaging. Throw in the very active modding community, and you can invest hundreds of hours into the game and barely scratch the surface of its possibilities.
6. Assassin’s Creed 2
For many, this game was their entry into the franchise and is still regarded as one of the best in the entire series. It was an amazing reconstruction of Renaissance Italy and allowed the players to explore the many bustling cities of Florence, Venice, and the Tuscan countryside.
Throw in the solid storyline of Ezio going from a spoiled brat to a master Assassin, and you have an open-world game that is ready for the history books. Here’s hoping the upcoming Shadows is also able to create a memorable experience for players.
5. Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s first foray into the open-world genre was a smash hit and won the Game of the Year for 2022. Blending the studio’s signature difficulty with the ability to tackle the world on the player’s choices created a new experience unlike any before in Elden Ring.
The DLC further expanded the already dense world and brought a completely new level of difficulty to the table. While it is the most approachable title from the studio, it is by no means an easy game and is a great entry point for those who have not played other FromSoftware titles.
4. Ghost of Tsushima
Sucker Punch is no stranger to creating open-world titles, with both the Sly Raccoon series and inFAMOUS games allowing exploratory freedom. But Ghost of Tsushima is easily their most cinematic creation to date.
Following the tale of Jin Sakai, the adventure will take the player across the length and breadth of the island of Tsushima to push back the Mongol invasion. With a story filled with action and emotion, it’s no wonder fans are eager to hear an announcement for a sequel!
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red’s final adventure with Geralt was also one of the studio’s best releases, and with good reason! His adventures took the player across various regions and towns, clearing monsters and acquiring loot along the way.
The RPG-style set-up of the game also encourages players to replay the experience using different gear, fighting styles, and dialogue approaches. Even just riding around the lands will result in stumbling upon some new foe to take down or a quest to begin, making it a lively world to explore!
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
No list of open-world titles would be complete without mention of a Rockstar game. Red Dead Redemption 2’s vast Western frontier is a sandbox crafted with love and patience. With biomes ranging from open prairies to snow-capped peaks, you’ll be taking your horse through many terrains.
Rockstar is known for open-world games, and it brings all of its accrued experience to make sure the map for Red Dead Redemption 2 has enough events and stuff to do to keep the player busy for hours.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Breath of the Wild already showed fans of the game just how far Nintendo could push the game’s creativity, and then Tears of the Kingdom came along to trump even that. With new and old gadgets and tools, Link can take on the many challenges in the most zany ways imaginable!
Not only is the map horizontally and vertically massive, but with the right strategy, players can take down the most difficult bosses with ease and a few gadgets. Freedom is the major appeal of this game, and it’s one of the best titles on the Nintendo Switch so far!
What game would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!
