Since 2011, with the release of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, the open-world RPG genre has exploded. Most open-world games are just RPGs as well, which makes sense given that it’s fun to level up while fighting or exploring. Even the Assassin’s Creed franchise has embraced RPG mechanics.
7 Of The Most Difficult Open-World RPGs By Japanese Developers
While not impossible to beat, these RPGs are some of the hardest games in their genre. The fact that they're open-world just amplifies the difficulty
Some other games of note that aren’t quite full open-world games or RPGs include Baldur's Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, respectively. Two great games that don’t quite fit the criteria, but the rest of these gems are real bangers. They don't include any remasters, ports, or remakes, as these are all original and showcase the best of the best between 2016 and 2025.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Fun With Friends
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Monster Hunter Wilds was the first game in the Monster Hunter series to feature an open world. Players cannot freely explore it all at once, but once players progress to the final area, they can freely traverse through the entire world on their Chocobo-like Seikret.
Being able to explore alone or with friends without having to jump into a specific mode was a great upgrade and could lead to some good monster discoveries. The combat was just as good as ever, too, with fourteen weapons to choose from and many upgrade paths to follow.
Diablo 4
Loot Till You Drop
Diablo 4
- Released
- June 5, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
Diablo 4 is another giant franchise that went open-world for the first time in 2025. Areas were always open in the Diablo games prior to this, but the area in this fourth entry is much bigger, and eventually, players could traverse it on horseback.
Between quests, random mobs of monsters, and timed events, there was always something new to discover on the way to a town or dungeon. Combat remained unchanged as players could choose a class and then level up their skills in a wide range of branching paths so that one class build did not resemble another.
Hogwarts Legacy
A Wizarding World Of Imagination
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Hogwarts Legacy gave Harry Potter fans a game they had dreamed about when the first book was released in 1997. Players could create their character, get sorted into one of four Houses, and then begin their journey as a student within Hogwarts.
They could explore the castle in between classes, wander around Hogsmeade, or venture off into the grounds surrounding the school. Learning spells was easy, the quests were plentiful, and Hogwarts Legacy was overall the ultimate Harry Potter love letter set within an open world.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Hard, Scary, But Compelling
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an open-world game that is not as easy to get into as others because of the vague guidance system and the extreme difficulty. Anyone who wants to check this game out has to be a cautious explorer, or they will wind up dying again and again.
Best Open-World Games To Play Over A Long Time
Sit down and take your time in these open-world games for weeks or months on end, as there is so much great content to experience.
That’s part of the fun for players looking to challenge themselves, similar to anyone who is into Soulslike games. Realistically, it would be terrifying to explore a world filled with monsters, and that’s something that Dragon’s Dogma 2 gets right, along with the action combat that makes each strike count.
Horizon Forbidden West
Jurassic Titanium Park
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Horizon Forbidden West gives players more to see and do compared to its predecessor, which was slow in some regard, as Aloy was a new character who was getting used to hunting robotic animals.
In the sequel, players have access to some of her best skills quicker, from stealth takedowns to hacks to different weapons. It’s much easier to explore the wastes safely with an armful of gadgets. Also, there are more ways to travel around the open world, from hacked robots to a grappling hook to a glider, all of which make the game fun to explore.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Grand Theft Carriage
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
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World
Players start at the very bottom of society in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and they will need patience to get through it. They have to do menial tasks to get money and earn a reputation, making sure they don’t reek of nasty stenches.
If players stick with it, they will find one of the richest open-world games that is based more on historical fact than magic, which is not a type of game that comes out often. Going through the game as a complete drag on society is a possible way to play as well, as the game offers many paths to follow for replay value.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Luau Fantasy
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released
- January 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is one of the smaller open-world games on the list, but every inch of Honolulu is filled with activities and quests. Players can go on photo hunts, tackle weird story-based side quests, deliver food, and so on.
There’s even an island players can sail to create their own mini-paradise akin to a more action-heavy Animal Crossing game. Beyond side content, players can also invest a lot of time into leveling up the various Jobs the party can equip, from gunslinging cowboys to surfers to hula dancers.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Two Factions Become Allies
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
- Released
- July 29, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Language, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 starts with two factions fighting a war against each other before combining their efforts into battling against a higher evil. Players can take their party across a vast world filled with forests, deserts, pristine beaches, and more. The seamless and almost daunting nature of the world was impressive to see running so well on a Switch.
7 Open-World Games That Change With Every Journey
If you want to find your forever game, these open-world experiences can offer new ways to play each time you boot them up.
Gigantic monsters hide behind every corner, but thankfully, characters can learn to fuse and turn into mech-like creatures. It’s one of the best battle systems in the Xenoblade series; the difficulty is well-balanced, and the story culminates in a finale that franchise fans will not forget.
Cyberpunk 2077
Hi-Tech Hazards
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is another open-world game that is compact, mostly taking place within one giant city, but the surrounding desert has some notes of interest too. Players can engage with it like a Grand Theft Auto game by cruising around the city with stolen bikes or cars, taking on missions for the criminal underground, and using hard-earned cash to upgrade the cybernetic body.
The more cybernetics players buy, the more powerful they will become, but in return, the less human they will be. It’s an open-world game that has an open-ended scope to the missions, allowing everyone to play their way.
Elden Ring
From Obscurity To Dominance
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
In terms of open-world RPGs specifically, there has not been a bigger game in the past ten years than Elden Ring. It proved so successful that FromSoftware not only put out an expansion, but they also made a standalone multiplayer game set within the same world.
Even though it is hard as a Soulslike, players were drawn into it because the game gave them more opportunities to go their own way. If something was too hard, they could explore and find something else to do. It was invigorating to explore with two others online, which did help balance the difficulty, too.
Features That Need To Be In Every New Open-World Game
Open-world games will change how players engage with them for the better after these features are added.