The best open-world games on PC in 2022
Looking for the best open-world games on PC? From the early days of gaming, with Ultima and Lords of Midnight, open-world games have always been right at home on PC – indeed, those pesky consoles often couldn’t handle it. Compare the ambitious early version of Halo to the final, more confined result, for example – and only the PC could hold sprawling regions in the very first Elder Scrolls games. Nevertheless, the leap into full 3D with Grand Theft Auto 3 and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind really brought the idea of open-world gaming to the masses.
These days, open-world games are their own genre. You can find accurate depictions of real-life cities or countries, huge fictional expanses with their own landmarks, complete worlds to check out – or even entire galaxies, depending on where you want to go on your next adventure in one of the best open world games on PC.
Given the genre’s broader scope, the coolest thing about them is that they can come in various forms: the important feature is that they allow you to explore freely. As such, our list of top open world games features everything from the best FPS games to racing games with massive worlds to drive through.
Here are the best open-world games on PC:
Tower of Fantasy
Finally coming to the west in mid-2022, Tower of Fantasy has been very warmly received. This MMO action RPG borrows a lot from Genshin Impact, so if you loved that game, you’ll probably love this one too. It’s one of those scenarios where the formula was so good that it only made sense for another developer to take another crack at it – and that’s not to say is completely derivative, either. It’s setting and storyline are both very different from Genshin, with more of a sci-fi focus, rather than being purely fantasy-based.
Of course, like Genshin, Tower of Fantasy also features a giant open world. You can find barren deserts, tropical beaches, open fields, bustling futuristic cities, and so much more. It’s not one of those open worlds that’s empty, either.
There’s plenty to do from resource gathering, to fighting monsters, and much more – made all the more enjoyable by the fact that you can do it all with your friends. Who doesn’t love exploring new frontiers with their pals?
Play Tower of Fantasy for free.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is a masterclass evolution of the Souls-like genre of hardcore action RPG games. A large part of Elden Ring’s success can be attributed to the new open world, which gives the player the freedom to explore and tackle quests, bosses, and dungeons in whatever order they please. The critically acclaimed ARPG also thankfully manages to avoid existing genre tropes – this is no Assassin’s Creed or Witcher – and offers its own unique fusion of challenging gameplay and free-form game design. Read our Elden Ring review to see what we thought of this open-world game.
This is a must for Dark Souls fans, but even those new to the genre will find this a more welcoming entry point. If you’re looking for some tips to give you a leg up, we’ve got guides to all the Elden Ring bosses, how multiplayer works, and even the Ashes of War locations.
Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite has made a pretty masterful transition into an open world. It brings out the best of Halo: Combat Evolved’s previous glory, while also bringing a new experience for veteran players. The grapple hook opens up Zeta Halo in a way we’ve never experienced before, increasing the tactical options and letting you explore this beautiful space.
While Infinite introduces collectibles, they’re not too prolific and many are sign-posted on the in-game map. The only ones you’ll really have to go digging for are the Halo Infinite skulls, something Halo players should be used to by now as they are in every game. Once you’ve finished the campaign, you can hop into Halo Infinite’s multiplayer and – when it launches – the Halo Forge. Read our Halo Infinite review for more.
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Skyrim is one of those games we return to over and over again and the magic is always there. Its replayability comes from the hundreds of different ways to play through this open-world RPG, from typical character builds like thief and warrior, to trying to play the whole game as a vegan or role-playing as a character from the game’s lore.
Skyrim’s open world is filled with characters and beasts going on about their daily business without you, and you’ll often happen across a giant kicking a poor wolf into orbit or a couple of Thalmor escorting a captured Nord.
This fantasy open-world RPG explores Skyrim’s vast and spectacular region – where you play as a Dragonborn, a prophesied hero thrown amid a tense civil war. The world is heavily inspired by the environments of countries like Norway and Iceland, taking their history, culture, flora, and folklore, and muddling them together with The Elder Scrolls’ realistic brand of high fantasy. Skyrim has a captivating story and astounding attention to detail, which makes this nearly decade-old game still one of the most talked-about open-world games there is. It still has a dedicated modding community, so you can check out the best Skyrim mods once you’ve exhausted all the ways to play.
No Man’s Sky
The backlash was brutal during No Man’s Sky’s release in 2016.
The hype for the game was out of control, and small studio Hello Games had an impossible job of delivering what players expected from the game. Six years and many updates later, that little studio has managed to turn No Man’s Sky into the best open-world space game.
Forget open-world – No Man’s Sky is open universe. Whereas some open-world games give you a city or even a state to explore, this game starts with an entire planet, and it only expands from there. You can explore it freely – finding outposts, meeting wildlife, causing trouble, mining for minerals, looking for artefacts, building bases, and messing around with No Man’s Sky mods. Then once you’ve fixed your ship and blasted off into the stars, you can find other completely different planets to explore and exploit. You could spend your entire life playing No Man’s Sky and not see everything the game has to offer. You can even play with friends now, craft huge bases, and simply explore this incredibly gorgeous universe.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
While its world is broken up into a series of miniature open-world regions, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt fills each one with enough detail and character that they feel like one cohesive world.
