Fallout 4's open world is a post-apocalyptic wasteland ravaged by nuclear war, presenting a vast and perilous landscape for exploration. From ruined cities to barren wastelands, you can gather resources, build settlements, and engage in branching quests as you navigate the harsh realities of this new world. With dynamic weather, radiation storms, and mutated creatures lurking around every corner, survival in Fallout 4 is an ongoing challenge.
© Bethesda
The open world of Subnautica immerses you in an alien ocean brimming with life and intrigue. To survive, you’ll need to explore, scavenge, and construct within this beautifully designed underwater realm, teeming with exotic creatures, deep-sea trenches, and ancient ruins. Whether you're building underwater bases or unraveling the mysteries of this alien planet, Subnautica offers a distinctive and engaging survival adventure.
© Unknown Worlds Entertainment
Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Mad Max offers a vast open world to explore, brimming with desolate landscapes, perilous factions, and vehicular chaos. Players can design their own vehicles, engage in fierce vehicular combat, and scavenge for resources while navigating the harsh realities of life after civilization's collapse.
© Warner Bros.
Set in a vibrant and tech-savvy version of San Francisco, Watch Dogs 2's open world is a playground for hacking and mischief. Exploring iconic landmarks, hack into various systems and complete missions to take down a corrupt corporation. The dynamic open world is populated with NPCs, side activities and online multiplayer challenges, providing endless opportunities for exploration and experimentation with the game's hacking mechanics.
© Ubisoft
GTA V's open world is a sprawling, satirical depiction of Los Angeles and its surroundings. From bustling city streets to serene beaches and towering mountains, you can discover a diverse landscape filled with activities, side missions and dynamic encounters. From wreaking havoc in the city to pulling off epic heists in the countryside, the world of GTA V offers endless opportunities for chaos and destruction.
© Rockstar
Set in a vast open world, Elden Ring allows you to explore the Lands Between and its six main zones, from grassy plains to ancient ruins to undead wastelands. You will be able to travel the world on your mount, Torrent, and use fast travel outside of combat. The game features hidden dungeons, catacombs, and caves with challenging bosses and valuable items, as well as encounters with NPCs and demigods who rule each area.
© FromSoftware
The open world of Ghost of Tsushima is a sprawling, meticulously crafted recreation of feudal Japan, featuring luscious landscapes, serene temples, and war-torn battlefields. On horseback, you can explore the island of Tsushima, engage in intense swordplay, and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the samurai era as you seek vengeance.
© PlayStation/Sony
The open world of Horizon Zero Dawn is a visually stunning post-apocalyptic landscape overrun by robotic creatures. From verdant forests to snow-capped mountains, the world is filled with ancient ruins, high-tech facilities, and breathtaking vistas. Dynamic weather and day/night cycles add to the immersion as you uncover the mysteries of the past and forge your own path in this beautifully realized world.
© PlayStation/Sony
The open world of Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a meticulously recreated medieval landscape, complete with rolling hills, dense forests, and bustling villages. Within the authentic setting of 15th century Bohemia, you can immerse yourself in realistic combat, navigate political intrigue, and experience the challenges of life in the Middle Ages.
© Warhorse
Set in a seamless open world four times the size of the first game, Dragon's Dogma 2 features two major kingdoms, Vermund and Battahl, with cities and towns populated by humans, beasts, and elves. Fast travel and saving are limited, so you will need to adapt, setting up camps at night and experiencing emergent events that require adaptive strategies. The day/night cycle affects creature encounters and their strength, adding to the dynamic exploration experience.
© CAPCOM
Enshrouded presents an open world of darkness and mystery where you will explore eerie forests, haunted towns, and otherworldly realms filled with sinister horrors. Survival depends on scavenging for resources, solving puzzles, and uncovering the truth behind the enigmatic darkness that envelops the world.
© Keen Games
The open world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is a carefully crafted depiction of the American frontier in the late 1800s. From the rugged mountains of Grizzlies to the swamps of Lemoyne, the open world features a diverse landscape filled with wildlife, dynamic weather systems, and bustling towns. Whether hunting wildlife, robbing stagecoaches, or completing story-driven missions, the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 offers endless opportunities to explore and become immersed in the Old West.
© Rockstar
Set in the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy, Black Flag's open world encompasses tropical islands, bustling port cities, and the vastness of the open sea. Captain your own ship, engage in naval battles, explore hidden coves and underwater wrecks, and search for buried treasure in a world of adventure and danger.
© Ubisoft
Tears of the Kingdom allows you to explore Hyrule, floating islands in the sky, and a vast underground area called the Depths, so there are three levels of open world to explore. As you explore, you can climb, ride a horse, or use a paraglider to navigate various dungeons filled with puzzles and bosses. New abilities and Zonai devices allow for creative combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving, adding depth to the richly detailed world.
© Nintendo
The open world of Skyrim is known for its expanse and depth. It's filled with towering mountains, vast forests, ancient ruins, and bustling cities. You can freely roam the landscape and encounter wild animals, bandits, and mythical creatures. The world is dynamically populated with NPCs going about their daily lives, offering endless opportunities for exploration, questing, and immersion in the rich lore of the Elder Scrolls universe.
© Bethesda
Yes, open world games are amazing. They can take us to places we could never visit in real life, and give us the greatest immersion we could ask for. A great open world invites you to explore every spot on the map, find every treasure chest, and meet every character. So here are 15 of the best open world games to spend hours and hours in.
