Open-world games might be slightly overexposed nowadays, but they are popular for a reason. For one, they (typically) offer a lot of content, to the point that a single game can keep somebody busy for a few months if they only play a couple of hours per week. Secondly, they encompass a wide spectrum of genres and themes, ranging from ambitious high fantasy to dense cyberpunk epics. Their gameplay varies greatly, too, so there should be something for just about everyone.
While (relatively) linear projects are a thing, open-world games are primarily associated with vast maps that are designed to be traversed freely. In fact, some of the best titles are all about exploration, encouraging players to simply walk in a direction and see what awaits. If you just want to explore and ignore the story, you will probably want to try these games.
8 Red Dead Redemption 2
Explore The Western Frontier
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Rockstar knows a thing or two about putting together impressive hardware-pushing open-world games, and nearly all the developer's projects that fit this genre emphasize exploration to an extent. Red Dead Redemption 2 is Rockstar's biggest game to date, delivering an overwhelmingly vast Western landscape and slow-paced gameplay intended to forcefully immerse you in the world. Players can get absolutely and joyously lost, if they want to go down that route. That said, the story missions are easy enough to follow, so RDR2 can mostly be played to somebody's preference.
Red Dead Redemption 2: Best Weapons For Hunting, Ranked
If players are going to explore the great plains of Red Dead Redemption 2 to hunt, then they will need the most useful weapons for 3-star pelts.
Now, I will say that RDR2 is arguably more fun to freely explore on a second playthrough than the first, just because the world and characters are so rich in history that knowing their backstory elevates the experience. A lot of that context will be missed if the story is ignored completely in favor of exploration, at least initially.
7 Outward
Explore And Try To Survive
Outward
- Released
- March 26, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Outward lays down a fascinating foundation that will, hopefully, be improved upon in the upcoming sequel. While quite rough around the edges and the definition of an acquired taste, the 2019 original is nevertheless worth checking out if you are seeking a survival open-world game built around exploration.
Putting aside a pretty unexciting story that mostly exists to provide some structure, Outward challenges players to simply head toward the unknown, explore a fairly vast fantasy realm, and survive the many, many challenges held within. Although it has plenty of issues, Outward nails an intense sense of exploration, particularly during a playthrough's opening hours when build experimentation is still at the forefront. It
6 The Elder Scrolls (Morrowind, Oblivion Remastered, Or Skyrim)
Three Generations Of Open-World Masterpieces
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The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
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- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONDIGITAL- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox (Original)
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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
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- April 22, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONDIGITAL- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
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9 /10Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONDIGITALPHYSICAL- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
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At this point, The Elder Scrolls is synonymous with exploration-driven open-world RPGs, and that has been the case since Morrowind's debut in the mid-2000s. Sure, that game can seem antiquated and quaint nowadays, but it is still a widely impressive achievement that absolutely shines in its map design and liberating freedom.
Morrowind is a fantastically put-together sandbox that deserves a remaster just as much as its successor, Oblivion. The latter mostly retains its predecessor's core appeal, albeit with a slightly more conventional main questline. The original version is still great, but I recommend sticking with the 2025 remaster.
Skyrim needs no introduction, and its legendary status is 100% down to its world rather than the main questline. You can easily ignore the story and just explore for dozens upon dozens of hours.
5 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
A Medieval Epic Awaits
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Released
- February 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Warhorse Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Building on the extremely solid foundations of its predecessor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 will go down as one of the best open-world games of the 2020s, although you still need to go into it with accurate expectations. While way more accessible than the first entry, KCD2 is nonetheless an immersive medieval sim that prioritizes realism above nearly everything, which means exploration is slow and challenging.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - 8 Small Details That Bring The World To Life
These small but great details in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 make the game feel real, as though players are walking through a living world.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but the opening hours can be exhausting if somebody is not prepared for this type of experience. Although packed with well-written quests, KCD2 also encourages cautious exploration, allowing players to just head out and discover organically.
4 Outer Wilds
With Death On The Horizon, Exploration Is The Only Goal
Outer Wilds
- Released
- May 28, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Most open-world games let players decide if they want to stick to the main story or just wander freely to see what they find. Outer Wilds is a touch different, as the core gameplay loop is specifically built around choice-driven exploration. The solar system will be destroyed in 22 minutes, so you need to jump into a spaceship and head to different planets, both to learn about them and to also try and figure out the truth behind the destruction. After everything goes supernova, the cycle resets.
Outer Wilds combines exploration and storytelling perfectly, allowing the former to carry the latter seamlessly. Players are given very little direction, and they are rewarded for embracing the galaxy's mysteries with a unique adventure.
3 Elden Ring
The Lands Between Is A Land Filled With Things To Discover
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Considering Dark Souls is known for its tight level design, an open-world alternative was far from a guaranteed success. Yet, Elden Ring manages to make it work, adopting a thrilling sense of discovery associated with sandboxes while still supplying intricate self-contained maps through its biggest dungeons. While the game includes a simple directional button that guides players down the main questline, this mechanic is primarily a quality-of-life inclusion and hardly the standard way to traverse the Lands Between.
Once you enter Elden Ring's core map, simply pick a direction and go. If you hit an area with enemies that are a bit too difficult, just turn back and try somewhere else. The Lands Between is ridiculously dense with things to discover, be it optional bosses, mini-dungeons, or loot. Eventually, you will reach one of the compulsory areas and fight a few god-like enemies. There is something around every corner.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom
Welcome To Hyrule, Now Go And Explore
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
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10 /10Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALPHYSICAL- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U, Switch
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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
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- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALPHYSICAL- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Frankly, at this point, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild does not need to be sold. Nintendo's game helped revitalize the open-world genre to an extent, and its approach to sandboxes has certainly influenced other projects. Except for defeating the final boss, everything in BOTW is technically optional, and Link can go where he wants in Hyrule and do what he wishes right from the start.
Zelda: Breath Of The Wild - 6 Best Improvements In The Switch 2 Edition
With all the improvements made to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, is it worth playing through again on the Nintendo Switch 2?
Link might not have the required armor to survive a burning-hot desert or the stamina to climb a mountain, but he can meet those requirements by simply exploring and discovering everything Hyrule has to offer. When it comes to just exploring an open-world, BOTW is nearly untouchable.
Tears of the Kingdom mostly follows in its predecessor's footsteps, albeit with more standard quests and NPCs.
1 Subnautica
The Best Open-World Game For Exploration
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Subnautica is brilliant. Set on an alien planet that mostly consists of water, players have to explore the depths, both to survive and also learn more about the world they find themselves in. While the core story is quite interesting, Subnautica shines in its open nature, where exploration is not only encouraged but required.
While not technically horror, Subnautica captures both the majesty and terror of the ocean, filling it with beauty and nightmares. The game also offers quite a few different modes that tweak the experience, so players can decide if they want a punishing hardcore experience or a more relaxing voyage.
Subnautica: 25 Scariest Creatures, Ranked
Many creatures live under the sea in Subnautica but some are far more frightening than the rest.