Whether you’re tracking beasts across the battle-scarred plains of Velen, exploring the cobbled streets of Novigrad, or skulking through ancient woodlands, CD Projekt Red has crafted a world that feels authentic and fantastical in equal measure.
And your exploration through these rugged locales is constantly rewarded with new quests, characters, beasts, and encounters. In The Witcher 3 you never want fast travel around the map for fear of missing out on a new and exciting adventure, and what higher praise could there be for an open-world game? Unfortunately, there’s still no official word on The Witcher 4, but at least we have the best Witcher 3 mods to tinker with.
Saints Row 4
The Saints Row series is the perfect antidote to the traditional modern open-world game. Volition took the template set by Grand Theft Auto 3 and cranked up the ridiculousness. Things were fun enough with Saints Row 2 and 3, with insane missions such as diving in front of traffic to make money off insurance, but Saints Row IV took it one step further and added superpowers.
While the city of Steelport hasn’t changed much since the last game, being able to jump up tall buildings in a single bound or run faster than a speeding bullet adds an incredible amount of fun to the equation. Very quickly you’ll find that you don’t need cars, helicopters, or even guns – why bother, when you can run up to an enemy at super-speed and punch them off the map? These powers ensure Saints Row IV feels worlds apart from the series’ main inspirations, and makes it one of the most entertaining open-world games out there.
Combine this with an alien invasion storyline, an absurd and diverse range of missions, and the fact that you’re doing all this while playing as the President of the United States – it’s not hard to see how this barmy game has garnered a cult following.
Fallout 4
You can sink a lot of hours into Fallout 4. From traversing the dusty post-apocalyptic plains to scavenging hidden resources to build a base and survive this new, uncertain future.
The retro-futuristic wasteland of Boston, MA is brimming with adventures, memorable characters, and more locations than you could visit over the course of a 100-hour playthrough. Whether you’re battling through the mutant-infested streets of downtown Boston, braving the heavily irradiated Glowing Sea, or taking a tour of the Salem Witch Museum, Fallout 4’s gigantic open world never feels empty.
Before you set off in your hazmat suit to explore the wastes, be sure to check out our beginner’s guide to Fallout 4, or if you’re ahead of the curve (the game was of course released in 2015) then see our guides to all the best Fallout 4 mods and Fallout 4 console commands to tweak the experience further.
Red Dead Redemption 2
In RDR2, you’ll play as Arthur Morgan, a wanted outlaw and part of the Van der Linde gang, led by the infamous and duplicitous, Dutch. Even though the gang’s fate is sealed, hope is an involuntary reaction that will carry you through this melancholy love letter to the Old West.
But it’s Rockstar’s immensely detailed open world that makes Red Dead Redemption 2 so special.
The diverse landscape changes from frozen lakes and snowy mountain edges, to dusty plains, and murky swamp waters. NPCs are responsive to your character’s honour bar, and will react to your presence in town, depending on how well behaved you’ve been. If a bounty is out for you, you’ll need to visit the local post office to pay it off before you can enter freely into ‘wanted’ territory or risk being hunted down by bounty hunters.
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Red Dead Redemption 2 lets you play as you please, although story missions open up or close off different areas, you are mostly free to roam the expansive American frontier. From meeting strangers on the side of a road, plodding into town to get a haircut, to tracking down legendary animals in the severe terrain of the Grizzlies. You’ll want to touch every part of Red Dead Redemption 2’s intriguing and captivating open world.
Grand Theft Auto 5
While Grand Theft Auto 3 basically pioneered the 3D open-world game, GTA 5 is the culmination of everything Rockstar wanted to achieve with that innovative experience. The ridiculously large area of San Andreas is your playground, including the LA-inspired city of Los Santos, and it’s one of the most detailed open-world regions seen before or since in a game. There are easter eggs, stores, sports, and countless side missions to occupy you wherever you end up.
If that’s not enough, there’s also GTA Online, which builds on what’s great about the sandbox game and adds dozens of other players – introducing them to races, heists, battle royale, biker gangs, and much more. There are even GTA 5 mods, which allow you to do all of this as Superman or Magneto, create weapons that fire cows, or just drop random whales from the sky. Who needs a Red Dead Redemption 2 PC release date?
More recently, the GTA Casino update dropped a massive online casino into Los Santos replete with minigames, new GTA casino missions, a stack of hidden GTA Playing Cards to track down, and a GTA casino heist mission payout – six years after launch this is still one of the best multiplayer games on this list.
