Realism is not and should not be the focus of every game. Ultimately, the goal of 99% of titles is to present a welcome escape from reality, allowing us to explore magical realms, accomplish unimaginable feats, and slay Ganon. However, some projects go in the exact opposite direction, emphasizing realism above everything else. Open-world games are better equipped than most to go down this direction, and nearly all the best entries in the genre are immersive.
Now, realism can take many forms, and numerous sandbox releases pair gorgeous visuals with over-the-top gameplay that makes sense within the context of their world. Those games are not the focus of this article, as we will be looking at open-world games that emphasize realism in nearly every aspect. In the name of diversity, we will try to highlight different subgenres.
Honorable Mentions
The following games either take place in fantasy worlds or have elements that are a bit too fantastical. However, they are internally consistent and immersive.
- The Elder Scrolls series (especially Morrowind and Oblivion)
- Gothic
- Yakuza series
- The Witcher 3
- Death Stranding
- Kenshi
- Assassin's Creed series
- Ghost of Tsushima & Yotei
- STALKER series
- No Man's Sky
- Forza Horizon series
6 Shenmue 1 & 2
The Dreamcast Games Known For Their Realism
Shenmue
- Released
- December 29, 1999
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Sega
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, Sega Dreamcast, Xbox One
You cannot talk about realistic open-world games without mentioning Shenmue and its sequel, which were arguably the first projects to really strive to create this sort of journey. The game moves at a glacial pace, particularly compared to other releases from its era. You are incentivized and encouraged to immerse yourself entirely in Yokosuka and Hong Kong, embracing the culture and getting a job.
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By modern standards, Shenmue's world is tiny and fairly unspectacular; by historical standards, Shenmue's world was a ground-breaking achievement that demonstrated a level of detail that was highly impressive for the late 90s. If you never grew up with these games, they might struggle to keep your attention, but I would still recommend checking them out. The first two releases have a timeless charm, and they are available as HD remasters.
5 Microsoft Flight Simulator (& Other Sims Like Euro Truck Simulator 2)
Plan A Flight Around The World
Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Released
- August 18, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Asobo Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Flight Simulator
Honestly, these simulator games are arguably the most realistic open-world games on the market, but they focus on actualizing a specific type of life rather than a diverse range. While not a conventional entry in the genre, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020's Free Flight mode lets you travel around Earth, planning your own trips and going to places that you might never be able to visit in real life. Naturally, you cannot walk around and explore any of these areas, but you still have the world at your fingertips.
Although you can tweak their depth, the controls are designed to be as realistic as possible, and beginners will likely struggle in the early hours. However, once you become familiar with MFS's mechanics and grow comfortably, you will experience a sense of freedom that arguably no other open-world game provides.
Games like Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator, and Snowrunner are also cut from the same cloth, albeit with a focus on land-based driving.
4 Mafia Series
These Games Barely Count As Open-World, But They Are Historical Crime Epics
Mafia
- Released
- August 28, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Illusion Softworks
- Genre(s)
- Crime, Open-World, Action
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox (Original)
Mafia is a strange case. The numbered entries have gorgeous and authentic open-worlds that offer very little in the way of interactivity. Each game drops you into a city that immaculately brings to life a different era and area of American history:
- Mafia: Lost Heaven, inspired by 1930s Chicago
- Mafia 2: Empire Bay, inspired by 1940s New York
- Mafia 3: New Bordeaux, inspired by 1960s New Orleans
With great visuals paired with immersive sound design and grounded characterization, Mafia does an admirable job of telling stories that complement and emphasize each game's respective time period, all the while touching upon modern themes that still resonate. However, you cannot really do anything in any of these worlds besides drive from one story beat to the next; consequently, they somewhat come across as set dressing at times, despite being incredibly realistic.
3 Cyberpunk 2077
An Open-World That Depicts A Potentially Realistic Future
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
For the most part, we avoided fantasy and sci-fi games, just because "realistic" is not usually the best way to describe them. That said, Cyberpunk 2077 arguably presents one of the most plausible depictions of a future society completely owned by corporations, with greed, technology, and depression running rampant. It is not a world we want to live in, but it is one that our successors might have to come to terms with.
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Even if we were to ignore the story's themes and focus solely on the world itself, Cyberpunk 2077's Night City is not far removed from some cities that exist in real life. While unnamed NPCs are kind of just there, that does kind of match the feeling of being surrounded by millions of faceless strangers in a metropolis. You can just ignore the story and drive around the streets, immersing yourself in the oppressive sounds of a society crumbling under its vices and ambition.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar's Open-World Masterpiece
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Putting aside the occasional outlandish moment, Rockstar's games are consistently realistic, particularly open-world projects. Bully, GTA 4, and L.A. Noire are all grounded, and the developer's crowning achievement is Red Dead Redemption 2. The American West tends to be romanticized by modern media, but RDR2 does not go down this route, instead presenting an exhaustive depiction of a brutal time period when hopelessness superseded freedom for most people.
Yes, the story has plenty of "Hollywood" shootouts, but the vast majority of the campaign emphasizes the little moments that make up everyday survival. You are not just cycling through Arthur Morgan's highlights and greatest hits, but rather embodying him in his entirety. The gameplay is particularly obsessed with simulating minor details that most games ignore in fear of instilling boredom in players.
1 Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Both Games)
The Most Realistic Open-World Games
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
- Released
- February 13, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
After the success of the second entry, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is probably the first name most people think of when they hear "immersive medieval games," and Warhorse Studios fully earned that reputation. While the sequel is superior in nearly every way, its predecessor is just as realistic, with players getting to enjoy a harsh existence as a peasant whose life means less than nothing.
As Henry, you embark on a quest to get revenge for your massacred family and village, and your journey is challenging, painful, and unforgiving. You need to actively train and improve your skills, and nothing comes easily. You will travel to towns slowly and meet NPCs who are trying to survive their own bitter lives. You will struggle to survive fights in the early hours, as Henry is simply a blacksmith trying to play soldier at first. Finally, you will get better, as long as you put in the hours.
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