Getting Lost in Games (Literally): Best Open Worlds to Explore

Open-world video games are no strangers to stealing our hearts. With breathtaking views, seemingly endless paths of the unknown, and diverse characters with entrancing stories to tell; an open-world game experience is like no other. Undoubtedly, one of the truest beauties of open-world games is the fact that you are the one in charge of how the game is played! You can have all the fun finding a bunch of cool locations at your own pace, and play around with some pretty ridiculous ways of traveling or outrunning your enemies. 

Thankfully, video games have come a long way, offering a lot more freedom and ability to become lost in a world. However, seeing as some open-world games have more limitations than others, I thought I’d share some of the best ones that you could play for hours on end with few restrictions if any at all. You may want to place a clock nearby for these. 

Venture the Lands of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Believe it or not, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim STILL looks and plays fantastically. This open-world RPG is absolutely full of life with an endless amount of content and quests to seek out on your journey. Practice your magic anywhere you want, slay dragons and consume their souls, and decide which intriguing path you want to take. It’s arguably said that Skyrim is one of the greatest open-world games to spend most of your time in. 

Discover a variety of character creation options, timelessly funny glitches to come by, and groundbreaking mods to suit your playstyle. There's so much to say about this game, you just have to experience it for yourself. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one nordic adventure you’ll never forget, and it’s an open-world video game that players shouldn’t go without playing at least once.  

Ride the Western Tale of Red Dead Redemption 2

Set in the western world of 1899, Rockstar takes us on an adventure of high-stake heists and deadly shootouts, along with thrilling chases and rescues in Red Dead Redemption 2. But, it also encourages you to slow down and enjoy everything the world has to offer. Walk the streets in town surrounded by wooden buildings and rustic charm, or navigate through a growing, modern city. Reach snowy peaks, alligator-infested swamps, thick and thriving forests, open plateaus, hidden caves, great lakes, and come face-to-face with wildlife on your travels. You’ll have an incredible feeling of freedom with so much to do and see. 

Everywhere you look, the environments are very impressive, and massively more varied than the previous game. Even with the vast assortment of ecosystems, each section seamlessly flows together. The size and diversity of the world make it too easy to play for hours and hours, and you’ll be amazed at how alive the places in this open-world feel. Red Dead Redemption 2 is Rockstar’s most authentic open-world game to date, with highly detailed and realistic features to fully immerse you in this adventure of an outlawed era. 

Spend Your Time in the Beautiful World of Genshin Impact

Drawing inspirations from anime and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, we’re introduced to the vibrant and expansive open world of Genshin Impact. Tying these elements together surely creates something special in this free-to-play action-adventure RPG. Before you know it, you’re already enjoying its stunning lands and making your own stories with a fun, diverse set of characters to interact with. 

There are endless possibilities to encounter as you find collectibles and chests, puzzles to solve, enemies to take down, and dungeons to tackle. Plus, it won’t be easy to become bored as a chain reaction of things to do happens quite often. As you unlock more characters who hold their own abilities, you’ll gain completely new ways of interacting with the world whether it’s swimming across the waters or scaling upon mountain peaks. Genshin Impact is always a blast to play, even after you reach 100 hours. 

Explore the Universe in Outer Wilds

Ever wish you could soar through the solar system in your own spaceship? The creators of Outer Wilds, Mobius Digital, have really taken the definition of an open-world video game to an entirely different level. As you begin, you’re given one task and one task only; and must explore outer space with no direction at all. Outer Wilds holds no story that you have to follow and no explanation of what you have to do. This may seem confusing at first, but it’s actually very freeing. You can start your adventure however YOU desire and discover your own goals! No restrictions, no limits; explore anything that draws your eye with endless fuel in your ship. 

Outer Wilds tests the boundaries of open-world capabilities with extremely unique exploration, puzzles, action, and mystery galore. Go to any of the planets in the solar system that each portray their own characteristics, locate ancient ruins and texts, gravity-defying villages, odd scientific instruments in orbit, and fellow travelers to talk to. Outer Wilds carries tons of twists and turns to keep you intrigued. As you piece together the story, curiosity will be sparked within you to find out what exactly is going on in this solar system worth exploring. Don’t wait a second longer and go unfold the mysteries of the galaxy with this gaming experience you’re sure to find memorable.  

Find Adventure Around Every Corner in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

(An obvious choice of course!) Breath of the Wild takes the classic elements of Zelda we all know and love, but with much more freedom than ever before. You’re given the end goal, but you can choose just how you want to do it. Nintendo practically brings the art of the instruction manual to life with a large three-dimensional and fully explorable map. Taking Link in any direction is a guarantee for an adventure with unforgettable sights and encounters. 

What makes this world so freeing is how easily clickable surfaces are, skies are for flying across the lands, and swimming in crystal clear waters from island to island. Many Zelda fans agree it’s difficult to see any video game that has even come close to Breath of the Wild’s charm, freedom, and overall breathtaking experience like no other that everyone will enjoy. Without a doubt, Breath of the Wild feels infinitely replayable, so take it all in every step and let the melodies of the soundtrack take you away. 

Honorable Mentions 

I could seriously go on and on about open-world games all day. Here are some additional ones I couldn’t go without mentioning that are worth the play: 

The opportunities for open worlds in video games are endless nowadays, and they’re each unique in their own way. You never know which one will truly speak to you, so you might as well explore them all.

Let me know if you enjoyed looking into these open-world games and maybe I’ll even write a part two of this article! What game will you find yourself lost in next?