Batman: Arkham Knight
“Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman” should be the mantra for all open-world games. Rocksteady’s third and final foray into the world of the Dark Knight boasts a near-complete recreation of Gotham City, and while it’s a smaller play area than most other open-world games – few are as detailed and littered with fan service as in this superhero game.
Every square metre of Gotham has something of interest to catch your attention, whether it’s a dastardly murder, an interesting encounter, an intriguing riddle, a gang of ne’er-do-wells to beat up, or a billboard advertisement that you should really take another look at after you’re doused with Scarecrow juice. Getting around the city is a lot of fun, too, from grapple-glides to barrelling through the streets in the Batmobile.
While the story might not be as good as the other Arkham games, Arkham Knight is still tops when it comes to gameplay, gorgeous visuals, and an open world you want to spend dozens of hours exploring – and if you’re an avid DC reader then it’ll never get boring thanks to the countless easter eggs you’ll stumble upon.
Days Gone
Formerly a PlayStation exclusive, Days Gone is now available on PC, complete with a whole host of fixes and enhancements that make it the definitive way to play it. Clambering aboard your hog and driving through the Pacific Northwest, our review describes it as a “workmanlike open-world adventure” that’s “elevated into something special by its spectacular horde fights, ambitious scope, and warmly written characters.” The only thing spoiling it slightly is that the mandatory stealth missions can end in instant failure if you’re not careful.
Varied missions add to the appeal of its exhaustive open world, from clearing out forts, navigating a research facility, or rescuing captive locals from the Ripper cult. Now that it’s on PC, Days Gone has seen its first PC mods, from slowing the zombies pace to a classic movie shamble or reshading the game to look like Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake.
Whether you’re playing the game for the first time or revisiting it to explore the creation of the modding scene, Days Gone deserves its spot on this list, if only so people can give it a real chance on PC.
Watch Dogs 2
In a world where Grand Theft Auto 5 exists, releasing another modern, open-world city-based game can be difficult. But Ubisoft found a way to freshen up the formula by adding hacking, Dark Souls-like game invasions, and sharper social and political commentary. Watch Dogs 2 does all that in a slightly condensed, caricatured, but believable recreation of San Francisco. And it’s brilliant.
The troubles of main character Marcus and the misfit hacker group DedSec make for a far more satisfying and friendly backdrop than that of the first game. The sequel was finally allowed to take the (frankly hilarious) hacking mechanic and have fun a bit of fun with it. Anything can be hacked, from smartphones and traffic lights to vehicles and security cameras, and with various drones along for the ride, the moment-to-moment gameplay is action-packed, varied, and surprisingly funny. Nothing beats hacking a parked car and using it to play bowling with any nearby security guards.
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There are some standout missions across the main story, but exploring San Francisco is the main highlight, thanks to a top-tier soundtrack, a detailed recreation of the Bay Area, and the ability to hack oncoming traffic to clear up the roads a little.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V earns its place on this list for two reasons: it’s the first MGS game to make it to PC, and it’s the only open-world MGS game (we’re not counting Survive). Many were sceptical of the genre shift ahead of its release, but Metal Gear Solid V was one of the most satisfying, immersive, and entertaining open-world games ever made.
MGS V is a war game that offers an incredible amount of content – there are at least a couple of hundred missions, for starters. The stealth systems are fantastic, with loads of moving pieces fitting together like polished clockwork.
Light, cover, stance, and noise are all things you have to be careful of, and if you arouse suspicion, the guards can even communicate via walkie-talkie or even with other bases if reinforcements are needed.
The open world adds so much to these stealth mechanics by expanding the game’s scope. You can observe outposts from miles away and make a plan of attack, and the game gives you complete freedom to do things however you like – no matter how crazy.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Odyssey isn’t the only open-world game we recommend from the Assassin’s Creed series. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has significantly better combat, allowing you to wield dual-wield axes like a berserk Viking warrior, among many other weapon combinations. It’s rather fitting then that the protagonist is a badass Viking named Eivor, who seeks glory in battles against the native Saxons currently ruling over England.
Our Assassin’s Creed Valhalla review highlights that more than just improved combat makes it worthy of this list.
It’s also the new stuff like rap battles, drinking contests, and the “hopelessly addictive dice game Orlog“. You can also participate in raids, and ransacking villages for plunder for your own Viking settlements. If exploring the wilds of Dark Age England and Norway appeals to you, then you’ll find a lot to enjoy in Valhalla. Our Assassin’s Creed Valhalla beginners tips are available to get you started, although we have plenty of advanced guides as well, such as how to use Ymir’s Tear Stones.
Far Cry 5
The latest chapter in the Far Cry series takes players to the US and still feels like a far cry from civilisation. Hope County, Montana, is the gorgeous open-world players get to explore this time around, but you’ll have to share the experience with murderous cultists and deadly wildlife like bears, mountain lions, and wolverines on your way to your particular Far Cry 5 ending.
