Open world video games have become popular over the years as technology continues to improve and developers get even more ambitious than before. Gamers of all kinds have loved the diverse range of open world games offered, but there are some that have stood out among the others as the best of all time.
What Are Open World Games?
An open world game is basically just a video game genre that allows players to explore a virtual world freely, with few restrictions on where they can go or what they can do. These games often offer a range of activities, including side quests, exploration, and interaction with non-playable characters.
They are often popular for being long and full of things to do, which is what makes them usually so attractive to many players. The opportunity to feel alive in a video game world is a pretty big deal.
The Top Ten Best Open World Games of All Time
1. Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V)
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most popular open-world games available, and for good reason. The game offers players the chance to explore a vast and dynamic world, complete with a gripping storyline and a range of activities. From heists to races, the game offers players endless opportunities for exploration and entertainment.
GTAV also features role-playing servers on PC, which means that you can have an even more immersive experience in GTA than before. If you’re wondering how to get started doing GTA V RP, then check out our comprehensive guide here.
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an open-world RPG that has become a classic in the genre. The game offers players a massive world to explore, with a range of environments, enemies, and NPCs to interact with. The game’s story is also engaging, with a range of quests and factions to join, allowing players to create their own unique experience. The game also offers a range of customization options, from character creation to crafting, making it a well-rounded experience for RPG fans.
Skyrim is also extremely popular for its modding capabilities, which are pretty vast compared to other games of the genre. Console and PC players alike have the chance to mod Skyrim to fit their liking. PC players that use Steam will have an easier time modding the game though. For its powerful customization and modding capabilities, Skyrim is definitely one of the best open world games to ever be made.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world RPG that offers players a deep and immersive experience that other games can’t capture as properly. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers a massive world to explore, with a range of landscapes, enemies, and NPCs to interact with. The game’s side quests are particularly noteworthy, with many offering their own unique storylines and characters.
Players get to explore the world of The Witcher as Geralt of Rivia. With a rich and powerful story and engaging combat, The Witcher 3 has been hailed as one of the best games of all time, not just one of the best open world games ever made.
4. Minecraft
Minecraft is an open-world game that has become incredibly popular in recent years. The game allows players to explore and build in a randomly generated world, with endless possibilities for creation and exploration. From building homes to mining for resources, the game offers a range of activities for players to engage in.
Minecraft is certainly one of the biggest games out there and its sandbox capabilities make for an interesting and unique experience. Each game provides new challenges and new opportunities for gameplay. It’s also an excellent game to play with friends.
There are also lots of servers like Hypixel that allow players to engage in multiplayer games like Bed Wars.
5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a stunning open-world game that offers players a vast and beautiful world to explore. The game offers a variety of environments, including mountains, forests, and deserts, all of which are filled with a range of enemies, puzzles, and secrets to uncover.
One of the biggest games in the Nintendo lineup, The Legend of Zelda has been a major name in the open-world genre. In fact, another popular game called Gershwin Impact has been likened to The Legend of Zelda, proving that the world of Zelda really is a vibrant and known one.
6. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world game set in the Wild West, offering players a chance to explore a vast and detailed world. The game’s story is captivating, with a range of interesting and well-developed characters to interact with. The game also offers a range of activities, from hunting to horseback riding, making it an incredibly immersive experience.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the ultimate cowboy simulator, so if you enjoy the idea of being a free-riding gun-totin’ American in the Wild West, then Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect game for you. It’s also been hailed as one of the most beautiful and detailed open world games of all time. And the attention-to-detail in Red Dead Redemption 2 is unmatched.
7. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Speaking of beautiful and detailed worlds, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is definitely up there in terms of amazing open world games and maps. Set in Ancient Greece, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey provides players with a wide range of activities and an immersive experience. You play as a mercenary (either Alexios or Kassandra) and explore your own story.
The game provides plenty of activities and action and lots of interesting character interactions. It’s also got a very tailored combat system that you can shape to fit your style.
8. Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn is an open-world game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players get to explore a range of environments, including forests, deserts, and snowy mountains. The game’s story is captivating, with a unique and intriguing premise. The game also offers a range of activities, from hunting to crafting, making it a well-rounded experience.
There are also robot dinosaurs, in case you needed another reason to play this game.
9. Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world game set in feudal Japan. You get to play as Jin Sakai, a samurai in this beautiful and immersive world torn by war. Ghost of Tsushima has often been praised for its powerful and immersive story as well as its range of interesting characters. The game also offers a range of activities, from combat to exploration, making it an engaging and entertaining experience.
Ghost of Tsushima offers a powerful experience in feudal Japan and has set the standard for games set in that time period.
10. Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas is an action role-playing game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. Players get to experience the vast world of New Vegas after the fallout from a nuclear apocalypse. The game features an interesting story where players must take on the role of a courier who is left for dead and must uncover the truth behind their attack.
Fallout: New Vegas features a vast open world with plenty of activities and interesting places to explore. Players will get to interact with various factions that are vying for control over the region. Players can align with a faction or even remain neutral.
Why You Should Play Open World Games
Open-world games have always been praised for being able to offer unique and immersive experiences in interesting and vast worlds. Open world games are full of interesting characters, challenging quests, and plenty of activities.
Whether you prefer RPGs, action-adventure games, or sandbox-style games, there is definitely an open-world game for you. With so many amazing titles available across platforms, there has never been a better time to dive into the genre and explore everything these games have to offer.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
