When it comes to open worlds, no games do it better. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the open-world titles that gamers never want to leave.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're looking at the open world titles that gamers never
00:16want to leave.
00:17We're adding one entry per franchise to include more games from all genres.
00:30Dragon's Dogma II
00:40Arriving 12 years after the original, Dragon's Dogma II was much more well-received.
00:44A lot of that has to do with its open world, which grabs your attention straight away.
00:48So much so, that players will spend more time free-roaming instead of completing the main
00:52story.
00:53The massive landscape offers much to do, from battling various foes to exploring areas that
00:57vary in complexity.
01:06The dynamic quality of the open world leads to different allies and enemies depending
01:09on the day-night cycle.
01:11Because of this, players find themselves in a place where predictability is the last thing
01:15you'll expect.
01:24Number 29 – Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
01:37Remakes are great, but how do you evolve them for today's market?
01:40Rebirth shows us how.
01:42The follow-up to Final Fantasy VII Remake flips the script, shedding the franchise's
01:45linear gameplay for an open-ended experience.
01:48While previous entries have featured free-roaming, Rebirth injects the Final Fantasy theme like
01:53never before.
02:01Side quests, optional missions, and characters all have a casual elegance that plays into
02:06the open world.
02:07It's refreshing to take a break from the heavy-handed story and see what the planet has in store.
02:12The contrast between the series' tried-and-tested model and this new style of play was worth
02:16the risk.
02:17Rebirth's open world proves that the franchise always reinvents itself.
02:25Number 28 – Forza Horizon 5
02:35Open games and open worlds don't really sound like the proper fit.
02:38However, the Forza series was up for the task, delivering a fascinating take on Mexico that's
02:43immersive and unique.
02:44While the general idea of competing in races remains the same, Forza Horizon 5 has us living
02:49the life of a thrill-seeking drifter.
02:51With a vast landscape comprising of jungles, beaches, volcanoes, and everything else you
02:55can think of, it's the ultimate driving experience.
03:06The open world is endlessly entertaining as players can choose to ride to their heart's
03:09content or engage in any of its available challenges.
03:13Free-roaming with a car might seem hard to believe, but once you're in the driver's
03:16seat, there's nothing else like it.
03:25Number 27 – Dying Light
03:35The zombie genre has seen plenty of creative takes, ranging from The Last of Us' focus
03:39on narrative to Left 4 Dead's emphasis on action.
03:42In Dying Light's case, the open world is the selling point.
03:45The first-person perspective throws players right into the thick of things, with the open-ended
03:49nature of the backdrop containing surprises aplenty.
03:51During the day, zombies can be easily avoided.
03:54At night, their horrific potential comes to light.
03:56Because of the massive difference between the time cycles, the game has a constantly
03:59evolving feel to it.
04:09No two playthroughs are the same, so the city of Harran is fresh each time around.
04:14Be sure not to get devoured by the flesh-eating fiends while you're out exploring.
04:25Number 26 – Death Stranding
04:36Within the Death Stranding universe, the United States has become a barren, hostile environment.
04:40The best way to illustrate this is by letting players see it for themselves.
04:44Throughout playthroughs, there are signs of what once was, and what the world still could
04:47be.
04:48Because of its unique backdrop, the Death Stranding world is more of an acquired taste
04:52suited to narrative-based gamers.
05:02Once you see how it all ties into the backstory, it becomes clear that the mostly empty landscape
05:06is deliberately designed.
05:08It's a bleak and dangerous place to be in, but it's also a one-of-a-kind world that
05:12carries story and gameplay hand in hand.
05:20Number 25 – Sleeping Dogs
05:30As a game centering around gang warfare, Sleeping Dogs tends to go off the rails.
05:34This applies even when you aren't playing the main story.
05:36It's surprisingly easy to get into trouble, as just about every corner of the map has
05:40someone waiting to attack the protagonist.
05:42The constant hostility makes this an open world that keeps players quick on their feet.
05:54Fans know what they've signed up for, so an all-out fight to the death is to be expected.
05:58Sleeping Dogs' environment doesn't leave much room for exploration, but the excitement
06:02it brings from its no-holds-barred style is second to none.
06:11Number 24 – Like A Dragon, Infinite Wealth
06:22Flashy, over-the-top, and extremely fun, this game knows its fanbase through and through.
06:27Instead of taking itself seriously, the title aims for a breezy playthrough.
06:30Instead of attempting realism, it runs as fast as it can the other way.
06:34This means that anything goes in every part of the map.
