Summary
- Outer Wilds offers an incredible central mystery in a small, cute universe that engages players effortlessly.
- Fallout: New Vegas is a top open-world RPG, despite the annoyance of getting it to run on modern systems.
- Elden Ring, despite its notorious difficulty, offers a welcoming experience with natural exploration and rewarding gameplay.
Calling any video game a must-play can be hard to justify for many. After all, an argument can be made that no game is a must-play, since it will never cater to the interests of every player in the world. However, that attitude is taking this phrase too literally.
In the context of certain games in a genre, this moniker makes sense for anyone who loves a certain type of game. There are horror must-plays; there are platformer must-plays, and there are must-plays in the open-world genre. Open-world gaming has its fair share of passionate fans who will fall in love with these unique sandbox titles and how effortlessly engaging they are.
The 26 Best Open World PS5 Games, Ranked (2025)
The best open-world games on the PlayStation 5 push the system to its absolute limits, offering players some of the most stunning locations in gaming.
Outer Wilds
One Of The Greatest Indie Games Ever Made
Outer Wilds
- Released
- May 28, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
It's easy to label Outer Wilds as a niche game only a few people will love, but this is far from the truth. Players need only give this title a shot to see how incredible the game's central mystery is.
Players explore a small, cute universe full of information to uncover and puzzles to solve. The atmosphere ensures that this open-world puzzle game will be riveting for players once it sinks its claws into them, making it one of the most rewarding and underrated games ever made.
Fallout: New Vegas
Worth The Effort Of Getting It Running On Modern Systems
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
There's no denying that getting Fallout: New Vegas to work on modern systems can be annoying for players unfamiliar with modding, making it one of the biggest hurdles for newcomers to this game. However, players who go through this endeavor will be treated to one of the best open-world RPGs ever made.
New Vegas combines the best of new and old Fallout to make for a delectable combination that fans can't get enough of. From amazing side-adventures like Vault 11 to the many lovable companions fans will encounter during their journey, New Vegas has its fair share of memorable moments that will keep fans engaged in a lengthy and epic adventure.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware's Most Successful Game
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Any fan who thinks that FromSoftware games are too hard will sing a different tune after Elden Ring. There's a notorious difficulty spike in the game that some players hate, but the title is extremely welcoming otherwise.
9 Best Sci-Fi Open-World Games
Open-world sci-fi games can be difficult to get right due to just how vast they can be, but these games manage to nail it.
Exploration in the open world feels natural. Players find secrets in every nook and cranny, heading towards interesting visual landmarks and always finding something special. Players will organically get stronger and be able to obliterate bosses who were giving them a tough time, making it clear why this game sold so many units and became the most popular FromSoftware game by a country mile.
Minecraft
Unmatched Cultural Impact
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
The impact that Minecraft has had on gaming culture can't be stated enough. The game's amazing procedural generation and creative game mechanics are in a class of their own. No matter what players are interested in, Minecraft will engage them and then some. Unique game modes, role-play servers, and the opportunity to create something memorable will keep fans wanting more from this incredible title.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Ahead Of Its Time And Still Incredible To Play
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Released
- October 26, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
San Andreas marks a high point in GTA's 3D trilogy. It's a game that almost every player worth their salt has checked out at least once. CJ's iconic adventures take him across the many cities of San Andreas as he swears revenge on his former friends, who betrayed the Grove Street Families and almost caused his brother's death. Whether players want to experience the story or just go berserk with glitches, San Andreas is the perfect title for them.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Geralt's Epic Adventure
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
There's a reason why many people call The Witcher 3 CD Projekt Red's magnum opus. After struggling to make a mark in the video game industry, Geralt's final adventure in the realm of video games was in a class of its own and made for an unforgettable ride.
Best Open-World Games Set In High Fantasy Worlds
With plenty of magic, strange creatures, and an epic underlying story, what these open-world games have in common is a beautiful, high-fantasy world.
It's easy to see why this title single-handedly turned The Witcher into one of the most popular entertainment IPs of all time. Open-world fans are missing out on something special if they haven't played The Witcher 3 and its two lauded expansion packs, which are just as riveting as the base game, if not more.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
A Revolutionary Open-World Title
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Words aren't enough to express how groundbreaking Breath of the Wild is. This sandbox title served as a breath of fresh air in a genre plagued by mediocre corporate creations. This title's timeless visuals and unique mechanics made it one of the most immersive open-world games that players can get their hands on.
The beauty of Breath of the Wild is how it caters to players with multiple playstyles. Even if players aren't combat experts, they can still find ways to make things easier for themselves and mold Link however they see fit.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The Legacy Of This Game Speaks For Itself
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
Pretty much everyone is familiar with Skyrim and its open-world RPG gameplay at this point. Bethesda Studios blew everyone's minds with a memorable open-world adventure that boasts astounding exploration. With mods, Skyrim's dated mechanics can be tweaked and improved to make a playthrough as perfect as possible. This will let almost every open-world aficionado enjoy a memorable adventure that may never get old for players.