Whether single-player or multiplayer, open-world games tend to attract a lot of attention. On paper, the genre sounds ideal since these projects can keep a user engaged for potentially months. In practice, these releases fluctuate significantly in terms of quality and scale; more importantly, bigger is not always better.
2023 was an exciting year for open-world titles, producing a few titles that could cement themselves among the best open-world games of all time. Even somewhat divisive titles like Diablo 4 and Starfield could easily land among a player's favorite games. So far, 2024 has been a fantastic sequel, and the year is hardly done.
Only fully released games will be included, so no Palworld or Project Zomboid. Also, one entry per franchise.
Updated August 12, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Open-critic scores have been added for every open-world game, as long as that data is available. Beyond that, subheadings highlighting a project's main strengths have been introduced.
33 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call Of Pripyat
Intense And Living Sandbox
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of Pripyat
- Released
- February 2, 2010
- Developer(s)
- GSC Game World
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 15 Hours
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Can only tentatively be described as open-world since the games are divided into hub areas, so they are not set on a continuous map. However, they do contain elements that define the genre, and Call of Pripyat is arguably a better open-world experience than Shadow of Chernobyl. In the campaign, players are granted (eventual) access to three large areas (and a few smaller ones), and they are given relatively free rein to explore these zones as they see fit. Set in a nuclear wasteland, Call of Pripyat's world is fittingly desolate, and survivors are not only in short supply but also spend most of their time alone and isolated.
Like all the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Games, Call of Pripyat is rough around the edges, which can be off-putting to new players who are taking their first steps into the series. That said, they are fantastic in their own right, and they have some of the tensest atmospheres in the post-apocalyptic genre. Even though the 2010 release was highlighted in this discussion, newcomers should consider starting with Shadow of Chernobyl.
32 Dead Rising
Small-Scale But Effective Zombie Romp
Dead Rising
Capcom has given little indication that Dead Rising will be making a comeback anytime soon, a side effect of the franchise's fourth entry garnering a mixed reception. Paying homage to classic zombie flicks, the series is renowned for its sense of humor, versatile weapon system, and free-roaming nature. The first three numbered releases and Dead Rising 2: Off The Record all have their positives, and Dead Rising 3 wins out in terms of scale and minute-to-minute combat; however, the original title is arguably still the most impressive overall experience.
Frank West finds himself stuck in a mall with a few other survivors and a bunch of flesh-eaters. Tasked with completing missions, the journalist must run through the location while turning all sorts of random objects into zombie-killing weapons. The main campaign infamously utilizes a timer that forces Frank (and players) to be prudent with how they spend their time, so this is an open-world game that punishes unnecessary exploration. Frustrating as this system can be, it does fit the narrative.
31 Gothic 2
Ambitious & Successful Open-World Eurojank Project
Gothic 2
- Released
- October 28, 2003
- Developer(s)
- Piranha Bytes
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 35 Hours
Since the early 2000s, Piranha Bytes has specialized in open-world games, serving as an AA alternative to their contemporaries. While janky and rough around the edges, the studio's releases have their charm, and 2022's Elex 2 is probably Piranha's most complete package. However, 2002's Gothic 2 holds a special place in the hearts of many people.
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Quaint as the title might seem in this day and age, Gothic 2 was an impressive and ambitious release back in the day. Khorinis is a fully realized world that grants players a lot of freedom in crafting their adventure, and this aspect of the game holds up well.
Also, Gothic 2's The Chronicles Of Myrtana: Archolos mod is fantastic.
30 Dying Light
Utilizes Horror And Action Well, Particularly The Former
Dying Light
- Released
- January 27, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Techland
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Survival Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 18 hours
While an argument could be made that Dying Light 2 Stay Human deserves to be mentioned among the best open-world games, its predecessor is generally regarded as the superior game, particularly the Enhanced Edition that includes The Following expansion. Techland's survival game takes place in Hassan, a city quarantined due to an outbreak. On paper, this is not a particularly original concept for a zombie game; in execution, Dying Light nails its world, characters, and gameplay.
Densely packed and fairly unique, Hassan works beautifully as a sandbox. However, Dying Light's focus on parkour sets it apart from other open-world projects. Simply put, movement in the game is incredible, and the map takes full advantage of it. The Following features an entirely new area to explore, and it is just as good as the base game's Hassan.
29 Death Stranding
An Acquired Taste That Can Be Exquisite
Death Stranding
- Released
- November 8, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Platform(s)
- iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action
- How Long To Beat
- 40 Hours
Directed by Metal Gear Solid's Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding envisions a post-apocalyptic world devoid of human civilization. While peppered with a couple of settlements, this version of Earth largely consists of a barren wasteland, and the game specifically concentrates on instilling a sense of isolation through its gameplay and presentation.
