Summary
Obsidian Entertainment is no stranger to crafting immersive worlds, and when it comes toopen-world games, they’ve left quite a mark. From vast RPG landscapes to more experimental settings, Obsidian knows how to blend intricate storytelling with player freedom.
While some titles lean into hardcore RPG mechanics, others take a more laid-back, experimental approach. Ranking these games isn’t just about their scale, but how effectively they pull players into their respective worlds. This list dives into the best open-world experiences Obsidian Entertainment has crafted.
Survival inGroundedisn’t about wastelands oralien planets— it’s about navigating your backyard when you’re the size of an ant. Obsidian flipped the script on open-world RPGs by making players feel small in a world that suddenly feels enormous. Crafting weapons from twigs and armor from acorns becomes essential when even a ladybug looks like a tank.
The game’s open world is more than just an oversized garden; it’s an ecosystem. Spiders patrol their webs, ants march in lines, and bees are both beautiful and terrifying up close. Multiplayer shines here, as teaming up to take down a particularly aggressive bombardier beetle feels like a small victory in a big world. It’s an unconventional open-world game, sure, but the way it turns everyday nature into a sprawling, dangerous playground is pure Obsidian creativity.
Set in the richly detailed world of Eora,Avowedinvites players to explore the Living Lands, a region brimming with magic, mystery, and danger.
Players can switch betweenfirst-personand third-person perspectives, a flexibility that caters to different playstyles, enhancing immersion. The combat system is versatile, blending magic, melee weapons, and firearms; spells can freeze or entangle enemies, setting them up for devastating physical attacks, and quick combat setup switches, like dual-wielding pistols or using a sword and shield, keep battles fresh and exciting.
The narrative emphasizes player choice, with branching dialogue options and quest decisions significantly impacting the story and world, showcasing Obsidian’s storytelling prowess. Exploration is key, with players uncovering hidden treasures, solving puzzles like the Avowed Woedica’s Inheritance map.
Sailing from one island to another, managing a crew, and trying to track down a god that’s taken on physical form —Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfireis aclassic RPGthat dares to embrace the open sea. The game world is sprawling, with each island offering unique cultures, conflicts, and quests. Whether negotiating with pirate lords or aiding a colony on the brink of collapse, the choices always carry weight.
Deadfire’s open-world design blends classic isometric exploration with ship management and sea combat, keeping things varied. Crew morale and supply management make every journey feel like an expedition rather than a simple map transition. The story is rich with lore, continuing the legacy ofPillars of Eternitywhile introducing a more vibrant and less gloomy atmosphere. It’s Obsidian’s way of saying that open-world RPGs don’t always have to be dark and gritty.
If you’ve ever wanted to playFalloutin space,The Outer Worldsmight just be your thing. Set in a corporate-controlled galaxy, it’s a satire of late-stage capitalism wrapped in colorful, retro-futuristic aesthetics. The game’s open world isn’t seamless, but it’s broken into rich, handcrafted zones where player choice and dark humor thrive.
The heart ofThe Outer Worldslies in its dialogue-driven storytelling. Whether convincing a corporation to invest in workers' rights or deciding the fate of entire colonies, players always feel like they’re shaping the story. Companions like Parvati and Nyoka bring heart and humor to even the bleakest missions, and combat is surprisingly punchy, blendingfirst-person shootingwith RPG stats. Though it lacks the massive world scale of some contemporaries, it makes up for that with clever writing and the freedom to play however you like.
This one doesn’t need much introduction.Fallout: New Vegastook Bethesda’sFallout 3formula and gave it a gritty, nuanced makeover. It’s apost-apocalyptic worldwhere every faction has a story and every choice has a consequence. Whether siding with the NCR, joining Caesar’s Legion, or claiming the Mojave for yourself, no decision feels trivial.
What makesNew Vegasspecial is the freedom to shape your character’s moral compass. Want to be a diplomatic genius who talks their way out of trouble? Go for it. Prefer to be a trigger-happy wildcard? The world responds accordingly. Its open world feels lived-in, with settlements like Novac and Freeside buzzing with stories. The DLCs only add more flavor, particularlyOld World BluesandLonesome Road, which deepen the lore and challenge players in unexpected ways.
The game’s janky combat and dated visuals don’t hold it back from being one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. For many,New Vegasset the standard for open-world storytelling, and even years later, its reputation remains untarnished.
