Contrary to popular belief, open-world games are not a genre but rather a game mechanic. Open-world games are characterized by vast landmasses without loading screens. The freedom of exploration provides an uncanny feeling like you are immersed in the game. Open-world games can be RPGs (role-playing games), third-person adventures, or even racing games.
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As a gaming platform, PC has always stood out for its customization and ease of upgrading. The ability to upgrade a computer with the latest specifications for unparalleled power is a liberating feeling. The PC scene has the biggest library of any platform on the market, but which are the best open-world games available through Steam, Epic Store, and other stores?
Updated August 17th, 2021 by Mark Sammut: Open-world games are naturally appealing, as they offer the possibility of experiencing almost endless fun in a sandbox designed for freedom. Over the last decade, the PC market has become flooded with open-world titles; naturally, some are better than others. As people wait for some concrete news on The Elder Scrolls 6 or Grand Theft Auto 6, they can pass the time by revisiting or experiencing for the first time some of the best open-world PC games of all time. Every year brings with it at least a couple of great additions to this genre, so this list will grow forever.
15 Cyberpunk 2077
While a controversial release on consoles, CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 fared much better on PC, although it still launched with its share of issues. Focusing solely on the positives, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a dense and exciting sandbox to explore, with Night City containing so many little touches that give it a sense of substance and realism. The story is strong, interesting, and expertly acted; it might not reach the heights of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt but few games do.
From Deus Ex to The Ascent, cyberpunk worlds are not unheard of in gaming, but Cyberpunk 2077 presents this setting at an unprecedented scale for the medium. Unsurprisingly for CD Projekt Red, the side quests are generally great, helping to breathe life into every corner and building in Night City.
14 Valheim
In early access, Valheim took the world by storm during the first few months of 2021. A sandbox game set in various biomes, Iron Gate Studio's title challenges Vikings to survive and earn the right to enter Valhalla.
A freeing game with very little in the way of narrative, at least presently, Valheim provides the tools to build shelter, hunt animals, and defeat enemies. There is also the option to team up with other Vikings. Valheim is certainly a work in progress, but the game has a lot to offer in its current state.
13 Far Cry 5
Any of the last three main Far Cry games could have taken this spot, but the fifth entry gets the nod due to its recency and setting. Hope Country, which is inspired by Montana, is gorgeous but persistently deadly. It seems like barely a step can be taken in the game before stumbling on a group of Joseph Seed's fanatics who will not hesitate to riddle the player with bullets.
With Far Cry 6 on the way, Far Cry 5 will soon be old news, so this is the perfect time to jump into its campaign. The FPS gameplay is satisfying, the open-world is fun to explore, and the characters are delightfully over-the-top.
12 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Kojima Productions took a different approach with the fifth main Metal Gear Solid game, opting for a large open-world that places a heavy emphasis on stealth. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain features the best gameplay in the franchise, presenting Venom Snake with a wide plethora of tactics and tools that he can use to infiltrate camps. The world impresses in terms of scale, even if it is not especially packed with content. Conversely, the isolation and barren landscape complement the story and almost give the game a Western feel.
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The Phantom Pain is quite different from its predecessors in the series, mainly due to the story taking a backseat to the gameplay; however, viewed on its own, this is one of the best open-world games on PC.
11 Genshin Impact
What started out as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild but with waifus has grown into an absolute phenomenon. With each new update, Genshin Impact proves that it deserves every ounce of recognition thrown its way, and the game is far from complete. Teyvat is a beautiful world soaked in lore, mysticism, and personality; there is just so much to do and see in this universe.
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Be it the mesmerizing Guyun Stone Forest or the picturesque Wangshu Inn, Genshin Impact offers variety in its (gorgeous) locations, all of which combine to create a world that demands to be experienced.
10 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
There are few adventure games as visually appealing as Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Around every nook and corner is eye candy that manifests in the game's breathtaking open-world. The game takes place in the years 431–422 BCE during an ongoing battle between Sparta and Athens.