Most open-world games see you journeying from Point A to B to get anything done, but Far Cry 5 packs an incredible amount of excitement between those points, courtesy of random encounters.
Expect to be distracted by enemy jeeps, bears, VIP soldiers, roadblocks, hostage situations, car chases, or aerial bombardments – often all at once. Far Cry 5 does its damnedest to keep players in a constant state of distraction, making it very easy to lose yourself in big sky country. To top it all off, while it doesn’t work as well as a co-op game where missions are concerned, it does work brilliantly when just screwing around in the open world. So join a friend, pick a place to go to, and wait for the fireworks to start. You won’t be waiting long in Far Cry 5.
Forza Horizon 4
As open-world racing games become more common, it takes an exceptional title to stand out from the pack.
Packed with detail, while the latest Forza’s take on the British Isles is a highly truncated form of the UK, it’s still a vast area to explore – taking in the Scottish Highlands, parts of Oxfordshire and Cumbria, and down to Cheshire. The hills, forests, sleepy villages, and towns all provide a sense of character to the game’s map – our Forza Horizon 4 review found that it’s wonderful just to drive around and explore, even before you start talking about the beautiful visuals and the seasonal weather changes.
Forza Horizon 4 isn’t all visuals either, all of its vehicles feel distinct as you throw them into hairpin bends or speed over the crest of a hill – so make sure you screech over to our Forza Horizon 4 beginner’s guide if you’re new to the series. Additionally, there’s always something to do in Forza Horizon 4 – a ridiculous amount, in fact – including epic races, challenges, customisation, and even season-specific Forzathons.
Trove
Trove is a Minecraft-inspired MMO, and part of that inspiration is having a procedurally generated world that you’ll explore for hours on end. As Trove is voxel-based, you build everything with simple cubes and can take those creations to any of the new open worlds you visit on your travels.
Simply hop into an adventure portal, find a plot of land, and you can drop down your base, so you’ve got somewhere safe to return to between slaying sessions. Naturally, Trove also boasts all the trappings of a classic MMO, from challenging dungeons to multiplayer meeting places where you can show off your shiny new velociraptor mount.
And there we have it, the best open-world games you can find on PC. The genre’s come a long way since the early days of procedurally generated dungeons in old games such as Daggerfall. Since then, we’ve had a revolution in the genre, and nowadays, the worlds we play in look and feel more real than ever. As ever, we’re looking forward to seeing how the upcoming PC games of the future make use of cutting-edge tech to deliver even more beguiling worlds, and we’re even seeing some of the best free PC games adopt a more open design.
25 best open world games to play right now
The best open world games are vast beasts that are specifically designed to let you invest hundreds of hours in them, and enjoy every minute of it. Each has created a digital world that it implores you get lost in, offering up a main narrative, but also a plethora of side quests and activities that serve as delicious distractions. The best of them really do become a hobby.
What we will say is that only true open worlds can feature on this list, so something like Pokemon Legends: Arceus doesn’t make the list.
But with Pokemon Violet and Scarlet on the horizon we could see a Pokemon game on this list before the year is out.
What we can guarantee though is that these top open world titles are here to absorb all your free time, with such rich digital worlds that you won’t mind getting lost in them completely. We’ve played all of these through ourselves, and can guarantee you a good time with any and all of them, so take a look.
25. Death Stranding
(Image credit: Kojima Productions)
Available on: PS5, PS4, PC
Death Stranding may not be for everyone when it comes to its narrative, but Kojima’s latest is a compelling open world. As much as walking sim as it is an action game, you’ll be walking around it for many hours to come, delivering packages, working with the other players to rebuild and create, and watching what they’ve left in their wake. It’s definitely unique, and utterly beautiful, particularly when the music kicks in.
24. Terraria
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, PSVita
(Playable on Xbox Series X and PS5)
Terraria is so full of possibility that it verges on the sandbox/open-world boundary.
Build your home and defend it from the icky things that will try to knock the door down and suck your brains out of your nose. If you’d rather you can ignore those beasties and delve deep into the earth to find valuable resources or just explore to your tiny, pixelated heart’s content. Craft better armor and weapons, and even a jetpack, then once you’re feeling strong enough — and probably a little bit cocky — wait for one of the game’s bosses to spontaneously attack you. There’s always something better to build, a new cavern to dig into, or another story of your house to be built.
23. No Man’s Sky
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
No Man’s Sky has turned into a fulfilling voyage around the star system that’ll have you trotting through procedurally-generated planets like the interstellar explorer you are. It’s now got 30 hours of story content, new lore, different ways to interact with its NPCs, portals to make jumping between planets a ton easier, and terraforming.
The No Man Sky’s Beyond update brought even more features and changes, including ridable aliens, a new social system, and VR support. And updates since have added more features, more story, and even more reasons to get lost in space. Forget open world: No Man’s Sky is an open galaxy, and you should absolutely jump into it if you look good in a spacesuit and love discovering exotic alien wildlife.
