Best Open World Games In 2021

Open concept games – games structured to allow for free roaming through their virtual world with many choices as to how or when to start an objective or quest – have become increasingly popular over the past decade or so.

This means there are some amazing open world game titles on the market now!

Is it the ability to completely immerse yourself in the game and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist, or the ability to literally choose your own adventure that makes it so compelling?

Here are some of the best open concept games out there in 2021…

Best Open World Survival Games

The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim

Image Credit: Rpgsite.net

This list of action-adventure role playing open series is perhaps one of the most popular open games worldwide and consists of multiple titles, with Skyrim being perhaps the well-known but Arena, Daggerfall, Battlespire, Redguard, Morrowind, Oblivion, and Blades are all more than worthwhile series.

Each of the games in the Elder Scrolls V Skyrim realm has something of a different focus, but they all take place in high fantasy middle earth relam that borrow elements and influences from various real US cultures.

Renowned for its attention to detail, characters in the Elder Scrolls V Skyrim games have extensive backstories and lore that brings them to life in ways that most games lack.

Which is why an Elder Scrolls fan is passionate and an involved gamer all around.

Ready to see a walkthrough?

Check this video out.

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

Image Credit: Moddb

The seventh title made by Rockstar Games in the popular but controversial GTA series, GTA: San Andreas is similar to the other games in the series in that involves real US elements like criminal activity, weapons, products, car chases, gangs, law enforcement, and more set in the fictional state of San Andreas, which is based on southern California and Nevada in the 1990s and includes similar events and landmarks.

Aka, Liberty City.

GTA: San Andreas brought some new elements to the now-classic lists, including RPG style mechanics, the ability to customize your persona’s clothing and vehicles, a variety of mini-games or activities that players can unlock, gambling games, and even a hidden sexual scene that players can unlock via the “Hot Coffee mod”.

The number one Playstation 2 game of all time and one of the best selling games in history in general (sold in multiple countries), GTA: San Andreas was described as the defining piece of software for Playstation 2 by IGN magazine and considered to be one of best open games for Android.

You can’t go wrong with picking up a copy of Grand Theft Auto III.

Grand Theft Auto III is also considered one of the best GTA’s and video game ever made.

GTA: San Andreas 16 years later.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

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Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain – One of the more popular games developed by Hideo Kojima in the Metal Gear Franchise, Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain is a open stealth game set in 1984 that revolves around Punished “Venom” Snake, a mercenary that travels to Soviet-occupied Afghanistan and the Angola-Zaire border to exact revenge on those who have wronged him.

Players build their bases where they can collect weapons, explosives, stealth-based items like decoys, binoculars, maps, and even recruit prisoners of war and enemy soldiers to build an audience support their cause.

There are two separate options for multiplayer mode, and it runs in real time, but players have the option to speed things up by having Snake light a Phantom cigar.

Considered to be one of the most perfect if not the most stealth games of all time, Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain was widely acclaimed by critics, although some have argued that the game’s narrative seems the big boss and the game was unfinished.

Here’s a review to watch.

No Man’s Sky Franchise

Image Credit: Microsoft

This indie survival exploration game developed by Hello Games takes place in an open story that contains over eighteen quintillion planets (that’s not a typo), making it perhaps the largest survival game.

The goal of No Man’s Sky is to capture the feeling a page from the 1970s and 1980s science fiction and bring it to life in the form of open worlds.

Each planet in the No Man’s Sky series of games has its own ecosystem complete with alien flora and fauna, and players can trade with them as well as earning credits towards resources by documenting the various species they encounter.

There has been a variety of updates and new releases in the No Man’s Sky universe, including No Man’s Sky Next, No Man’s Sky Beyond, and a Time Traveler edition that all build on the original survival/explorer game site concept.

Here’s a recent review to see if this game is for you.

Best Open World Games PC

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Image Credit: Steam

A non-linear RPG that is set in the medieval kingdom of Bohemia during the time in which it was a province of the Holy Roman Empire.

Widely praised for its historical accuracy, narrative, and storyline, Kingdom Come: Deliverance has won numerous awards.

This first-person perspective allows players to take on roles such as ‘thief,’ ‘bard,’ or ‘warrior,’ or hybrid roles that combine elements from each, plus their gear and wardrobes are highly customizable.

