The idea of an open-world has been ever-present in gaming since its earliest days. While hardware limitations may have kept the scope and fidelity of these open spaces from reaching the highs we see today, the adventure titles of yesteryear laid the groundwork for what would come later. The ability to travel vast environments, tackle quests in a semi-malleable order, and explore unknown ruins at a player’s leisure goes back all the way to the 1970s and 80s with titles like Ultima I.
However, advancements in technology have paved the way for some truly immersive experiences and impressive spectacles. Whether the game is aiming for a more realistic approach to a world, a la Red Dead Redemption 2, creating a sandbox of wonder like Minecraft, or telling an intricate story, open-world games deliver some of the very best times the space has to offer, and these eleven titles stand at the very pinnacle.
The 10 Official Highest-Rated Open-World Games On Steam, According To Player Reviews
Steam users absolutely loved these open-world games, and it’s pretty easy to see why. Let’s dig into these titles.
12
Red Dead Redemption 2
One Last Job, One Last Ride
Considered by many to be Rockstar’s greatest achievement, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a stunning work. Taking place during the decline of America’s Wild West in 1899, Red Dead Redemption 2 follows Arthur Morgan, a member of the notorious Van der Linde outlaw gang, which now finds itself on the run.
Following a botched robbery in Blackwater, the gang is forced to flee while being pursued by federal agents and relentless bounty hunters. As internal fractures and moral dilemmas threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must ultimately choose between his personal ideals and his unwavering loyalty to the surrogate family that he’s been a member of for so long, all while dealing with health issues of his own.
The freedom to tackle side missions whenever players desire, or engage in various extracurricular activities, is staggering; as is the detail with which everything is portrayed. Every NPC has a life to live, with set schedules, jobs, and families they attend to – they even react to Arthur’s appearance and behavior, as well as behave differently due to the weather.
11
Fallout: New Vegas
The House Always Wins
While Bethesda’s handling of the iconic franchise has been met with criticism, Obsidian’s entry into the series has long stood as one of the very best open-world games out there. Set in the post-apocalyptic Mojave Desert, Fallout: New Vegas is an exercise in role-playing driven by player freedom. Players take on the role of the Courier, a delivery person who has been shot in the head and left for dead over a mysterious Platinum Chip. After surviving, the Courier’s quest for vengeance quickly spirals into a massive war between factions vying for power in the Mojave.
Players must navigate the bitter conflict between the expansionist New California Republic, the totalitarian Caesar’s Legion, and the enigmatic Mr. House, with player choices ultimately deciding who will control the Hoover Dam and shape the future of the Mojave wasteland.
10
Subnautica
Might Be Paradise If It Weren’t For The Deadly Fish
Subnautica is a phenomenal open-world survival adventure game set on a breathtaking alien planet covered almost entirely by water. After crash-landing, players must explore a vibrant, treacherous ocean to survive. The experience neatly contrasts serene underwater beauty with intense psychological horror, as players must manage vital oxygen levels, scavenge raw resources, construct high-tech habitats, and craft advanced submersibles while swimming through some of the most breathtaking underwater views ever put into a game.
As players delve into the depths of the alien ocean, they’ll explore coral reefs and pitch-black abysses alike, as well as encounter the terrifying Leviathan predators. Driven by a compelling mystery, players must uncover ancient alien secrets to cure a deadly virus and escape from this hostile, yet mesmerizing world.
Best Open-World Games For Nature Exploration
Open-world games put great emphasis on environments. These games in particular are excellent for exploring the great outdoors.
9
No Man’s Sky
An Infinite Sky to Explore
No Man’s Sky is an infinite, procedurally generated sci-fi exploration game that invites players to adventure through an uncharted universe. Players can seamlessly transition from deep space to alien surfaces, where they’ll find peculiar flora and fauna to research ot harvest.
While it originally launched with high expectations, the game was a bit of a disappointment for many. However, through many free updates, it has been transformed into an impressive example of post-release redemption. Whether players prefer base-building, spaceship dogfights, or exploring alien ruins, the cosmos is entirely theirs to explore and shape.
8
Elden Ring
Rise, Tarnished, and Become the Elden Lord
Elden Ring features a sprawling, ruined expanse called the Lands Between, which houses both formidable foes and deadly environments. Players must traverse a vast, seamless open world and battle corrupted demigods to claim the title of Elden Lord for themselves, looting treasure and equipment along the way.
Renowned for its difficult combat, cryptic storytelling, and freedom of exploration, Elden Ring is one of the most well-rounded and exciting open-world games on the market—even if the exact history and story of the game can be a bit nebulous. It showcases an unforgettable atmosphere and makes players earn every new tidbit of information received through item descriptions and environmental storytelling, turning every new find into a mystery to unfold.
