Are you tired of finishing a game in a few hours and then feeling bored? Red Dead Redemption 2 has a vast, action-packed open world that can keep you busy for days. You will find Elden Ring’s tough fights, space exploration in No Man’s Sky, and samurai duels in Ghost of Tsushima on this list.
Keep reading.
Key Takeaways
- Grand Theft Auto V has sold over 185 million copies since its 2013 launch on PS3 and Xbox 360. It runs on the RAGE engine and GTA Online draws more than 5 million monthly players with weekly missions and PC mods.
- Elden Ring launched on February 25, 2022, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Switch 2. It offers a vast open world with few map markers, brutal sword-and-magic combat, and rewards hidden in broken towers and ancient dungeons.
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom appears on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. It adds sky islands over Hyrule and the Ultrahand tool to snap objects, build rafts, platforms, and catapults for physics puzzles.
- Starfield spans over 100 star systems filled with planets, moons, and asteroid fields. Bethesda’s space RPG runs best on PC with Steam Workshop mods; you pick roles, build ships, configure outposts, and mine rare minerals.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty launched on September 25, 2023, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Switch 2. It adds a spy-thriller plot, new cyber enhancements, fresh gear, ray tracing, and smoother frame rates.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar made Red Dead Redemption 2 as an action-adventure open-world game. It runs on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. Players follow Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang through a Wild West drama.
Simulation mechanics bring hunting, horseback riding, and a living world to life.
Red Dead Online adds co-op and competitive missions, plus seasonal events. A rich narrative unfolds in towns, deserts, and mountain passes at dawn and dusk. Fans call it a vivid sandbox where choices shape each journey.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring offers a vast, open world that feels alive, ever shifting under your boots. From Software released it on February 25, 2022, to cheers and wide eyes. The game runs on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X S, PC, and Switch 2.
Gamers tackle brutal fights with sword, magic, or both, each clash can break your heart. This action rpg grabs you by the throat, it does not let go.
Limited map markers force you to rely on gut, and old fashioned curiosity. Exploration rewards hide in broken towers, ancient dungeons, and twisted roots. Combat stays challenging, it tests timing, cunning, and nerves.
A single death can sting, but it turns you into a wiser adventurer.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Nintendo built Tears of the Kingdom as the latest action-adventure hit. It appears on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. This open-world game feels like Breath of the Wild but with sky islands.
It adds Ultrahand, a tool to snap objects like toy bricks. Players soar above castle ruins then dig into caverns under Hyrule.
Glider rides feel wild over floating isles. Brave souls solve physics puzzles in fresh underground caves. The Ultrahand ability lets you craft rafts, platforms and catapults. I even flattened a Bokoblin with a metal box built on the fly.
Each journey mixes sky, land and tunnels into epic quests.
Starfield
Bethesda sent players to the stars with Starfield. It offers deep space exploration at scale. This galaxy spans over 100 star systems filled with planets, moons, and asteroid fields.
You pick roles, build ships, and set off on missions. PC players love its crisp detail on NVIDIA GPUs. Starfield stands among the top PC games of 2026, alongside No Man’s Sky by Hello Games.
Players configure outposts, barter in spaceports, and mine rare minerals. The game engine runs smooth, and Steam Workshop hosts community mods. Fans add new missions, gear, and starships.
This hands-on approach keeps gameplay fresh. It gives a big leap for sci-fi RPG fans.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Expansion
Night City glows in the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt Red boosts the RPG with a spy thriller twist and a new agent. Players chase leads through neon canyons and hidden back alleys.
This add-on launched on September 25, 2023.
The DLC runs on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Series S, PC, and Switch 2. Engineers upgraded cyber enhancements and weapons. Gamers test quickhacks and fresh gear. The update also brings ray tracing and smoother frame rates on modern consoles.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Capcom built Dragon’s Dogma 2 as a bold action RPG with clear arpg elements. It drops you into a wide world where interactive NPCs follow routines. It runs on Sony console, Microsoft console, and PC at solid frame rates.
This title ranks high among open-world games thanks to its living towns and wild ruins.
A pawn system gives you a sidekick and lets you borrow friends’ roles. You fight giant foes with swords, bows, and magic in deep RPG systems. The game limits fast travel to make each trip feel real.
