When it comes to some open-world RPG fans, they want complete and total freedom with their world and characters. They want to be able to create their characters in fine detail, from their faces to their backgrounds, and to choose their stats and classes. Making a character that players can call their own is important, which is why the ultimate RPG will always be a great session of Dungeons & Dragons.
For those who don’t want to play tabletop RPGs to feel like they have command of everything, then these open-world RPGs will suffice. Some have more freedoms than others, but overall, they are among the best games available. The nice thing is that many are available on a lot of consoles too.
Cyberpunk 2077
Your Cybernetic Fantasy
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an excellent starting point for any RPG fan looking to explore more sci-fi games. Players have freedom to create their character visually, and then after that, they can earn money to mod their body with cybernetic enhancements, from better vision to hacking skills. By modifying the body in a specific way, players can approach missions in a more open-ended manner. Beyond the city, there’s also a wasteland to explore, so there’s quite a bit to do in this cyberpunk fantasy.
Elden Ring
Classes Without Class
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Like most FromSoftware games that are roguelikes, players can customize the looks of their character in Elden Ring. They can also choose a class, but unlike other RPGs, like Diablo 4, players will not be stuck in that class. Instead, a class gives players a starting set of gear along with stats that conform to that build. A player could start as someone focused on melee attacks, but then decide to level up as a more mage-like character. The open world itself is expansive with few hindrances.
Fallout 4
Become The Wanderer
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Fallout 4 has many customization options because it allows players to mod the husband and wife duo before choosing one to play as. The name can even be important, as their robotic butler, Codsworth, can repeat it back, which is a novelty in an RPG. Beyond a small intro, the wasteland of the Boston area is massive, with no borders to speak of. Leveling up will gain players perks, and that’s where the fun begins, along with the ability to customize weird weapons or their very own set of Power Armor.
Starfield
Space Fallout
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield is essentially Fallout in space since it was designed by the same team at Bethesda. Instead of a post-apocalypse, players are chosen to explore the galaxy and its many mysteries.
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If you want fewer goals, these open-world games aren’t that pushy with a main quest, instead letting you leisurely explore at your own pace.
They can customize their character and choose a wide array of stats and perks to dump points into upon leveling up. Beyond weapons, there is also an ability to customize ships. It may be more segmented as an open-world game since planets are smaller, but there are few RPGs like it.
Avowed
Great If You Like Magic
Avowed
- Released
- February 18, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Avowed is another RPG that has a more segmented world that is blocked off before players can move on to the next story beat. That said, each location is fairly large and distinct, like the first area has a big city, high cliffs, open oceans, caves, and a forest. The character customization options are great too, and they even include some god-like personality quirks. Of all the builds players can make, a mage would be the most fun as magic is a lot of fun to use, but so are the melee and ranged weapons.
Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning
Kung Fu Hustle
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
- Released
- February 7, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, perhaps, has the best combat system in any open-world action RPG, and that’s saying something since it is over a decade old. Players can make their character and choose a few perks from the skill trees before starting, but they are not locked into any class limits. Players can just as easily be gifted with big swords as they are with magic that can shatter the earth. It can be likened to Devil May Cry, because of the action, World of Warcraft, because of the character designs, and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, because of the big world. It's a heck of a cocktail to make a memorable RPG.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Look Geralt, No Hair!
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt does not feature a character creator because Geralt will always be Geralt. They can shift his dialogue choices to make him more menacing or forgiving, change up his clothes, shave his hair, and so on. These may be small choices for a character build, but there are many paths to take when it comes to learning various enchantments with magic and potions. Also, the game is absolutely enormous, and with its branching storyline, players will forget all about Geralt’s lack of deep customizable features.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Pawns To Checkmate
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
- Released
- April 23, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is an expanded version of the original game that includes DLC. It’s another example of a game that allows players to customize two characters. They can customize their main character along with their Pawn, an AI-controlled party member.
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Though these open-world games are good, the lack of traversal options makes them somewhat hard to navigate.
Players can dive into a pool of other player-created Pawns to fill up their party too, which was an interesting multiplayer feature. The world of Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is grimmer than most, with enemies being more vicious, but in turn, it makes for a more viscerally satisfying action RPG.
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Bethesda’s Crown Jewel
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Released
- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox (Original)
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim may be the most important and popular entry in The Elder Scrolls series, but The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind is the fan favorite for those who appreciate deeper RPG mechanics more. Players can create their character and then choose a class template, similar to Elden Ring, as players are not locked into a particular role at the start. A Barbarian could become a Thief if players worked at it. For the literal role-playing aspect, the Guild quests within Morrowind have some of the best storylines in the series, if players want to fully immerse themselves in this world.
Outward
A Smaller Classic
Outward
- Released
- March 26, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Outward is proof that graphics don’t always matter if there are great mechanics buried within. Today’s version is definitely a grander adventure than the 2019 original model, but the one thing that players dug from it right away was the freedom. Having to walk around everywhere to see the sights added to the immersion. In terms of being dropped into a foreign land with vague tutorials, Outward is the closest thing RPG fans will have to an action-adventure experience like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It’s a grind and a half to level up and get the best loot to make a difference in battle, but patient players will find an experience like no other within Outward.
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