Gameplay is influenced by the player’s reputation, which can be positive or negative based on their actions in the game.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance also operates on a needs system, so players need to eat, sleep, and repair their gear along with completing various quests along the way.

So is it one of the best pc games, or just the most fun?

Here is one Kingdom Come: Deliverance review that breaks down the gameplay.

Here are a few tips before you get started:

Minecraft

Image Credit: Microsoft

One of the best crafting survival games at the moment (and possibly ever) and the single best-selling game of all time, Minecraft allows players to explore a procedurally-generated intentionally pixelated site.

It’s generated so many memes, parodies, and spin offs that we can’t even begin to list them all here, and is widely considered to be one of the key influential games to have ever been released.

That said, the official spin offs include Minecraft: Story Mode, Minecraft Classic, Minecraft Earth, and Minecraft: Dungeon.

There’s an option to play in Survival Mode, Creative Mode, Adventure Mode, Spectator Mode, or Multiplayer mode, and there’s also a wide range of user-generated downloadable content, allowing any player to make their version and Minecraft experience completely personalized.

Have you ever seen a SUPERHERO Piston House?

Available On: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Image Credit: Steam

The Dragon Age series follows players on a journey through the mythical land of Thebas with a goal of controlling civil unrest and closing a mysterious tear in the sky referred to as the “breach”.

Using a third-party view (with an option for a top down first person view), players become the Inquisitor and fight enemies with swords and magic while interacting with companions and completing side missions.

Need some advice on some top mods?

Check out the video below.

Best Open World Games PS4

Sony has tons of video game content, and a large publisher of iconic games.

Check out some of the best open concept games below.

Red Dead Redemption 2

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Red Dead Redemption might be the biggest story in the gaming realm in the past few years.

The series consists of three games, Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Revolver, and prequel Red Dead Redemption 2.

The latest and perhaps the most successful is Red Dead Redemption 2, which is an open concept that is playable in first person or third person form.

Taking place in the Old American West during the Mexican Revolution, the Red Dead universe is a violent and dangerous one, inspired by Arthur Morgan.

Learn more about Arthur Morgan.

These single player games feature a protagonist who’s an outlaw in the final days of the Old American West and has a somewhat linear storyline that involves players visiting fixed locations at first.

However, as the games progress, there are more opportunities for exploration and side quests; weapons include rifles and revolvers and methods of transportation include horses, stagecoaches, trains, and other things.

Players have to hunt a series of dangerous fugitives and the games are complete when all the bad guys are caught or killed.

It also won Game of the Year from GameSpy and GameSpot and is considered among many to be one of the best titles to be released.

Extreme brutality and funny moments below.

Other honorable mentions: Death Stranding led by Sam Porter Bridges, Far Cry 5, Spider Man, The Witcher 3, Infamous Second Son and Dark Souls.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Image Credit: Playstation

This action role-playing title is focused on a protagonist named Aloy, who must discover her past while using various ranged weapons, a spear, and stealth powers to overcome the site dangers overrun and controlled by machines.

Aloy is aided by a skill tree while she’s fighting her mechanical enemies that provides her with new skills and bonuses; Horizon Zero Dawn also involves a number of side quests that players can complete on their way past various tribes and bases made up of mysterious beings on their way to the final discoveries.

See the trailer before you buy.

Grand Theft Auto V

Image Credit: Techspot

This popular and controversial game set in the fictional state of San Andreas (designed to resemble Southern California) is centered around three criminals who must commit various heights while also avoiding rival gang members and criminals as well as law enforcement.

Grand Theft Auto 5 is a large universe where players can freely roam the countryside of San Andreas along with the fictional city of Los Santos, which is loosely based on Los Angeles.

Most of the side missions or quests in Grand Theft Auto V revolve around a racing game with driving and shooting game play, and there is a “Wanted” system that gauges the aggression of law enforcement based on your actions in the game.

There is also a multiplayer version – Grand Theft Auto Online – which allows up to thirty players to play in cooperative or competitive modes.

Grand Theft Auto 5 has won numerous awards including Game Of The Year and it is the fastest selling game of all time, earning $1 billion in its first three days post-release.

Ready to dive into the GTA universe?

Subscribe to the dedicated GTA Youtube channel.

Best Open World Games Xbox One & Xbox 360

The Long Dark

Image Credit: Microsoft

A first person survival game that gives players the role of a Canadian bush pilot who crash landed in the wilderness after a geomagnetic regional storm.