06:43Whether you're looking for a day at the beach, or beating people up at random, the
06:46game has you covered.
06:47Packed with mini-games and sidequests, there's always something you can do to keep yourself
06:51busy.
06:52The craziness of gameplay is more than a little infectious, and fans will want to spend their
06:55time wrecking all sorts of mayhem just because they can.
07:05Number 23 – Cyberpunk 2077
07:19Initial reception to this much-anticipated title was anything but positive.
07:23However, it's since been updated to fix most of its issues.
07:26Even during its less-than-stellar release, one of the bright points of Cyberpunk 2077
07:30was its open world.
07:40Seen through a first-person camera, every corner of the map is visually stunning.
07:44Players might just want to relax and go for a drive, or roam around to see what NPCs are
07:47up to.
07:48True to its sci-fi setting, this world feels like you've been sent to the future.
07:53Although gameplay might not always match its technical achievements, the cyberpunk world
07:56lives up to its promise of being absolutely breathtaking.
08:08Number 22 – Genshin Impact
08:17Although it doesn't take too many chances with innovation, Genshin Impact's world
08:21of Teyvat is unlike any other.
08:23It goes for an original take on what a free-roaming experience can be.
08:26Aesthetically pleasing and technically sound, the game makes watching the protagonists traverse
08:30the land a magical sight.
08:32Thanks to a regular influx of battle sequences, there aren't any moments of padding in the
08:35map, despite its large scale.
08:46The elemental aspect of the story is present from start to finish, as the open world provides
08:51level-ups relevant to a chosen protagonist's skills.
08:53No wonder fans keep coming back for more.
09:02Number 21 – Far Cry 3
09:13It says a lot that Ubisoft have been trying to one-up themselves for seven years.
09:16FPS titles can be rather linear.
09:18While the story here arguably is, there's plenty else to do on the Rook Islands.
09:23And it's all beneficial and unpredictable.
09:25You can take hunting side quests, eliminate enemy bases, and craft anything you need.
09:36The variety in how you tackle situations with different weapons and vehicles makes exploring
09:40the chaotic setting worth it.
09:49Number 20 – S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
09:50Shadow of Chernobyl
09:51It's far from the most well-known title on this list, but it demands the attention of
10:02any horror fan.
10:03Set after a second disaster at Chernobyl, this FPS-slash-survival horror game tasks
10:08players with hunting down their assassination target as an amnesiac hero.
10:18Exploring the area means coming into direct conflict with horribly mutated creatures and
10:22humans.
10:23It's an incredibly bleak game with an equally dreary landscape to discover.
10:35Number 19 – Subnautica
10:48Space is daunting, so is exploring the deepest depths of the ocean.
10:51Put those two together, and you've got the utter brilliance that is Subnautica.
10:55After crashing onto a faraway planet, you're tasked with compiling resources in order to
10:59escape.
11:04Only, if you thought our planet's sea creatures were intimidating, just wait until you get
11:10a load of these.
11:12Subnautica knows how to keep you on your toes while you explore its dark, dangerous world.
11:24Number 18 – Just Cause 2
11:33This is how you create a bigger, bolder sequel.
11:35Just Cause 2 takes what its predecessor did and cranks the volume all the way up.
11:40On a grander island, with the amount of vehicles and weapons severely increased, players have
11:44way more fun causing mayhem.
11:46It's a bombastic, explosive, high-octane action movie of a game.
11:57And the freedom to bring this explosiveness to an expansive world is all the more satisfying.
12:13Number 17 – Middle-Earth – Shadow of Mordor
12:28For the most ambitious game set in J.R.R.
12:30Tolkien's universe at the time, Shadow of Mordor needed a giant, perilous land to wander.
12:35Luckily, it did not disappoint.
12:42Set between The Hobbit and Fellowship, players roam as a vengeful archer of Gondor.
12:46There are legions of orcs and orcs to rip through, satisfying your need for revenge
12:50of your slain family.
12:51And it's all given much more weight thanks to the game's inventive nemesis system.
13:01Number 16 – The Simpsons – Hit and Run
13:09Take the longest-running cartoon family and match them with Grand Theft Auto and you've
13:13got something way more fun than it sounds.
13:14There's an alien invasion in Springfield and wacky antics are bound to ensue.
13:18You're given objectives, but driving around town as recklessly as you want is a genuine
13:23treat.
13:28If you've ever wanted to play your way through the cartoon city, this is the closest you
13:31can get.