22. Watch Dogs Legion
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
The world of Watch Dogs Legion is a playground full of technological puppets where you hold all the strings — and boy, can you make those high-tech gadgets dance. Like in real life, gaining followers means everything to your secret hacking organization DedSec, as higher numbers mean more power for you and your friends. Take control of any of the residents of London to become your playable character, build your team, and take down those making life hell in Blighty.
21. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
(Playable on Xbox Series X and PS5)
Because journeying around a massive world on your own is just no fun at all, Dragon Age: Inquisition gives you a bunch of companions to run around with and a ton of sidequests to use them in. You wouldn’t want to waste their talents, after all. Not only that, but the companions are some of the best party members around (I’m looking at you, Dorian Pavus). At first, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the number of sidequests that saturate its lush fantasy world, but as long as you remember to take advantage of the fact that — like many of the best open-world games out there — there are multiple areas to explore from the very beginning (don’t just stick to one), you’ll slowly be able to gauge which ones are worth doing asap. The story will also keep you gripped throughout, so while it might claim many hours of your life, it’s worth the time investment.
20. Minecraft
Available on: Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
(Playable on Xbox Series X and PS5)
Okay, okay, so Minecraft is technically a sandbox game but hey, that still counts as an open-world game. Punch trees, mine deep into the mountains, and try to avoid falling in lava in this phenomenally large exploration extravaganza. Your imagination is truly the limit in Minecraft, as people have created entire cities, working computers, towering statues and so much more on its blocky landscape. Achievable, er…achievements provide a loose framework in case you want a bit more structure in your games, and when you start to get bored with the ordinary world you can start to explore the Nether and make your next stronghold there. So technically there are two open-world environments at your disposal. Talk about value for money!
19. Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
(Playable on Ps5 and Xbox Series X)
Going in with all guns blazing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so if you’re thirsting for a stealth action open world game Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain should be your hot beverage of choice.
Encouraging non-lethal playing styles rather than killing indiscriminately, the degree to which all the different systems interweave is astonishing and you’re free to roam and dispatch with enemy soldiers however you see fit. However, don’t get too used to a set group of tactics — the enemies will adapt if you repeat the same approaches too much. Keeping you company in the world is D-horse and D-Dog, a wolf raised to help you in the field, and the dynamic weather system is just as helpful, as it periodically makes you harder to see and hear.
18. Fallout 4
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
(Playable on Xbox Series X and PS5)
Ok, this time someone’s taken your baby and you need to get him back. Mind you, it’s not really that big a deal. Hear me out: Fallout 4 ’s potential is just too tantalising to ignore for long. Its surprisingly colourful world of Boston, MA is stuffed with quests: follow the freedom trail, investigate mysteries with the unforgettable synthetic detective and sassmaster Nick Valentine, try and liberate synths with the Railroad, explore a haunted house, or just loot everything (and everyone) in sight to build up a mountain of caps.
Play however the heck you want and see how it influences your followers, adding an extra layer of depth to this post-apocalyptic open world game. Just don’t set the world on fire. Yet.
17. Far Cry 6
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
Far Cry 6 takes us to the fictional locale of Yara, someone in South America, where you’re charged with becoming a guerrilla fighter called Dani, and toppling the dictatorship led by the Castillo family — namely a chap called Anton, played by Giancarlo Esposito. But, it’s also a huge open world with plenty of activities to tick off while you’re doing all that politics stuff. Mysteries to solve, races to complete, companions to find, citizens to help… there’s a lot to do in Yara.
16. Dying Light 2
(Image credit: Techland)
Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
The sequel to the original infected killing, parkouring melee title is here and delivering just as compelling an open world as the original.
The world of Dying Light 2 is a huge place to explore — just try and stay out of the shuffling hordes’ way — with regular incentives to keep peeking around the next corner. While the story may not have been quite as choice-based as many were hoping, this is still a fantastic open world title for those looking for more of a survival-horror spin.
15. Halo Infinite
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
Available on: Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
Halo Infinite really did put the infinite in Halo. Well, not literally, but the wide open world really works for Master Chief and co. It’s not open world isn’t huge, but it encourages you to explore and progress through, unlocking new areas along the way. It’s a really great world to exist in, between the set pieces, with plenty of reasons to keep coming back. It’s the best Halo world yet for a reason.
14. Days Gone
(Image credit: Sony)
Available on: PS4, PC, PS5
Days Gone is another fantastic horror-filled open world, with horde of literally hundreds of zombies en masse just ready to jump you.
You play as Deacon St John, and although it’s a terrible name, this biker has quite the story to tell. It’s an alluring, although bleak world, with human stories to balance out the horrors of the zombies (or freakers as they’re known). Poke into every corner and you’ll be rewarded, just as you’d hope from a well-crafted open-world game.