8 Most Open RPGs Of All Time
Open-world RPGs are one of the most popular genres in modern gaming, and these games take the concept of “open exploration” very seriously.
7
Cyberpunk 2077
Take In That Night City Air
Cyberpunk 2077 is set in the megalopolis of Night City, a neon-lit corporate dystopia where gangs and corporations rule the town in equal measure. Players control V, a mercenary navigating a city obsessed with power, glamour, and cybernetic body modification. Night City is among gaming’s most impressive and immersive cities, with each element feeling coherent to the established history of this world.
After a major heist goes wrong, V becomes fused with The Relic, a prototype biochip containing the digital consciousness of legendary rockerboy Johnny Silverhand. As this chip threatens to permanently overwrite V’s mind, players must uncover corporate conspiracies, battle dangerous gangs, and run through the net. It delivers an immersive experience unlike any other, where critical player choices shape the direction of the game’s endings.
6
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo wasn’t particularly known for open-world games before 2017, but that changed when The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild came out and rejuvenated the genre. Except for a short cutscene at the start, the game almost immediately drops Link (and players) into a massive version of Hyrule and tells them to go explore. The only “must-do” mission is to defeat Calamity Ganon, something that can be tackled immediately, after 15 hours, or after 100 hours. Players decide what they do, when they do it, and how much of it they do. Like most Zelda games, BOTW is light on plot but rich in story, with the world being filled with NPCs and quests that develop organically.
If you are the type of player who prefers to have goals set for them, BOTW‘s open-ended nature might feel a bit too overwhelming, but you are still given four general quests to complete that help provide some structure if it is necessary. Although the melee combat is very simple, it is elevated by the Sheihak Runes, which are available immediately, and the Champion abilities, which are unlocked by completing the four main quests, which can be used in a variety of ways that turn battles into emergent puzzles.
5
Minecraft
Build Your Dreams, Slay The Dragon
Minecraft was a cultural phenomenon from the moment it was released, and has arrested the attention of multiple generations of gamers thanks to its open gameplay and procedurally generated worlds. No two seeds are alike, with each new world feeling unique in its own right, with varied topography and resources available for players to tinker with.
In Survival Mode, players must manage health and hunger while fending off monsters like zombies and Creepers, and can even make their way through a netherworld or enter the final fight against a massive dragon. Alternatively, Creative Mode offers unlimited resources and the ability to fly, giving players the tools to showcase their creativity. With its iconic pixelated aesthetic and open-ended gameplay, Minecraft is a phenomenal sandbox where the only limit is a player’s imagination.
The Biggest Open World Games, Based On The Size Of Their Maps
Open-world games are beloved for their massive maps. Here are some of the biggest open worlds that gamers can explore in the genre.
4
Outer Wilds
22 Minutes to Save the Universe… What Could Go Wrong?
In Outer Wilds, players control an alien astronaut trapped in a 22-minute time loop. Exploring a miniature solar system, players must uncover the mysteries of an extinct ancient civilization before the sun goes supernova, resetting the cycle. Progression is entirely knowledge-based; there are no traditional upgrades or unlocked items. Instead, players use the information gathered across countless loops to navigate environmental puzzles and ultimately discover the secrets of the universe.
Outer Wilds is one of those games where players should go in as blind as possible—the exploration is really the point. Uncovering the hidden information, seeing the varied planets, and meeting new characters is a wonder to behold on the first run through the game. If you’re stuck, some pointers might be helpful, provided they avoid spoilers.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
3
Yakuza 0
Turf Wars on the Lot and on the Dance Floor
Set amongst the vibrant excess of 1988 Japan, Yakuza 0 is a prequel to the acclaimed Yakuza series, showing us the origins of some of the most memorable characters in the franchise. The story follows two protagonists: Kazuma Kiryu, a young yakuza framed for murder, and Goro Majima, an exiled gangster managing a cabaret club to earn his way back into the good graces of his patriarch. Both men become entangled in a violent gang war over the Empty Lot, a tiny but incredibly valuable piece of real estate crucial to an enormous redevelopment project.
The towns of Kamurocho and Sotenbori serve as playgrounds where players can sit down for a round of Majong, sing karaoke, and even race RC cars. There is no shortage of games to play or things to see, and a bevy of side content to enjoy.
For all of its hilarious, or even downright bizarre, moments, Yakuza 0 tells a surprisingly heartwrenching and dramatic tale, weaving threads of redemption, identity, and economic anxiety in between bombastic battles and mostly-naked, dancing old guys. Yakuza makes no compromises in delivering one of the most engaging and unique gaming experiences to date.