It holds no multiplayer mode, so you go it alone and sink into each story. Its strong narrative emphasis pulls you through each quest.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Insomniac Games made Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for PS5 and PC. Players roam a vast New York City. No multiplayer mode keeps you focused on a solo run. Action-adventure fans will call it one of the best open-world games you can play.
Side quests push the plot forward. Collectibles hide on rooftops and subways. Peter Parker and Miles Morales team up in a compelling story. A skill chart boosts web shooters, suit mods and combat moves.
A snapshot tool captures epic stunts.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red crafted The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt as a top open world game. Geralt of Rivia roams a vast continent filled with cities, forests, and hidden caves. Side quests offer deep stories and tough choices.
Fans marvel at engaging characters like Yennefer and Ciri. The Game of the Year Edition uses REDengine 3 to boost visuals. Updates for new consoles improve lighting, textures, and combat flow.
Open-world games still look up to this title for scale and depth. Reviewers praise its massive map and layered storytelling. PC and consoles run smoother with a new patch. Action beats feel sharp while battling griffins or drowners.
Gwent card matches hide in taverns for a fun break.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Rockstar Games released gta 5 in 2013 for PS3 and Xbox 360. Players jump into three lead characters and roam the open-world city of Los Santos. The title uses the RAGE engine for smooth graphics.
It sold more than 185 million copies worldwide.
Heists, races, and businesses fill GTA Online. More than five million log in each month. Rockstar adds new missions every week to keep play fresh. Modders craft custom cars, maps, and outfits on PC.
Ghost of Tsushima
Jin Sakai slashes through the Mongol invasion in Ghost of Tsushima. Sucker Punch Productions built this action-adventure epic for PS4, PS5, and PC. You roam an island shaped by samurai culture and lush rice fields.
You mix stealth tactics, sword duels, and archery. Adaptive triggers on a DualSense controller sharpen every clash.
You pause to write haiku after key battles, feeling calm after chaos. The open world invites side quests and photo mode. Ghost of Yotei, the sequel, lands in 2026. This epic stands tall next to The Witcher 3 or Red Dead Redemption 2.
Jin’s tale feels fresh, bold, and deeply human.
No Man’s Sky
Hello Games launched No Man’s Sky in August 2016 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with later releases on PS5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and Nintendo Switch. It blends survival-crafting and space exploration across infinite procedurally generated planets.
Players collect minerals, build bases with crafting tools, and trade with alien factions. Regular free updates add multiplayer, new biomes, and starship upgrades.
Fans liken star-hopping to a digital Lewis and Clark quest, each world hiding odd creatures or rare ores. Multiplayer mode lets up to 32 explorers join in shared galaxy servers. This feature turns solo voyages into team missions across vast skies.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla hurls you into a living, breathing open-world game as Eivor, a fierce Viking raider. It spans Norway’s rugged fjords and England’s misty marshes in 873 AD.
You can toggle between female and male Eivor on the fly. Your choices shape alliances with jarls and sway council decisions.
You wield a hidden blade, a bearded axe, and sturdy round shields to lead brutal raids. The skill tree covers stealth, melee, and raiding perks. You upgrade armor at your settlement’s forge and recruit fellow raiders into your jomsviking brotherhood.
Ubisoft blends RPG mechanics with long quests and epic boss battles.
Death Stranding
Death Stranding taps your endurance in a strange world. Kojima Productions crafted it as an adventure. It plays on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X S, and PC. Players see the Decima engine at work.
You link chiral bridges and rebuild connections. This post-apocalyptic exploration feels like a lone hike across broken highways.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach releases June 24, 2026. It stays a PS5 exclusive. Fans will carry cargo under timefall storms. They meet new specters and inspect wrecked cities. The sequel brings fresh gear, more chiral highways, and deeper lore.
This journey retains eerie wonder.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Monolith Productions made Middle-earth Shadow of Mordor. Players load it on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and home computers. This action-adventure title uses open-world design. It blends stealth-combat integration with epic clashes.
A Nemesis system tracks each enemy.
Foes grow stronger after each clash. They shout taunts that cut deeper than blades. Combat feels like a dance with danger. Wraith powers let you bend shadows. One orc general wrote my name on a wall.
