Open-world games are often tied to laid-back, undemanding gameplay loops, letting players switch off their brains for a while, and enjoy relaxing map-clearing sessions — almost like autopilot mode. This can pair nicely with watching TV or other leisure activities, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes, it’s exactly what you need.
7 Rules For Making The Perfect Open-World Game
Every studio approaches the open-world genre differently, but these rules may help in tailoring an overall experience that comes close to perfection.
That said, plenty of open-world games break this mold, offering ridiculous amounts of depth and complexity instead. From intricate systems and mechanics that take hours to fully master, to choices with far-reaching consequences that might backfire later, and even complex combat, robust building mechanics, or layered gear systems — these games have it all. Fans of the open-world titles below often struggle to find alternatives that hit all the same marks, making these games even more precious.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Definitive 2025 Open-World RPG for Hardcore Fans
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
Many players describe Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 as Skyrim 2.0 — a sprawling, next-generation RPG where you can truly live your life. The range of realistically simulated activities in KCD 2 is staggering, with intricate systems that rarely offer easy shortcuts. Players either dive deep into this harsh medieval world, mastering survival and character growth, or bounce off its demanding complexity.
Open-World Games With The Fastest Movement
There's absolutely no need to use vehicles or mounts to move fast in these open-world games.
Beyond Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s meticulous recreation of a past era, its story and quests are equally rich, packed with tough choices that carry long-reaching consequences, shaping major events. In every way, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 outshines its predecessor, standing as a unique RPG for the most hardcore fans.
Kenshi
Living to Its Promise of an Open-World Sandbox With Unmatched Freedom
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- nr
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
Even among unique open-world games, Kenshi still stands out, delivering an unmatched sandbox experience with no fixed narrative and minimal restrictions, where nearly anything is possible. All across the web, discussions and threads abound, searching for games similar to Kenshi, yet no single title fully matches what it offers.
8 Most Complex Open World Games, Ranked
These are some of the most complicated open-world titles to play.
In Kenshi, players feel like part of a living world that doesn’t revolve around them, thriving only through experience and learning from past mistakes. You can take on any role imaginable in this unforgiving world, and its inhabitants will react accordingly. No two playthroughs are alike, but surviving long requires mastering the game’s unspoken rules and recruiting loyal followers to fight by your side.
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
Not Just an RPG, but a Complex Medieval Simulator
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
- Released
- October 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Strategy
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord shares some ground with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, offering a detailed medieval sandbox simulation, but its complexity goes far beyond. With a deep strategic layer, Bannerlord isn’t just a narrative-driven RPG centered on one character, but a layered open-world experience where every playthrough feels unique, and the map and factions screens are equally important as exploration.
7 Open-World Games Where Your Choices Really Matter, Ranked
Open-world games have a lot to offer players in various regards. However, the best titles are those where choices matter. Here are some of them.
In Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord, players can dive into medieval politics, trading, and large-scale combat, focusing on what they enjoy most. Yet, every aspect of the game demands hours to master its intricacies and learn how to bend its rules to your advantage. The Mount & Blade franchise has few, if any, rivals, and this sequel solidifies that with its staggering depth that most other open-world games don’t even try to achieve.
Tom Clancy’s The Division 2
Robust Gear System and Tactical Possibilities Beyond Expectations
Tom Clancy's The Division 2
- Released
- March 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
Switching to The Division 2 after the colossal Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord might feel like a big shift, as this tactical shooter is far more approachable, sticking to traditional missions and map-clearing design. Still, The Division series stands out as unique, offering surprising depth in its gear system, character builds, and complex endgame interactions.
8 Best Games With In-Depth Gun Customization
Those looking for a video game that features great gun customization options have several to choose from. These, however, are some of the best.
In The Division 2, players can fine-tune their gear in countless ways, with a wide range of activities for solo players, co-op enthusiasts, and PvP veterans alike. The combat strikes a near-perfect balance, blending tactical depth with player reaction and positioning, while rewarding careful character building and gear tweaking. The result is an engaging mix of depth and pure fun.
Fallout 76
An Ever-Evolving Fallout World Perfectly Suitable for Solo Players
Fallout 76
- Released
- November 14, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Fallout 76 may focus on multiplayer, but many players enjoy it as a solo open-world experience, skipping the social elements entirely, and it’s more than suited for that. Built on Fallout 4’s foundation and enriched by years of live-service updates (over 20 major updates to date), Fallout 76 offers a thriving world brimming with activities and surprising depth in every aspect.
8 Best Open-World Games That Offer Freedom In Playstyle
These great open-world video games offer players peerless freedom in playstyle, allowing a variety of ways to carve a path through their unique world.
Its crafting and building mechanics are more refined and accessible than Fallout 4’s, yet even more flexible, letting players shape the wasteland to their liking, supporting player creations in nearly any corner of the map. While a heavily modded Fallout 4 on PC might outshine it in depth for those who know exactly what they want, Fallout 76 stands as a stellar vanilla experience that solo open-world fans often overlook for no reason.
Monster Hunter Wilds
No Compromises in Combat Depths and World Complexity
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Monster Hunter games live or die by their combat systems, arguably hitting their peak with Monster Hunter Wilds. Building on everything great from Monster Hunter World, it finally sets hunts in a seamless open-world environment with shifting seasons, dynamic monster behaviors, and rich interactions, making it one of 2025’s top sellers. It’s a rare series that refuses to water down its depth and complexity just to cater to casual players or newcomers.
While Monster Hunter Wilds hasn’t met every fan expectation, leading to mixed reception so far, there’s no denying its lack of true competition. It’s built for hundreds of hours of play, as hunters uncover new facets and nuances in the world’s ecosystems. With Capcom’s strong track record for post-launch support, Monster Hunter Wilds will only improve over time, solidifying its place as one of the best entries in the acclaimed series, primarily known for its depth.
8 Open-World Games With 90+ Scores On Open-Critic
These critically acclaimed open-world games all boast 90+ review scores on OpenCritic, effectively guaranteeing their quality and value.