Our best open-world games haven't seen big changes in 2023, but that change will no doubt happen over the next 12 months. After all, we definitely have Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Starfield coming up, and there's no doubt that other excellent open-world games will be released this year. But for now, there's one more fantastic opportunity to venture into the digital jungles that pull you deeper and deeper.
What we're going to say is that only real open worlds can appear on this list, so something like Pokemon Legends: Arceus doesn't make the list, and unfortunately, the open world void of Pokemon Violet and Scarlet also means it doesn't. 't Cut does - but for reasons different from Arceus.
What we can guarantee, though, is that these top open-world titles are here to fill up all your spare time, with digital worlds so rich you won't mind getting completely lost in them. We've played them all ourselves and can guarantee you'll have fun with them all, so be sure to check them out.
Index
25. Death Stranding
(Image credit: Kojima Productions)
Available in:PS5, PS4, PC
Death Stranding might not be for everyone when it comes to its narrative, but Kojima's latest iteration is an immersive open world. As much of an action game as it is, you'll still be running around in it for many hours, delivering packages, working with other players to rebuild and create, and watching what they've left behind. It's definitely unique and absolutely beautiful, especially when the music starts.
24. Terrariums
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, PSVita
(Playable on Xbox Series X and PS5)
Terraria (opens in new tab) is so full of possibilities that it borders on sandbox and open world. Build your house and defend it against the nasty things that will try to break down the door and suck your brains out your nose. If you prefer, you can ignore these beasts and delve deep into the earth to find valuable resources, or just explore to your heart's content. Create better armor and weapons, and even a jetpack, and when you're feeling strong enough - and probably a little cocky - wait for one of the game's bosses to spontaneously attack you. There's always something better to build, dig a new cave or add another floor to your home.
23. Nobody's Paradise
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
No Man's Sky has evolved into a rewarding journey across the star system, where you trot across procedurally generated planets like the interstellar explorer that you are. Now it has 30 hours of story content, new lore, multiple ways to interact with your NPCs, portals that make jumping between planets and terraforming a lot easier. The No Man Sky's Beyond update (opens in a new tab) brought even more features and changes, including buildable aliens, a new social system, and support for virtual reality. And updates since then have added more features, more story, and even more reasons to get lost in space. Forget the open world: No Man's Sky is an open galaxy, and you should definitely jump in if you look good in a spacesuit and love spotting exotic alien wildlife.
22nd Vigilance Legion
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
The world of Watch Dogs Legion is a technological puppet playground where you pull the strings - and boy, can you make these high-tech gadgets dance? As in real life, gaining followers means everything to your secret hacking organization DedSec, as higher numbers mean more power for you and your friends. Take control of one of the Londoners to become your playable character, build your team and defeat those who make your life miserable in Blighty.
21. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC
(Playable on Xbox Series X and PS5)
Since traveling alone across a huge world is no fun, Dragon Age: Inquisition (opens in a new tab) offers plenty of companions to roam around and plenty of side quests to use them with. You wouldn't want to end up wasting your talents. On top of that, the companions are also some of the best members of the group (I'm looking at you, Dorian Pavus). At first, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the number of side quests that saturate its lush fantasy world, but as long as you remember to take advantage of the fact that - like many of the best open world games out there - there are tons of areas to explore from the start (don't limit yourself to just one), you'll slowly be able to assess which ones are worth doing as quickly as possible. The story will also keep you engaged throughout, although it may take many hours out of your life, it's well worth the investment of time.
20. Minecraft
Available in:Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
(Playable on Xbox Series X and PS5)
Okay, okay, Minecraft (opens in a new tab) is technically a sandbox game, but hey, that still counts as an open world game. Chop down trees, dig deep into mountains and try to avoid falling into lava in this phenomenally large exploration extravaganza. Your imagination really is the limit in Minecraft, as humans have created entire cities, functioning computers, imposing statues and much more in this blocky landscape. Achievable, er... achievements provide a flexible framework for when you want a little more structure in your games, and when you get tired of the ordinary world, you can start exploring the Nether and build your next stronghold there. So technically you have two open world environments at your disposal. Talk about value for money!
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC
(Playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X)
Going into the game with all guns blazing isn't for everyone. So if you're thirsting for an open world stealth game, Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain (Opens in a new tab) should be your hot drink of choice. It encourages non-lethal playstyles over indiscriminate killing, the extent to which all the different systems are intertwined is incredible, and you can roam around with enemy soldiers and do as you see fit. Don't get used to multiple tactics, however - enemies will adapt if you repeat the same approaches too many times. D-Horse and D-Dog, a wolf bred to help him in the field, keep him company in the world, and the dynamic weather system is equally useful, making him harder to see and hear on a regular basis.
18. Fallout 4
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC
(Playable on Xbox Series X and PS5)
Okay this time someone has taken your baby and you have to get him back. Mind you, it's really not a big deal. Hear me out: Fallout 4's potential (opens in new tab) is too tempting to ignore for long. The surprisingly colorful world of Boston, MA is filled with quests: follow the Freedom Trail, solve mysteries with unforgettable synthetic detective and Sassmaster Nick Valentine, try to rescue Synthesizers with the Railroad, explore a haunted house or just loot anything (and all ). ). ) in sight to build a mountain of caps. Play however you like and see how it affects your followers, adding extra depth to this post-apocalyptic open-world game. Just don't set the world on fire. Yet.
