Fast travel is one of the best mechanics that has been implemented in games over the past two decades. Thanks to the feature, players can save time by not having to backtrack all the time. For some players who don't have a lot of time to spend on games, fast travel is a great feature.
8 good open-world games with tedious exploration
While these open-world games are great, the lack of traversal options makes them somewhat difficult to navigate.
However, there are some open-world games where it's better not to use fast travel, as it can help with quests or is just fun to play with the game's traversal mechanics. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt A great open-world RPG, but fast travel is mandatory, and there are a few other omissions involved The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Red Dead Redemption 2Which aren't RPGs but are still important. That said, let's move on to the games that made the cut.
Alden Ring
Face your fears head on
Not much in terms of searching inside Alden RingSo the idea of fast-traveling between places is almost laughable. There are NPCs that can point players in the right direction for interesting loot or encounters, but it's not like typical RPG quests.
The world is large but also dense, meaning there's something to find around practically every corner, and fast travel prevents players from exploring every nook and cranny. Also, if players plan to play online with two other people, fast travel is even more pointless. All in all, what makes exploration fun Alden Ring There is a horse, Torrent, who can double jump, and that makes the traversal a good time.
Final Fantasy 15
Driving with the boys
Final Fantasy 15 It did a rare thing that many RPGs don't: it gave players cars. Yes, it breaks down quickly, but players can repair it after a quick initial quest. This snazzy car can't go off-roading much, but there are Chocobos to ride that can go through rough terrain.
Between finding rare encounters, magical deposits, and quest items, players will find it easier to hop chocobos instead of fast-traveling around. Plus, fast travel loads can be any way, meaning it's good to go almost anywhere, even on foot.
Final Fantasy 7 Reborn
A dense fantasy
While it may seem strange to nominate another final fantasy game, Final Fantasy 7 Reborn There is a different open-world structure that is worth discussing. Instead of giving players a vast seamless open world to explore as if inside Final Fantasy 15, Final Fantasy 7 Reborn There are dense biomes that are full of content. In each biome, players can obtain a chocobo that functions slightly differently than others in the game.
10 Open-World Games That Let You Build a Life Instead of Saving the World
If saving the world isn't your cup of tea or seems too stressful, take a break with these cozy open-world games.
For example, there are chocobos that can fly, climb walls, surf, and more. This makes them special in each new area, as they can help access remote areas to get great loot or complete quests. Using fast travel to get between biomes is fine, but fast traveling within them detracts from exploring every bit, and leveling up is also an important factor to consider.
Horizon Forbidden West
Hunting for parts
Horizon Forbidden West There's a much bigger world than the original game, and there's a lot more to do. Aloy gains her hacking ability to quickly manipulate various robot dinosaurs and animals, which can either become allies for combat or mounts to get around. Players also get a grappling hook and a glider, which also aid in traversal.
When it comes to enemies, it's always good to be constantly on the lookout for parts as a way to upgrade Aloy's gear, and rare prey is easier to find when not left around. Overall, it feels more fun to live and breathe in a post-apocalyptic world and always be on the lookout for prey or searching for lost parts of civilization, because there is beauty in destruction.
Palworld
Pal's work is never done
Palworld Still in early access, but the developer, Pocketpair, has already set up an impressive world for players to explore. Because the game is essentially Pokemon mixed with MinecraftIt seems like an obvious note to mention that rare companions, monsters are very easy to find, if players don't travel fast.
More than the other games mentioned, Palworld From land runners to swimmers, there are plenty of mounts to go around. With the right sail crew, it can be a breeze to get around in search of rare and interesting creatures to add to the collection from land, sea or sky.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Working on My Skell
Xenoblade Chronicles X One of the scariest worlds to explore lies, next door Alden Ring. That's because each area of the game has monsters easily above twenty levels that players can usually handle. Since all levels of creatures are compatible, it can help immerse players in the dangers of trying to colonize a new planet for Earth.
10 Incredible Open-World Games You Won't Believe
They may not be Skyrim, but these often-forgotten open-world games are worth your time.
For a good twenty hours of the game, players must walk and are encouraged to use fast travel because the world is so large. However, once players get their scale license, fast travel should be set aside. A Skell is the game's version of the mech, which can fly or turn into a car-like vehicle, making it much easier and safer to explore as they have a better chance of taking down those high-level creatures.
Sand land
A Sandy Trot
Sand land Takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where water is scarce, but an alliance of demons and humans are trying to find a legendary water source to end the conflict. As Beelzebub, the prince of monsters, players can attack enemies in action combat, which is enough. The biggest gimmick of the game is the vehicles, which are for traversal and combat purposes.
Players can find tanks or mechs, for example, and there are also mounts for various cars and creatures to go around. true to name, Sand land Filled with large areas that look like nothing but hot yellow powder, but every once in a while, structures will appear. Thanks to a wide array of transportation options, players shouldn't be taxed by manually driving or running around.
Immortal Phoenix Rising
from above
Immortal Phoenix Rising was Ubisoft's attempt to create a joint spiritual successor Baby Icarus and The Legend of Zelda. As a created hero, players will be dropped into the world of Greek mythology, which is large but also a bit dense. Players will rarely be able to go more than ten seconds before discovering something new from challenges such as races to puzzles that may involve boxes.
It's a wealth of activities, true to the traditional Ubisoft open-world formula, which is a big reason why not using fast travel is useful if players want to be perfectionists. Beyond the activities, players can get the same sense of inertia that they get from playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildPlayers can climb and glide around on most surfaces, which looks great and is fun to play.
10 Unprecedented PlayStation Games Turning 10 Years Old in 2026
Relive the gaming magic of 2016 with these incredible PlayStation titles celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2026.