Summary
Open-world game designoffersplayers the ultimate freedom to move beyond linear experiences and discover something truly special. Players can explore at their own pace, which is a major part of the appeal, since there’s no rush. Searching every nook and cranny of colossal world maps, uncovering secrets, and finding special items feels highly rewarding.
That said, not every open-world game nails the balance. Some end up bloated with tedious tasks that drag things down. However, when done right,open-world gameplay becomes so engaging that players naturally lose track of the main story—and honestly, that’s one of the best things about the genre.
Nintendo’sTheLegend of Zeldaseries is no stranger to open-world gameplay, as exploration is a core aspect in every entry. However,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomredefines that formula by giving players agency and the bare minimum. The game has no hand-holding or patronizing reminders. The best part is thatit doesn’t have the constantly annoying waypoint markerseither, although the option is still available. For a more fun time, players are better off relying on intuition and game logic to figure everything out.
WhileBreath of the Wildchampioned this format,Tears of theKingdomfine-tuned it. Players will feel a surreal sense of adventure as they traverse the different regions of the world. It’s not just made up of vast empty spaces, because everything feels part of a vibrantly colorful ecosystem with distinct environments.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim,or simplySkyrim,needs no introduction. It’sbecome the go-to example of a gamethat’s been re-released more times than anyone can count. Jokes aside,Skyrimpaved the way for other open-world games with spectacular exploration that’s better than the main story. The sheer breadth of the game was a industry-changer, and with community mods, the experience has only grown even further.
Players can literally bypass the main path and head off into uncharted territory at any time without worry. There’s never a rush to get back to the plot-relevant missions. Instead, there are all sorts of dungeons, caves, and towns to explore. FromSkyrim’smassive world and skill-based leveling system to non-linear questlines and complex crafting, this is the ultimate fantasy RPG.
Elden Ringis expressly made for open-world enthusiasts who enjoy exploration but want it to be more challenging. This game is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s up to the players to decide how and where they wish to proceed. If a particular enemy or location feels overwhelming, they can just walk away and come back stronger. That’s what makesElden Ringfeel more welcoming than other Soulslikes. Not because it’s easy (it absolutely isn’t), but because it politely lets players suffer on their own terms.
With different build customizations, players can create diverse playstyles to tackle specific areas for exploration. Experimenting with various combinations of weapon arts and equipment makes it easier to clear choke points inElden Ring’slevel design. This helps players master the game’s combat mechanics and learn to pay attention to their surroundings for extensive exploration, not that the game gets any kinder about it.
Fans who enjoy boundless exploration in their video games, along with a touch of Lovecraftian existential crisis, will loveSubnautica. The first-person perspective adds an even greater level of immersive dread while exploring the oceanic abyss—not just any ocean, but one on an alien planet—and the entire goal is to escape.
Players must carefully explore the depths, scavengingresources to craft gear and vehicles for survival. The alien flora and marine life are equal parts fascinating and terrifying, making every encounter absolutely tense and horrifying. Tons of secrets and logs are scattered everywhere that players can find to make sense of the main story. The seamless transition from land to sea helpsSubnauticasubvert expectations of open-world exploration with ease.
IfSubnauticataps into existential dread,No Man’s Skyis its complete opposite. It evokes a sense of wonder and joy.No Man’s Skycompletely silenced its critics by delivering on its premise, which seemed too good and grand to be true—endless exploration. Players get to see and unearth the cosmos with an infinite, procedurally generated in-game galaxy. There are literally no limits to where players can go, and no invisible walls or boundaries exist.
A hallmark feature ofNo Man’s Skyis the level of interactivity with the various species and how that snowballs into its own thing. Players can focus on explorationwhile finding resources for crafting better spaceships and weapons. The constant discovery of new terrain and learning how to navigate its perils are all part of the journey inNo Man’s Sky.
If players ever dream of vacationing in the Caribbean, they can vicariously live out that fantasy throughAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag.Ubisoft struck gold again afterwrapping up the excellent Ezio Trilogy ofAssassin’s Creedgames.Black Flagis the ultimate pirate simulator. Players will dive into treasure hunts in deep waters overrun with sharks. On land, lush forests, caves, and pirate outposts present a different set of challenges to scale and maneuver through.
For many players,Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag’sspectacular exploration sidelines its already fantastic main story. The gameplay is flawless from the get-go thanks to the series' open-world, exploration-heavy design. It’s a must-play for fans who love the original crop ofAssassin’s Creedtitles, before the franchise delved into the RPG format.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntessentially set the standard for in-depth quest design flexibility and top-notch open-world exploration. The game is a phenomenal, one-of-a-kind example of how to keep players engaged. While the world ofTheWitcher 3: Wild Huntis already complex and lore-heavy, it’s within the vast landscapes and caverns that it truly shines. Players need specific monster parts to make decoctions and potions, which, in turn, requires scouring the map to locate said monsters.
Special Witcher swords and armor from different clans grant various bonuses and stat increases and are hidden in cleverly concealed locations. It’s up to the players to locate them, and all of it is optional. The fun prospect of exploration goads players to chart the massive open world inThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Dragon’s Dogma 2is perhaps the most niche AAA open-world game on this list, but it deserves its flowers. For one thing, its story is its weakest link, much like its predecessor,Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen. However, another similarity the game shares with the original is the deeply satisfying combat and extremely fun open-world exploration.
Dragon’s Dogma 2has many secrets hidden in its uniquely crafted world, and its design discourages fast travel for maximum immersion.Players are better off traveling on foot alongside their posse of pawns, which evokes an adventurousD&Dvibe. Random beast encounters feel more organic and intense, and the unique traversal system using skills is half the fun. Several rewarding dungeons and unexplored regions inDragon’sDogma 2will comfortably divert players' attention from the main story.
