The open-world genre has seen a lot of advancement in the past few years. New technologies and developer tools like the Unreal Engine 5 have made developing an open-world game more accessible than ever before. Despite these advances, however, there are a handful of open-world titles that have remained virtually untouchable over time, proving time and again that surpassing them isn't a simple matter.
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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.
All open-world games that come after them use them as a benchmark for excellence, taking note of how life was breathed into those open worlds, and trying to recapture the same magic once more.
Red Dead Redemption 2
A Masterclass in Crafting Life Into an Open World
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Rockstar has a long track record of making era-defining games over the years, and perhaps the best example of this is Red Dead Redemption 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved RDR that exceeded even the most optimistic predictions about the game. The game offers an unparalleled level of detail and realism, with a living, breathing world that reacts to player choices in a way that somehow doesn't feel scripted.
Immersion is Red Dead Redemption 2's core focus. The characters feel real, not simply because they have great dialogue or react to the player organically, but because of their mannerisms. From the smallest rodent caught underfoot to random NPCs on the street, everything moves naturally. The attention to detail for these minute mannerisms makes the game world feel alive in a way that few other games have managed to achieve.
Cyberpunk 2077
The Benchmark for Sci-Fi World-Building in Games
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
The world-building of Night City is Cyberpunk 2077's crowning achievement, and something that elevates it from a good game to a great one. The sci-fi setting is quite uncommon in the open-world genre, which means that for players looking for something to scratch this particular itch, nothing else comes close.
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Struggling to deal with the real world? These open-world games have you covered, offering expansive worlds and lengthy play times as a distraction.
It is a visually stunning game dripping with character, filled with believable NPCs that feel like they're alive and not merely existing for the benefit of the player. Gameplay has depth and variety, allowing players to pick and choose different playstyles depending on their preference. Combined, these elements not only make Cyberpunk 2077 the complete package, but the gold standard in the open-world sci-fi genre.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Gold Standard for Storytelling in Open Worlds
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Based on the books by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt tells the story of Geralt of Rivia, the White Wolf, as he roams the land as a monster-slayer-for-hire, going from town to town, taking up contracts to kill monsters. The open world is a dense, lovingly hand-crafted map filled with secrets, treasures, and surprises. Combat is addictive and action-packed, with deep customization, build variety, and tons of weapon choices for Geralt.
Surprisingly, the most interesting thing about The Witcher 3's story isn't the griffins that fly overhead, the vampires that hunt the living, or even the magic system, but the ugliness of human nature presented in all its grotesque glory. Geralt's adventure is grim, gritty, and oftentimes tragic, and it's all the more compelling for it. In terms of narrative storytelling that players will remember years after they've put down the game for good, The Witcher 3 has few equals.
Grand Theft Auto 5
A Decade-Defining Open World That Refuses to Fade
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Released back in 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 is still considered among the most impressive open-world games ever made. The sprawling, satirical recreation of Los Angeles feels authentic, as if made to scale. Characters walk and talk like real people, and not just the ones that the player controls or heavily interacts with, but even random NPCs on the street feel like they're going about their lives in the big city.
As if that wasn't enough, the introduction of GTA Online added an unprecedented layer of realism to Los Santos. Now, multiple real players can inhabit the same city, take up jobs as cab drivers or burger flippers, join bank heists, or patrol the streets as police officers. The cultural impact and longevity of GTA 5 is not something that has been seen before, even among previous games in the franchise.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The Most Influential Fantasy Realm Ever Crafted
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
There are few open-world games more influential than Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, considered by many to be the most successful game in the entire Elder Scrolls franchise. What makes Skyrim hard to live up to, however, isn't just the game itself, but the highly active modding community that has dedicated itself to it.
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There's a reason that open-world games are so popular, and while there are countless choices available, these genre entries are must-play experiences.
While the base Skyrim game is certainly impressive for a 2011 title, it would have been long forgotten by now by a vast majority of gamers if not for the hundreds of thousands of Skyrim mods that allow players to keep reinventing the single-player experience in endlessly diverse ways.
Elden Ring
The Open World That Redefined Challenge and Discovery
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Elden Ring is FromSoftware's very first fully open-world Soulsborne game, and despite being released in 2022, the game essentially has no competitors in the space that even come close to it. The combination of the slow-paced and punishing combat from Dark Souls and an absolutely massive world filled with secrets is something that hasn't been replicated with any sort of success following Elden Ring, and that might very well remain true for years to come.
Many were skeptical about Elden Ring's concept prior to its release, as open-world and Soulslike seemed like contradictory genres to pair up in a single game, but FromSoftware proved that it could be done, and done well. Cryptic, confusing, and oftentimes frustrating, Elden Ring set a new gold standard for open-world exploration and combat with its release, and future titles have a tall bar to clear in order to surpass it.
Outer Wilds
A Universe of Secrets Waiting to Be Discovered
Outer Wilds
- Released
- May 28, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Outer Wilds is an indie game that redefines what the term "open-world" means. Players explore a compact solar system in a spaceship, discovering secrets, solving puzzles, and uncovering mysteries along the way. The game rewards curiosity and critical thinking above all else, and doesn't hold the player's hand, especially when solving puzzles.
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These open-world games offer near-infinite playtime with content that goes beyond the main quests.
It's hard to describe Outer Wilds without ruining the experience for someone who hasn't played it, but suffice it to say that it makes clever use of time loops to deliver a narrative with immense emotional impact. There is nothing else quite like it in the gaming industry, and that is not a statement players hear every day.
Subnautica
An Underwater World Filled With Wonder and Terror
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Open-world games live and die by the quality of their exploration, and few game worlds come close to the majesty and wonder of Subnautica's underwater expanse. Exploring the ocean for the first time feels like discovering a whole new world, and the sense of wonder and awe only grows as players dive deeper in.
There are no NPCs in Subnautica; it's just the player, the ocean, and the creatures that call the sea home. The solitary experience is sobering and cathartic in equal measure, and since the survival mechanics force players to slow down and take in the game world one section at a time, exploration is mandatory. Few open-world games tackle underwater exploration, meaning Subnautica stands mostly alone in its sub-genre. The only title that manages to come closest to it is Breathedge, often called "Subnautica in Space" by fans, but even that doesn't top the original.