Tasked with delivering packages across the United States, Sam also sets out to install a communication network in an attempt to start humanity's recovery. Death Stranding is the definition of an acquired taste; the campaign has an almost contemplative pacing, all the while delivering splashes of Kojima's trademark storytelling.
28 Kenshi
An Impressive Solo Effort
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Developer
- Lo-Fi Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 80 Hours
Kenshi is a ridiculously ambitious project, not just in the indie sphere but in gaming in general. Set in a Mad Max-style world, the game drops players in its post-apocalyptic world and challenges them to make something of themselves. What that entails is largely left in the hands of the player, and that freedom is Kenshi's greatest feature.
Although not much of a looker, Kenshi makes up for its lackluster presentation by offering quality mechanics that prioritize diversity. The sandbox game has survival mechanics, role-playing potential, base building, and a lot more; in most cases, such a wide scope would result in a shallow overall experience, but Kenshi somehow makes it work.
27 Subnautica
Deep Sea Exploration Done To Near-Perfection
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 30 Hours
Subnautica and its sequel, Below Zero, stand out from other open-world projects due to their environments. Except for a few locations, the games largely take place underwater, a creative decision that pays off beautifully. Set on an alien planet, Subnautica is a survival game that encourages the player to explore the sea to their heart's content. This journey produces both gorgeous vistas and nightmarish encounters, while simultaneously revealing snippets of lore and plot beats.
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Reflecting the studio's name, Unknown Worlds crafted a constantly unpredictable sandbox that truly comes across as alien. Both Subnautica titles are great, but newcomers should start with the first game before moving on to Below Zero.
26 Shenmue 2
A Sequel That Improves Upon A Technology-Pushing Masterpiece
Shenmue 2
- Released
- November 23, 2001
- Developer(s)
- Sega
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, Sega Dreamcast, Xbox (Original), Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
Shenmue and its sequel were extremely ambitious projects that pushed the Dreamcast to its limits. They helped shape the open-world genre by fully immersing players in their settings, and Shenmue 2's depiction of Hong Kong is particularly impressive. When viewed through a modern lens, the game's slow-paced nature and sim-like qualities can be disregarded as tedious rather than satisfying, but its attention to detail is still remarkable all these years later.
Many open-world games focus on quantity and immediate gratification, constantly rewarding players with trinkets and side quests for every action they make. There is nothing wrong with that, but Shenmue 2 is not that sort of experience. Its main priority is to make Hong Kong's district feel real rather than sandboxes designed around the protagonist's actions.
25 Dragon's Dogma 2
Fairly Linear Open-World, But Very Fun Combat
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 30 Hours
Similar to 2012's Dragon's Dogma, Capcom's belated sequel is an action RPG set in an open-world that primarily focuses on combat. While its very good predecessor gained a cult following over time, Dragon's Dogma 2 garnered far more attention straight out of the gate, most of which was positive. For better or worse, the 2024 release is unquestionably a Dragon's Dogma sequel. That's not to say the game brings nothing new to the plate, but it is very much an expansion of the original release's ideas rather than an evolution.
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Set in two kingdoms, Dragon's Dogma 2's world is fairly traditional in aesthetic, design, and execution. Capcom expects players to take things relatively slow, so much so that fast travel is implemented in a way that encourages on-foot travel. This decision complements DD2's tendency to lean into random encounters that reward players who are willing to explore and go off the beaten path. While its open-world is impressive, Capcom's RPG is mainly worth playing for its combat, vocation system, and Pawns. The game shines in these particular areas.
24 Satisfactory
Turn An Alien Planet Into A Factory
Satisfactory
- Released
- September 10, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Coffee Stain Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Sandbox, Base Building, Open-World, Management
- How Long To Beat
- 105 Hours
In early access, Satisfactory is already fantastic. Open-world games do occasionally blend together, which is not necessarily a terrible thing if they emphasize components that have proven to be successful. That said, Satisfactory is cut from its own cloth and offers an experience that is fairly unique for the genre. Players take on the daunting role of a company woman who is charged with mining an alien planet for resources.
The process starts reasonably small, but each development allows more and more complex buildings to be developed. In due time, players will be monitoring an expansive factory that can automatically strip this planet of its natural resources. Satisfactory complements its simulation gameplay with exploration and combat. Even though neither of these elements is especially amazing when compared to other great open-world games, they offer a fun change of pace.