Open-world games have become all the rage in modern times, with most of these games letting players enjoy a power fantasy for the ages. Mastering tough combat systems and laying waste to the many enemies that stand in a player's way is a huge part of what makes these games so special.
Making the most of the gameplay loop in these titles and obliterating everything that stands in the player's way makes for a great time. All of a sudden, players who were struggling at first in these open-world games can make themselves look incredibly cool as they power through the many challenges standing in their way in style.
8 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
It Takes A While, But Players Can Look Very Cool Once They Master The Mechanics
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
Tears of the Kingdom is an excellent Nintendo game that needs no introduction. The expanded powers in Link's arsenal mean that players can exploit the gameplay mechanics to look and feel cooler than ever.
Players are rewarded for looting everything in sight and improving Link's arsenal of weaponry and armor by letting them take out powerful Gleeoks in record time. This satisfying sense of progression made players feel cool in Breath of the Wild as well, and Tears of the Kingdom is no exception.
7 Need For Speed Unbound
The Struggles To Get Better At This Game Make Players Both Look And Feel Good When They Start Winning
Need for Speed Unbound
- Released
- December 2, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
Unbound is one of the harder NFS games where players must get used to the idea of not coming in first all the time. Instead, they must make strategic bets and try to secure a top-three finish, with the luckiest players being competent enough to get a winning streak going.
This may make for an unbearable grind where players are forced to race on the same circuits over and over again, but the rewarding sense of progression players enjoy from unlocking better cars and leaving other racers in the dust makes for a level of coolness that is totally earned and justifies the hours players spend in this game to rack up as much cash as possible while avoiding the cops.
6 Hogwarts Legacy
Comboing Spells And Juggling Enemies Feels Great
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Hogwarts Legacy is one of the best games that does justice to the Harry Potter IP, with the combat being way better than fans could've expected. The magical take on Arkham's combat mechanics makes for a great time as players use the many spells they've learned in their journey and use the power of Ancient Magic to get a leg up over their opposition.
Best Open-World Games Set In High Fantasy Worlds
With plenty of magic, strange creatures, and an epic underlying story, what these open-world games have in common is a beautiful, high-fantasy world.
The fifth-year student can become very competent both in and out of combat, using Talent points to unlock unique effects in combat. Turning enemies into explosive barrels and using curses to make numerous enemies drop with a single hit of Avada Kedavra makes for a cathartic moment that helps Hogwarts Legacy stand out as one of the coolest open-world games fans can enjoy.
5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
With Enough Skills, Geralt Becomes An Effortlessly Cool Whirlwind Of Death In Combat
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Geralt is a competent witcher who has made a name for himself taking down a litany of powerful monsters who stand in his way time and time again. While his skills may not be all that apparent early on in The Witcher 3, it doesn't take long for players to unlock a bevy of skills to make Geralt more potent than ever before.
Alternate Sign casts make battles dynamic, unique combat moves let players use adrenaline to use special light & heavy attacks, and focusing on alchemy lets Geralt imbibe a ton of potions and lay waste to everything in his path. These are just a few ways that the White Wolf can look incredibly cool in battles against both regular foes and imposing bosses.
4 Horizon Forbidden West
Seeing Aloy Take Down Massive Mechanical Beasts Is A Blast
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
The spectacle of combat in the Horizon series has remained consistent across both entries. With more options in combat than its predecessor, players will have a blast controlling Aloy and taking out the many enemies that stand in her way.
Targeting enemy weaknesses and seeing their armor parts fly off with accurate shots makes for a blast every single time. Given how fragile Aloy is, players are encouraged to avoid any damage while staying on the offensive, which looks great when done competently.
3 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Both Peter And Miles Can Take Out Enemies In Style With Their Abilities And Gadgets
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
A sequel that went bigger and bolder, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 lets players control Miles and Peter in an epic Spider-Man adventure where Kraven and Venom appear as the game's central antagonists. The inclusion of quick shortcuts to unleash powerful abilities and nifty gadgets ensures that combat is more dynamic than ever.
Best Open-World Games For Feeling Invincible, Ranked
These open-world games let players cut through foes like an untouchable force of nature.
Along with this, Peter feels incredible when using the Black Suit, using a variety of powerful moves to smash opponents in style. With enough upgrades, players can use multiple symbiote tendrils to smash opponents, and pummel opponents with a litany of powerful kicks after pushing them against a wall, which never ceases to be engaging.
2 Ghost Of Tsushima
Jin's Skills Make For Picturesque Battles Where Players Can Cut Down Foes In Style
Ghost of Tsushima
- Released
- July 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
The aesthetics of Ghost of Tsushima are in a class of their own, and this extends to combat, too. Initiating standoffs and cutting down multiple foes in one go before going to town on the rest is a satisfying moment every single time.
Stealth is also great as Jin becomes the Ghost and makes the Mongols pay for taking over Tsushima Island. Once players improve their legend and unlock various stances to deal with numerous enemy types, Jin will become a death-dealing machine as even the toughest Mongols cower under his gaze and run away after getting terrified.
1 Cyberpunk 2077
V Can Become A Violent Blur In Combat With The Right Skills
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
Update 2.0 ensured that Cyberpunk 2077 would feature one of the coolest combat systems fans could enjoy in an open-world game. The overhauled perk system gave players a ton of abilities to channel in battle, based on the weapons they have in their arsenal.
Unique weapons are more viable than ever and let players cover all bases as they either snipe enemies from afar or use melee attacks to slice enemies into ribbons. Even quickhacking feels epic and ensures that controlling V makes for a cool time, no matter what build players pursue for this protagonist.
8 Most Complex Open World Games, Ranked
These are some of the most complicated open-world titles to play.