Within the world of gaming, there are so many different genres to choose from, each offering a unique experience that simply can't be found elsewhere. Open-world games are easily one of the most popular, and it is easy to see why, as not only do players have access to a gigantic environment to explore and conquer, but they also get to experience an epic narrative over the course of a dozen, if not hundreds of hours.
There are literally 1000s of games to choose from, coming from countless iconic developers, but among them all stand a select few that are widely considered to be the best in one of the most stacked gaming categories. It doesn't matter who the player is or what kind of game they are looking for; it is pretty hard to argue that these titles are anything other than loved and adored by the entire community.
Elden Ring
Setting A New Standard To Clear
Details:
- Gigantic sprawling world
- Insane enemy and environmental variety
Elden Ringredefined how many people saw the open-world genre, as the world wasn't just a large environment full of random points of interest, but an interconnected web of hidden structures and breathtaking landscapes that each brought with them new challenges and secrets for players to discover.
Part of what makes the game so great is the actual gameplay, as FromSoftware managed to not only translate their signature soulslike combat to a much larger playing field, but they also went above and beyond in terms of the number of builds possible in a single game. Even though it is only a few years old, it has already cemented itself in the hall of fame and will continue to amaze players for decades to come.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Storytelling At Its Finest
Details:
- Meaningful side quests
- Consequences ripple across regions
The Witcher 3 elevated the concept of an open-world narrative by treating side content with the same care as its main story. The Continent feels alive, shaped by political tension, moral ambiguity, and richly written characters that all feel equally important in the wider context of the world.
On the exploration side of things, players are driven by curiosity rather than necessity, and each region offers a huge amount of meaningful content instead of just random filler that bloats up the world. Its universal appeal lies in how well it balances a compelling narrative with an immersive world, perfectly showing that writing alone can be enough for a game to be considered a classic.
Red Dead Redemption 2
A True Work Of Art
Details:
- A dynamic world filled with content
- Deeply emotional narrative
Red Dead Redemption 2 is revered by many players for its obsessive attention to detail and emotional narrative that runs through the entire experience. The world is grounded in reality, and the story understands this all too well, sending players on a deeply personal journey that never strays too far into the realm of absurdity.
Also, players are given a lot of opportunities to stray from the beaten path and explore the outer reaches of the world, often being rewarded with character arcs and intriguing mysteries that they would have otherwise missed. And, whenever the game is mentioned, it is pretty hard for people not to make the statement that the story and the writing of the characters within it are arguably the best in the entire gaming world.
Fallout: New Vegas
Beyond The Traditional RPG
Details:
- Branching political faction storylines
- Emphasis on player freedom
Fallout: New Vegas shows players that RPG mechanics can be effortlessly interwoven into the design of an open-world game, without things feeling too overwhelming or out of reach. The Mojave is a political battleground where players have all the tools to sway factions to or away from their side, completely reshaping the moral landscape of the world one word at a time.
Each decision made is not just a single moment that exists in isolation, but a single step in a long chain of events that can easily snowball into either complete collapse or triumphant victory. This attention to choice makes it so well-loved by players of all ages, regardless of whether they played it on release or are revisiting it in the modern day.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Everyone's Favorite Fantasy Adventure
Details:
- Liberating exploration style
- Massive modding legacy
It is hard to talk about open-world games without bringing up Skyrim, as if it weren't for Bethesda's crowning achievement, many of the best titles in the space just simply wouldn't exist. Starting out as a lowly prisoner, players slowly rise to power and can choose to follow any path they choose, no matter how dark or light it may be.
There are virtually endless build options and skill paths for players to follow, and it is pretty common to see one person experience the game in an entirely different way than another one, simply due to the amount of breadth offered by the systems and the world. Rerelease memes aside, it remains a stellar example of how to capture the true meaning of fantasy within the world of gaming.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