It is a survival simulation in which players must account for elements like body temperature, fatigue, caloric intake, wind-chill, danger from wildlife, and other environmental factors.

The objective is to survive as long as possible while utilizing all the resources they can find.

The Long Dark offers Story Mode and Survival Mode and various levels of difficulty ranging from Pilgrim (the easiest) and Voyageur (the toughest), and Players have the option to be dropped in one of six regions – Mystery Lake, Coastal Highway, Pleasant Valley, Forlorn Muskeg, Desolation Point, and Timberworld Mountain, all of which are connected through various transition points.

Shaun McGinnis from Gamespot was quoted as saying that The Long Dark is “one of the few games in this genre focused on capturing the solitary wonder of fighting to staying alive in the brutal wilderness.”

Your first few days survival guide below.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon

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This is a series of tactical shooter video games that put players in command of a newly created fictional squad of U.S. Army Special Forces from the Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group which is stationed at Fort Bragg.

This squad is referred to as Ghosts and they are similar to real Special Ops and their operations are highly classified.

There are multiple games and spinoffs in this series based on author Tom Clancy’s novels.

Check out the trailer below.

Best Open World Games Switch

The Legend of Zelda, Breath of the Wild

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The Zelda games are basically an institution in the gaming realm, and for good reason.

One of the most beloved game series around, the Legend of Zelda franchise games all center around various iterations of a young man referred to as Link who is the bearer of the TriForce of Courage.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild – was released in March 2017 and involves exploring the kingdom of Hyrule as Link. Link’s goal is to defeat Ganon using the help of the Master Sword, the four Divine Beasts, and Zelda’s Bow of Light along with help from the Hyrulean races and their champions.

If Link fulfills certain conditions – freeing the four Divine Beasts, retrieving the Master Sword, and finding all the memories – players can unlock a secret ending.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Image Credit: Gamesradar

The latest iteration of the popular Animal Crossing series has been the surprise breakout hit of spring 2020, and for good reason.

It’s relatively easy to play, approved for all ages, and it has a cuteness or lightness to it that are perfect for these times.

This open-ended social simulation game is produced by Nintendo, distributed in multiple countries, and rated E for everyone.

Unlike most other games, there is really no “winning” at Animal Crossing in the traditional sense, but rather you can gain experience by socializing with the villagers and making friends, customizing your character and island, and planting and harvesting plants and other food.

The game operates in real time using your console’s internal clock and calendar, so things such as plants growing, whether it is night or day, and other activities reflect your current location and status.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons introduced several new characters to the series’ consistent cast of characters, along with other fun elements. Players can join houses with other players or play solo.

Take an Island Tour with iJustine.

Saints Row Franchise

Image Credit: NME

This action-adventure game introduces players to the universe of the Third Street Saints, a gang that inhabits a modern realm filled with perils and plenty of current culturally relevant jokes or Easter eggs.

All five of the games in the Saints Row series focus on urban warfare and earning respect points by accomplishing side quests (referred to as activities and diversions in the game).

Saints Row is part of a shared universe that also includes Red Faction and Agents of Mayhem and a film based on the game was announced to be in pre-production in April 2019, but no release date has been shared as of yet.

Saints Row 4 is also a very acclaimed game, as Saints Row 4 is all out chaos, but a lot of fun to play.

Give Saints Row 4 a look if you haven’t played yet.

Saints Row: The Third – Remastered vs Original | Direct Comparison

Fortnite

Image Credit: Gamesradar

The incredibly popular Fortnite game has three different modes that are all built on the same game engine.

There’s Fortnite: Save The World, which is a shooter survival game for up to four players at a time that involves building fortifications and fighting off various zombie creatures, Fortnite: Battle Royale, a free to play game where up to 100 players at a time fight it out in the ultimate battle for survival, and Fortnite: Creative, which is a sandbox game where players can create their own universe including battle arenas.

Fortnight players can also personalize their experience with character models or skins along with the game’s Battle Pass through V-Bucks, which can be purchased with real US currency or earned by completing various side missions, battles, and quests.

The Fortnite Battle is a tiered customization results program that lets players earn extra rewards by completing various tasks and objectives.

While all three versions of Fortnite have been successful, Fortnight: Battle Royale has been by far the most commercially successful.

