Summary
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers the chance to enjoy medieval Central Europe in first-person.
- The diverse Kyrat landscape in Far Cry 4 strikes a balance between content and size, featuring diverse environments and activities.
- Cyberpunk 2077 and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided provide fascinating city exploration experiences, blending beauty with dystopian futuristic elements.
Exploration and experimentation are two of the most fun aspects of video gaming, especially when a game is set in an open world for players to freely survey. Some companies like Bethesda and Rockstar have created incredible open-world environments, many of which are from a third-person perspective with an option to view proceedings through the eyes of the protagonist.
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Some of the best games ever made are played from a first-person perspective, but surprisingly few take place in large, expansive, fully accessible open worlds. Here are the best open-world games for exploration that are always played from a first-person perspective, ranked based on a combination of overall quality and popularity, taking into consideration how enjoyable they are to explore.
8 Ghostwire: Tokyo
Vibrant, Supernatural Tokyo Nights
Ghostwire: Tokyo
- Released
- March 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Tango Gameworks
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Despite a catastrophic paranormal event removing the population of Tokyo, the open-world map in Ghostwire: Tokyo feels surprisingly lived-in. Player-character Akito is possessed by a spirit that gives him special powers to aid in his quest to battle the evil specters inhabiting Japan’s capital city and discover what happened to its population.
It may not be the largest map on offer, but there is very little in the way of filler, with the few collectibles not providing too much of a nuisance, and having interesting perks attached to them. Many missions put Akito on a somewhat linear path, but the world is otherwise free for exploration and contains plenty of environmental storytelling for those who wish to find it.
7 Far Cry 4
Kyrat’s Diverse Landscape With Plenty Of Activities
Far Cry 4
- Released
- November 18, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Fans of the Far Cry series will have their favorites when it comes to the different locations and world-building, but many seem to feel that Far Cry 4 is the best. Its successors may have larger maps to navigate and investigate, but the Nepal-inspired Kyrat is said to be the perfect size with just the right amount of content to keep players busy and not feel too crowded or empty.
The various environments of Kyrat are diverse, from rugged snow-capped mountains to lush green forests, and players can travel between these large areas in many different types of vehicles. North Kyrat is initially off-limits, but the map gradually opens up as Pagan Min’s influence is diminished by liberating bell towers.
6 Cyberpunk 2077
Futuristic Dystopian City Setting
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Even during its turbulent launch, Cyberpunk 2077 drew heaps of praise for its sprawling metropolis setting, Night City. Discovering the many secrets of the futuristic megacity’s seven districts is incredibly satisfying, with intriguing points of interest hiding around every corner.
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V’s adventure allows players to experience much of the city’s offerings, but they are free to look around in their own time, too, and are sure to find something to keep them entertained among the many side quests and activities. Being a dystopian cyberpunk setting, some parts of the city are pretty bleak thanks to extreme inequality and poverty, but it’s still a fascinating and ruggedly beautiful place to explore.
5 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Prague In 2029 Blends Old And New
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
- Released
- August 23, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Some aspects of gameplay in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided switch the perspective to third person, but exploration is always first-person. There are also scripted moments following a set path, otherwise, players are free to tour around the cyberpunk dystopian city of Prague in the year 2029, plus some sections in Dubai and London.
Unraveling a worldwide conspiracy involving the Illuminati, Adam Jensen must utilize his advanced weaponry and augmentations, even though mechanically enhanced people like him are hated. Criticism was aimed at the story of Mankind Divided, largely owing to the somewhat abrupt ending, but the setting is approachable and striking, blending the old architecture of Prague with the technological advancements of the future, and it is not overwhelming in terms of content.
4 The Outer Worlds
Halcyon’s Many Secrets Await
The Outer Worlds
- Released
- October 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Set in an alternate future where megacorporations dominate life on Earth and have begun galactic colonization, The Outer Worlds gives players the chance to be a colonist in the Halcyon star system. Whether going alone or being accompanied by one of the companions, the Stranger should leave no stone unturned when traveling to various settlements and space stations on and around the system’s terraformed planets.
The narrative and deep character customization earned The Outer Worlds positive reviews, but the open spacefaring possibilities are what make this title stand out. Often favorably compared with the Fallout series, many players love meeting the interesting NPCs encountered throughout the game in all the unique locations.
3 Sons Of The Forest
An Island Inhabited By Cannibalistic Monsters
Sons of the Forest
- Released
- February 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Endnight Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Open-World, Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A survival horror game is not often an ideal place for fun exploration, but the world of Sons of the Forest is perfect for a full investigation, especially with friends. There are cannibals and mutated monsters to contend with, plus the threat of starvation and dehydration as player-character Jack seeks out a missing CEO and his family.
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Surviving on the island known as Site 2 is difficult, but it’s still a fascinating place to explore and look for resources that can aid in general survival and building shelter. Those who do not wish to battle monsters can play in peaceful mode, where they are free to craft in peace and move around the island carefree without fear of attack.
2 Subnautica
Discover The Beauty And Horror Of The Deep
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Another survival horror game with a unique and immersive setting, Subnautica takes the action below sea level, after Ryley Robinson crashes his spaceship on the ocean planet called 4546B. There are plenty of alluring locations to draw players in for deeper analysis, but players must always be cautious, since large sea monsters are sometimes waiting to catch those who are unaware.
The risk of going deeper is often worth it for the great rewards that can help when crafting, plus there are two islands above the surface level that are fully explorable. There are some more forgiving game modes for those who just want to focus on building and exploring, and there is permadeath in Hardcore mode for those who enjoy a real challenge.
1 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
A Realistic Depiction Of Medieval Europe
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Released
- February 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Warhorse Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Set in the year 1403 and following on from the events of the first game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 features a map that is twice as big as its predecessor. Seeing the Kingdom of Bohemia through the eyes of Henry of Skalitz once again, players embark on a journey to avenge the death of Henry’s murdered parents.
The rich open world perfectly encapsulates life in 15th century medieval Europe and is full of activities to do and people to meet. The various interactions and choices made will have an impact on the overall story, even forming the traits and characteristics of Henry, changing how future encounters may unfold.
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