17. Far Cry 6
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Available in: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
Far Cry 6 takes us to the fictional setting of Yara, someone from South America, where you're tasked with becoming a guerrilla fighter named Dani and overthrowing the dictatorship run by the Castillo family - namely, a guy named Anton played by Giancarlo Esposito. But it's also a huge open world with lots of activities to do while you're doing all that political stuff. Solving puzzles, completing races, finding companions, helping citizens... there's so much to do in Yara.
16. Dying Light 2
(Image credit: Techland)
Available in:PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
The sequel to the original infected melee parkouring title is here, offering an open world that's just as immersive as the original. The world of Dying Light 2 is a massive place to explore - just try to avoid the lurching hordes - with regular incentives to keep peeking around the next corner. While the story may not have been as decision-driven as many had hoped, this is still a fantastic open-world title for those looking for more of a survival horror twist.
15. Infinity Halo
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
Available in:Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
Halo Infinite really brought infinity to Halo. Well, not literally, but the open world really works for Master Chief and company. It's not an open world that isn't huge, but it encourages you to explore and move forward, unlocking new areas along the way. It's a really nice world to exist between movie sets, with plenty of reasons to keep coming back. It's the best Halo world for a reason.
14. Days Past
(Image credit: Sony)
Available in:PS4, PC, PS5
Days Gone is another fantastical horror open world, with a horde of literally hundreds of massive zombies just waiting to attack you. You play as Deacon St. John, and although it's a terrible name, this biker has quite a story to tell. It's a compelling if gritty world, with human stories to offset the horrors of zombies (or freaks, as they're called). Peek into every nook and cranny and you'll be rewarded, just as you'd expect from a well-made open-world game.
13. ForzaHorizon 5
(Image credit: Playground Games)
Available in:Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
The only racer on this list of the best open world games, but Forza Horizon 5 more than earned its spot. This arcade racing game lets you explore Mexico as the latest Horizon Festival, a massive celebration of all things four-wheeled - oh, and an occasional special guest too. It's breathtaking, has a thunderous soundtrack, and constantly offers you something new to do. And, of course, the range of cars is incredibly large.
12. Sea of Thieves
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
Available in:Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
Sea of Thieves offers you an open world playground waiting for you to create your own stories within it. Become a legendary pirate, build your crew, discover treasures and much more. This is a game that has come a long way since its release in 2018, with constant updates and additions. It also has an exceptional community that can only benefit the pirate fantasy.
11. Impacto Genshin
(Image credit: miHoYo)
Available in:PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, PC
What if you took Breath of the Wild and added JRPG elements and a little anime? Welcome to Genshin Impact. The world of Teyvat is full of mysteries, not just about who you are and why you're there, and with constant updates and more characters being added regularly, there's plenty of reason to delve into it. Oh, and did we mention it's completely free?
10. Marvels Spider-Man
(Image credit: Insomniac)
Available in:PS5, PS4
Marvel's Spider-Man was one of those rare games that reinvigorated superhero games. Originally released for PS4 and later receiving a patch for PS5, Insomniac's game shows us a beautiful recreation of New York, filled with epic side quests and other activities to balance the equally memorable story.
It's also worth noting that the most recent title Spider-Man: Miles Morales takes place in the same open world and continues this storyline. It's shorter and more compact, but just as eye-catching, so it's worth a look too.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X
The world of Skyrim is not about you. Somewhere in the desert, a necromancer is trying to revive a skeleton. At the same time, you'll find a bunch of bandits facing a giant during the day (R.I.P.) or wander to a nearby village only to be attacked by a dragon when you leave the inn. Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim (opens in new tab) is made for stories, and it's so eager for you to experience its delights that even if you avoided every major settlement, you'd still be stuck in 30% of its wild quests. . The map is filled with things to do, bizarre things to see, creatures to impale with sharp tools, NPCs to steal, spooky Dwemer ruins to explore... oh, and dragons to fight. Even after easily playing for 100 hours (those are numbers for beginners), there are still quests you haven't found and hidden bosses just waiting to be killed. It's hard to overstate the impact that Skyrim has had on the lives of gamers across the world, but to get a good idea of its impact and what Elder Scrolls 6 (opens in new tab) has to offer, hop on the best in between and start your new journey. life in his world.
8. Assassin's Creed: Walhalla
(Image credit: Ubisoft)
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
All current Assassin's Creed titles have been excellent open-world games, but Assassin's Creed Valhalla is definitely one to check out - especially since it's already one of the best Xbox Series X games and best PS5 games. Building on improvements made with Assassin's Creed Origins and Assassin's Creed Odyssey (both very valuable), Valhalla takes you to the Dark Ages and travels across England as Viking Eivor to find a new home for your clan. Build your settlement, meet new friends, forge new allies, try your hand at politics and do lots of exploring to find the mysteries and treasures that hide in old England.