13:39Number 15 – Ghost of Tsushima
13:49Employing different strategies against enemies isn't the new concept, but mixing it up
13:53with the open world is where innovation comes into play.
13:56Danger lurks in abundance in Ghost of Tsushima, so players must vary their tactics.
14:04Fortunately, the environment offers plenty of opportunities to choose between an aggressive
14:10or stealth approach.
14:12Few games provide this kind of influence in curating one's playthrough from the level
14:15design.
14:16If nothing else, fans can explore the massive landscape where each of the three islands
14:20offers something new.
14:21From the gorgeous visuals to the depth in gameplay, there's a lot to do even if you
14:25aren't engaging in the main storyline.
14:32Number 14 – Marvel's Spider-Man 2
14:392018's Spider-Man wowed gamers with the titular character's seamless web-swinging in New
14:48York City.
14:49The sequel goes bigger and better with a wider area to cover and two protagonists to control.
14:53With the option to freely play as Miles Morales or Peter Parker, the world here is an exciting
14:57place to be.
15:08Both protagonists have unique missions suited for them, heightening the game's replay
15:11value.
15:12Spider-Man 2 ups the ante with awe-inspiring viewpoints, as players can perch themselves
15:16on the highest buildings to initiate breathtaking web-swinging sequences.
15:20Although the main storyline is Spider-Man 2's strongest point, the open world also
15:23presents hours worth of content for fans to live out their superhero dream.
15:33Number 13 – Horizon Forbidden West
15:42Picking up where the original left off, Horizon Forbidden West takes protagonist Aloy to previously
15:46undiscovered locations.
15:48A big part of the series' appeal is the main character's ability to use robotic creatures
15:52for her benefit.
15:53Forbidden West goes further, allowing players to mount creatures like the Sunwing to explore
15:57the world from the skies.
16:08If that doesn't tickle your fancy, you can navigate on foot, as the lush savanna offers
16:12a wide range of free-roaming gameplay.
16:14Exploring Forbidden West's story complements the open world's quality, with Aloy unlocking
16:18newer and more impressive places to discover.
16:20There's never any shortage of combat along the way, so players have a balance between
16:24exploration and adventure.
16:34Number 12 – Elden Ring
16:42What possibilities await while you gallop on your trusty steed?
16:45Hop on over to Elden Ring to find out.
16:47Warning, you'll end up in the lands between with no plans to leave.
16:51This fantasy RPG drops players in a world bustling with content, complete with fascinating
16:55lore that sucks you right in.
17:04Ranging from magnificent valleys to eerie-looking villages, there's a diverse backdrop in
17:08each of the six explorable areas.
17:11Players can curate their playthroughs entirely around the map, unencumbered by the main story.
17:15Elden Ring pushes the boundaries to the action-adventure RPG template, with its map easily the biggest
17:20strength in its favor.
17:30Number 11 – Nier Automata
17:46Most post-apocalyptic worlds are gloomy and filled with dread, but Nier proves that they
17:50don't have to be.
17:51The overgrowth of nature is serene as you glide around as the android 2B.
18:05Composer Keiichi Okabe's score lends itself well to the peaceful landscape, as well as
18:09the pulse-pounding action sequences which can have gameplay switch from hack and slash
18:13to shoot-em-up.
18:14And that's not even getting into its challenging and thought-provoking story.
18:22Number 10 – Fallout New Vegas
18:25That's right, Obsidian's Fallout spin-off made it while Bethesda's main entries didn't.
18:34But it more than deserves the spot.
18:36Most games in the series are showered with praise for open-ended gameplay.
18:39New Vegas made improvements on that of Fallout 3, while including dastardly characters, incantalizing
18:45that do the real Sin City proud.
18:51There are degenerates and factions hidden around every corner of this wasteland, making
18:54it endlessly fun to explore.
19:02Number 9 – Assassin's Creed IV – Black Flag
19:13Few franchises can compete with Assassin's Creed's thematic quality.
19:16Black Flag took the biggest leap in representing its time period.
19:20Set in the golden age of piracy, players control Edward Kenway as he guides his band of misfits
19:24across the sea.
19:25In a break from the series' norm, naval exploration has a greater focus than gameplay
19:29on land.
19:30With vast bodies of water around the Caribbean, players encounter many mysteries and challenges.
19:34From battling enemy ships to diving underwater, the open world is as exhilarating as it is
19:39treacherous.
19:49Even the smaller scale on land has its merits, as fans can pick between jungles, villages
19:54and hidden islands.