Fans still rank it high among Shadow of Mordor entries.
Sea of Thieves
Rare launched the pirate game on March 20, 2018. It sold over 30 million copies by 2021. It runs on PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It mixes action‐adventure elements with pirate lore.
Gamers join cooperative gameplay or PvE mode. They chase gold, battle skeleton crews, and sail ghost ships. Players access content updates every quarter.
Sea of Thieves ranks high among open‐world games. You set a course with a compass, then trim sails to catch the wind. The sea can whip into storms, so you steer fast. A chat bubble pops when someone spots a secret cave.
You trade loot with friends while using a telescope. Every raid on an island sparks fresh tales.
Days Gone
Deacon St. John rides his bike across a ruined West Coast. He fights hordes of freakers and hostile outlaws as he hunts for food and parts. The game uses dynamic weather, a day-night cycle, and gear crafting.
Survival mechanics force you to track fuel and ammo. Its open-world design gives room for detours and hidden camps.
Story quests add bandit raids, tense rescues, and tragic flashbacks. You work at repair stations to upgrade weapons and your ride. An in-game camera grabs stunning landscapes and wrecked highways.
Fans love the chase scenes and surprise ambushes. Days Gone stays tense, raw, and engaging.
Mad Max
Avalanche Studios crafted a savage desert playbook for Mad Max on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Players tackle brutal vehicle combat and tough survival tasks on cracked asphalt and jagged dunes.
You hunt scrap metal to repair the Magnum Opus and chase gas convoys under a blistering sun. Open-world games like Far Cry 6 and RDR2 share the scale, but Mad Max feels raw and dusty.
Desert storms blast sand across the cockpit while engines scream in the wasteland. Raiders swoop in customized war rigs, forcing tense chases and scrap skirmishes. Combat stings with heavy impacts like those in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
This studio injects nonstop chase sequences, survival grit, and armor upgrades into every mile.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 drops players into a medieval RPG in Bohemia. It uses CryEngine to craft battles, village scenes, and towns. The title blends realism, role play, and moral choice in a strong narrative.
Each quest feels alive and raw.
Combat demands skill and timing, not just a high level. You can train sword moves, master longbow shots, or study fight tactics. Role playing mechanics let skill tree, dialogue tree, and choice shape each hero’s fate.
The sequel joins open-world games with its history, detail, and drama.
Satisfactory
Satisfactory puts you on an alien world brimming with iron nodes and carnivorous creatures. Craft conveyor belts, modular frames, and portable miners. Blast rocks with your MAM gun, then feed ore to constructors.
Juggle belts like a circus pro and watch machines hum like clockwork.
A sprawling factory can eat hours in no time. Tweak each assembly line, refine Caterium crystals, and route fiberglass through hyper tubes. This first-person sim ranks among top open-world games for its blend of exploration and automation.
Unreal Engine paints vibrant forests and towering peaks.
Watch Dogs 2
Marcus Holloway races through San Francisco as a master hacker. Watch Dogs 2 launched on November 15, 2016. Ubisoft built a living map full of secrets, side streets, and tech. You can hack traffic lights, bank vaults, and trains with your smartphone.
Open-world games seldom hand you so much power. This game does.
You use the Profiler tool on every target. Drones scout ahead of you, while RC Jumper robots spark laughter. Marcus teams up with the hacker group DedSec to pull off wild heists. Missions reward skill points and cosmetic skins.
Each run feels fresh, like you learn a new trick every time. It grabs you by the screen and never lets go.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey thrusts players into a grand saga. You choose Alexios or Kassandra. Their decisions shape Athens and Sparta. The classical era Greek city-states feel huge.
Ubisoft built the game on its AnvilNext engine. It taps NVIDIA DLSS for sharper visuals. A branching dialogue system weaves in real figures, like Socrates. Fans of the elder scrolls spot similar depth in gear crafting and skill trees.
More than sixty hours of content keep you busy. Naval battles spice up the view. You can sail black waters in a trireme. Greek myths blend with choice and action in every fight.
Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 throws players into the neon-lit streets of 1988 Japan. It stars Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, two men bound by fate and honor. The studio crafted an action RPG with the Ryu ga Gotoku engine.
Gamers roam Kamurocho in Tokyo and Sotenbori in Osaka. The map shines with lively shops, hidden alleys, and secret spots.
