Open world video games offer players vast landscapes to explore and the freedom to approach objectives however they want. This genre has become increasingly popular over the years as hardware advances allow developers to create more immersive and detailed open worlds. In this article, I will count down the top 10 open world games that provide players with the most freedom and opportunities for exploration.
10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim is the fifth main installment in Bethesda’s acclaimed Elder Scrolls series. This open world fantasy epic is set in the cold region of Skyrim and allows players to freely explore the game’s vast terrain. With hundreds of locations to discover, dynamic weather systems, and countless quests, Skyrim offers an incredible sense of freedom. Players can climb mountains, swim rivers, craft weapons, learn magic spells and even ride on horseback or dragonback through the kingdom. With so many possibilities, no two playthroughs are ever the same.
9. Fallout 4
The post-apocalyptic world of Fallout 4 is filled with retro-futuristic charm and dangers around every corner. Players take on the role of a survivor emerging from an underground vault to explore the ruins of Boston and surrounding areas. Developer Bethesda filled the massive world with hidden secrets, side quests and customization options. Players can scavenge for resources to build settlements, power armor and weapons. Every decision alters the course of the story in this dynamic open world. With hundreds of locations to uncover and random encounters with creatures or hostile factions, Fallout 4 offers exciting freedom.
8. Xenoblade Chronicles
Xenoblade Chronicles amazed with its staggeringly large open world when initially released for the Wii in 2010. The science fiction RPG takes place on the frozen corpses of two titanic gods. These massive areas contain diverse biomes and creatures just waiting to be discovered. Players can traverse grassy plains, navigate glowing mushroom-filled caves, cross windswept canyons and scale snow-peaked mountains. With an open ended structure, players choose their own path through the story. The sense of wonder and possibility exploring this alien world remains unmatched.
7. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
While most Metal Gear games are linear stealth affairs, The Phantom Pain broke the mold with large sandbox environments. Players slip behind enemy lines in Soviet-occupied Afghanistan and the Angola-Zaire border region during the 1980s. Approaching missions openly with tactical espionage action is exhilarating. Players can call in helicopter support, ride on horseback, customize weapons, build an army and base of operations. The unparalleled freedom and emergent gameplay make this one of the series’ best entries. With limitless ways to sabotage the enemy, no two playthroughs are the same.
6. Red Dead Redemption 2
The American frontier comes alive like never before in Rockstar’s sweeping western epic Red Dead Redemption 2. Players inhabit outlaw Arthur Morgan, exploring the sprawling landscape on horseback alone or with his gang. Dynamic weather, lush environments and diverse wildlife make the world feel lived-in. From snowy mountains to dense swamps and dusty prairie towns, there’s so much to see and do. With robust roleplaying systems, players make moral choices and forge their own path. It’s easy to get lost hunting, playing poker or taking in a show in this incredible virtual world.
5. No Man’s Sky
The procedurally generated universe of No Man’s Sky contains over 18 quintillion unique planets waiting to be explored. Players traverse space in their customizable starship, discovering strange new solar systems and alien lifeforms. On each planet, life flourishes with different flora and fauna to analyze and catalog. Survival depends on collecting resources to upgrade gear, fuel starships and more. With unlimited freedom to voyage among the stars and name discoveries, no two journeys are the same. Developer Hello Games has vastly expanded gameplay with major updates, but the sense of wonder in this infinite cosmos remains unmatched.
4. Grand Theft Auto V
Few open worlds feel more alive than Grand Theft Auto V’s satirical recreation of Southern California. The massive map includes wilderness, beaches, suburbs and the metropolis of Los Santos ripe for exploration. Players can go skydiving, golfing, hunting, scuba diving, street racing and more. The city comes alive with pedestrians and traffic flowing on their own routines through bustling streets. Switching between three protagonists provides different perspectives. The freedom to go anywhere and do virtually anything with emergent gameplay possibilities make this a benchmark of open world design.
3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nintendo shook up the tried and true Zelda formula with their open world magnum opus. Breath of the Wild’s version of Hyrule provides limitless freedom. Players can ignore the main quest to explore forgotten ruins, snowy peaks, deep forests and desert wastelands. Unique physics and chemistry systems lead to unexpected moments. With over 100 mini dungeons called shrines containing puzzles, there’s always something new around each corner. Players can glide off cliffs, climb every surface, feed wild animals and snowboard on their shield down mountains. This crosses over into gameplay with unrestricted freedom to experiment.
2. Minecraft
The quintessential sandbox, Minecraft provides unlimited building possibilities. Starting by mining and crafting simple tools and materials, players’ worlds expand to whatever their imagination conjures up. The randomly generated biomes contain hidden secrets and monuments to incentivize exploration. Going on quests in deep caves or just gardening and customizing a home are equally viable. Playable in first or third person perspective, alone or with friends, there are endless ways to make your mark in this virtual sandbox universe. With mods, custom worlds, servers and regular updates, Minecraft remains endlessly playable.
1. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The exotic island of Vvardenfell in Morrowind realised Bethesda’s ultimate open world vision back in 2002. This alien volcanic region teeming with interesting wildlife, factions and settlements utterly sold the experience of exploration. Levelling up weapon or magic skills opens more gameplay possibilities. Players traverse giant mushroom forests, barren ashlands and labyrinthine dungeons at their own pace. There are no artificial barriers – players can go anywhere they see and forge their own path. Detailed world building and gameplay systems that react to choices make Vvardenfell feel alive. The freedom and sense of adventure in this remarkable open world remain unparalleled.
Those are my picks for the top 10 open world games providing players the most freedom. Each offers dynamic worlds brimming with secrets and activities just waiting to be uncovered however you want. With limitless possibilities, there has never been a better time to get lost wandering aimlessly in these incredible virtual playgrounds. So grab your compass and forge your own trail in these incredible video game sandboxes.