7. Eldenring
(Image credit: Bandai Namco)
Available in:PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC
Perhaps one of Elden Ring's greatest strengths as an open world is the atmosphere of mystery that surrounds almost everything in it. Good open-world games thrive on their power to make you wonder what's in there? Assuming it hasn't been marked on the map in the last few hours you've played. Localizing FromSoftware reveals little and adds a real thrill to your exploration. Each entry or new location is as exciting as it is menacing, and the lack of obvious clues or origins to its world often means that even if you can see something, you're still not quite sure what to expect. The open world structure also toned down From's usual game design style. I won't say it's more accessible because there are still hard-to-beat bosses and high-level areas that will give you what's left of your ass in a matter of seconds. However, the freedom to explore removes the grind of more linear games like the Dark Souls series - you can start wandering and exploring, leveling up at a slower pace and adapting to the challenges ahead.
6.Spirit of Tsushima
(Image credit: Sucker Punch)
Available in:PS4, PS5
While you might be surprised to find a samurai game full of swords, blood, and violence on a list of the best open world games to play right now, hold your shocked faces. Away from swordplay, Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima (opens in new tab) is surprisingly zen. Create haiku while marveling at a still lake, ponder your father's death in a hot spring, follow a fox across the desert to a hidden shrine, or just walk and see what the smoke in the sky means. A minimalist UI, waypoints highlighted by fluttering yellow birds, and the wind create one of the most immersive and natural open world experiences ever. Of course, it also helps that the combat and story are really great. Nothing to lose.
5. West Forbidden Horizon
(Image credit: PlayStation)
Available in:PS5, PS4
Horizon Forbidden West did what many previous sequels failed to do and surpassed the original. It offers a much larger and richer open world than the original, with each side quest offering something new and interesting to previously discovered. Aloy's latest adventure is impressive and utterly memorable, with a pretty graphic representation of what the PS5 can do when you can play it on the latest hardware.
4. A Lenda de Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Available in:nintendo switch
Do you see this mountain? You can climb it. You can also attach octopus balloons to a raft to float in the air or turn a fallen tree into a deadly projectile. The intricate mechanics of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (opens in a new tab) make the open world so insanely liberating and encourage that particular brand of mad scientist to experiment that it's no surprise it ranks among the best games on the Nintendo Switch ( opens in new tab) are available now and are one of the best open world games. Rather than quests that propel you through most of the map, you'll be overcome with curiosity most of the time, as Breath of the Wild's landmarks are downright intriguing and provide an opportunity to learn more about the world before Calamity Ganon attack. Or you can hunt for the 600 adorable Korok seeds. Or perfect your culinary repertoire. Or face a Lynel. Or... you get the idea.
3. Grand Theft Auto 5
Available in:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Come on, GTA 5 (opens in new tab) has always been in the top 3 best open world games. You know. I know that. It's the highest-grossing entertainment product of all time, my goodness! Drive through the winding streets, use designated adult clubs, skydive, stab sharks, chase a serial killer, evade the cops (or fight them if you're after that 5-star wanted rating thirst) and get your fill of Trevor and cause as much chaos as possible, and do I really need to keep listing everything you can do? Grand Theft Auto is a web of criminal exploits and mind-boggling potential, where every inch of the world is filled with NPCs to manipulate, hunt down quests, or just experience colossal heights of shenanigans. It will swallow you whole, spit it out, and leave you craving for more.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
Available in:PS4, Xbox One, PC
(Playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X)
It doesn't matter if you want to hunt. It doesn't matter if you want to help Dutch achieve his elusive goals, and it definitely doesn't matter if you'd rather just try to own the most chic wardrobe in all of America: Red Dead Redemption 2 is packed with activities that will keep you engaged as soon as possible. you step into their world. The story itself tells the tale of Dutchman Van Der Linde's struggles to keep his gang afloat while trying not to succumb to his own ego, all watched over by his loyal friend Arthur Morgan. The story of an age of bandits gradually disappearing as civilization descends in the Old West means that there are many people who need your help. Although you can still steal them... Each region is so impressive that it really hurts your eyes a little trying to capture all the details: Rockstar's game lets you hunt dinosaur bones, try to solve a mystery or even summon the infamous vampire of Red Dead Redemption 2. The sheer variety of choices, as well as the easy things to do, make Red Dead Redemption 2 one of the best open world games to play right now, so what are you waiting for, fellas?
1. The Witcher 3: Wilde Jagd
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Geralt is not perfect. Its surroundings aren't perfect either. War ravages most of the landscape, with bloodthirsty creatures that no longer remain in the shadows preying on innocent civilians, while others try to keep their identities secret in the human-dominated landscape. But that's exactly what makes The Witcher 3 (opens in new tab) the best open world game right now. Since everything is broken his way, there's always something for Geralt to do on peeling bulletin boards (for gold, of course). Stay on the dirt roads and help the villagers with the monsters barking at the door as they look at you and their yellow eyes suspiciously, negotiate with a well-meaning poltergeist in the middle of a city, or just spot all those mysterious question marks dotted by the map. The Imperfect World of The Witcher 3 is a perfect game, which means it sets an incredibly high bar for the future of open-world gaming.