Sometimes, players just aren't in the mood for attentive and immersive play and just want to clear their head to let off some steam. Luckily, many open-world sandbox games are built to provide just that, allowing for moments of pure fun and havoc-wreaking without the need to worry about the consequences too much.
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These open-world games feature highly entertaining physics engines that will continue to stand out for some time.
While the open-world games listed below can obviously offer much more than just chaotic mayhem full of destruction and silly deaths, often including dedicated storylines with cutscenes, NPCs with quests, and at times even complex objectives, nothing prevents players from ignoring all that for a while and just enjoying wild gameplay at their core. After all, players can always reload the last save if things go totally out of control.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Like Real Life That Allows You To Do Things You Normally Wouldn't
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
No matter if it's single-player or online mode, GTA 5 can be a perfect open-world destination for players looking to just have some fun after a tiring day. Like in every GTA game before it, players can easily come up with their own ideas of how to spend time in GTA 5, and thanks to the game's great flexibility, it almost guarantees satisfaction.
From bringing havoc and destruction to the streets and peaceful NPCs, to taking on high-speed cop chases, heading to the water or sky with a new vehicle, roleplaying with other players on dedicated servers in GTA Online, or simply exploring the world to discover previously unseen details and gameplay moments, few open-world titles can match the freedom of Grand Theft Auto 5.
Saints Row 4
Over-The-Top Mayhem With Ridiculous Guns & Abilities
Saints Row 4
- Released
- August 20, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
A GTA clone set in a virtual simulation where players can use wacky weapons and overpowered superhero-like abilities — does it really need to be said any further? In a realm of open-world mayhem without brakes, Saints Row 4 still stands near the top even after all these years, providing moments of incredible, twisted fun for players who want some.
Saints Row 4's dedication to the silliest ideas, brought to life with such enthusiasm, is almost admirable. Some of the game's highlights, like the Tentacle Bat, Plunger Gun, or Dubstep Gun, are hard to imagine anywhere else, while its ridiculous vehicles, such as the Salem, Gat Mobile, or Genki Manapult, have become iconic among fans, not to mention the character's own abilities to jump sky-high or even fly that showcase almost god-like powers.
Just Cause 3
It's All About Exploding Things Creatively
Just Cause 3
- Released
- November 30, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Third-Person Shooter
The Just Cause series is all about blowing things up, arguably peaking with Just Cause 3. Even without the game's signature combination of grappling hook, wingsuit, and parachute, which is already an easy recipe for explosive fun, players looking to wreak mayhem are in for a treat.
With an extremely large map, destructible environments, some really big explosions, and an array of weapons and vehicles to try out, the game is a paradise for brainless action. Evolving almost into a superhero-like character, Rico Rodriguez constantly finds himself in the middle of chaotic chains of events, which is often as impressive as it is funny.
Destroy All Humans!
Something You Might Want To Turn On After Oversocializing
Destroy All Humans!
- Released
- July 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
For even more unserious open-world mayhem, especially when annoyed by people during a working day, Destroy All Humans! Might be just the ticket. Playing as the evil alien Crypto-137, players can freely roam the world, capture or destroy puny humans in myriad creative ways, and wreak havoc upon Earth with advanced and silly weapons, otherworldly vehicles, psychic abilities, and other fun alien technology like a versatile jetpack.
8 Best Open-World Games If You Want To Unleash Chaos, Ranked
If you are looking for a game that lets you wreak havoc and destruction, these open-world titles are perfect options.
Set in 1950s America, Destroy All Humans! Remake combines the unique aesthetics of the iconic original with the freedom to cause chaos and annihilate everything around, while boasting rebuilt-from-scratch visuals and refreshed gameplay mechanics.
Sunset Overdrive
Wreak Havoc While Actually Progressing Through The Game
Sunset Overdrive
- Released
- October 28, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
One of the brightest and most colorful open worlds ever made, Sunset Overdrive stands out for its unique and silly aesthetics, unparalleled visual style, and creative gameplay, combining fun traversal abilities with unconventional destructive weapons. From Acid Sprinkler and Charge Beam to TNTeddy and Freeze Bomb, almost every weapon in the game is designed to be distinct and fun to use. And of course, there are plenty of explosions of all sizes.
While exploding and killing things is at the core of the experience in Sunset City, thanks to Sunset Overdrive's wacky approach to storytelling and silly characters, some players might not even want to skip cutscenes and dialogue amid all the chaos, blending their desire to just go wild with actual progression through the game as intended.
Red Faction: Guerrilla
Total Destruction Rarely Seen Even In Newer Games
Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered
- Released
- July 3, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Action
Despite its age, Red Faction: Guerrilla (alongside the Re-Mars-tered edition) remains a pinnacle of open-world games with an emphasis on physics-based destruction, capable of providing moments of simple pleasure. Even today, it's hard to find alternatives so dedicated to destroying, smashing, and exploding everything around, including large buildings, which only adds to Red Faction: Guerrilla's appeal.
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These are the absolute masterpieces that any player keen on open-world games should try.
Interestingly, despite its chaotic nature, Guerrilla is a surprisingly grounded game, with no silly abilities or weapons. Players are left to experiment mostly with mining gear and tools like mines, remote charges, and a trusty sledgehammer. Creativity is key here, as vehicles and terrain can also be used to a player's advantage for leaving a true mark on Mars.
Prototype
Become A Truly Unstoppable Killing Machine
Prototype
- Released
- June 9, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
Another pretty old title that still deserves mentioning, Prototype was seemingly ahead of its time, granting players a vast playground to test their limits while playing as a nearly indestructible mutant with dozens of unstoppable superpowers. Being as strong and fast as in Prototype simply never gets old, as few other superhero titles grant a comparable sense of power with so few restrictions.
Reaching the highest rooftops in seconds through wall-running, jumping, or gliding; destroying helicopters and tanks with bare hands (or rather claws); throwing cars; and transforming into any character in the world (long before Watch Dogs Legion's ambitious play-as-anyone feature) are just a fraction of what both Prototype games offer.
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In these games, players themselves can shape personal narratives that truly adapt to their actions – be it wins or failures.