Players choose between playing as protagonists Alexios or Kassandra. Whoever someone picks, they will wind up engaging on both sides of the conflict as they struggle to bring their family together.
9 Death Stranding
The best open-world games are some of the most cinematic in history. Director Hideo Kojima ensured that realism was a factor of the utmost importance when creating Death Stranding. There was a near-perfect recreation of Norman Reedus, who played Sam Porter Bridge in the game.
This story-intensive adventure proves that a game as expansive as Death Stranding can be engaging throughout. This game provides a unique experience, and it's available on PC and PlayStation systems.
8 Fallout: New Vegas
It doesn't contain the most beautiful open-world, yet Fallout: New Vegas proves that graphics aren't everything. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, shortly after the events of Fallout 3. Set in a region formerly known as Las Vegas, this game is situated in New Vegas.
The RPG elements are masterful. As a game that is backward compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, Fallout: New Vegas is one game nobody should miss. Fans of The Outer Worlds should make sure to check out Obsidian's Fallout: New Vegas as it might just be the studio's crowning achievement.
7 Horizon Zero Dawn
Developer Guerilla Games ensured that significant detail was packed into Horizon Zero Dawn. The game is acclaimed for its open-world that is made up of different biomes. Horizon: Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is the game's only DLC, and it brings players to the Cut, a snowy region in the game north of Grave-Hoard.
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Horizon Forbidden West has a good shot at beating its predecessor, but until then, players can marvel at the achievement that is Horizon Zero Dawn on PC.
6 Forza Horizon 4
RPGs and adventure titles often overshadow racing games, but they too can have scenic open-worlds. Forza Horizon 4 is the quintessential example of how to do an open-world racing game correctly. Although it's more arcadey than the Forza Motorsport series, the gameplay emphasizes exploration in a breathtaking open-world set in and around Edinburgh in Scotland.
Forza Horizon 4 contains the most robust car lineup of any open-world racing game, although that might change with the upcoming release of Forza Horizon 5. Blending realistic visuals with accessible controls and a willingness to get goofy, Forza Horizon 4 is a masterpiece.
5 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is arguably the best Assassin's Creed game thus far. Players won't be able to find Assassin's Creed Valhalla on the Steam Store, unlike many other Assassin's Creed games, but they can find the PC version on the Ubisoft Store.
The game takes over 50 hours to beat, according to howlongtobeat.com, but it will feel significantly shorter. The open-world of this game is expansive and immersive, matching scale with density. At times, there is almost too much to do in Valhalla.
4 Grand Theft Auto 5
Years after the game's release, people are still finding reasons to return to Grand Theft Auto 5. Set in the massive State of San Andreas, the game contains perhaps the definitive modern open-world, one that builds upon the foundations of previous entries in Rockstar's acclaimed franchise.
Los Santos is a fully realized sandbox, allowing GTA 5 to stand out as one of the most realistic open-world PC games to date. The view from the top of Mount Chiliad, the tallest peak in the game, is a sight to behold.
3 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
It wouldn't be a complete open-world game discussion without the inclusion of an Elder Scrolls game. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim might not be the best game in the series for everyone, but it's hard to deny the beautifulness of its world.
Skyrim's snowy region is especially gorgeous in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition, an enhanced version with remastered art. Even if someone is new to the RPG genre, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is a great place to start.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterclass in open-world design. The game takes place in 1899 in the Midwestern, Western, and Southern United States. The places in Red Dead Redemption 2 are fictional but loosely based on real locations.
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This game can be played in both the third-person and first-person, providing more freedom than other open-world games. Red Dead Redemption 2's attention to detail is remarkable, making it one of PC's best open-world adventures.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
In regards to open-world design, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt might be the most impressive. Technically, the game has a semi open-world since loading screens separate regions, however, each area is massive enough to be a game of its own.
Whether someone likes the quest-packed lands of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it's hard to deny that it's one of the proudest RPG accomplishments in years.