Best Open-World Games With Interconnected Worlds

Open-world games are often expansive, entirely open areas that give players (mostly) free roam over their various locations. Games such as Skyrim, for example, let players loose in the world with very few restrictions outside of their character's lack of strength. Metroidvanias and Soulslikes, on the other hand, as well as a select few open-world games, feature open worlds made up of several unique zones.

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By  Harry Ted Sprinks

In the case of Metroidvanias, and even in Soulslikes, these zones are systemically unlocked throughout the game. However, these constituent zones are often interconnected, allowing players to open shortcuts and loop back on themselves. Furthermore, these zones are often seamlessly connected with no loading screens. Examples of non-interconnected worlds include The Outer Worlds, a well-crafted open-world RPG with several areas to explore that are each completely separate from the last.

6 Batman: Arkham Knight

A Seamless Realization Of Gotham City

This entry in the iconic Batman: Arkham series is known for its fluid and satisfying - albeit somewhat shallow - combat and immersive, evocative environments. The Arkham games are known for their well-crafted Batman experiences that remain loyal to the source material.

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Batman: Arkham Knight is a particularly great experience for fans of Batman, as it allows players to explore a seamlessly connected realization of Gotham City. Although its various locations may not be as distinct as other open-world games, exploring Gotham City's dense, interconnected streets is an immersive experience thanks to expressive movement controls.

5 Kenshi

Distinctive Constituent Zones Separated By Bleak Desert

This open-world, party-based RPG features a unique low-fantasy setting packed with weird and wonderful environments and creatures. The world of Kenshi is harsh and hostile, with a slow-burning progression system and plenty that can go wrong. Players can go anywhere they want in the game, and the game's interconnected areas can be traveled between seamlessly.

The lack of any clear narrative and/or direction also results in a non-linear experience, offering sandbox gameplay that allows players to explore at their own pace. From the Deadlands and the Cannibal Plains, all the way to the Burning Forest, there are plenty of unique areas to explore in Kenshi.

4 The Surge 2

Soulslike World Design In A Sci-Fi World

Although the first game featured many monotonous environments that were antithetical to the Soulslike genre, The Surge 2's open and interconnected world is full of variety. Furthermore, The Surge 2 consistently interconnects each of its zones in satisfying ways.

Many of The Surge 2's dense locations are connected through Downtown Jericho City. Furthermore, The Surge 2 is also packed with satisfying shortcuts that made the original Dark Souls so rewarding to explore.

3 Elden Ring

An Expansive, Interconnected Fantasy World

While Elden Ring's world can, unfortunately, be somewhat hollow in places, never quite reaching the level of care and detail put into the interconnected world of the original Dark Souls, many players enjoy exploring its more open environments. Elden Ring's many areas are seamlessly connected to each other, providing an immersive and often mesmerizing world to explore. Furthermore, while Elden Ring might not provide shortcuts and loops quite as satisfying as Dark Souls, it has plenty of equally immersive moments.

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Each location in Elden Ring manages to be distinct, from the sprawling battlements of Stormveil Castle to the eerie underground passages of the Subterranean Shunning Grounds. Thanks to Elden Ring's expansive areas, there are plenty of nooks and crannies for players to discover.

2 Hollow Knight

An Interconnected Map With Lock And Key Design

Hollow Knight is notorious for its detailed world design and interconnected areas, offering players a truly satisfying exploration experience. This comes naturally to Hollow Knight, as it combines elements of the Metroidvania and Soulslike genres alike, resulting in a unique and consistently engaging pseudo-open-world.

As Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania at heart, players aren't able to explore every area of Hollow Knight's beautifully illustrated world from the get-go. However, the non-linear gameplay and interconnected zones slowly unveil a grander, detailed world for players to explore.

1 Dark Souls

A World Full Of Satisfying Shortcuts And Loops

The interconnected world of the original Dark Souls is arguably what makes it so special, and what made it such a cult hit before FromSoftware's explosion of popularity. Dark Souls may be known for its high difficulty curve, but it's the game's deep world that makes it so memorable.

The world of Dark Souls is made memorable through its variety of distinct locations, loops, shortcuts, and multiple routes. Areas such as Blighttown and the Depths can be skipped almost entirely, while other players may wade through both of these areas in a single playthrough. While certain areas may not be accessible from the beginning of the game, speed-runners have shown that there are plenty of ways to take advantage of Dark Souls' interconnected open zones.

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