13. Forza Horizon 5
(Image credit: Playground Games)
Available on: Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
The only racer on this list of best open world games, but Forza Horizon 5 more than earns its spot. This arcade racer has you exploring Mexico as the lastest Horizon festival, a huge celebration of all things on four wheels — oh and occassionally some special guests too. It’s stunning, has a banging soundtrack, and constantly offers you something new to do. And of course, the range of cars on offer is staggeringly huge.
12. Sea of Thieves
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
Available on: Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
Sea of Thieves offers you an open world playground, which is just waiting for you to create your own stories within it.
Become a legendary pirate, build your crew, discover treasures, and more. This is a game that’s come a long way since it first launched in 2018, with ongoing updates and additions coming along all the time. It’s also got a stellar community, which only aids to the pirate fantasy.
11. Genshin Impact
(Image credit: miHoYo)
Available on: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, PC
What if you took Breath of the Wild and added JRPG elements and a little sprinkling of anime? Well, welcome to Genshin Impact. The world of Teyvat is full of mysteries, not only about who you are and why you’re there, and with constant updates and more characters being added at regular intervals, there are so many reasons to dive in. Oh, and did we mention it’s totally free?
10. Marvel’s Spider-Man
(Image credit: Insomniac)
Available on: PS5, PS4
Marvel’s Spider-Man was one of those rare games that reinvigorated super hero games.
Launching initially on PS4 and later getting a PS5 patch, Insomniac’s game has us swinging through a beautiful recreation of New York, filled with epic side quests and other activities to balance out the equally memorial story.
It’s also worth adding that the more recent Spider-Man: Miles Morales title is set in the same open world and continues this story. It’s shorter and more compact, but equally compelling, so also worth seeking out.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X
Skyrim’s world doesn’t revolve around you. Somewhere in the wilds there’s a necromancer trying to animate a skeleton. At the same time during the day you’ll find a pack of bandits taking on a giant (R.I.P.), or wander into a nearby village only to have a dragon attack it when you’re stumbling out of the inn. Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is made for stories, and it’s so eager for you to sample its delights that even if you were to avoid every major settlement you’d still run into 30% of its quests out in the wild.
The map is just filled with stuff to do, bizarre things to see, creatures to impale with sharp implements, NPCs to pickpocket, creepy Dwemer ruins to explore…oh, and dragons to fight. Even after playing it for a casual 100 hours (those are rookie numbers) there are still quests that you won’t have found, and hidden bosses waiting to be slayed. It’s hard to overestimate the impact Skyrim has had on the lives of gamers everywhere, but to get a good idea of its effect and just what Elder Scrolls 6 has to live up to, you’re best off jumping in and starting your new life in its world.
8. Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
All of the recent Assassin’s Creed titles have been excellent open-world games, but Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is definitely one to check out — particularly because it’s already one of the best Xbox Series X games and best PS5 games. Building on the improvements made with Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (both of which are very worth your time), Valhalla takes you to the Dark Ages, traveling across England as Viking Eivor to find a new home for your clan.
Build your settlement, meet new friends, forge new allyships, dabble in politics, and do a heck of a lot of exploring to find the secrets and treasures lurking in old England.
7. Elden Ring
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
Perhaps one of Elden Ring’s greatest assets as an open world is the air of mystery that shrouds almost everything in it. Good open world games thrive on their power to make you wonder ‘what’s over there?’, and all too often repeating mechanics like towers to climb and enemy bases to clear mean you already know. That’s assuming it hasn’t been marked on the map for the last few hours you’ve been playing. FromSoftware’s location gives little away and adds a genuine thrill to its exploration. Every door or new location is as much a thrill as a threat, and the lack of obvious references or origins to its world often mean that even when you can see something, you’re still not sure what to expect.
The open world structure has also softened From’s usual style of game design. I won’t say it’s more accessible because there are still hard to beat bosses and high level areas that will hand what’s left of your ass back to you in seconds. The freedom to explore, however, removes the grind of more linear games like the Dark Souls series — letting you wander off and explore, levelling up at a more leisurely pace and adjusting to the challenges ahead.
6. Ghost of Tsushima
(Image credit: Sucker Punch)
Available on: PS4, PS5
Although you may be surprised to find a samurai game full of swords, blood and violence in a list of the best open-world games to play right now, hold back your shocked faces. Away from the sword clashing, Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima is surprisingly zen. Craft haikus whilst you marvel on a peaceful lake, contemplate the death of your father in a hot spring, follow a fox through the wilderness to a hidden shrine, or just go and see what that smoke in the sky is all about. A minimalist UI, waypoints pointed out by fluttering yellow birds and the wind makes for one of the most interesting, natural open-world experiences to date. Of course, helps that the combat and story are really great too. Not one to miss out on.
