Open-world games were mostly fantasy-based, but eventually, the genre started adding more modern and sci-fi options that feature gunplay. Now there are tons of open-world games for fans of shooters. A good first-person example with tight shooting and an iconic world is Halo Infinite. A good third-person example is Red Dead Redemption 2 with cowboy gunplay.
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From classic turn-based battles to modern FPS titles, the quality of shooter gameplay in these RPGs is simply unmatched.
Those are great open-world shooters, but they are not RPGs. The following examples are RPGs and shooters, and they are waiting for players to get immersed in them on the double. From first-person shooters to games where combat takes place in more turn-based encounters, these games all focus on gunplay. They will be ranked based on weapon handling, shooting mechanics, and overall quality.
Palworld
Turning Monsters Into Weapons
Palworld
- Released
- January 19, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Developer(s)
- Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter, Survival
As a monster-catching game, Palworld is unlike most games of its kind out there. Players can attack monsters, called Pals, directly with various melee and ranged weapons, like hatchets and bows, but eventually they will start crafting guns as well.
It may seem weird to gun down cute critters with assault rifles, but the juxtaposition is what makes Palworld unique and unintentionally funny. Pals can also be used as weapons on the battlefield, sort of like makeshift guns. For example, Lifmunk will shoot a submachine gun while riding on the player’s head, while Foxparks can be used as a flamethrower.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
In Barret We Trust
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Released
- February 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has seven playable characters, and most of the time, players can choose to play as any of them in battle. Among the seven, Barret is the only character with a gun, or that is to say, a gun arm.
With different weapons, players can blast enemies on the ground or out of the sky with satisfying cannon and assault-based gun arms. Barret’s gun skills also pack a punch, so while playing as only one character isn’t as satisfying as playing every character with a ranged weapon, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is still a fine open-world example for gun enthusiasts.
Rise Of The Ronin
Behold, My Fire Pipe
Rise of the Ronin
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure, Open-World
Rise of the Ronin takes place around mid-1800s Japan, right around when their borders opened up to let Westerners, and in turn, their technology, in. Players can have fun slaying enemies with various bladed weapons, and at its core, the katana action is supreme.
That said, players can also equip a variety of satisfying ranged weapons to help Rise of the Ronin stand out as an open-world samurai game. For example, players can equip bayonet rifles, which can shoot as well as stab, pistols to feel like a samurai cowboy, and something called a Fire Pipe, which is a flamethrower.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Mechanized Mayhem
Xenoblade Chronicles X
- Released
- December 4, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Animated Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Monolith Soft, Nintendo SPD
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
Xenoblade Chronicles X has a class system that the main customizable character can switch between, and party members can also evolve. Players can start as a basic ranger and be able to equip various assault rifles to blast enemies. The combat is styled like an MMO, meaning that characters will auto-attack enemies and switch between cooldown abilities when prompted.
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Plus, there are mechs, called Skells, with guns, too, which can liven things up. It may not give players direct control of guns during battle, but Xenoblade Chronicles X is a great sci-fi open-world game regardless.
The Outer Worlds 2
The Power Of Science
The Outer Worlds 2
- Released
- October 29, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
The Outer Worlds 2 is fully reliant on guns, with melee weapons serving as backup weapons to primary firearms. They come in a variety of wild sci-fi concepts, from shrink rays to lightning bolts to good old-fashioned bullets.
Players can customize their character to be skilled in certain weapon types if they want to blast their way through any confrontation, but there are ways to talk through situations with the right builds, too. Either way, The Outer Worlds 2 has guns for days, and the shooting mechanics are best served in first-person, with third-person being an option too.
Starfield
Space Fallout
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
For a Bethesda game, Starfield has better shooting mechanics than any Fallout entry. Players can find a variety of gun types, like ones that use standard bullets or lasers. While the pop of kinetic rounds can be visceral and more satisfying, zapping an enemy to dust with lasers also never ceases to be entertaining.
Weapons can be modified, and like The Outer Worlds 2, players can build their character to play their way. Starfield can be played in third-person, too, but the gunplay is more accurate in first-person.
Borderlands 4
Millions Of Guns
Borderlands 4
- Released
- September 12, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
Borderlands 4 is the ultimate game for gun fanatics simply because of the weapon drop rate. The Borderlands franchise brags about its million-plus gun count, as weapons in each game are randomized. Between manufacturers, players know what to expect from one pistol brand over another.
For example, Maliwan guns typically blast elemental rounds like fire, while Tediore guns are quirky, and they will be tossed and regenerated instead of going through the normal reloading process. Not all guns feel tight because of this randomization, but through the process of elimination, players will regularly find good weapons.
Tom Clancy's The Division 2
Team Tactics
Tom Clancy's The Division 2
- Released
- March 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Massive Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
Tom Clancy's The Division 2 is a tight third-person cover shooter that emphasizes team tactics over solo runs. The game can be played alone, but enemies can more easily overpower solo players on missions, which is why finding a good team is important.
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Weapons are standard-issue guns, from pistols to assault rifles to grenade launchers. They may lack elemental powers or laser technology, but the sound design and weapon handling are impeccable, which Tom Clancy game fans should know by now.
Cyberpunk 2077
A World Of Chaos
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
Cyberpunk 2077 has one of the most fun open-world environments to explore in gaming, as it incorporates both a desert wasteland and a sprawling city. Players can get into all sorts of shenanigans within this cyberpunk world, and they may as well bring a gun along for safety.
Most guns are tactile, but there are a few outstanding examples with smart technology that guide bullets directly into an enemy’s head. Body mods can make weapon handling better, but overall, this game has some of the tightest shooting in any RPGs, and maybe the best overall.
Destiny 2
The Might Of Bungie
Destiny 2
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Destiny 2 was developed by Bungie, the team that made console shooters what they are today. They have continued to make weapons feel like a secondary extension of the body, and the cool thing about the gunplay in Destiny 2 is the accompaning powers to spice things up.
That said, no one power from any of the classes diminishes the delight in shooting up aliens with pistols, rifles, rocket launchers, shotguns, and more. The open world may be segmented into smaller zones on individual planets, and the RPG elements aren’t as grand as other games, but for shooter fans, it doesn’t get better than Destiny 2 as an overall package.
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