Few other genres in gaming are associated with freedom as much as the open-world genre. From vast, explorable worlds with little to no restrictions, to the ability to shape your character and their skills, decide what weapons to use, what outfit to wear, and what impact to make on the world, it's all at the core of the best open-world games.
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While each player has their own preferences when deciding which open-world game resonates with them through its setting or overall vibe, some indisputable masterpieces are impossible to overlook. Picking any of these open-world games is almost guaranteed to deliver over a hundred hours of exciting play, and at times their story, characters, or gameplay moments can have a profound impact on players — even providing a life-changing experience.
Below are must-play open-world games that have defined the genre throughout the years, with nearly every element acclaimed by both critics and the majority of players. Missing out on these open-world games means missing the highlights this genre has to offer.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Still The Most Lived-in Open World In The Genre
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
For almost seven years after Red Dead Redemption 2's launch, no other game has managed to come close to its feeling of a lived-in world, where every NPC has a life of their own and the world doesn't revolve solely around the player. From detailed schedules for in-game characters to convincing reactions with hundreds of voice-over actors involved, as well as realistic wildlife, RDR2 stands in a league of its own even after all these years, delivering arguably the most palpable and believable open world ever made.
Aside from that, and one of the most unforgettable stories in gaming centered around Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a colossal technical achievement, with countless handcrafted details that bring its Wild West world to life, coupled with painting-inspired artistic visuals that may well prove timeless. Now, it remains to be seen whether the upcoming GTA 6 can match or even surpass the feeling of RDR2's world.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Endlessly Creative Hymn To The Hero's Journey
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
It's tough to choose which open-world Zelda game to recommend, Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, as both stand at the very top of what the genre is capable of offering. With a vast, beautiful hand-crafted world, charming visuals and music, dozens of unique puzzles and challenges, surprisingly reactive environments and enemies, and an exhilarating sense of freedom and hero's journey, the series' latest entries are as easy to recommend as any game can be.
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These open-world games are not only incredibly long but also feature immersive mechanics to keep players engaged in their virtual worlds for hours.
Still, given that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an even more ambitious sequel that introduces truly unique and creative gameplay opportunities thanks to Link's new abilities to craft almost anything players can imagine, it's a definitive must-play, especially for Switch 2 owners. It's rare for an open-world game to couple the traditional heights of exploration and the gameplay loop with an almost unrestricted sandbox crafting system that players can experiment with endlessly, but somehow this works almost flawlessly in Tears of the Kingdom.
Grand Theft Auto 5
The Most Popular GTA - That Says It All
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
The Grand Theft Auto series is known well beyond the gaming industry, poised to shatter every possible record in entertainment with the upcoming GTA 6. Before that, despite its age, GTA 5 stands as easily the most-played entry in the series — and one of the most popular games in the entire open-world genre. It's probably impossible to find a gamer who hasn't played GTA at some point, but if you are somehow one of them, this is the place to start.
GTA 5's attempt to deliver the most convincing rendition of the modern-day world remains remarkable even after all these years, as no other title has managed to come close. For those who prefer extra mayhem, GTA Online is a go-to destination, whether for immersive roleplay or its wealth of constantly added missions and new gameplay possibilities.
Elden Ring
An Engrossing Epic To Consume One's Life
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Even for players not too keen on challenging combat, Elden Ring is a must-play open-world title with no real alternatives in what it offers. The world of the Lands Between is arrestingly beautiful, diverse, and layered, with some of the most exciting and rewarding exploration one can find. The combat holds countless possibilities for character building, offering a never-ending stream of new weapons, spells, and abilities to find a combination that works for anyone. And the sheer variety of locations, enemies, and bosses is another driving force, as every corner of this colossal world is packed with new things to discover.
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Even when completely ignoring Elden Ring's deep lore, cryptic narrative, and intricate characters, this epic journey has no equal in its engrossing scope. The key to starting Elden Ring comfortably is not to rush, to have patience during the opening hours, and to treat defeat as part of the journey. Just trust the millions of fans: once you've settled in, the game rewards you generously.
Minecraft
A Freedom-Based Sandbox Unlike Any Other
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Minecraft is pretty hard to overlook in the gaming landscape, given that it's the best-selling video game ever (over 350 million copies sold), having even surpassed the colossus that is GTA 5. Most synonymous with the open-world sandbox, Minecraft is a virtual playground where players can create anything they can imagine, with some truly impressive works surfacing from time to time, including recreations of the most iconic movie or game locations.
As one of the few near-infinite open-world games, featuring a never-ending map with the potential to be reshaped by players on a scale rarely seen elsewhere, Minecraft excels as a go-to virtual universe, accessible on a wide range of modern platforms and shareable with friends for co-op adventures.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A Blueprint For An Entire Genre
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
In many ways, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt shaped the entire genre, paving the way forward and becoming a blueprint that many other open-world RPGs have copied over the years. What's more interesting is that even among newer titles sharing the same DNA, very few have managed to come close to The Witcher 3.
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From its unique world with an unmistakable atmosphere to its visuals, music, characters, and hand-crafted quests, the game remains a pinnacle of story-driven open-world RPGs even a decade later. Despite being the third chapter in the series, with several books of characters and events behind it, Wild Hunt is very easy for newcomers to get into and won't disappoint anyone. A journey well worth taking, covering the full spectrum of emotions, breathtaking adventures, and unforgettable moments, The Witcher 3 is so iconic that even the upcoming Witcher 4 isn't aiming to surpass it, as CDPR itself has said.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Is There Anyone Who Still Hasn't Played Skyrim?
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
Skyrim might not be as massive a best-seller as Minecraft or GTA 5, yet after all these years of enormous popularity, it's hard to even imagine a gamer who has never touched it. If you are somehow one of them, do yourself a favor and finally play Skyrim. Luckily, that's easy enough, as the game is available on virtually every gaming platform, and is often available for a penny.
At times, it almost feels like Skyrim has always been there, with its legendary status as one of the best open-world RPGs, over the years becoming something akin to a cozy, familiar, stretched-out T-shirt to wear at home, and a point of comparison for millions of RPG lovers. With its combination of freedom, hand-crafted world, and wealth of quests and activities, Skyrim is the RPG of several generations — and possibly many more to come. Not to mention, it proudly stands as the most popular game for modding ever, allowing every PC player to customize and enhance the experience to their liking.
Cyberpunk 2077
A Dark Vision Of The Future Worth Immersing In
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is many things: a first-person twin to The Witcher 3 set in a dark, futuristic world, an exemplary redemption arc for a game released too early, and an open-world RPG unlike any other, full of characters that feel alive with stories exploring mature themes. Most of all, Cyberpunk 2077 is a deeply human journey that rewards players with unforgettable emotional moments that stay long after the credits roll.
Even though it may be too early to say that Cyberpunk 2077 shares the same iconic status as many other open-world games here, it's easy to imagine the game becoming a true legend, almost like its own characters, with a rich legacy in Night City. Missing out on Cyberpunk 2077's dark and unique open world shouldn't be an option for anyone who values projects made with passion and love, especially since the game just keeps getting better with each new update.
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