Furthermore, Fortnite has become a cultural phenomenon with athletes and celebrities mentioning that they play it and even using Fortnite emojis on their various social media platforms.

Don’t know where to start?

Here is something to check out.

Check out the endless Fornite videos of players top secrets and gameplay.

Sky Children Of The Light

Image Credit: Nintendo

A social indie adventure game that involves players exploring a magical kingdom complete with a cape that allows them to fly through the seven realms of the kingdom, each one themed for a different stage of life.

There is also a Home hub where players can go between their rests to the realms.

Players encounter spirits which give them cosmetic items and items that affect game play,

Players move up through various levels by finding Lost Stars that generate Winged Light; when a player has enough Winged Light, their capes move up a level, increasing their Wing Energy allowing them to fly and explore further.

Sky Children Of The Light relies heavily on social mechanics and making friends in the game – players can chat with each other, exchange gifts, and collect a wide variety of cosmetic items like hairstyles, masks, playable musical instruments, different facial expressions, and more via the in-game currency.

The most relaxing game I have ever played.

Best Open World Games On Steam

Borderlands

Image Credit: Usgamer

This action adventure game is played from a first person perspective and centers around the story of four vault hunters who travel to a mythical planet called Pandora to track down a vault supposedly filled with alien technology before a private corporation gets their hands on it while they evade local wildlife and assorted bandits.

Borderlands has a huge following, as well as lots content on their official Borderlands Youtube page.

Open World Multiplayer Games

Assassin’s Creed: Unity

Image Credit: Microsoft

The eighth release in the Assassin’s Creed series, Ubisoft developed this version of Assassin’s Creed follows the ages-old fight between the Templars and the Assassins, this time during the French Revolution.

Set in Paris and developed by Ubisoft, single players become Amo Victor Dorian and attempt to expose the true powers behind the Revolution.

Assassin’s Creed: Unity maintains the same third person vast exploration style as the other games under the Assassin’s Creed umbrella.

It features updated combat and stealth mechanics, including parkour.

While this game was praised for its visuals, critics took issue with the relative lack of innovation as compared to other Assassin’s Creed releases.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey also made by Ubisoft is also a worthy game to pick up.

Assassin’s Creed: Unity 6 years later.

Apex Legends

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A free to play multiplayer battle royale game, Apex Legends involves up to twenty squads of three players landing on an island with the goal of becoming Apex Champions, or the last squad standing.

Along the way, players can pick up weapons, armor, and other equipment scattered around the buildings and situated in loot crates.

There is a nonverbal “ping” system that allows squads to communicate with each other, discuss strategy, coordinate attacks, and more.

Players can be revived or respawned by their squadmates if they get knocked down during fights.

Apex Legends has multiple seasons where new characters and other items or possibilities are introduced; there is an ongoing calendar as well as special season events.

Apex Legends is notable because it features a nonbinary character and other LBGTQ characters among the thirteen options.

ApeX legends and WTF & funny moments.

NieR Automata

Free Open World Games

League of Angels – Heaven’s Fury

Image Credit: Freemostation

This is a 3D role playing game that takes place in a realm loosely based on Western mythology, except that the gods have fallen to corruption.

Players are the “Chosen” and it is up to them to collect the legendary angels and restore the heavens to their former glory.

Check out a glimpse of the game before you play.

Ultimate Pirates

Image Credit: Gameforge

This multiplayer game pits you and other players against the pirate Blackbeard and other pirate crews in order to protect your crew and plunder their weapons and loot through individual battles or group raids.

There are also mythical creatures of the deep to contend with, along with the opportunity to perform various scandalous deeds as you build your own pirate community, capture ports and harbors, and more.

Here’s a trailer to see if Ultimate Pirates is something for you.

New Open World Games

Dying Light 2

A massive multiplayer large zombie apocalypse survival game designed to evoke a sense of horror and dread, the second game in the Dying Light franchise.

It features a new protagonist – Aiden Caldwell – who has a range of parkour skills such as wall running and sliding, leaping from edges, and more.

Both short range or melee weapons are available, along with long range options; that said, the game is primarily focused on melee combat.

Players also have the ability to pick up scraps and tools and fashion their own creative weaponry.

The world map for Dying Light 2 is four times larger than the original Dying Light.

Some of the latest news on the upcoming game.