Best PvP Open-World Games, Ranked

An open-world PvP is a video game that centers around player-versus-player gameplay on a massive, non-restricted map. Battle Royale titles such as Fortnite and PUBG fall into this category, as they allow for an immersive combat experience in rather large battle zones. But these go-to options aside, what are some of the best PvP games with open worlds?

This list presents twelve of the most iconic and enjoyable open-world PvP options, known for their top-notch graphics, engaging gameplay, and vibrant communities. It's worth noting that AAA games like GTA V Online and Red Dead Redemption 2 Online, which feature minor PvP mechanics, are excluded from this list. The focus here is on introducing games that revolve primarily around PvP and non-linear maps.

Updated on April 2, 2024, by Mohsen Baqery: PvP games continue to rise in popularity, and open-world maps are no longer exclusive to AAA titles in the video game industry. In light of this trend, we have expanded this list to incorporate even more options for fans of player-versus-player experiences in vast open-world arenas. In addition to the innovative titles already mentioned, the list now expands to include two classic options: PlanetSide 2 and Guild Wars 2. Recent developments within the gaming industry have sparked renewed interest in these venerable franchises. Following NCSoft’s casual confirmation of Guild Wars 3 being in development, anticipation has surged among players, prompting many to revisit the beloved world of Guild Wars 2 while eagerly awaiting the release of its successor. Similarly, the recent sale of PlanetSide’s intellectual property to an undisclosed company has ignited speculation about a potential reboot and refilled the servers with veteran fans.

12 PlanetSide 2

An Immortal Classic FPS

PlanetSide 2 was released in 2012 for PlayStation 4 and Windows PC. Ever since its release, the game has maintained active servers, with thousands of players joining its multiplayer modes every day. It’s a classic.

What sets this PvP game apart is its open-world matchmaking system. Upon joining a server, players are thrust into a battleground teeming with hundreds, and sometimes even thousands, of other players.

The benefit of this setup is the absence of lengthy queue times. However, the drawback is that players may find themselves pitted against opponents of varying ranks, resulting in combat scenarios reminiscent of real-life warfare—where fairness isn't always guaranteed.

In an unexpected turn of events, the game’s developer, Daybreak Games, has sold the intellectual property rights to a relatively unknown company called Bay Tree Tower Limited. This move has sparked speculation about the possibility of the game receiving either a new sequel or a remake of its current version. Nevertheless, the acquisition has ignited hope among fans of the franchise, who eagerly anticipate what the future of PlanetSide holds.

11 Guild Wars 2

A True MMO Experience

What makes an open-world PvP game great? Is it the vast maps, the extensive player count, or the innovative game modes? Guild Wars 2 encompasses all these features and more. In this MMO, players can collaborate with hundreds of others to engage in intense battles in “World vs. World” modes. Even better, recent statistics indicate that GW2's servers rank as the 13th most active MMO servers in terms of concurrent players, ensuring that players can always find populated worlds to join even a decade after its launch.

The PvP combat experience in Guild Wars 2 is both intense and captivating, incorporating fundamental aspects of ARPGs, such as hero skills and items, into the gameplay. However, the mechanics never become overly complicated, ensuring that the game remains accessible for players of all experience levels.

10 Rust

A Survivor's Adventure

Rust is an open-world survival game. People can use the resources that they find on the island to fight enemies in thrilling PvP combat. Rust has received numerous updates since its launch in 2018 to help its players stay engrossed in battles. New maps are added regularly to the survival game, along with new musical instruments, trains, and drones.

Gamers can ride horses, mount cars, and take trips on a hot air balloon to track their enemies in Rust. Start the game with a rock to pound opponents for quick kills. Rust allows its players to build shelters and gather materials to survive the treacherous island.

9 The Elder Scrolls Online

Endless Evergreen Entertainment

The Elder Scrolls Online is a PvP adventure game with over 22 million players online. Players can enjoy hundreds of hours in The Elder Scrolls Online to build their character in the RPG. The various classes of characters in the game let people customize their gameplay with skills and tactics that can overwhelm their opponents online.

Choose the Arcanist to heal allies and absorb damage from incoming attacks. Become a Necromancer to create impenetrable barriers and resurrect the dead. Find fresh enemies to fight across the land of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls Online to master the open-world game.

8 Hunt: Showdown

Unleash The Hunter Within

Cleanse the Louisiana Bayou of nightmarish monsters in Hunt: Showdown. Gamers can shoot their opponents with a wide range of weapons in the Hunt: Showdown to collect bounties in marvelous PvP battles. Protect the gear gathered from dozens of kills in the Hunt: Showdown to earn more experience and gold.

Each round of Hunt: Showdown can have up to 12 players online scouting for kills. The PvP game has special Dark Sight equipment to find clues scattered on the map to help people track their enemies. Level up hunters from the matches played online to unlock new weapons in Hunt: Showdown.

7 Forza Horizon 5

Hot Tracks Across Mexico

Forza Horizon 5 lets thousands of racers compete on hot tracks across Mexico. The racing car game has a grueling open-world setting, providing wide arenas to race for exciting rewards. The Horizon Festival is held throughout the year to help players earn tons of points from their adventures in Forza Horizon 5.

From strenuous deserts to lush green jungles, Forza Horizon 5 has an array of locations that can increase the heartbeat of its players. It has several new cars being added to the game, making races incredibly fierce.

6 Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands

The Top Tactical TPS

Ghost Recon: Wildlands is a military PvP shooter game that was released in 2017. Developed by Ubisoft, the FPS game lets up to 4 people team up to destroy soldiers in a dangerous open-world environment. Fight drug cartels and disarm operations with a team to free Bolivia of violence.

The Wildlands have a variety of missions that feature large maps. People can use more than 60 vehicles to travel across the maps in Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands to shred their enemies in battles.

5 Squad

Fight Alongside Hundreds Of Soldiers

Communication is the most important aspect of Squad. The PvP game lets up to 100 players battle each other to secure the map. People can choose from 10 distinct factions that include the Australian Defence Force, British Army, Canadian Army, and the United States Army.

It has over 20 massive maps, such as, Harju, Skorpo, Narva, Sumari Bala, Lashkar Valley, and Anvil. Squad allows players to take control of military vehicles like the M-ATV, LAV-25, M1A1, and Mi-8 to obliterate enemies on the map.

4 Battlefield 5

Multi-Layered Multiplayer Chaos

Battlefield 5 is an FPS game that takes place during World War II. The multiplayer mode in Battlefield 5 has over 500 ranks to earn. People can take on assignments in Battlefield 5 to get higher up in the ranks. Completing a number of assignments can fetch people Ribbons and Medals for their achievements.

There are 4 amazing classes in Battlefield 5 that provide specialized skills. Classes like the Medic and Support can help players recuperate their injuries after battles and stock up on ammunition during battles. Conquest and Team Deathmatch are game modes that are played extensively in Battlefield 5.

3 Age Of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition

Historical Combat 101

Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition is a celebrated PvP game. It was relaunched in 2021 with updated textures to make the strategy game more exciting to play. People can strike their enemies using military units from civilizations like the Ottomans, Holy Roman Empire, Delhi Sultanate, Mongols, and Abbasid Dynasty.

Wage war using siege weapons and infantry to claim unexplored regions of the map in Age of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition. Each of the civilizations gives access to unique technologies that can provide various advantages in combat. Progress through different ages in the civilizations to unlock technologies and units to defeat enemies online.