Open-world Games have always been regarded highly for the endless possibilities they offer. Whether it’s traversing the magnificent landscapes of an immersive setting or uncovering the mysteries of an intriguing civilization, you can always find a reason to enjoy them. Today, we’ll be venturing through many iconic franchises as we count down the best open-world games you can play today.
Best Open-World Games, Ranked
The genre is so extensive that everyone has their own list of the best open-world games. The following list is based on personal preference and it is likely that some of your favorites might be nowhere to be seen. If that’s the case, be sure to name which sandbox games are your favorites in the comments.
8. Horizon: Forbidden West
Past meets the future in one of the best open-world games of all time as you take control of a machine-hunting warrior, Aloy, on a planet overrun by, well, killer machines. Horizon: Forbidden West is a technical marvel that delivers a vast and rich open-world.
Bring down humongous robotic beasts with Aloy’s bow in this unforgettable journey to the West. The stellar narrative is another reason why you should invest your time in Guerilla’s massive achievement.
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7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a near-perfect open-world game that fully captures the essence of the novels. Its fantastic world is filled with many secrets to unearth, characters to adore, and magical beasts to hunt. All while you try to perfect the seamless combat system.
Geralt’s third mainline odyssey is a tremendous adventure that will not leave your heart even after you put down your controller, and that’s a feeling only found in the best open-world games.
6. Ghost Of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima is Sucker Punch’s love letter to fans of Japanese culture. Its open-world is teeming with a visually unique and breathtaking art style, along with beautiful melodies playing in the background while you ride atop your trusty steed.
Ghost of Tsushima is incredibly realistic and its brutal combat system will keep you addicted as you embody Jin Sakai, a lone samurai, who must adopt unconventional methods in order to repel the Mongol invasion. Exploring the enchanting island of Tsushima is truly a delight as you wander from settlement to settlement in one of the top open-world games of the PS4 era.
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5. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 undoubtedly saved the day for modern open-world superhero games with its gripping story and the many relentless combat and traversal means it comes packed with. Swing or glide through the streets of a spectacular recreation of New York, one that’s swarming NPCs and oozing life.
Battle classic Spider-Man villains, embrace the renowned symbiote suit, and see all the dazzling crevices of New York in what is one of the best open-world games. As you take control of both Peter and Miles, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 encourages you to master the abilities of both Spider-Men so you can be greater together.
4. Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom easily beats its predecessor at being the better open-world game. It is bigger, better, and more fun in every possible way. The glorious land of Hyrule is now multilayered, with more depth on every level.
Tears of the Kingdom is essentially a sandbox where you can create any gizmo your mind thinks of, so the amount of fun you have depends on how creative you can be. Additionally, its mind-blowing canvas of quests and lore will keep you obsessed for weeks, but those will be hours you will be more than happy to pour into it.
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3. Batman: Arkham Knight
Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham Knight revolutionized superhero games with its smooth free-flow combat system and a stunningly beautiful Gotham. Its graphics and open-world design are the standard on which other superhero games are upon. The eerie vibe of Arkham Knight is unmatched, and once you play it, you’ll be surprised at how good its story and pacing is.
Batman: Arkham Knight drops you into Gotham, a city in its darkest hour. You roam the streets of a crime-ridden city in Batman’s iconic and unstoppable Batmobile, or rather Bat-tank, while simultaneously saving Gotham from a rogues gallery that will terrify you to your core. Arkham Knight was truly ahead of its time when it was released. It’s a timeless masterpiece that is among the greatest hits of The Dark Knight and one of the best open-world games you can play right now.
2. Elden Ring
Die, die, die, and try again in one of the best open-world games of all time as a Tarnished warrior tasked with restoring order to the Lands Between. Elden Ring drops you into one of the toughest open-worlds filled with diverse terrain and stupefyingly difficult-to-activate side-quests.
Defeat giant beasts with a wide arsenal of weapons in FromSoftware’s latest and greatest adventure yet. Elden Ring is the best Soulslike game made by FromSoftware to date, and its rich narrative and immeasurably huge scope are more than enough to rank it among the best open-world games.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 pushes the boundaries of open-world game design to an unparalleled height. The attention to detail it has is simply insane. Pulling off heists in many unique ways, randomly bumping into amazing sub-stories, finding out secrets that you thought weren’t there, and playing the story from ten different angles across ten different playthroughs is something not any video game could pull off, but Red Dead Redemption 2 does that perfectly.
Immerse yourself in the remarkable Wild West, venture across its enormous countryside, and do tons more as Arthur Morgan, a loyal cowboy or a mercenary, an aspect which you decide. Red Dead Redemption 2 is brimming with activities as soon as you set foot in it and a story that will speak to you on an emotional level. It’s no wonder why it was so critically acclaimed upon launch, and with time, it has aged like fine wine, making it hands down the best open-world game right now for you to jump into.
Do you agree that these are the best open-world games, or would you rather switch them up?
