Best Open-World Games Of The 2020s

Open-world games have been a popular trend ever since Grand Theft Auto 3 was released, with the genre’s significance and appeal growing significantly from the mid-2000s onwards. Nowadays, it’s common to see at least one significant project released each month that drops players into a vast world where they can explore freely. So far in 2025, we’ve seen games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. By the end of this year, we anticipate the launch of Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Mafia: The Old Country, Dune: Awakening, Donkey Kong Bananza, and several others.

Over the past few years, open-world games have been abundant and high-quality, making the 2020s an exceptional decade for fans of this genre. Despite some fatigue that may have set in, there has been a steady stream of games that keep players hooked for extended periods. Let’s explore some of the top open-world games from the 2020s.

Some criteria:

No remakes or remasters of games that originally came out before 2020.
Open-world games that entered early access before 2020 but made their full debuts in the current decade will be considered.
While a holistic view of a game will be taken, the quality of its open-world will be prioritized.

Honorable Mentions

The 2020s have had so many memorable open-world games, an honorable mentions section is required.

Cyberpunk 2077 – If it was not for a very messy launch, CD Projekt Red’s sci-fi epic would have had a guaranteed spot among the best open-world games of the decade. Despite being playable on some systems in 2020, it is 100% worth playing nowadays.
Infinity Nikki – The 2020s have produced some great online open-world RPGs, and Infinity Nikki is arguably the pick of the bunch.
Rise of the Ronin – The open-world itself is repetitive and not particularly enjoyable, but the gameplay is among the strongest in the genre.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – Does not shake up its predecessor’s formula all that much, and the open-world activities are underwhelming. That said, the story is decent, the combat is fast-paced and fun, and the webswinging is liberating.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 – A fantastic action JRPG in a series known for producing solely great games. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has complex combat, a compelling narrative, and runs reasonably well considering it is solely available on the Nintendo Switch.

10. Echo Point Nova

Some Of The Best Movement In The Open-World Genre

Even though it may not be as well-known as certain other open-world games released in the 2020s, Echo Point Nova is an unmissable gem for fans seeking thrilling yet controlled first-person shooter action. Remarkably, this game shares its roots with Severed Steel, a title that didn’t receive enough recognition. In essence, Echo Point Nova transposes the smooth movement mechanics from Severed Steel into an expansive open environment.

In Echo Point Nova, although there’s a storyline present, it tends to give players considerable freedom, allowing them to explore a vast island world where each small biome is accessible, no matter how distant it appears. The combat in this game is intense, gratifying, and stylish, with a fast-paced gameplay that is rather unexpected for an open-world title. Furthermore, Echo Point Nova supports 4-player cooperative play.

9. Forza Horizon 5

The Best Open-World Racing Franchise Heads To Mexico

Without a doubt, Playground Games has consistently created exceptional masterpieces within the Forza Horizon series. Each release has been a pinnacle of excellence for open-world racing games during their respective time periods, and the upcoming fifth installment will be tough to surpass. The game offers thrilling gameplay, exciting events, user-friendly controls, and an astounding variety of unlockable cars spanning multiple classes. It also enhances the four-season system that debuted in Forza Horizon 4.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can confidently say that the rendition of Mexico in Forza Horizon 5 has got to be one of the most varied game landscapes I’ve ever encountered in this series. The open-world is expansive yet not overwhelming, and the activities are consistently entertaining thanks to its spot-on arcade gameplay.

8. Horizon Forbidden West

A Sequel That Mostly Improves On Every Aspect Of Its Predecessor

It’s no secret that the success of Horizon Zero Dawn made a second installment inevitable. Horizon Forbidden West largely met the expectations set by its predecessor. Although it doesn’t quite capture the novelty or air of mystery found in the original, it significantly enhances nearly every other aspect. The combat, for instance, now features more weapons, smarter AI, and a few new types of enemies. Engaging in battles against colossal mecha dinosaurs remains thrilling, and the overall experience offers greater complexity. Regrettably, human enemy encounters are still not particularly impressive, but they have seen some improvement over Horizon Zero Dawn.

In Horizon Forbidden West, Aloy and players traverse through an expansive, sprawling map that can sometimes feel daunting due to its immense size. Yet, the game skillfully introduces fresh experiences at every turn, ensuring there’s always something exciting to discover, while still adhering to a familiar open-world structure.

7. Satisfactory

Arguably The Most Unique Open-World Game Of The 2020s

Open-world games, while not abundant, often appear to be commonplace due to their similarities and substantial investment requirements. However, Satisfactory, despite numerous praises, truly stands out as it’s scarcely comparable to other open-world games. After a five-year stint in early access, Coffee Stain officially launched version 1 at the end of 2024, and the time and resources invested were more than justified.

In the game Satisfactory, players find themselves on an extraterrestrial planet, tasked by their corporation to establish and manage a factory for resource extraction. The scale of operations starts modestly but grows steadily over time, making the player feel empowered to build just about anything they can imagine. To be clear, Satisfactory‘s main appeal lies in its factory-building simulation, although it also features first-person exploration segments that serve as open-world elements. While these exploration sections may not be as engaging as designing and optimizing the factory’s infrastructure, they still offer a decent experience overall.

6. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Square Enix’s Best Open-World Game

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that “FF7 Rebirth” takes the success of its predecessor and elevates it to new heights. Unlike the relatively linear journey in the original remake, this sequel has boldly embraced an open-world format, offering an unparalleled exploration of this captivating universe.

Of course, it retains the stunning cutscenes that Square Enix’s franchise is known for, but what sets “FF7 Rebirth” apart are its numerous expansive regions, each inviting us to delve deeper into their mysteries. Each area is not only visually striking but also brimming with engaging content.

In simpler terms, playing Rebirth often means there are numerous activities to engage in such as quests for the Queen’s Blood, side missions, optional battles with bosses, and Chocobo races. While the open-world content may appear to focus more on quantity than quality at times, it still offers some quality content. The main storyline is strong, and it’s complemented by a deep and rewarding combat system that thrives on having a diverse group of characters in your party.

5. Ghost of Tsushima

Starting The 2020s On The Highest Note

In terms of open-world games set in contemporary Japan, Yakuza reigns supreme. However, if you’re looking for a journey back into Japan’s rich past, Ghost of Tsushima is the standout choice. As Sucker Punch’s final offering on PS4, players find themselves as Jin, a samurai forced into hiding when his home, Tsushima Island, falls to the Mongols. Although certain creative liberties are employed, the story is grounded in historical facts, and the game strives to create an immersive, authentic experience.

It’s quite plausible to assert that among open-world games from the 2020s, Ghost of Tsushima stands out for its breathtaking visual presentation of its environment. Although it adopts many typical features common in this genre, the game prioritizes immersion over most other aspects, even refining its guidance system to be one of the shrewdest in the field. The combat mechanics, focusing on managing crowds, become more polished as you progress and master more skills, particularly when played on the hardest difficulty level.

4. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

The 2020’s Best Open-World Game Franchise

Over the past decade, the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise has been particularly productive, with six new titles since 2020 alone: Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Lost Judgment, Like a Dragon: Ishin!, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This equates to one game per year, an exceptional output for any genre, especially the open-world category. Granted, not every release can be a masterpiece, but each one is good quality and worth experiencing.

Without a doubt, “Infinite Wealth” stands out as the most expansive installment of the “Like a Dragon” series. Boasting two playable characters and three distinct cities/maps, it skillfully maintains quality while offering an abundance of content. Although some elements are reused, the 2024 sequel predominantly unfolds in Hawaii, a setting that is not only novel for the franchise but also for the gaming world at large. The storyline is lengthy, rich, and intermittently masterful, while the turn-based combat builds upon the robust structure established by “Yakuza: Like a Dragon“.

3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

A Masterfully Done Open-World Sequel

Warhorse crafted something unique with “Kingdom Come: Deliverance,” a gritty medieval role-playing game that fully immerses players in an authentic medieval lifestyle. While this game is exceptional, it caters to a specific audience and some players might find the initial stages challenging to navigate.

In an impressive feat, Warhorse managed to pull off the unthinkable with their second game. The developers skillfully increased accessibility without compromising on the elements that made the initial game so enthralling for a specific niche of players. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 serves as an exemplary model for creating the perfect sequel, warranting close examination. Going beyond mere comparisons to its predecessor, KCD2 is one of this decade’s most beautiful, ambitious, and self-assured releases across all genres – a title that confidently knows its identity and stands by its vision.

2. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

The Best Open-World Nintendo Game Of The 2020s

In the 2010s, Breath of the Wild was one of the top open-world games, and its successor, Tears of the Kingdom, might be considered the pinnacle of this decade. Although it shares similar settings with BOTW, Tears of the Kingdom offers an extraordinary amount of new content, such as two massive additional areas that lie alongside the main map. Initially challenging, these areas – The Depths and Sky Islands – become more intriguing as they are explored further, with The Depths being particularly engaging.

Similar to Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom invites players to venture into the unexplored and discover new places. Spot something intriguing in the distance? Jump on a horse and set off towards it, but remember that Link might need to prepare some food or find suitable attire for the journey depending on the weather conditions. Moreover, this game features an exceptionally adaptable building system intended to encourage and reward player creativity, enabling them to create various technological inventions that aid exploration.

1. Elden Ring

The Best Open-World Game Of The 2020s

During the 2010s decade, FromSoftware meticulously refined the Souls series’ gameplay formula, resulting in some of the top-tier 3D Metroidvania games ever made. Games such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne provided a good amount of flexibility, but they were not open-world and it appeared that their gameplay structure might not seamlessly transition into a sandbox environment. However, Elden Ring demonstrated that the Soulslike genre could not only adjust to an open world, but also thrive within it.

In the realm known as The Lands Between, Elden Ring provides just enough guidance for players to follow the main quest’s general path while allowing them to explore freely. Drawing inspiration from Breath of the Wild, Elden Ring offers one of the most captivating open-world exploration experiences, where every move might uncover a hidden boss battle, tomb, or precious treasure. While not overly stunning visually, it excels in setting an immersive atmosphere, offering a chilling, intense, and occasionally humorous journey. The sandbox element is impressive, but Elden Ring also accommodates those who prefer more structured gameplay by including several significant dungeons that echo the style of Dark Souls.

2025-04-13 02:09