Open-world games are all the rage in modern times, and major developers make it a point to make their games as beautiful as they can be. This is why some AAA games blow players' minds with how beautiful these games can be.
However, at the end of the play, people want to enjoy gameplay that actually challenges them, and these open-world games provide them in spades. Exploring these open worlds seems appealing... Until a monster, creature, or any other enemy hunts players down and makes them pay.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A Gorgeous World Full Of Vicious Monsters And Despicable Humans
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Engine
- REDengine 3
- Cross-Platform Play
- yes
- Cross Save
- yes
- Expansions
- The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine
- Franchise
- The Witcher
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- verified
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- How Long To Beat
- 52 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- yes
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
There's no denying that CD Projekt Red knocked it out of the park with The Witcher 3's visuals. They set a new standard for the visuals fans can expect from a AAA RPG, but the developer didn't forget just how ruthless and dark Sapkowski's world is.
Geralt can get lost in the sights as much as he wants, but the sight of a Water Hag or a group of ghouls will sober players up in no time. This is especially true in the early game, where Geralt is so fragile that even a pack of wolves can obliterate him in no time.
Red Dead Redemption 2
The Sights Are Incredible To Behold... Until Arthur Is Mauled By A Predator Or Ambushed By Enemies
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Rockstar's magnum opus is one of the most beautiful open-world games ever made. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic and the only Rockstar game (aside from GTA Online, of course) where players can comfortably spend a hundred hours just taking in the game's sights and completing the game's many challenges.
8 Best Open-World Games Featuring Supernatural Abilities, Ranked
For those seeking great open-world games featuring supernatural abilities, these video games have got you covered.
The open world is just as savage as it's beautiful, with players being ambushed by cougars and bears in no time, who can one-shot them if they aren't careful. The various ambushes set up by the O'Driscolls and other bandits are also things players need to be wary of, forcing them to exit Cinematic Mode and whip out Arthur's rifle before they're gunned down in no time.
Elden Ring
The Open World Design Is Immaculate And Organically Leads Players To Be Killed In Many Creative Players
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Elden Ring's The Lands Between is easily one of the most beautiful locations FromSoftware has ever made. The Erdtree is stunning to look at as players carefully explore every nook and cranny of this incredible world.
However, this exploration is far from simple, especially given FromSoftware's reputation for crafting action RPGs that are devilishly hard yet fair at the same time. Players who get lost in the sights might get jumped by a group of enemies who can obliterate them with ease, causing them to lose all their hard-earned Runes simply because they got too distracted or overzealous for their own good.
Horizon Forbidden West
A Beautiful Post-Apocalyptic Landscape Ruled By Vicious Robo-Creatures
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Zero Dawn let players explore one of the most beautiful open-world games of all time, and all of its elements were improved in Forbidden West. Aloy's adventures were beautiful as always, but players must always be wary of the robotic beasts in this game.
Snapmaws, Stormbirds, and Thunderjaws are just a few of the many scary beasts in the open world that are a nightmare to fight with. It doesn't help that Aloy has the durability of a blade of grass and will go down in a few hits, making it clear that players must avoid damage at all costs while dealing with these massive foes.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
The Cel-Shaded World Is Relaxing To Explore Until Players Happen Upon A Lynel Or Gleeok
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
Tears of the Kingdom serves as a natural evolution of Breath of the Wild's world, with the cel-shaded landscape being as beautiful and relaxing as ever. However, that doesn't mean players can just breezily explore the world.
The Most Beautiful RPG Worlds Ever Made
These RPG worlds are on another level when it comes to aesthetics, with breathtakingly beautiful vistas setting apart from the rest.
Even a Moblin can wreck Link's health in no time, so one can only imagine how horrifying it is to come face-to-face with a Gleeok or Lynel. These foes are not to be scoffed at and will punish easygoing players in no time if they get lost in this open world's incredible beauty.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Warhorse Studios Enhanced The Visuals Of This Sequel And Polished The Tough Combat System
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Released
- February 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a great sequel that lets players enjoy yet another romp in this gorgeous medieval world. It's a AA game in all but name, with fans loving how beautiful this world looks once it gets the chance to breathe.
However, this game is also notorious for featuring a combat system that is devilishly hard, especially at first when Henry's injuries prevent him from fighting at his fullest strength. Even the most basic bandits will tear him apart in no time, making exploration both beautiful and dangerous in equal measure.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Exploring This Gorgeous World At First Is Very Tough, But Eventually Becomes Manageable
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
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
Xenoblade Chronicles X is a JRPG that fans love for its amazing scope. The world is as beautiful and expansive as one would expect, making it clear why the people at Monolith Soft helped Nintendo craft the world for Breath of the Wild.
It's also a perilous world to explore at lower levels, with high-level enemies mopping the floor with players in no time. Eventually, they'll become strong enough to punish these foes for impeding them so many times, making for a satisfying sense of progression in this challenging yet rewarding open-world JRPG.
7 Best Open-World Games With The Hardest Opening, Ranked
Not all open-world games provide easy beginnings. Here are some of the best examples that feature incredibly hard openings.