The Biggest and Best Open Worlds in Gaming
Open world games continue to dominate the industry, offering hundreds of hours of exploration, discovery, and adventure. Here are the best open world experiences you can play right now.
Top Open World Games Ranked
1. Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erdtree
- Metacritic: 96 (base) / 94 (DLC) | Steam: 93% Positive
- World Size: Massive interconnected regions
- FromSoftware's magnum opus combines Souls-like combat with an incredible open world designed by Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adds a continent-sized expansion.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Metacritic: 96
- World Size: Hyrule + Sky Islands + Depths
- Nintendo's masterpiece builds on Breath of the Wild with the revolutionary Ultrahand building system. Three vertical layers of exploration offer unmatched creative freedom.
3. Baldur's Gate 3
- Metacritic: 96 | Steam: 96% Positive
- World Size: 3 massive acts with dense content
- While not a traditional open world, Larian's D&D RPG offers incredible player agency and world reactivity that surpasses most open world games.
4. Red Dead Redemption 2
- Metacritic: 93 | Steam: 90% Positive
- World Size: ~75 sq miles
- Rockstar's western epic remains the gold standard for open world immersion. Unmatched attention to environmental detail and NPC behavior.
5. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Metacritic: 86 (2.0) | Steam: 94% Positive
- World Size: Night City + Dogtown
- CD Projekt Red's redemption arc is complete. The 2.0 overhaul and Phantom Liberty expansion transformed Cyberpunk into the game it was always meant to be.
6. Starfield
- Metacritic: 83 | Steam: 75% Positive
- World Size: 1000+ explorable planets
- Bethesda's space RPG offers the largest game world ever created. While not all content is handcrafted, the core storylines and Shattered Space DLC deliver quality exploration.
7. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Next-Gen)
- Metacritic: 92 | Steam: 97% Positive
- World Size: ~136 sq km total
- CD Projekt Red's classic remains one of the best open world RPGs ever. The next-gen update adds ray tracing, faster loading, and quality-of-life improvements.
8. Horizon Forbidden West (PC)
- Metacritic: 88 | Steam: 85% Positive
- World Size: Post-apocalyptic American West
- Guerrilla Games' machine-hunting sequel delivers a gorgeous world filled with diverse biomes, underwater exploration, and improved combat.
9. Ghost of Tsushima (PC)
- Metacritic: 85 | Steam: 92% Positive
- World Size: Tsushima Island + Iki Island
- Sucker Punch's samurai open world is a visual masterpiece. The wind-guided exploration and standoff combat system feel unique.
10. Dragon's Dogma 2
- Metacritic: 82 | Steam: 68% Positive
- World Size: Two major regions
- Capcom's action RPG features the best combat in any open world game. The Pawn system and emergent encounters make every journey unpredictable.
Comparison Table
| Game | World Size | Combat | Story | Exploration | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | 9/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 | 96 |
| Zelda: TotK | 10/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 | 96 |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 96 |
| RDR2 | 10/10 | 7/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 93 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 86 |
What Makes a Great Open World?
The best open world games share these qualities:
- Rewarding exploration — Every direction should lead to interesting discoveries
- Environmental storytelling — The world tells stories without dialogue
- Player agency — Multiple approaches to objectives
- Living ecosystems — NPCs and systems that feel alive
- Minimal padding — Quality over quantity in content density
FAQ
Which open world game has the best combat?
Elden Ring and Dragon's Dogma 2 offer the most satisfying action combat. Baldur's Gate 3 excels in turn-based tactical combat.
What's the biggest open world game?
By sheer scale, Starfield with 1000+ planets is the largest. For handcrafted content density, Elden Ring with the DLC offers the best ratio.
Are there good open world games for beginners?
Ghost of Tsushima and Horizon Forbidden West offer accessible difficulty with guided exploration. Both have excellent tutorials.
Which game has the best story?
Red Dead Redemption 2 and Baldur's Gate 3 deliver the most emotionally impactful narratives in an open world setting.