Open-world RPGs with great exploration

It's fun to explore, especially when you've got a whole huge map shrouded in mystery, remote areas that know who knows what, and hard-to-reach places that look so enticing from afar. Open-world games are all but driven through player exploration, combining moment-to-moment rewards and discoveries with the goal of traveling far into the unknown, into uncharted corners of the virtual world.

For open-world RPGs, perfecting freeform exploration is no easy task. Considering how progression in such games is driven by increasing stat numbers and constantly stronger gear and upgrades, devs have to make sure that players don't get too strong too soon. This means making the rewards from exploration always relevant to fuel curiosity and the temptation to become stronger when the next area is reached. Today, we're looking at open-world RPGs that perfect exploration through exciting quests and powerful rewards that keep you engaged for a long time.

For this list, various RPG elements are important, which is why games with a more linear progression, eg Red Dead Redemption 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Ghost of Yoteior similar action-adventure titles, are excluded.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A legendary-grade blueprint

A game that established the classic open world map design as it is known to modern players, with question dots and points of interest every minute or so to grab attention even a decade later, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Still looks and plays great. It's a remarkable achievement to create a world so large and diverse yet dense and handcrafted, every inch filled with detail and care. From White Orchard to Skellies, Kerr Moraine, Velen, and of course bustling Novigrad, on the continent The Witcher 3 It's a treat to explore, as everything players can find is carefully placed in the right places.

The most curious players go to the farthest corners of the Joe The Witcher 3's The world will definitely discover places of power to gain extra skill points; Each cave or abandoned village can hold a treasure chest with new powerful gear; Every now and then, players can start a new interesting quest by stumbling upon a broken cart or lost property; And the hardest-to-reach areas will definitely be rewarded with rare blueprints or materials.

A legacy that is impossible to deny

Another long-standing staple of open-world RPGs with a near-perfect exploration aspect, Skyrim A list like this cannot be ignored. Fifth Entry into Maya The Elder Scrolls The fantasy franchise offers the perfect scale of the world, with an excellent balance of convincing density and unforgettable wilderness and settlements, with nine explorable cities. Traveling through this world always feels like a proper journey into a believable world, rather than just wandering between a point of interest.

Players can discover almost everything while exploring the Skyrim province, including countless ruins, caves, and even outside of the usual bandit lairs in every other open-world title. Navigating the map inside Skyrim It's as interesting as it is rewarding, with well-hidden treasure chests or maps, mines with resources like ore or valuable items like gems, and valuable skill books. It's also worth mentioning how natural the world and every little location feels within it, which contributes to the game's enduring popularity.

Alden Ring

Defying the formula

a few years ago, of Alden Ring Explore Thousands of players have fallen in love with the open-world genre anew. There is so much to admire and explore in the world Alden RingBut notably, the game deliberately ignores nearly every modern staple of the genre to instead forge its own path, true to FromSoftware's unique strengths. With little to no handholding, minimal map markers or guidance, players are left to their own devices to master this beautiful, but constantly dangerous, environment. Some even recommend playing games with a journal and pencil in hand.

However, each step between lands bears fruit. Players collect and loot runes from enemies to become stronger and level up their stats, but it's the sheer generosity of the rewards in these lands that trumps almost anything that's come before. Hundreds of unique weapons, abilities, or spells await to be discovered and used. sometimes, Alden Ring Players can discover a whole new world by venturing deep underground or teleporting to an entirely new area, adapting to sudden new challenges.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Catching Tailwind

Assassin's Creed Odyssey was the first in the series to fully embrace RPG mechanics such as branching dialogues, more robust character progression, and distinctive combat builds bolstered by classic tier-based loot. Even so AC Odyssey Might not be as deep in its RPG aspects Alden Ring or SkyrimIt represents a bold step for the series, coupled with a fantastic world to explore in the franchise.

Ancient Greece is the perfect backdrop for this vast and vibrant open world, and Assassin's Creed Odyssey Uses completely. With the game's free-form structure, where players are free to walk, ride or travel wherever they want, it's up to each player to decide what to do next for them. The game's dynamic quest system and mercenary chasers ensure that players always have new challenges and rewards, while traveling to the most dangerous corners of this world is guaranteed to bring the most valuable rewards and powerful items with legendary properties. live up to your name, AC Odyssey Making fun a priority is one of the most enjoyable and stress-free adventures.

Kingdom Come: Redemption 2

Immersive and organic

Unlike many other open-world RPGs set in medieval times, Kingdom Come: Redemption 2 It's all about authenticity. This can prove to be a double-edged sword for some players who use powerful gear and game-changing artifacts, and abilities as rewards from exploration. Naturally, there is nothing like that Redemption 2But that doesn't mean exploring the breathtakingly detailed and realistic landscapes, forests, swamps, and settlements isn't fun or rewarding.

Kingdom Come: Redemption 2 It takes a different approach by focusing on realism, ensuring that even the smallest upgrades or improvements feel meaningful in its world. Finding something truly strong is as rare as it is valuable, offering a momentary feeling rarely available elsewhere, where players are constantly bombarded with a never-ending stream of rewards that keep getting better and better. With its immersive and organic exploration and engaging random encounters, Kingdom Come: Redemption 2 is an exclusive open-world RPG that is deep and distinctly unique.

Dragon's Dogma 2

Be sure to do your own thing

Another open-world RPG that isn't afraid to do things its own way, Dragon's Dogma 2 Feels and plays very differently than others. For starters, the game offers almost no fast-travel teleport-style mechanics, doubling down on how exploration and travel are a key part of the experience. Players can only use carts, ferries, or ropeways for certain routes, and it's not uncommon to encounter challenges while traveling as such, especially at night, which is pitch-black and grim. Dragon's Dogma 2. There are almost no markers or convenient directions, leaving the world mysterious for a long time.

The overall challenging nature of the game, with fierce enemies and massive bosses, makes for even more exciting exploration, as the rewards discovered in its world are often worth the effort. While some of the novelty may wash off in the later stages of the game, eg Dragon's Dogma 2's While the larger world is a bit short on biomes or areas that feel truly different, open-world RPG fans will enjoy the journey — if they can live with the sequel's unique rules.

Result 4

There is no better place for newcomers to start

strengthened by result Season 2, the franchise is relevant again, attracting veterans and newcomers alike. As of today, there is no better place to start Result 4 (sorry, New VegasBut you really need a remake or at least a re-release already). The epitome of everything that makes Bethesda's open-world RPGs so beloved, Result 4 Just throws players into its large, handcrafted world, with one simple goal – go see what's out there.

Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, players can set out to find and collect all kinds of trash, but Result 4 It offers its own twist thanks to strong crafting and construction mechanics. Not only can nearly everything players find and pick up be useful, but dedicated players can also change the world to their liking. The game is literally full of fun, layered places to explore, many require a lot of effort to reach or reach, and it's not about finding good items there and walking away strong, but about learning the deep secrets buried in such places. result Vidya is really fascinating.