Summary

  • Red Dead Redemption 2 offers picturesque rivers to catch fish and find Legendary Fishes.
  • Sons of the Forest integrates rivers for survival, water sources, bases, and fishing.
  • Death Stranding incorporates rivers as obstacles requiring bridges to maintain stamina.

Open-world games are often known for their diverse environments, stunning sights, possibilities of exploration, and freedom for players to do whatever they want. One of the common environmental features in many open-world games includes rivers. While some open-world games don't put a large amount of emphasis on rivers, there are certain open-world games that feature gorgeous rivers that also provide useful benefits for players.

Some rivers may also be important landmarks or starting points for certain missions. Over the years, there have been plenty of open-world games that have put increased focus on the importance of river-based regions, and this list will feature the six best open-world games that successfully manage to incorporate rivers effortlessly to enhance the overall feel of the game.

6 Red Dead Redemption 2

Catch Fish To Help Arthur And The Gang Prosper

Red Dead Redemption 2
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
October 26, 2018
Developer(s)
Rockstar Games
Publisher(s)
Rockstar Games
Franchise
Red Dead Redemption
Platform(s)
PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure

Red Dead Redemption 2 features some of the most picturesque rivers that players can lay their eyes upon. The most notable rivers in the game include the Dakota River, the Kamassa River, the San Luis River, the Upper and Lower Montana Rivers, and the Lannahechee River.

Collage featuring Bannerlord, Elden Ring, Forbidden West
5 Open World Games With The Best Mounted Combat

These games provide a host of trusty companions to ride on into battle.

These rivers allow Arthur to catch fish to either keep his cores topped up or sell them to make small profits. Additionally, some of the Legendary Fishes in the game can be found dwelling in these rivers. These Legendary Fishes can fetch Arthur bountiful rewards.

5 Sons Of The Forest

Rivers Are Integral For Survival In Site 2

Sons of the Forest
Display card tags widget
Survival
Open-World
Survival Horror
Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
February 22, 2024
Developer(s)
Endnight Games
Publisher(s)
Newnight
Platform(s)
PC
Genre(s)
Survival, Open-World, Survival Horror

Sons of the Forest follows up on its predecessor by making rivers an important part of the world. They are excellent sources of water that can be used to meet the various needs of the players as they explore Site 2. Rivers are also great spots to set up bases as tools can be created to construct dams that can allow players to preserve water.

Sons Of The Forest locations Feature-1
Sons Of The Forest: Best Base Locations

Finding the ideal base location in Sons of the Forest is crucial for survival.

Additionally, fishing is a valuable asset to have as it can help players stay healthy on the island. Using the existence of rivers to a player's advantage and creating opportunities is a great way to stay strong while playing Sons of the Forest.

4 Death Stranding

Tread Carefully To Complete Deliveries

Death Stranding
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
November 8, 2019
Developer(s)
Kojima Productions
Publisher(s)
Sony, 505 Games
Franchise
Death Stranding
Genre(s)
Action

Death Stranding's world is filled with deadly traps and unfamiliar terrain that players will have to navigate through to complete deliveries. Rivers are one such terrain that can actively hamper a player's journey if they are not careful.

Almost every area in the game has rivers that require players to preserve their stamina and remain patient in order to cross. The use of bridges is also a good way to cross the many rivers that are seamlessly woven into the world of Death Stranding to provide a realistic experience.

3 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Rivers, Rivers Everywhere

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
November 11, 2011
Developer(s)
Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher(s)
Bethesda Softworks
Franchise
The Elder Scrolls
Genre(s)
RPG, Action, Adventure

Skyrim truly lets players express their freedom with its massive world, which includes a host of rivers ranging from short to long. The most popular and longest river is the White River, which runs through the majority of Skyrim.

As with most things in Skyrim, there are mods that allow players to traverse these rivers using boats to take in the grandeur of the world. Players are also able to fish in these rivers, similar to most open-world games.

2 Genshin Impact

Welcome to Teyvat, The World of Wonders And Mysteries

Genshin Impact
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
September 28, 2020
Genre(s)
RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World

Genshin Impact consists of extremely beautiful and pristine rivers in every region. Fontaine, the nation of Hydro, is situated on a massive river system called the "Great Fontaine Lake", which allows players to explore underwater locations. Other important rivers include the Bishui River in Liyue, the river stretching from Port Ormos to Sumeru City, and the various small rivers in Toyac Springs located in Natlan.

genshin impact- natlan hidden achievements
Genshin Impact: Hidden Achievements In Natlan

Genshin Impact players are scouring Natlan for the region's hidden achievements. Here's how to get them all.

1

Some of these rivers offer fishing spots which are often used to obtain materials for weapon refinement and purchasing goods from the fishing associations of each region. Players can also use their Waverider to traverse these rivers and take in the surrounding scenery of the world. Certain regional specialties needed for character ascension, such as Nilotpala Lotus, Sango Pearl, Beryl Conch, and Lumitoile can be found near or under the rivers.

1 Far Cry 5

Henbane River Is Sure To Give Players Nightmares

Far Cry 5
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
March 27, 2018
Developer(s)
Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher(s)
Ubisoft
Franchise
Far Cry
Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One
Genre(s)
FPS, Open-World

Henbane River is a unique region in Far Cry 5. It is arguably one of the creepiest areas in the entire Far Cry franchise thanks to the unique properties present in the area. The Bliss flowers in this area, used for making the drug of the same name, can disorient players and potentially make them see a phantom version of Faith Seed, the person who oversees the region. It also features haunted houses and unsettling mannequins.

The region has plenty of locations for players to stumble upon and also features a bunch of missions and prepper stashes to embark on. Henbane River is an extremely well-crafted area that definitely catches players off-guard during their first playthrough of Far Cry 5.

best open-world ios games genshin minecraft goat simulator
7 Best Open-World Games For iOS Devices

Open-world games offer unparalled freedom in how players can approach their content, and there are some great options available on iOS.