Combat shifts between four fighting styles for Kiryu; two for Majima. Each strike feels sharp, each combo flows fast. Side activities fill the world, from darts and pool to classic arcade games.
Singers belt tunes in karaoke bars, while batters swing at batting cages. Players get into a rich story of debt, loyalty, and code. This action RPG ranks high among open-world games in 2026.
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy XIV blends exploration and social play in Eorzea. Square Enix built this role-playing title to rival open-world games. This MMORPG draws players from all over the globe.
A Realm Reborn relaunched the title in 2013, after server issues. Heavensward expansion arrived in 2015 and added flying mounts to the sky. Shadowbringers and Endwalker follow and bring new lands and raids.
Players pick roles like healer, tank, and damage dealer. A crafting log and quest tracker help you plan each task. Inventory tools keep gear neat, so you spend less time sorting. You join raids with eight people, fight bosses, and earn gear.
This game feels alive and grows with each expansion.
Far Cry 6
Players land on the island, a nation trapped under a brutal regime. They join a rebel soldier hungry for freedom. The dictator, voiced by the actor, rules with fear and charm. Ubisoft packs the world with jungles, towns, and hidden bases.
Missions mix stealth, gunfire, and guerrilla tactics. Friends can hop in for co-op battles at any time. Weapons range from homemade flamethrowers to high-power rifles. Fans of open-world games will grin at the chaos and choice.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
MachineGames launches Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5, Xbox Series X S, and PC. Fans get it on April 17 on PS5, then on other platforms. It blends action, adventure thrills with open-world games design.
You roam vast levels set in Vatican City, digging up relics and lore.
Combat stays fast and fluid. AI allies decode cryptic puzzles. Secrets hide behind crumbling walls. Gear shifts from whip to revolver in a blink. It rivals titles like Elden Ring and ghost of tsushima in scale.
Saints Row 4
Saints Row 4 throws you into a wild city. You step into Steelport as leader of the Saints gang. You become President of the United States. Your avatar wields superpowers, from telekinesis to lightning strikes, and fights aliens.
The game blends dark humor with over-the-top action. It tops many open-world games for sheer chaos.
Fans can snag it on PC via a digital portal or on consoles with a gamepad or keyboard. It runs on Unreal Engine 3, so mods still thrive, and you can tweak outfits or add new rides.
Volition packed dozens of missions, callouts, and minigames. You blast foes, race across rooftops, and warp at will. This entry stands out as a madcap adventure that keeps you hooked.
Octopath Traveler 2
Octopath Traveler 2 sports a pixel-based world in sharp HD-2D art. It uses modern lighting and bloom to bring towns and forests to life. You pick one of eight heroes, each with a path skill and personal tale.
The turn-based RPG combat asks you to plan, exploit weak points, and build boost points for burst attacks.
The game shows foes on the map instead of springing surprise battles. You feast on strategic depth as you break shields and time your strikes. Every party member feels distinct, from swordsmen to scholars.
It rewards careful play and exploration on Nintendo Switch or PC.
Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid tests your survival skills every sunrise. The Build 42 update adds plumbing, a power grid, and new zones. You can pipe water into your shelter, and farm fish in flooded basements.
A fresh map section shows farmland, factories, and an underground mine.
Open-world games demand exploration, and this one packs old school charm. You must scavenge for tools, craft weapons, and dodge undead crowds. Friends can join your session through Steam Workshop, sharing food and ammo.
Every creak or blood stain can end your story in this tough sandbox.
Climbing Mount Fuji in “Oblivion Remastered”
Climbing Mount Fuji in Oblivion Remastered feels like a new hike. The game uses Unreal Engine 5 for sharp views. Each snow patch shines under wide skies. You see valleys that stretch like a painting.
The climb shows why open-world games still feel alive. Many place it on the best PC games of 2026 list.
Wind sweeps red leaves across rock stairs. Birds sing near rocky ledges, they join a soft tune. My screen shows every flake in crisp detail. Friends share tales of frost and sunken shrines.
Fans add mods to plant tea houses on slopes, they sip green tea at dawn.
