The Best Leveling Systems In Open-World Games

The vast majority of open-world games that players can get their hands on feature a fun progression system that satisfies those who want to become as powerful as possible in these games. The simplest way to ensure this is by integrating a leveling system that provides palpable rewards for everything the player does.

While these leveling systems may not seem all that complex at times, some open-world games do a great job of balancing the player's growth to ensure that they can become stronger to tackle any threat, develop their character however they want, and take out tough enemies in style, while also never feeling like they've grown too strong for the task at hand.

8 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A Well-Paced Leveling System That Ensures Geralt Is Up For Any Challenge

The progression in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is measured immaculately to ensure that players aren't too under or over-leveled to deal with any challenge after a point. Quests give the usual amount of experience until players reach a certain level, after which Geralt will get a paltry amount of experience for any work below his current level.

Players who find this system somewhat disappointing will love how the DLC handles experience gain, either lowering it or increasing it based on the difference between the recommended level of a quest and Geralt's level. Either way, The Witcher 3 ensures that players can feel Geralt getting stronger with a great leveling system that doesn't cause an imbalance in the game.

7 Gothic

Experience Is Invested In Learning From Certain Specialists In The Game World

Gothic has one of the most immersive leveling systems in an open-world RPG. At the start of the game, the player has no combat skills to speak of and can potentially die if two of the weakest enemies in the game gang up on them.

However, after reaching a camp and speaking to a master, players can increase their stats and learn combat tips that can help them tackle tougher enemies more effectively. This leads to a great leveling system where the Nameless Hero becomes competent enough to take out the game's strongest enemies without breaking a sweat.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A Hidden Leveling Mechanic That Ensures The World Gets Stronger With Link

Most people would argue that Breath of the Wild has no leveling system to speak of, but things are more complicated than that. Instead of outright levels and experience, Breath of the Wild and its sequel have a hidden points system that gauges how strong Link is.

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Based on the enemies Link kills, his armor upgrades, and the bonuses to his health & stamina, the World Level increases with every point accumulated. This ensures that Link has access to great equipment that can help him deal with the high-level enemies he is bound to encounter during his journey, while also ensuring that he never grows too strong for the enemies scattered around the game world.

5 Elden Ring

FromSoftware's Leveling Mechanic Fits Perfectly In An Open World

FromSoftware's action RPG template was a perfect fit for the open-world genre, a sentiment proven by the successful launch of Elden Ring. At a glance, it may seem like a simple stat-increasing leveling system, but there's more to Elden Ring's progression than meets the eye.

Based on the build that players want to pursue, some stats need to be prioritized over others. With each level, the Tarnished also becomes hardier, making it all the more satisfying when players manage to hold on to a bunch of Runes which they can invest after finding a Site of Grace.

4 Fallout: New Vegas

Skills Must Be Invested Smartly To Ensure That The Courier's Growth Is Molded By The Player

Fallout: New Vegas' stellar open-world design and fun character progression ensure that role-playing fanatics will have a blast with this title. Each level-up feels meaningful as players develop the Courier in whatever manner they see fit.

Players should be mindful about investing stats, especially if they use mods that balance the game's leveling system. The Courier can't master everything, and players must be wary of the build they want to pursue if they don't want to hit the level cap moments before attaining perfection in a particular skill.

3 Yakuza 0

Takes Place During Japan's Bubble Era And Lets Players Use Money To Get Stronger

Yakuza 0 is one of the most enjoyable open-world action games players can get their hands on. Instead of the regular experience mechanic present in most games in the series, this title uses its unique setting to help the game's progression systems stand out.

Everything in Yakuza 0 is governed by money, given how this title takes place during Japan's bubble era. Players must invest in themselves using cash to increase Kiryu and Majima's skills, helping them acquire new abilities to flatten any foe standing in their way.

2 Project Zomboid

Each Skill Requires Experience Before Players Level Up

No one expected the blend of an isometric open world with zombies and the gameplay loop of The Sims to be a winning combination, but that's precisely what makes Project Zomboid so special. Survival is a chore every single day, and players must ensure that they level up the appropriate skills to ensure that they can tackle the undead.

Over time, players will figure out the best ways to increase their experience in a particular skill, slowly getting better before they eventually become masters of that particular ability. This is a simple yet satisfying way to level up, even if this means that players will feel a palpable sense of loss when a survivor who fought so hard to survive is eventually taken out by zombies.

1 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Boasts One Of The More Immersive Leveling Systems In An Elder Scrolls Game

While it's true that Skyrim perfected the Elder Scrolls series' level scaling and made leveling up more painless than ever before, players who want to play a deeper role-playing game where their build matters should make it a point to check out Morrowind. One should have a clear idea of their character's build early on and choose appropriate Major and Minor Skills if they want to survive in this cutthroat world.

After players level up these chosen stats, they must go to sleep to enjoy the benefit of a level-up, helping the Nerevarine become stronger in a natural manner. It's a classic way to level up and helps Morrowind stand out as one of the best games in the series.