Best Open World Games of All Time -

Few things feel better than ignoring the main quest and getting lost on purpose. That is why the best open world games of all time keep pulling players back years after launch. An open world is a big map you can explore in almost any order. So this list picks the seven best open world games that make wandering worth it.

Each entry below covers gameplay, setting, strengths, drawbacks, release date, platforms, and fit. Meanwhile, prices and PC specs differ by version, which means the store page is the safest place to confirm them. If you want a deeper look at map design, what makes a great open world explains the basics.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo took a classic series and gave it a map where almost every hill can be climbed.

Release Date	Price	Platforms	Genre	PC Specs
March 3, 2017	Varies by store	Nintendo Switch, Wii U	Action adventure	Not applicable (console only)

Gameplay: Because you can climb nearly any surface, every mountain becomes a route you choose.
Setting: Hyrule is a ruined kingdom of forests, deserts, and snowy peaks, so travel stays varied.
Key feature: Once you spot a shrine (a small puzzle room), you will want to find all 120.
Strength: Nothing forces an order, which makes it one of the best open world games for freedom.
Strength: The map gives few hints, yet curiosity alone keeps you moving.
Drawback: Still, weapons break quickly, and some players find that annoying.
Availability: It launched on March 3, 2017, so Nintendo Switch and Wii U are the only options.
PC specs: Since it is console only, no PC requirements apply.
Best for: Players who love experimenting, because patient explorers will feel right at home.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar slowed everything down and built a western world that feels lived in.

Release Date	Price	Platforms	Genre	PC Specs
October 26, 2018 (PC: November 5, 2019)	Varies by store	PS4, Xbox One, PC	Western action adventure	Check the store page

Gameplay: You ride, hunt, fish, and shoot, while every action plays out with careful animation.
Setting: By 1899, the Wild West is fading, and lawmen keep closing in on your gang.
Story: Arthur Morgan follows Dutch van der Linde, and loyalty gets tested as the gang runs.
Key feature: Because honor tracks your choices, small kindnesses change how people treat you.
Strength: Wildlife, weather, and towns add detail, so it earns a place among the best open world games.
Strength: Side encounters play like short stories, and many appear while you are simply riding.
Drawback: The pace is slow, so impatient players may feel held back.
Availability: It reached PS4 and Xbox One first, and PC followed a year later, so waiting paid off for some.
PC specs: Requirements depend on the version, so confirm them on the store page.
Best for: Story lovers, because they will not mind the unhurried rhythm.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD Projekt Red proved that side quests can be as memorable as the main story.

Release Date	Price	Platforms	Genre	PC Specs
May 19, 2015	Varies by store	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch	Action role-playing	Check the store page

Gameplay: While playing Geralt, a monster hunter, you mix sword fights, simple spells, and potions.
Setting: The search for Ciri leads you from the swamps of Velen to the islands of Skellige.
Key feature: Choices carry weight, so a small decision in one quest can change a later scene.
Strength: Side quests have real plots, which is why many call it one of the best open world games.
Strength: Two expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, add many extra hours.
Drawback: Combat feels stiff early on, though it improves once you unlock more skills.
Availability: The game came out on May 19, 2015, and once the Switch port arrived, handheld play became possible.
PC specs: A next-gen update arrived in 2022, so requirements differ by version.
Best for: Role-playing fans, because the writing carries the whole experience.

4. Elden Ring

FromSoftware took its tough combat and spread it across a huge, mysterious map.

Release Date	Price	Platforms	Genre	PC Specs
February 25, 2022	Varies by store	PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X\|S	Action role-playing	Check the store page

Gameplay: Combat rewards patience, so learning enemy patterns matters more than fast reflexes.
Setting: The Lands Between is a ruined world ruled by demigods, with castles, swamps, and caves.
Key feature: Once you unlock Torrent, a spirit horse, crossing the map gets much faster.
Strength: Author George R. R. Martin helped with the backstory, while FromSoftware built the world and quests.
Strength: Nothing marks your path clearly, yet among the best open world games, few hide secrets so well.
Drawback: Quest hints are vague, so some storylines are easy to miss.
Availability: It launched on February 25, 2022, so both older and newer PlayStation and Xbox consoles can run it.
PC specs: Because patches change things, check the store page for current requirements before you buy.
Best for: Players who enjoy a challenge, because every win feels earned.

5. Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar built a satirical version of Southern California and filled it with chaos.

Release Date	Price	Platforms	Genre	PC Specs
September 17, 2013	Varies by store	PC, PlayStation, Xbox	Open world action	Check the store page

Gameplay: Because you can swap between three heroes, missions stay fresh from start to finish.
Setting: Los Santos and the countryside around it mix city streets, deserts, and mountains.
Key feature: Heists let you choose a plan and a crew, which changes how each job plays out.
Strength: Driving and shooting feel polished, so it still stands with the best open world games.
Strength: GTA Online adds a multiplayer mode, and Rockstar kept updating it for years.
Drawback: The humor and violence are not for everyone, so check the age rating first.
Availability: It debuted on September 17, 2013, and since then it has reached PC and newer consoles.
PC specs: Requirements vary by version, so look at the store page.
Best for: Fans of loud, sarcastic action, because that is the tone throughout.

6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Bethesda handed players a snowy kingdom and almost no rules about what to do first.

Release Date	Price	Platforms	Genre	PC Specs
November 11, 2011	Varies by store	PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch	Action role-playing	Check the store page

Gameplay: You mix swords, magic, and bows, and you can shape a hero any way you like.
Setting: Skyrim is a cold northern province, and villages, ruins, and dragon lairs fill it.
Key feature: Once you absorb dragon souls, shouts (special powers) let you push back enemies or slow time.
Strength: Guilds and side quests pile up, so it remains one of the best open world games for roleplay.
Strength: A huge mod community keeps the game fresh, because fans keep adding new content.
Drawback: Funny glitches are common, so expect a few odd moments along the way.
Availability: The original came out on November 11, 2011, and later versions followed on newer systems.
PC specs: Mods can raise demands, so check the store page and your mod list.
Best for: Players who love freedom, because the game never rushes you.

7. Cyberpunk 2077

Night City looks like a neon future, and updates have since fixed much of its rough start.

Release Date	Price	Platforms	Genre	PC Specs
December 10, 2020	Varies by store	PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X\|S	Action role-playing	Check the store page

Gameplay: You mix gunplay, hacking, and melee fights, so different builds feel truly different.
Setting: Night City is a crowded future city, while each district has its own look.
Story: You play V, who shares their head with a digital copy of rocker Johnny Silverhand.
Strength: Phantom Liberty, a 2023 expansion, adds a spy thriller story, so there is more to see.
Strength: Dialogue choices matter, so it now deserves a spot among the best open world games for replays.
Drawback: Because the launch was rough on older consoles, some players stay wary.
Availability: It released on December 10, 2020, and since then it has received major updates.
PC specs: Ray tracing (a lighting effect that mimics real light) is demanding, so check the store page.
Best for: Sci-fi fans, because the world rewards close attention.

Key Takeaways From the Best Open World Games

Top pick: Breath of the Wild, the best open world game here for pure exploring.
Story pick: The Witcher 3, for side quests with real plots.
Mood pick: Red Dead Redemption 2, for its slow, detailed world.
Challenge pick: Elden Ring, for tough fights and hidden secrets.
Freedom pick: Skyrim, for guilds, magic, and mods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best open world game of all time?

There is no single answer, but this list of the best open world games ranks Breath of the Wild first.

What is an open world game?

It is a game where you roam a large map and choose what to do first.

Which open world game is best for beginners?

Skyrim and Breath of the Wild are friendly picks because they let you set your own pace.

Do these games need a powerful PC?

Needs vary by game and version, so check each store page for current specs.

Which game should I play before GTA 6?

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a fitting choice, and games like GTA offers more options.

Conclusion

The best open world games of all time share one trait: they trust you to wander. Breath of the Wild leads this list because it hides so many surprises in plain sight. Still, Skyrim, the Witcher, and Red Dead Redemption 2 each offer a different kind of freedom. If you enjoy story most, the best action adventure games for story lovers are a good next stop.

Best Open World Games of All Time