Best Open World Games on Steam

Open world games are now incredibly popular, letting players roam huge areas and play however they want. Steam has tons of these games, covering everything from historical settings to futuristic sci-fi. What makes them special is that your choices and how you explore really shape your experience. Many of the most beloved games today are open world titles, known for their detailed worlds and complex gameplay.

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Elden Ring is a dark fantasy game developed by FromSoftware with world-building contributions from George R.R. Martin. As a ‘Tarnished’ character, you’ll journey to fix the Elden Ring and claim the title of Elden Lord. The game’s world, The Lands Between, is open and allows you to explore freely, uncovering challenging bosses and large dungeons. Battles require skillful timing and a diverse range of magical powers.

‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)

In ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,’ you play as Geralt of Rivia, who is searching for his adopted daughter, Ciri. The game takes place in a huge and varied world, including areas like Velen and Skellige. As you play, you’ll take on monster hunting jobs and get caught up in complicated political struggles. Ultimately, the story’s ending depends on the decisions you make along the way.

‘Grand Theft Auto V’ (2015)

In ‘Grand Theft Auto V’, you play as three different characters in the made-up city of Los Santos. The game centers around planning and carrying out robberies and other criminal activities across a large and varied landscape. You can switch between these characters whenever you want, giving you a unique view of the story. Plus, there’s a thriving online world with regularly added updates and missions.

‘Cyberpunk 2077’ (2020)

Cyberpunk 2077 takes place in Night City, a huge city fixated on power and changing the human body. You play as V, a hired gun looking for a special implant that promises eternal life. The game’s story changes depending on your decisions, leading to different possible endings. Night City is a detailed and immersive place, built with a lot of vertical space and plenty of things you can interact with, all showcasing a dark and troubled future.

‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ (2011)

In ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’, you play as the Dragonborn, a hero tasked with preventing a devastating dragon invasion. The game lets you freely explore the vast province of Skyrim right from the beginning. You can choose to join different groups, like the shadowy Dark Brotherhood or the cunning Thieves Guild. What’s unique is the character development system – you’re not limited by traditional classes and can build your character however you like.

‘Fallout 4’ (2015)

Fallout 4 takes place in a ruined Boston, called the Commonwealth, after a nuclear war. You start by leaving a secure underground shelter, Vault 111, and begin searching for your kidnapped child. A major part of the game is rebuilding civilization by crafting items and creating settlements. When fighting, you can use the V.A.T.S. system to carefully aim and plan your attacks.

‘Starfield’ (2023)

Starfield is a massive space adventure where you can discover more than a thousand planets. You play as someone who joins Constellation, a group searching for strange and powerful relics. Throughout the game, you’ll be able to design and build your own spaceships and create bases on different planets. The game is set in the Settled Systems and includes many different groups and storylines to follow.

‘Forza Horizon 5’ (2021)

Forza Horizon 5 is a racing game that takes place in a beautifully recreated Mexico. The game world features a wide variety of landscapes, including deserts, jungles, and even an active volcano. Players join the Horizon Festival where they can race against others and perform exciting stunts. With hundreds of officially licensed cars to choose from, and extensive options to customize them, players can truly make the game their own.

‘No Man’s Sky’ (2016)

No Man’s Sky lets you explore a vast universe created by computer, filled with trillions of different planets. You can travel from space to a planet’s surface without any loading times. The game focuses on surviving, crafting items, and trading with others as you move between star systems. Over time, the developers have added features like building bases, playing with friends, and exploring underwater environments.

‘Valheim’ (2021)

Valheim is a survival game rooted in the world of Vikings and Norse legends. As a player, you’ll work to prove yourself to Odin by overcoming challenging mythical creatures. The game features diverse landscapes like grassy plains, rugged mountains, and murky swamps, each offering different materials to gather. To withstand the dangerous weather and enemy attacks, you’ll need to build a base and craft essential items.

‘Subnautica’ (2018)

In ‘Subnautica,’ you’re stranded on a beautiful but dangerous alien ocean planet after your spaceship crashes. The game is all about exploring the underwater world to gather supplies and build the tools you need to survive. You’ll discover stunning coral reefs and face frightening creatures of the deep. Ultimately, you must uncover the secrets of ancient structures and find a way to escape the planet.

‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance’ (2018)

I’m really into ‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance’ – it’s an RPG set in medieval Bohemia, and it feels so real! You play as Henry, a blacksmith’s son, and the main drive is getting revenge for his family. What I love is how much they focused on making everything historically accurate, especially the combat and how you interact with people. It’s not just about fighting; your choices actually matter and change how people see you and even the world around you.

‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ (2018)

‘Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ takes place in Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War. Players can choose to play as either Alexios or Kassandra and embark on an epic adventure. The game includes large-scale naval combat and a system for controlling regions of the game world. Both mythical beasts and famous historical characters are key parts of the game’s extensive story.