5. Horizon Forbidden West
(Image credit: PlayStation )
Available on: PS5, PS4
Horizon Forbidden West has done was many sequels have failed to do before, and bettered its original. Delivering a much larger and far richer open world than the original, with every side quest offering something new and interesting to the one you’ve discovered before. Aloy’s latest adventure is stunning and utterly memorable, with quite the graphical display of what the PS5 can do if you can play it on the latest hardware.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Available on: Nintendo Switch
See that mountain? You can climb it. You can also attach octopus balloons to a raft to float into the air, or turn a fallen tree into a deadly projectile.
Mixing up the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ’s ingenious mechanics is what makes its open world so deliriously freeing as it encourages that special breed of mad scientist experimentation so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch games available right now as well as one of the best open world games. Instead of quests propelling you around most of the map, you’ll find curiosity getting the better of you most of the time as Breath of the Wild’s landmarks are downright intriguing and offer the chance to find out more about the world before Calamity Ganon struck. Or you can hunt down the 600 adorable Korok Seeds. Or perfect your cooking repertoire. Or take on a Lynel. Or…you get the idea.
3. Grand Theft Auto 5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Come on, GTA 5 was always going to be in the top three best open-world games. You know it. I know it. It’s the most successful entertainment product of all time, for Christ’s sake! Driving through the winding streets, taking advantage of certain adult clubs, skydiving, stabbing sharks with knives, tracking a serial killer, running from the police (or fighting them if you’re thirsting for that 5-star wanted rating), going full Trevor and causing as much chaos as possible, and do I really need to carry on listing all the stuff you can do? Grand Theft Auto is a web of criminal exploits and mind-boggling potential, with every single inch of the world filled with NPCs to manipulate, missions to hunt down or just colossal heights of shenanigans to engage in.
It’ll swallow you whole, spit you out, and have you itching for more.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
(Playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X)
Doesn’t matter if you want to hunt. Doesn’t matter if you want to try and help Dutch achieve his elusive goals, and it definitely doesn’t matter if you’d rather just try to own the fanciest rootin’ tootin’-ist wardrobe in all America: Red Dead Redemption 2 is absolutely packed full of activities to keep you busy as soon as you step foot in its world. On its own, the story tells the tale of Dutch Van Der Linde’s efforts to keep his gang afloat while trying not to succumb to his own ego, all watched by his loyal friend Arthur Morgan. Its tale of a gradually disappearing age of outlaws as civilization comes to the Wild West means there are plenty of people who need your help. Although you could always rob them instead…Each different region is so stunning it actually hurts your eyes a little bit as you try to drink in every detail: Rockstar’s game will have you hunting for dinosaur bones, trying to solve a murder mystery, or even summoning that infamous Red Dead Redemption 2 vampire.
The sheer variety of choice as well as things to do easily makes Red Dead Redemption 2 one of the best open world games to play right now, so what are you waiting for, partner?
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Geralt isn’t perfect. His surroundings aren’t perfect either. War ravages most of the countryside, with bloodthirsty creatures who don’t even stick to the shadows anymore preying on innocent civilians, while others try to keep their identity secret in the human-dominated landscape. Yet that’s what makes The Witcher 3 the best open world game to play right now. Because everything is broken in its own special way, there’s always something plastered on peeling notice boards for Geralt to do (for gold, of course). Stick to the dirt country roads and help villagers with the monsters baying at the door while they look at you and your yellow eyes with suspicion, negotiate with a well-meaning poltergeist in the middle of a city, or just uncover all those mysterious question marks dotted over the map.
The Witcher 3’s imperfect world makes for a perfect game, meaning it’s set an incredibly high bar for the future of open world games.
Sam Loveridge is the Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar, and joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she’s also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for over seven years, and for GamesRadar, she is in charge of reviews, best lists, and the overall running of the site and its staff. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. Basically, she loves all games that aren’t sports or fighting titles!
With contributions from
- Heather WaldSenior staff writer
List of open world games that support single player
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Released: 2015
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
System Requirements: High
Genre: open world, action, rpg, adventure
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the final part of the Witcher Geralt.
Having regained his memory, the hero is looking for his named daughter and student — Ciri. In search of the witcher, the sorceress Yennefer helps …
92 /100
Red Dead Redemption
Released: 2010
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
System requirements: unknown
Genre: open world, action, shooter, action, adventure
From the creators of the iconic GTA-Rockstar Games series, comes a brand new open-world western game. You play as former thug John Marston, who is outlawed and forced to work for government agents to protect his family…
91 /100
Medieval 2: Total War
Released: 2006
Platforms: MacOS, PC
System Requirements: Low
Genre: open world, strategy
Medieval 2: Total War, like the previous parts of the same series, combines not only turn-based strategy, but also battles in tactical mode. The actions of the game cover the period between 1080 and 1530 throughout Europe, the fabulous Middle East and the nearest part of Africa, later Central America is added.
..
