10 Highest Rated Steam Open-World Games

Open-world games are a big category. We haven't reached complete exhaustion yet when it comes to exploring large worlds, whether those games are sandboxes, RPGs, or survival games. Rather than being limited by a loading screen or a linear plot, being able to drop out into the world and go wherever you want instantly has a huge appeal, though we may soon see this change.

Steam's open-world category is full of iconic video game bangers that have wowed people around the world. Between incredible stories and mini games that can be enjoyed on almost any type of PC, low-end or high-end co-op, there's a pretty decent variety of titles depending on what you're looking for. Note that we're only discussing true open-world titles here, so games that may have the tag but still be restricted to certain areas, e.g. Stardew ValleyWill not qualify this time.

These are the ten true open-world games that appear in Steam's open-world gaming category when top rated. Here, they are organized by their user review score percentage.

the rust

86% – very positive

the rust The survival game is a staple in the genre, so it's no surprise to see it rank so highly. Even if you've never played the game, you've seen clips of it floating around the depths of the internet, people hacking their way through enemy bases or new players being camped by more advanced ones. It has a cool PvP aspect that has solidified it's place in the video games hall of fame. You spawn naked, without anything to your name, and have to build yourself up to something.

It goes a little further than some other survival games, with vehicles thrown into the mix, and of course more weapons. Raids are a common occurrence that can devastate unprepared player factions and destroy months of hard work. If you want your heart broken but love to live on the edge, the rust A non-conversational part of your gaming library.

Cyberpunk 2077

88% – very positive

Cyberpunk 2077 It has improved a lot since its release, but its Steam ratings are forever marred by the terrible dip it experienced in December 2020 when it was released in a non-finished state. After countless hotfixes and massive patches, as well as a fantastic DLC, Phantom Liberty, it looks like the game's image is finally on the mend.

Recent reviews show that players are falling in love with V's story and the fun, dystopian, neonlit world of Night City. It's far from a perfect game, but with a lot of changes thrown in to the loot system, building balance, and even more content, it's undoubtedly another show of CD Projekt RED's impeccable design and writing skills. If you're wondering if now is the best time to get into the game, the answer is: yes, absolutely. Do it before we get more news of Project Orion!

Red Dead Redemption 2

91% – very positive

Red Dead Redemption 2 It's considered by many to be one of the best video games ever made, so it might be strange not to see it ranked much higher. The main reason for its low score is the fact that its Steam version was a rocky introduction for PC players. The game, while absolutely perfect on the console, wasn't optimized very well.

There were complaints about Rockstar Launcher, but looking at the latest reviews, it's clear that the game has come a long way and Rockstar Games has managed to iron out some of the biggest issues. The unforgettable story of Arthur and the gang finally hits PC gamers, just as it did the first time on PlayStation, and it's an emotional ride through a fictional, dying Old West.

Alden Ring

94% – very positive

Alden Ring dominated the gaming scene in 2022, earning a GOTY Award for delivering peak-perfection open-world RPG content wrapped in a recognizable FromSoftware. It was the first time gamers who had never played a Soulslike or Soulsborne game entered a FromSoftware title, and few were not impressed by the incredible world design, unique yet challenging bosses, fascinating and obscure lore, as well as the epic soundtrack.

With little handholding and complete freedom to go wherever you want, Alden Ring Challenged what open-world RPGs could be. As far as I know, it was the first FromSoftware game, and it was the gateway to the studio's other titles that seemed too intimidating to try at first. On Steam, it ranks highly for these reasons alone, and its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, only upped the challenge by introducing more new enemies and bosses to conquer.

the forest

95% – highly positive

A survival game that leaves players stranded after a plane crash, the forest It's one of the best examples of what it's all about, skillfully combining great survival mechanics and survival horror into a tight package. After seeing your son taken by unfriendly locals, it's up to you to find him and survive against the tribes that dominate the hostile wilderness, managing your hunger and thirst.

Inside the enemy AI and their designs the forest It's been getting a lot of praise over the years, as it adapts and reacts directly to the player's actions, constantly keeping you on your toes as you jump in without any prior knowledge. That kind of immersion is worth its weight in gold, and easily explains why the game still ranks so highly on Steam and is almost universally loved.

Don't starve together

95% – highly positive

An expansion of the iconic gothic survival game, Don't starve together All the bells and whistles of the original gameplay experience, but with the added bonus of being able to play with your friends. It's a game that combines the dark whimsy you'd find in a Tim Burton movie, with real, tangible survival gameplay elements found in many of the genre's biggest games. You choose between different playable characters and enter a harsh world where your needs and sanity management are important, while everything wants to kill you at first sight.

The seasons are harsh, the world is unforgiving, and yet the game is somehow incredibly charming and sweet like a page from an old children's story picture book. Just…don't be stupid. It's a game of survival to rival everyone else (well, maybe not Green Hell, which will test your patience), and it's best explored with a few friends in your party.

Subnautica

96% – highly positive

Another open-world survival craft on this list, Subnautica Captivating players from all walks of life with its magnificent underwater vistas, interesting premise, and deep hidden secrets. Yes, some of us were drawn to its depths thinking it was just going to be a casual underwater exploration game, but no. If you're even slightly afraid of the deep and what lurks beneath the surface, you've been warned!

It comes with a very fun story, and real progression when you end up crashlanding on an ocean world and have to find your way off the planet — or, if you're too fast, you can stay forever. At a time when many survival games surface in the wilderness, Subnautica was and is very revolutionary, and its sequel, which is set to come out sometime in 2026, has a lot to live up to.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

96% – highly positive

The the witcher The game series really took off when CD Projekt Red released the banger The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt became It's a massive open-world RPG that remains visually and tonally timeless. Even years later, it's still impressive how well it plays and how incredible it looks. Based on the book series of the same name, you play as Geralt, searching for his adopted daughter Ciri, who is in grave danger.

But as always with open-world RPGs, there are side quests and activities to distract you. Namely, Gwent! This addictive card game became such a phenomenon that it now has its own game on Steam, but of course, it's not a huge hit. Wild Hunt repetition. With how big The Witcher 3 Well, it's safe to say it's through the roof for publicity The Witcher 4.

Euro Truck Simulator 2

97% – highly positive

Driving games are a big deal, and Euro Truck Simulator 2 Any fan of the genre should not miss out if they seek quality and total immersion. This banger of a game was released ten years ago, and still holds up so well it's a miracle. Highly realistic with a massive open-world environment and simulation-style gameplay, Euro Truck Simulator 2 Traveling through familiar vistas around the European continent puts you in the trucker's shoes.

It's not just about driving, though: you also manage the entire business, upgrade your vehicles, outsource your vehicles, hire more trucks to work for you, and so on. The sheer depth of this game is astounding, and it's easily the best sim and driving title for relaxation when you've had a long day. Steam agrees with me here, ranking it as the second-highest of all time for open-world games. Impressive stuff.

Terraria

97% – highly positive

ah, TerrariaKing of the sandbox, and husband of Minecraft. This charming 2D open-world survival craft dominates Steam's open-world section for very good reasons. This is a game that goes surprisingly deep, with many hidden bosses and mechanics that will help you scour the wiki for information. opposite MinecraftIt leans a bit more into RPG mechanics, and you get a ton of cool weapons, armor, gear, and equipment to spice up your playstyle.

Build a house for yourself and NPCs to move everyone in, or go exploring and gathering resources. What really drives this game to the next level is the modding community and the fact that this is a title that doesn't require you to have a beefy PC. Finally, it's the most affordable game on this list, and finally, accessibility plays a huge role when it comes to making a game that appeals to the widest possible audience.