‘Far Cry 5’ (2018)

In ‘Far Cry 5’, you’re thrust into Hope County, Montana, where a dangerous doomsday cult has seized control. As a player, you’ll join forces with local allies to fight back and liberate the area from the Seed family. The game offers a highly interactive open world with plenty of ways to approach battles, from sneaking around enemies to launching attacks from the air. You can also team up with friends and play through the entire story together in co-op mode.

‘Dying Light 2 Stay Human’ (2022)

I’m really excited about ‘Dying Light 2 Stay Human’! It’s a game where you run across rooftops and fight for survival in a city overrun by zombies. It’s not just about fighting though – you’re constantly making choices that actually change the city itself, how it looks, and who’s in charge. And the combat is awesome – it’s all about getting up close and personal with melee weapons and using whatever you can find in the environment to take down the undead.

‘Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord’ (2022)

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord combines strategy and role-playing in a made-up medieval world. You command armies in massive battles, including sieges, and navigate a detailed economy and political landscape where you can rise to become a king or serve as a noble. What makes the game special is that every character has their own motivations and behaves independently.

‘Kenshi’ (2018)

Kenshi is a challenging survival game where you lead a group in a vast, unforgiving desert. Unlike many games, there’s no set story – you decide your own path, whether that means becoming a merchant, a powerful leader, or something else entirely. The world doesn’t care about your survival, so you’ll need to carefully gather resources and build alliances to make it. Building a base and researching new technologies are essential for lasting success in this dangerous environment.

‘Rust’ (2018)

Rust is an online multiplayer game about surviving in a harsh world. You begin with almost nothing and have to collect materials like wood and stone to create a base and tools. The most dangerous part of the game is other players, who can attack your base and take your stuff. The game is constantly evolving with new features, like electricity and vehicles.

‘Outer Wilds’ (2019)

Outer Wilds is an exploration game where you’re trapped in a solar system that constantly resets. You pilot a spaceship to visit various planets and learn about a long-lost civilization. Each planet is different, with its own special features like shifting landscapes or strong gravity. Instead of getting better equipment, you progress by figuring things out through exploration.

‘Dragon’s Dogma 2’ (2024)

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an action-packed role-playing game where you adventure with a team of customizable companions called pawns. You’ll create your own main character and a key ally to journey through a vast fantasy world. Battles are dynamic and allow for unique strategies, like climbing on top of massive monsters. The game world is full of secrets to discover, from hidden caves to unpredictable events that unfold on their own.

‘Palworld’ (2024)

Palworld is a game where you collect creatures, survive in the wilderness, and build a base. You’ll capture Pals – unique creatures – to assist you in battles and with collecting materials. The game takes place in a huge, varied open world filled with different environments and powerful bosses. Building and automating your base is key to thriving in the game.

‘Sons of the Forest’ (2024)

Sons of the Forest is a scary survival game set on a deserted island. You play as someone sent to find a missing billionaire, but you’ll have to fight off cannibalistic mutants to survive. The game lets you build complex structures and features changing weather. You’re also joined by an AI helper who can assist with collecting resources and building.

‘Batman: Arkham Knight’ (2015)

Batman: Arkham Knight finishes Batman’s story, pitting him against Scarecrow and a new, unknown enemy. Players can now drive the Batmobile for the first time in the series, exploring Gotham City. The game improves on the fighting and sneaking mechanics, giving players lots of different ways to approach challenges. Gotham is also packed with extra missions and brain-teasers from the Riddler.

‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War’ (2017)

In ‘Middle-earth: Shadow of War,’ the innovative Nemesis System creates a personalized experience with every orc enemy. Players command an army to take over fortresses throughout Mordor, engaging in massive battles. You can even turn enemy captains into allies! The game’s story centers around Talion and Celebrimbor as they work together to create a new Ring of Power.

‘Mad Max’ (2015)

In ‘Mad Max’, you’re thrown into a dangerous, ruined world where surviving means mastering car combat. You’ll improve Max’s car, the Magnum Opus, to battle enemy groups and endure the tough conditions. The game world is split into areas you can take control of by completing missions. When you fight on foot, it’s a raw, intense experience that relies on well-timed attacks and counters.

‘Just Cause 3’ (2015)

Just Cause 3 is an explosive action game where you wreak havoc on a beautiful Mediterranean island. You play as Rico Rodriguez, who uses a grappling hook and wingsuit to get around quickly. A key feature is the ability to connect objects and set off huge, satisfying chain reactions. The main objective is to free the island from a ruthless dictatorship by taking down its government buildings and forces.

‘Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition’ (2014)

‘Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition’ takes place in Hong Kong, where you play as Wei Shen, an undercover police officer. The game centers around his mission to go deep into the Sun On Yee Triad without blowing his cover. The fighting is fast-paced and inspired by classic martial arts films, letting you use your surroundings to take down enemies. This version includes all previously released extra content and has been updated with improved graphics.

‘Mafia: Definitive Edition’ (2020)

‘Mafia: Definitive Edition’ is a full reimagining of the original game, taking place in the 1930s. You play as Tommy Angelo, a man climbing the ladder within the Salieri crime family. The game features a beautifully detailed recreation of the city of Lost Heaven, complete with cars and buildings accurate to the time period. It offers a cinematic story about the life of a gangster during the Great Depression.