19:55The effectiveness of the world's design successfully pivoted the Assassin's Creed formula to new
20:00heights.
20:09Number 8 – Batman – Arkham City
20:24Arkham Asylum already gave us Bat-tastic gameplay, so setting the sequel in a criminal-infested
20:29city was a gift from the heavens.
20:31Batman has one of the best rogues' galleries in comics, with each of his baddies receiving
20:35different types of quests and thugs crowding the streets, there's plenty the caped crusader
20:39can do.
20:47As we soared from building to building with Batman's belt of goodies, we knew it as the
20:51next evolution in superhero gaming.
20:57Number 7 – Red Dead Redemption 2
21:06Red Dead Redemption is an excellent western experience, but its prequel is a masterclass
21:10in capturing life in the Old West.
21:12There's something to do everywhere you go, whether it be hunting, stealing, bringing
21:16in a bounty, solving murders, or just riding around on your trusty steed.
21:28It's the type of game you never want to end, a near-perfect adventure world you just want
21:32to keep living in.
21:33Also, it's jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
21:42Number 6 – Metal Gear Solid V – The Phantom Pain
22:05Hideo Kojima birthed one of gaming's most treasured franchises, and his final entry
22:09contains one of the most dynamic open worlds yet.
22:11A dynamic weather system, a real-time day-night cycle, and different types of terrain immerse
22:16you in it.
22:22Blended with the series' signature stealth gameplay and the choice of your objective
22:26order, the world and enemies adapt to how you play.
22:29This positively forces the player to change up how they approach each situation.
22:44Number 5 – Minecraft
22:55If you want a game to give you objectives, Minecraft may not be for you.
22:58But if you want a game that lets your imagination run wild, where you can build your own extensive
23:02open world, then, well, let's face it, you've been playing this game for years.
23:13What players have been able to create with a bunch of pixelated blocks is genuinely astounding.
23:18In Minecraft, variety truly has no end.
23:24Number 4 – Grand Theft Auto V
23:33Grand Theft Auto has seen numerous memorable entries.
23:36Just look at San Andreas.
23:37But when it comes to rampaging through a gigantic city, Rockstar has always managed to get better
23:42and better.
23:43Their latest was released back in 2013, and they honestly haven't needed to release
23:46a new one yet.
23:54With so much to do and how addictive it all is, it feels like several games wrapped in
23:58one beautiful, notorious package.
24:05Number 3 – The Elder Scrolls V – Skyrim
24:17Open world gaming wasn't revolutionary at the time of Skyrim's release.
24:19However, gamers were astounded to see the level of freedom it offered.
24:23Rather than undergo hours worth of story missions to unlock the map, Skyrim allows players to
24:27do whatever they want.
24:28The world of Skyrim is more than just about free-roaming, as different character classes,
24:32locales and side quests keep you busy.
24:43The backdrop has its own personality, thanks to the Viking aesthetic that dominates the
24:46landscape.
24:47Skyrim has gone down as a trailblazer in open world circles, making the map a major factor
24:52in commanding consumer appeal.
24:53Whether through the modding community or because of endless replay value, the game has continued
24:58to have a lasting appeal over a decade later.
25:08Number 2 – The Legend Of Zelda – Tears Of The Kingdom
25:21Those who thought they'd seen everything in the Kingdom of Hyrule were in for a pleasant
25:24surprise.
25:25Tears of the Kingdom goes beyond borders, taking fans to the highest and lowest areas
25:29of Hyrule.
25:30And it's awesome either way.
25:32The differences in each area's style and quality refresh the gaming experience, reducing
25:36the chances of repetition in the title's long-lasting campaign.
25:47While there are several challenges, Tears of the Kingdom excels at delivering a relaxing,
25:51breezy world to get lost in.
25:52The ease of travel, familiarization with the world and overall ambiance are marvelous.
25:58No matter how long you stick around Hyrule's majestic environment, you'll probably never
26:01have enough.
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26:27Number 1 – The Witcher 3 – Wild Hunt
26:30We've said it before, we'll say it a thousand times.
26:41The Witcher 3 is an immense success when it comes to crafting a video game world.
26:45The dark fantasy setting lends itself incredibly well to the damaged characters and horrific
26:49monsters.
26:50There's a drive in Geralt to find his loved ones, but it's weighed down by thankless
26:54duty and a war-ravaged landscape.
27:00Through him, the player wants to explore, piecing back together a broken kingdom.
27:10Which open world do you return to all the time?
27:13Let us know in the comments.
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