Open World Games are the epitome of choices. You can pursue the quest that takes you to the villain, or you can help a random stranger who needs help. There are too many things to do in Open World Games that some games might even feel like a grind-fest.
Best Open World Video Games! 🎮
Choosing ten Open World Games which do not feel like a grind-fest is hard, and we believe these ten games will immerse you so much in their World that you think you are a part of it. GameThem also ranks it for you to make sure you have played the best of the best.
10. Far Cry 5
Far Cry 5 lets you do anything and everything on the map once you finish the tutorial. The game takes place in the fictional Hope County in Montana, where one Joseph Seed has gained prominence and followers. He has established a cult that believes along with him that the end of the World is upon them, and the only person who can save them is Joseph Seed. He has established Project Eden’s Gate for the purpose of saving the people of Hope County. So, his militaristic Cult takes over Hope County and its citizens and doesn’t allow anyone to contact the outside world. How the player liberates, Hope County is the story of Far Cry 5, which also has a spin-off Far Cry: New Dawn. With Outposts to liberate, animals to tame, and earning Resistance points to liberate regions, we can do plenty of activities in Far Cry 5 before coming to the Endgame, making it one of the best open-world games out there.
9. Marvel’s Spider-Man
The critically acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-man lets you be the Spider-man in every sense. Developed by Insomniac Games, this PlayStation exclusive lets you swing, shoot webs, brawl, and even work in labs as Peter Parker. The game has an original story set in a universe where Spider-man is experienced enough, and he has already fought many a bad guy in his day. When Kingpin is defeated and jailed, he threatens that there will be consequences. With superpowers of manipulating negative energy, a new gang tries to control the streets now, and Spider-man must stop them. As Pete, he tries to help Doctor Octavius achieve his dream against the mayor Norman Osborn’s will. What happens when both the plot points converge? You get an action-packed story. The premise is new and fresh, and the parkour system in the game should be lauded as you feel like swinging across NYC yourselves. The map is reasonably huge, and you have many side quests which let you fight other villains like Tombstone. In addition to this, Spider-man needs to help Harry to keep his Research Centers open, collect his old backpacks and stop crimes in the city. Oh, did I mention he has to catch pigeons too?
A sequel to Marvel’s Spider-man, Spider-man: Miles Morales was released in 2020 as one of the launching games to PS5. Originally intended as DLC, the game was instead reworked upon and released as a complete game. Though the game was short, it gained positive reviews from avid gamers to make it a worthy sequel.
8. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
The Assassin’s Creed franchise saw a major reboot in gameplay from Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Odyssey follows suit by expanding the RPG elements from Origins. In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, you can play as either Kassandra or Alexios in 431 BC Greece. The plot of the game involves Kassandra or Alexios traveling to various parts of Greece as a mercenary to profit from the war between Athens and Sparta. However, he/she realizes that there is more to this as she finds out that her mother is alive and in danger. So, he/she must start executing the members of the Cult who is responsible for the war and the threat to her family. Upon further investigating, she realizes that her long-lost brother/sister is the champion of the Cult, and he/she needs to be taken down. In addition to all this, we have the birth father Pythagoras coming in and asking for Isu artifacts to help and seal Atlantis so that the knowledge is lost to humans. With the main plot in itself having three branches of stories in addition to side quests and Treasure-looting, the game is worth more than a hundred and fifty hours of gameplay. Adding to this, three DLCs take you to Elysium, Underworld, and Atlantis. If you are a fan of open-world games where you can immerse yourself entirely and never come out, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is your game.
7. Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima by Sucker Punch is the second PlayStation exclusive on the list. You play as Jin Sakai, who is a Samurai during the First Mongol Invasion of Japan. Battered and bruised during the first battle, Jin Sakai is rescued by a thief who nurses him back to health. With his uncle captured, he has to lead the forces against the Mongol tyrant, Khotan Khan, who is as menacing as it gets. In his bid to defeat Khotan Khan, Jin realizes that he can no longer uphold a Samurai’s ideals and has to get his hands dirty by learning a trick or two from the thief, Yuna. As he progresses along with his newly earned tricks, he realizes he is changing and has an internal battle inside himself. When he rescues his uncle, he dissuades Jin of his methods as well. But rumors have started spreading across the island of Tsushima that there is a Ghost who hunts the Mongols. How he kills Khotan and embraces his new role becomes the rest of the story. This refreshing and unique setting has lots to do in terms of NPC character quests, writing Haikus, taking a bath in the hot springs of Tsushima, following foxes to shrines, and reaching temples not accessible. Go for this game if you want a refreshing new story based on history.
6. Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn follows Aloy in a post-apocalyptic world in which machines take over, and humanity goes back to bows and arrows. In this World, those who do not have their mothers are outcasts and are sent out of the village. With the help of a piece of Technology that Aloy finds while spelunking, she sets out to return to the village when she is of age. There she is attacked by cultists Carja group as she resembles Dr. Elisabet Sobeck from the Old World. To understand why the World ended and why she resembles the said doctor, she travels across the world searching for answers. Along the way, there are many side quests and, of course, huge robots to fight against and reclaim the land. The locales in this game are stunning and breath-taking, and the entire game is crawling with beautifully designed machines that resemble animals. If you want a breath of fresh air, you can always immerse yourselves in the World of Horizon Zero Dawn which is gorgeous and vast.
5. Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA5) is developed by Rockstar Games and is the fifth installment in the GTA series. Set in the fictional state of San Andreas, the story has three protagonists – Michael de Santa, the retired bank robber, Franklin Clinton, the Street Gangster, and Trevor Phillips, the drug dealer and arms smuggler. How they perform heists amidst heavy pressure from corrupt officials and criminals form the crux of the story. Ultimately, all three are under heavy fire, and how they escape from their old life is the remainder of the story. The game is set in an open world where the player can roam freely from the start without any restrictions. The players can go Scuba diving, BASE jumping, invest in stocks through the in-game internet, watch movies or even visit strip clubs in the game in addition to the side quests. GTA V is the best in the GTA series, with the critically acclaimed game staying relevant even after eight years in 2021. If you were a fan of GTA Vice-City while growing up, you would become a fan of GTA V after you finish playing it!
4. Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City is the second installment in the Arkham series from Rocksteady, and it continues from where Batman – Arkham Asylum ended. Bruce Wayne is captured by Hugo Strange in Arkham City and released among the criminal populace. Before releasing, Hugo Strange says that “Protocol 10” is in place as well. The entire Arkham City is now taken into control by criminals, and all access to the mainland of Gotham has been cut off. Batman must now fend off criminals in Arkham City while trying to understand what triggered this chaos.
Meanwhile, Joker, now infected with the Titan formula from Arkham Asylum, captures Batman and transfuses his blood to infect Batman as well. He also reveals that this blood has been sent to several hospitals in Gotham. How Batman understands what Protocol 10 is and saves himself and the people of Gotham from the infection due to the Titan formula is the rest of the story. With new villains in side quests, we can play both as Batman and as Catwoman, who has her own story arc. The classic Riddler trophy is back in the game with the aspect of liberating towers to fast travel. This wholesome game is still a fan-favorite among the Arkham franchise players.
3. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the twelfth installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise following Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Valhalla follows Eivor Varinsdottir, a Norse raider in 872 AD who travels to England along with her foster-brother Sigurd to establish a Kingdom. She receives a hidden blade from Basim and Hytham, who are a part of a mysterious cult called Hidden Ones. How she annexes Kingdoms through conquest and alliance and the obstacles she faces in understanding who she is the rest of the story. The story here is again multi-layered, just like Odyssey. We have three main quests in defeating the Order of Ancients, finding out the life’s purpose of Eivor, and establishing a vast Kingdom across the beautiful locale of England. But unlike Odyssey, which had three separate stories, all of them merge as we near the game’s climax, making it one of the best stories we have come across. The side quests involve various World Events, collecting wealth and Artifacts, including cosmetics. In addition to the map of England, we have two more maps in Vinland and Norway, which provide additional side quests and wealth. Norse Mythology is always exciting. When it is combined with an Assassin’s Creed game, it gives us immense pleasure and satisfaction. A must-play among the new entries of Assassin’s Creed! Check out our detailed review of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla here.