‘Project Zomboid’ (2013)

Project Zomboid is a challenging zombie survival game that focuses on realism. You see the action from an overhead, angled view. To stay alive, you’ll need to worry about basic needs like food and water, as well as your character’s mental state, all while trying to avoid hordes of zombies. The game features a large, detailed map with towns and countryside to search for essential supplies. Be warned: when your character dies, it’s permanent – you’ll have to start a new survivor in the same world.

‘State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition’ (2020)

In ‘State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition’, you lead a group of survivors trying to rebuild after a zombie outbreak. The game centers around building and managing your community, which means collecting supplies and expanding your base. Each survivor has their own strengths and weaknesses that impact how well your community thrives. This version of the game features new areas to explore and improved visuals for a richer experience.

‘V Rising’ (2024)

In the survival game V Rising, you play as a vampire who’s just woken up weakened and needs to regain their power. You’ll do this by building a castle and creating a vampire empire, which means gathering resources and, of course, hunting for blood. Since you’re a vampire, you’ll need to avoid the sun and stick to nighttime for safe travel. The world is full of both humans and dangerous mythical creatures that will test your skills.

‘Raft’ (2022)

In ‘Raft,’ you start stranded on a tiny wooden platform in the middle of the ocean. You’ll use a hook to collect floating materials and build your raft into a larger, more secure base. As you explore, you’ll discover islands and ruins that tell the story of a world overtaken by water. To survive, you’ll need to find food and water and protect yourself from a relentless shark.

‘Terraria’ (2011)

Terraria is an expansive 2D adventure game where you explore and build in a vast, randomly generated world. You’ll dig underground for valuable resources, battle tough enemies, and discover diverse environments like jungles and corrupted lands. A key part of the game is crafting – there are tons of items and weapons to create as you play.

‘Watch Dogs 2’ (2016)

I absolutely loved ‘Watch Dogs 2’! You play as Marcus Holloway, a young hacker running around the San Francisco Bay Area. What’s really cool is how you can use hacking to control almost everything in the city – traffic lights, cameras, you name it – to finish missions. It’s not just about following a path either; the game really encourages you to get creative with drones and other tech to find your own solutions. Plus, the story dives into some really interesting stuff about how much companies track us and what that means for our privacy.

‘Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands’ (2017)

In ‘Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands,’ you’ll explore a huge, open-world Bolivia overrun by a powerful drug cartel. You take command of a four-person team of skilled soldiers and work together to take down the cartel through challenging, strategic missions. The game boasts a varied landscape, from salt flats and mountains to thick jungles, and the entire campaign can be played with up to four players in cooperative mode.

‘Yakuza: Like a Dragon’ (2020)

Yakuza: Like a Dragon features a new main character, Ichiban Kasuga, and takes place in Yokohama. This installment breaks from tradition with a turn-based combat system. The game keeps the series’ signature fun side quests and mini-games, and tells a story that mixes intense crime drama with lighthearted, funny scenes.

‘Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’ (2024)

In ‘Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth,’ the popular series ventures beyond Japan for the first time, setting its story in Honolulu, Hawaii. Players will follow the journeys of both Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu as they become involved in global conflicts. The game offers an enhanced turn-based combat system and a huge island to discover, with opportunities to enjoy side activities like food delivery and running a tropical resort.

‘Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition’ (2018)

Final Fantasy XV for Windows Edition follows Prince Noctis and his companions as they journey across the world of Eos. Players experience action-packed, real-time battles and can explore the expansive landscape by car or on foot. This version includes all previously released bonus content and lets you play with a first-person perspective. At its heart, the game is a story about the power of friendship and the challenges of being a prince.

‘Sniper Elite 5’ (2022)

I’m really excited about ‘Sniper Elite 5’! It’s set in France during World War II and lets you play as this incredible sharpshooter. You’re basically completing missions using stealth and taking out targets from way off in the distance. What’s cool is the game has a really realistic ballistics system, so you have to account for wind and distance, and of course, it has that awesome X-ray kill cam the series is known for. I love that you can approach each mission however you want, depending on your playstyle and what gear you’ve got.

‘Saints Row IV’ (2013)

Saints Row IV flips the typical crime game on its head by letting you play as the President of the United States with incredible superpowers. You’ll battle an alien invasion in a virtual version of the city of Steelport, using fast-paced movement and wild combat skills. The game is a chaotic and funny experience set in a huge, open world designed for causing trouble.

‘Prototype’ (2009)

In the action game ‘Prototype,’ you play as Alex Mercer, a character with amnesia who can transform his shape. He gains new abilities and memories by absorbing others. The game takes place in a quarantined Manhattan devastated by a virus. Players navigate the city using parkour and powerful transformations to fight both the military and infected monsters. The open-world environment encourages fast-paced movement and allows you to unleash devastating powers.

Tell us which open world adventure is your favorite in the comments.

2026-02-12 14:21