Summary
- Monsters in open-world games offer a variety of encounters, from classic horror creatures to unique hybrids.
- Several fantasy open-world games focus on monster-slaying as a core gameplay element, immersing players in mythical worlds.
- Elden Ring stands out for its grandiose monster designs and challenging boss battles, delivering an epic gaming experience.
Monsters have intrigued humans for millennia with their mythos, surviving all the way from ancient civilizations to the present. The creatures established in folklore and religion have now become figureheads for the majority of fantasy media. With the number of different legends and attributes of monsters from all over the world, it is no surprise that they feature a lot in video games.
8 Scariest Monsters In Open-World Games, Ranked
While roaming these games' massive maps, be wary of the terrifying creatures you may encounter.
When it comes to fantasy world-building, open-world games prove an immersive way to throw players into the mythical action, giving them the chance to become mages, defeat beasts, and embark on epic quests. These are some of the best open-world games that don't just feature monsters but have fighting them as part of the main gameplay or story.
The term "monster" does not encapsulate zombies, dinosaurs, robots, or demons in this case, as they have their own respective lists. MMOs have not been included.
10 Skyrim
A Land Of Both Familiar And Strange Beasts
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
- Released
- October 28, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Skyrim has one of gaming's most memorable open worlds, be it for the notorious bugs, the charmingly dated visuals, or the story and gameplay. Regardless of the reason, good or bad, there's no doubt that the game still has a degree of replayability over a decade on.
Skyrim's very premise and the main quest revolve around slaying dragons, with many others requiring the player to defeat beasts. Whether questing or not, it's pretty difficult not to come across any enemies. The land is littered with classic horror monsters (werewolves, vampires), giant insects, and trolls, to name a few. The Lurkers on Solstheim (Dragonborn DLC) are particularly dreadful.
9 Shadow Of War
Brings Tolkien's Legendarium To Life
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
- Released
- October 10, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Monolith
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Games
- Franchise
- The Lord of the Rings
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
There are few fantasy worlds more intricately built and as widely beloved as Tolkien's Arda. Middle-earth has become one of the most legendary locations, being central to the epic The Lord of the Rings series . From book to film, it's only natural that the franchise should reach the consoles.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is the sequel to Shadow of Mordor, allowing players to roam an open Tolkien-slash-Jackson-inspired world on a mission to defeat Sauron. Along the way, they will face mythical monsters from Graugs to Hell-hawks to Wargs while also navigating the slimy leagues of Orcs.
8 Dragon's Dogma 2
Heroes, Kings, And Dragons
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Franchise
- Dragon's Dogma
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Dragon's Dogma 2 has had some criticism regarding its story and pacing, but it would be unfair to let that overshadow where the game excels. The in-depth character creation, pawn system, and freedom of ways to tackle quests are beyond what many RPGs have to offer.
Coming across monsters on travels is not uncommon; players will run into foes both big and small, from the reptilian Asp to the hulking Cyclops. Despite being many recognizable creatures, Dragon's Dogma 2 brings them to life in a way that makes each fight feel cinematic.
7 Xenoblade Chronicles 3
An Interesting Blend Of Sci-Fi And Fantasy
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
- Released
- July 29, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 follows a group of misfits, soldiers, and friends from two nations at war as they embark on a quest to uncover the source of the conflict. Beyond the classic RPG elements - the class progression, day/night cycles, and side-quests - there is a poignant story at play.
The monsters in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 are unusual; imagine Pokémon or fauna from Avatar: The Last Airbender, but bigger and more menacing. There are all sorts of creatures, from weird animal and dinosaur hybrids to entirely new creations, which fit right into the vibrant world.
6 Monster Hunter Wilds
Battle Monsters In A Continually Changing World
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Monster Hunter
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
It's no surprise that players looking to fight monsters turn to Monster Hunter games - it's in the name. The franchise boasts an impressive number of titles, with Monster Hunter Wilds being the most recent release, fully embracing the open-world genre in ways the previous games hadn't.
Beyond the joys of not having to endure loading screens, Wilds has a lot else going for it. The game includes dynamic weather systems and biomes, and detailed beasts which, regardless of gameplay, are something to be admired. While it might be far from the original games, it's definitely worth a try for those looking for some monster-focused combat.
5 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
The Open-World Of Modern Fantasy Dreams
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Released
- February 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG
One of the main gripes that players had with Final Fantasy 15's open world was its lack of interactivity; for all the vast space, there was surprisingly little to do. Fortunately, this is something that Square Enix seemed to take into account when developing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
In Rebirth, players are rewarded for exploring with plenty of things to discover. More often than not, this also involves hunting and fighting monsters and coming across giant bosses. With its unique mythical-slash-modern world, the monsters in Rebirth are just as distinct, making for some exciting battles.
4 Shadow Of The Colossus
Defeat Ancient Animal-Architecture Hybrids
Shadow of the Colossus
- Released
- February 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bluepoint Games, JapanStudio, Team Ico
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Shadow of the Colossus is known for its "boss rush" style gameplay, with little to do but search for the next between battles. To bring a girl, Mono, back to life, players must track down and defeat sixteen Colossi in the Forbidden Land in an interesting mix of exploring, platforming, and solving puzzles.
The Colossi are not the typical kind of monster like Wyverns or Minotaurs, but rather huge (colossal, if you will) structures that appear like animals fused with architecture - a towering mix of fur and stone. Each Colossus has a weakness, requiring some strategy on behalf of the player.
3 The Witcher 3
Take On The Role Of The Titular White Wolf
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Franchise
- The Witcher
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The world of the Witcher 3 is rich with monsters thanks to the "Conjuction of Spheres", which allowed them to cross over into the Continent. As much of the plot revolves around Ciri stopping the White Frost, it's no surprise that players will have no shortage of encounters with both strange and familiar creatures.
If players are desperate to avoid conflict with them entirely, they can run away and ignore the side quests/contracts, though with a monster-hunting protagonist and an entire in-game bestiary, it's one of the main appeals of the game. Combat is also fun; each beast has its own mechanics to consider.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
This Beautiful Rendition Of Hyrule Is Not Without Danger
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom continued to build on the success of Breath of the Wild, making the familiar map much more diverse on land, underground, and in the sky and enhancing a lot of the mechanics. Another notable difference is the variety of enemies.
8 Best Zelda Games That Rewrote The Franchise's Playbook
The Legend of Zelda series is constantly evolving, innovating new mechanics to keep the games fresh.
While Tears of the Kingdom isn't primarily about fighting monsters, the main goal being saving Zelda and defeating Ganon, there are plenty of encounters to be had. Some monsters are cute, some are intimidating, but they are all unique and whimsical - extensions of the fantastical world.
1 Elden Ring
The Title That Blew FromSoftware's Other Games Out Of The Water
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Highly anticipated, Elden Ring met and exceeded expectations, marking a big moment in gaming history upon its release in 2022. With world-building from George. R. R. Martin and writing by FromSoftware's Miyazaki (credited for the Dark Souls franchise), there was never any doubt as to what an epic title Elden Ring would be.
Not only are the environments incredibly beautiful, but the many monsters in the game have their own grandiose designs and backstories, with tragic Demigods and native abominations alike standing in the player's way. Some of the bosses are notoriously difficult, but that's not necessarily a negative; the challenge, or, more so, overcoming it, is the trademark intention of the developer.
Best Open-World Games, Ranked
Open-world games give players a ton of freedom to work with. These titles have stood out the most over the years.