2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the third installment in the Witcher series and a direct sequel to Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. The game is based on a series of fantasy books by Andrzej Sapkowski. The Witcher 3 continues the story of Geralt of Rivia, who is a Witcher (one who slays Monsters when hired). The otherworldly Wild Hunt chases his adopted daughter, who has the power to manipulate Time and Space, and Geralt is trying to find her and secure her before the Wild Hunt gets their hands on her. The quest to find her and how he saves her or if he saves her forms the rest of the story, with the ending influenced by the player’s choices. Geralt battles many otherworldly creatures along the way with a sword, cross-bow, and magic. As Geralt, the player must also help other NPCs as side quests to earn experience points and gold, enabling the player to enhance Geralt’s abilities and pieces of equipment. In addition to these side quests, the player can play a card game called Gwent, designed exclusively for Witcher 3. The card became a massive hit that the makers released an online game for it separately. Witcher 3 has won many Game of the Year awards, and according to Witcher fans, the best video game to be ever made. If you want to immerse yourself in the World of the Witcher, set aside at least two hundred hours for it.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is a game developed by Rockstar Studios and is the third in the Red Dead series. It is a prequel to the game Red Dead Redemption which was released in 2010. The game is set in Wild West and has two protagonists – Arthur Morgan and John Marston (the protagonist of Red Dead Redemption). Arthur Morgan, an outlaw in the Van der Linde gang in 1899, must survive in the declining Wild West while managing the Government agencies, rival gangs, and backstabbing gang members. In the epilogue, we can play John Marston. The player can ride horses to travel across the vast map, and depending on the breed, each horse will be unique. There are so many choices in the game. For example, a player can ride horses by capturing them wild and taming them or stealing one. To ride this horse now, the player must saddle it. Increased usage of a single horse will create a bond with the horse, which will give certain advantages. The small aspect of in-game transportation thus generates a variety of activities. In addition to horses, stagecoaches or trains can also be used for transportation.
In addition to story missions, the players can free-roam in the World and help others in distress. When helped, the NPCs reward the player for their efforts when they meet again.
In addition to this, players can participate in or just witness ambushes, crimes committed by other people, pleas for assistance, ride-by shootings, public executions, and animal attacks. As though the number of side activities is less, the players can get involved in bounty hunting, dueling, search for treasures and collectibles. The players can also play poker, blackjack, dominoes, and Five Finger Filet for pleasure.
As a player becomes notorious, the bounty system is activated, and Government agencies start hunting the player. Hair grows over time. Clothes need to be changed according to the weather. Weapons need to be serviced. Players need to eat and bathe. Eating more will increase the weight providing more health and lesser stamina while eating less will decrease the weight to give lesser health and more stamina. Negative deeds lessen your honor, while positive deeds like helping strangers increase it. Based on this honor, you can make choices in missions that influence the ending of the game.
Hunting is also a significant aspect of this game as hunting generates in-game money and food. The quality of the pelt also depends on the weapon used and the placement of the shot made. If the animal is not skinned immediately, the corpse will start rotting only to attract more predators to it!
Thus, Rockstar Studios has developed a noteworthy game for eight years before giving it to fans, and this one will be the best game to ever release for a very long time!
Nikhil is an optimist who believes that tomorrow is always a better day. He is a nerd who loves books, games, comic books, and movies in the same order. He aspires to be an author of fiction someday.