10 Massive Open-World Games That Deserve More Attention

Open-world games draw players in with vast worlds and the freedom to explore them at their own pace and in whatever order they want. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto 5, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild all exemplify the genre.

The concept of an open world reaches across styles and themes. These games place players squarely in the middle of beautiful, living worlds—and give them the horses / cars / gliders to adventure across them. You probably know the three titles listed above, and if you’re a fan of open world games, chances are that you’ve already explored every nook and cranny they have to offer.

If you’re looking for something new, look no further than some of the most beloved but least-talked-about open-world games available right now.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Shadow of Chornobyl Is A Sci-Fi Reimagining Of A Real Location

Radiation And Anomalies

Enter the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl, if you think you’re brave enough. The game recreates locations from the real-world disaster in a surprising amount of detail and realism, with a sci-fi twist.

Though Heart of Chornobyl is separated into different areas, you can visit them in any order and backtrack anytime, making this a true open-world game. Battle anomalies and other enemies and uncover the lore hidden in your surroundings as you progress through the bleak site of the disaster.

LEGO City Undercover Is An Unexpected Open-World Gem

If GTA Were Made In LEGOs

LEGO might not be the first thing you think of when you think of open-world games, but LEGO City Undercover offers a surprising open-world experience for fans of the genre. The game is sometimes described as “LEGO GTA,” featuring a large urban map of over 20 areas that you can explore any way or order you like.

Follow the adventures of Chase McCain through the metropolis of Lego City. Track down crime lord Rex Fury and engage in the usual LEGO shenanigans we’ve come to expect from the LEGO video game franchise. Best of all, you can enjoy the whole game in local co-op.

Immortals Fenyx Rising Is An Adventure Through Greek Mythology

Slay Mythical Threats And Save The Greek Gods

Unfortunately for non-Switch users, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a Switch console exclusive. Fortunately, Immortals Fenyx Rising is not. The Ubisoft title is often compared to Breath of the WIld for having similar visuals and play style, including the satisfying glider mechanic (taking the form of wings in Fenyx Rising).

That said, Immortals has plenty to offer for players, which makes it a unique game for both fans of BotW and those who have never played the Nintendo title. Soar, hike, and swim through a gorgeous open world of Greek mythology, taking on legendary Greek beasts and creatures, and trying to save the Gods from a dark curse.

The Saboteur Sends You On A Mission Across Parisian Rooftops

Lead A Rebellion In WWII France

Although it’s backed by EA, Pandemic Studios’ The Saboteur didn’t make a big splash when it launched in 2009. The title was Pandemic Studios’ final game before the studio closed, and it remains a beloved open-world adventure for many.

Players embark on a mission to lead a rebellion against German authorities. Navigate across rooftops through WWII-era Paris, sneaking, fighting, and sniping from atop well-known Parisian landmarks.

No Man’s Sky Has Endless Worlds To Explore

Adventures Across The Universe

It’s not entirely accurate to say that no one talks about No Man’s Sky. When the game first came out in 2016, plenty of people were talking about it, and for all the wrong reasons. The title received negative press on launch for not meeting players’ expectations and not being quite what people had wanted.

In the years since, not only has developer Hello Games addressed these issues, but it’s gone way beyond with many free, expansive updates. In No Man’s Sky, players are free to explore an infinite universe of procedurally generated planets, where they can uncover unique flora and fauna, build custom bases and ships, and embark on solo and multiplayer quests.

It’s a huge world with literally endless possibilities, and one that’s still going strong nearly a decade after its release, even winning the Best Ongoing Game award at The Game Awards 2025. No Man’s Sky is the gift to open-world fans that keeps giving.

Days Gone Is A Beautiful Post-Pandemic Landscape

But Not That Pandemic

Days Gone is a game about a post-pandemic Oregon, released just one year before an actual pandemic spread across the world. The game’s pandemic turns humans into zombies and spurs the main character to start a quest to find his missing wife in this hellish landscape.

The open-world title was developer Bend Studio’s first foray into the genre, and the studio’s first original game since its 1999 hit Syphon Filter. The game’s world is vast and as beautiful as it is dangerous, with corrupted humans and wildlife posing a threat at every turn.

Unfortunately, the title didn’t do well enough, and Sony rejected the team’s pitch for a sequel. The land of Days Gone is still a pleasure to explore, especially years later with all the early days bugs and issues ironed out.

Sunset Overdrive Reshapes The Open-World Game Into A Playground

Wallrun Across Buildings And Grind Down Power Lines

Most open-world games let you travel around the world atop a horse, in a car, or even armed with a glider or wings. Not so in Sunset Overdrive. In this vibrant adventure from Insomniac and Blind Squirrel Games, you can run, leap, zip, and grind around a post-apocalyptic landscape.

The unique methods of traversing the land make this game a breath of fresh air in the open-world genre. Rethink the way you explore and find joy in the journey, not just your destination or the view along the way. (Although those are still great, too.)

Sleeping Dogs Lets Players Explore Hong Kong

Take Down The Triads From The Inside

Sleeping Dogs takes after GTA 5 and places players in a bustling, living city: Hong Kong. Play as undercover police officer Wei Shen and get to know every nook and cranny in the city. Climb the ranks within the criminal organization of the Triads as you try to take it down from the inside.

This classic is beloved, but the lack of a follow-up has made it less talked about than some of the more well-known modern titles. And, with the Definitive Edition released in 2014, you can play the game with improved graphics, with all 24 DLCs seamlessly integrated into the game.

Watch_Dogs Hacks Its Way Through Chicago

Revenge Is Best Served Through Technology

In the sci-fi version of Chicago presented in Watch_Dogs, anything digital can be hacked. Players control computer hacker Aiden, who’s out to get revenge on the people who hurt his family.

Using an in-game cellphone, the entire city’s infrastructure is at your mercy. Cause a traffic jam, jam a camera’s signal… whatever you say goes in this futuristic open-world, urban sci-fi gem. Watch_Dogs is much loved by all who played it, but is just not talked about often enough.

Mad Max Is A Brutal Wasteland

Turn Your Car Into A Weapon

Take control of the titular Mad Max in this open-world title from Avalanche Studios. Face off against brutally violent vehicles, vicious bandits and outlaws, and the unforgiving world. Online functionality on this 2015 game was removed in 2020, but the game is still a whole lot of fun solo.

The most well-known open-world games might be titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5, but it’s lesser-known titles like Mad Max that have become many fans’ underrated favorites.

Systems

Released

October 26, 2018

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Engine

RAGE

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Cross-Platform Play

N/A

Cross Save

N/A