Summary
- Open-world games are captivating, making it hard for players to tear themselves away.
- Games like Far Cry 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 offer immersive experiences and engaging stories.
- Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 provide incredible action and storytelling for players to enjoy.
Open-world gaming can be tough for people to tear their eyes away from, at times. The combination of an engaging sandbox, captivating stories, memorable characters, and entertaining side content ensures that players can invest a significant amount of time in these high-quality open-world games.
Getting back to normal life can be hard, since these games grab hold of players and never let go. Completing just one more mission or open-world activity can make for such an alluring prospect that players might even see the sun rise if they started playing at night!
10 Best Open-World Games With Very Little Backtracking, Ranked
The time-consuming nature of open-world games means that backtracking rarely holds much appeal. Thankfully, these games got the memo.
Far Cry 5
Clear Outposts And Take Out The Seed Family One by One
Far Cry 5
- Released
- March 27, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
Far Cry 5 made some much-needed improvements to the series' formula, as minor as they might have been. Players loved the effortless exploration and improved action, ensuring that both combat and stealth would feel great.
Taking down cultists in droves and killing off the Seed family members one at a time is a hypnotic experience. At a certain point, players will become so invested in the action that trying to quit the game will become a Herculean effort.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Even With The Failure Of Red Dead Online, This Game Is Still Fun
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the greatest video games ever made. After a slow first chapter, the game opens up and lets players interact with one of the most vibrant and lived-in open worlds of all time.
Arthur Morgan is a great character, and players will love seeing him develop and reach great heights, as players are invested in the story of an outlaw group that is being left behind in a technologically advanced age. It makes for a great time and ensures that players will have a blast as they clock in a ton of hours in both this title and the online component, which is fun despite Rockstar's perceived lack of support.
Minecraft
Let The Creative Juices Flow
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Minecraft took the world by storm, letting players enjoy one of the greatest indie experiences they can get their hands on. The game amassed such major popularity that Microsoft paid the big bucks to take this title out of Notch's hands.
10 Best Open-World Sequel Games, Ranked
These open-world games have refined and built upon their predecessors, cementing themselves as remarkable sequels that everyone should play.
The game constantly receives updates and boasts a massive multiplayer community, making it easy enjoy thousands of hours in this title. The creativity that players can display in this title is unmatched. Anyone can boot up Minecraft and have a blast with what this title has to offer.
Cyberpunk 2077
Incredible Action And Storytelling
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
Cyberpunk 2077 faced a tough launch where everyone turned on it, only for CD Projekt Red to update and patch this game so many times that its reputation has taken a complete U-turn. As things stand, V's adventures in Night City make for an absorbing affair that fans will find it hard to tear themselves away from.
The quality of this game is palpable for everyone to see as they spend hours exploring Night City and getting lost in its neon magic. The writing in this game is incredible, the combat is off the charts, and the vibes are immaculate, making for a highly enjoyable open-world game that will occupy players for hours on end.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Exploring This Nordic World Is A Blast
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
There's a reason why some gamers called in sick to work just so they could spend the entire day playing Skyrim. The game is simply in a class of its own in terms of its exploration. Players can find something interesting to sink their teeth into time and time again.
The beauty of this game still shines, especially with mods ensuring that the game feels as modern and engaging as ever. In fact, some people may argue that the act of modding itself is also highly addictive, as players figure out the best way to optimize this game for them.
Grand Theft Auto 5
With GTA Online, This Game Is Impossible To Put Down
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Grand Theft Auto 5 was a technical marvel so ahead of its time that it required a whole new console generation to push this game to its limit. The stories of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor intertwine to make one highly addictive cocktail that fans will want to imbibe time and time again.
8 Best Open-World Games On Steam Without DRM, Ranked
For those searching for DRM-free open-world games, these titles deliver incredible experiences without the need for an online connection.
Getting drunk on this game's chaos and amazing missions as players enjoy a cinematic adventure for the ages never gets old. The single-player mode is a massive time sink as is, but GTA Online will also grab a player's attention with the sheer amount of content this multiplayer experience has to offer.
Fallout: New Vegas
Mold The Courier In The Player's Image
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Fallout: New Vegas is a legendary open-world RPG that is Obsidian Entertainment's magnum opus. It's the perfect combination of modern and classic Fallout that fans will find unputdownable.
From the moment the Courier is shot in the head by Benny, players can embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they head to Night City and play a huge role in the events that shape the Mojave. The factions, quests, and role-playing opportunities are just a few of the many reasons why New Vegas is a must-play experience for fans of quality open-world games.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Geralt's Adventures Are Absolutely Riveting
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Ever since The Witcher 3 was revealed, fans were floored by the quality of the content on offer here. Everything, from the main story to what seemed like the most banal of sidequests, featured incredible writing that made everything memorable.
Geralt could transform from a run-of-the-mill witcher into a whirlwind of death as players gained levels and explored numerous regions of the Continent. With the next-gen patch, The Witcher 3 remains one of the finest and most addictive open-world games players can get their hands on.
8 Most Frustrating Open-World Games, Ranked
While these open-world games might have their fair share of frustrating elements, pushing past them can still deliver some great experiences.