Immersive Space Exploration in “No Man’s Sky”
No Man’s Sky lets players roam endless galaxies in this open-world game. Hello Games built it. They used procedural generation across consoles and PC. You gather materials to fuel your ship, upgrade gear, build bases on alien planets.
The survival-crafting tools feel fresh. The team rolls out regular free updates, adding creatures, ships, biomes.
Friends can join your universe through seamless multiplayer. You race, you trade, you fight, you explore in co-op. Each world throws random storms, odd lifeforms, hidden ruins. Console veterans and PC fans rave about its scale.
Space exploration never felt so vast, so playful, so endless.
Why Open-World Games Thrive in 2026
Studios build vast maps with procedural generation and physics engine support. Explorers roam in Red Dead Redemption 2 or climb Elden Ring spires. Engines like Unreal Engine and CryEngine drive seamless graphics.
NPCs react with AI-driven routines and lively chatter. Players pick side quests, craft gear, or chase main stories. Concepts from Daggerfall in 1996 laid groundwork for modern open-world games.
Companies boost performance on PS5 and Xbox Series X to hit 4K at 60 frames per second. Updates to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt add ray tracing and faster load. Hello Games patches No Man’s Sky each month and packs space exploration content.
Steam Workshop tools let fans craft fresh quests and gear. Cyberpunk 2077’s Phantom Liberty expansion proves fans still crave new stories. Cafes and cloud services stream vast worlds on low end PCs.
Expert Tips for Getting Started in Open-World Games
New players can feel lost in open-world games. These tips will help you explore easily.
- Set small targets on your task list for Red Dead Redemption 2, like finding a new camp or chasing bounties with Arthur Morgan.
- Study weapon stats in Elden Ring to pick gear that fits your style.
- Scan the star chart in No Man’s Sky to plot a route to a rare biome, then mark path points.
- Master the strike and dodge rhythm in Phantom Liberty Expansion to win fights in Night City.
- Use location tags in Ghost of Tsushima to guide you to hidden shrines and secret duels.
- Leverage fast trip in Dragon’s Dogma 2 to revisit key towns and restock potions.
- Track crafting resources in your resource log to upgrade weapons before big battles.
- Adjust the HUD to show only vital stats in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, so you can swing freely as Peter Parker or Miles Morales.
- Try stealth takedowns in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla to thin out guards before a big raid.
- Spend time customizing your ride in Forza Horizon 5, this tweak boosts speed on city streets and mountain tracks.
Takeaways
Gear up for endless adventure. These games pack deep lore, wild action, and hidden treats. Roam vast maps, fight foes, and tame skies. Each world runs on strong graphics engines and procedural generation.
Go swap tales with friends at your own pace.
FAQs on Best Open-World Games
1. What makes the outlaw epic, Red Dead Redemption 2, still a must-play?
It drops you into Arthur Morgan’s world, riding with the Van der Linde gang. You hunt, you rob trains, you feel the dust in your boots. The story grabs you, punches your heart, and never lets go.
2. Which title turns every star in the sky into a playground?
That frontier sim, No Man’s Sky from Hello Games, is all about space exploration. You land on strange planets, craft tools, and trade with alien tribes. One minute you build, the next you fight, and it can feel like a new sci-fi novel every time.
3. How does Genshin Impact use gacha mechanics to reel you in?
This gacha adventure drops you in colorful lands, full of cliffs, caves, and secrets. You summon heroes, swap skills on the fly, and solve puzzles. It’s easy to pick up, hard to put down.
4. Why is the samurai tale, Ghost of Tsushima, so tense and thrilling?
You slip into Jin Sakai’s sandals on a windswept island. You draw your sword, you parry, you dash. Windblown fields, fierce foes, duels under cherry trees—talk about a slice of history with a blade.
5. Which new fantasy quests will blow your mind?
The ring journey, Elden Ring, with its Shadow of the Erdtree, dares you through misty ruins and deadly beasts. Dragon’s Dogma 2 plants you in a world of wyverns and magic, where your choices shape the land. Both games reward bold explorers.
6. Can I play Forza Horizon 5, Days Gone, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch 2?
Here’s the scoop: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild shine on Switch 2, wherever you go. Forza Horizon 5 and Days Gone? They stay on Xbox or PlayStation. Switch hardware sticks to Nintendo’s own blockbusters.