89 /100
Grand Theft Auto V
Released: 2013
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One
System Requirements: High
Genre: open world, thriller, shooter, action, adventure, fighting
With GTA 5, you take it in turns to be Michael the bank robber, Trevor the professional criminal, Franklin the ambitious pickpocket. By instantly switching the remote control, you will find yourself with one of the heroes in such an unusual and diverse world: either in the mountains or on the beach, or in the forest or among the hills…
88 /100
Gothic 2: Night of the Raven
Released: 2005
Platforms: on PC
System requirements: low
Genre: open world, action, rpg, adventure
The Secret Circle of Water — a society of great magicians capable of preventing the acts of the cruel and merciless god Beliar, who will soon wake up from a long sleep. But on their own, without your help, magicians will not be able to cope with this.
..
88 /100
Batman: Arkham City
Released: 2011
Platforms: MacOS, PlayStation 3, WiiU, PC, Xbox 360
System Requirements: Medium
Genre: comics, open world, thriller, action, adventure
Batman: Arkham City once again returns the player to the city of Gotham, whose streets were swept by a wave of crime. Thieves and bandits have flooded the city and, under the leadership of the Joker, are actively ruining the lives of Batman and Catwoman…
87 /100
Space Rangers 2
Released: 2006
Platforms: on PC
System requirements: low
Genre: open world, RPG, arcade
This game is a sequel to the famous «Space Rangers», which takes place two hundred years after the hard victory of the coalition over the Kleesans. Now the Coalition is threatened by a new, ruthless adversary…
87 /100
Divinity: Original Sin
Released: 2014
Platforms: MacOS, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
System requirements: Medium
Genre: open world, RPG
Divinity: Original Sin is a modern RPG set in the Divinity universe.
The game is a prequel to Divine Divinity. The plot of the RPG tells about the conquest of the orcs of Thanoroth, armed with deadly magic that distorts reality…
87 /100
Dragon Age: Origins
Released: 2009
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
System requirements: low
Genre: open world, action, rpg
Events take place in the famous kingdom of Ferelden. Dragon Age: Origins is designed for multiplayer mode with parallel development of a single game, and there is also a regular 60 hour single player game…
87 /100
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Released: 2011
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox 360
System Requirements: Low
Genre: open world, shooter, action, stealth, rpg
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a first-person cyberpunk RPG. The main character is Adam Jensen, security chief of Sarif Industries, a leader in human implants…
86 /100
The Long Dark
Released: 2014
Platforms: Linux, MacOS, PC, Xbox One
System Requirements: Medium
Genre: open world, educational, action, simulation, adventure, indie, survival
The Long Dark is a first-person survival simulation game.
According to the plot of the game, pilot William Mackenzie, whose air transport had an accident (which was the fault of a geomagnetic catastrophe that completely de-energized the Earth), is fighting for survival in an open area…
85 /100
Dishonored
Released: 2012
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One
System Requirements: Medium
Genre: open world, shooter, action, stealth, adventure
Dishonored is an unforgettable gift for gamers from Arkane Studios. The protagonist of the game is a silent and agile killer, but it is not necessary to kill your enemies. Having completed the assigned tasks bloodlessly, in stealth mode, and leaving the enemy at a loss…
85 /100
Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven
Released: 2002
Platforms: PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox
System requirements: low
Genre: open world, thriller, shooter, action, adventure, fighting
The action takes place in America in the 1930s.
The measured life of taxi driver Tommy Angel changes dramatically after meeting the gangsters Paulie and Sam. An unremarkable taxi driver becomes a real mafia…
85 /100
Crusader Kings II
Released: 2012
Platforms: PC
System Requirements: Medium
Genre: open world, strategy
In the strategy of Crusader Kings II — Europe, subject to the division of land between feudal lords, and the king is opposed to the Pope. The Pope proclaims the receipt of an indulgence for all soldiers going to the Holy Land…
85 /100
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Released: 2017
Platforms: Nintendo DS, WiiU, Nintendo Switch
System requirements: unknown
Genre: open world, action, RPG, adventure, quest, rpg
In the continuation of the series of games called The Legend of Zelda, you not only need to travel, but also unravel the mysteries of the kingdom of Hyrule. The vast surrounding space is full of various mysteries and puzzles, including fabulous creatures, among which a special place belongs to the demon.
..
85 /100
World of Tanks
Free server
Released: 2011
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One
System requirements: medium
Genre: thriller, shooter, action, simulator
World of Tanks is a team tactical MMO game, the main combat tool and vehicle of which is a tank. More than 150 armored crumbs from American, German and Soviet tank factories are available for selection…
86 /100
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Open world games — the best open world games on PC (PC), PlayStation, XBox, Android and iPhone
Open world games are projects in which players can freely explore the world around them for enemies, secrets, and various treasures.
The idea of creating a completely open world has fascinated developers for a long time, and when technology finally made it possible to realize this possibility, the authors did not keep themselves waiting. The only big disadvantage of this kind of games is their demanding budget, but even here the manufacturers have found a few loopholes.
