The Best Open-World Games of 2025

Okay, 2025 was huge for gaming. Seriously, a bunch of games we’d been waiting for finally dropped, and they totally changed how much freedom we have in open worlds. I’m talking massive cities and unbelievably detailed forests – the graphics were insane! Developers really pushed the limits of what consoles and PCs could do, creating worlds that felt alive. What was coolest was how my choices actually mattered and changed things around me. It felt like 2025 cemented open world games as the place where developers are really innovating, both with the tech and the stories they’re telling.

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ (2025)

Capcom released this large-scale action RPG on February 28, 2025. Players will explore a world with smooth transitions between camps and varied environments teeming with dangerous monsters. Successful hunters will need to adjust to shifting weather and animal movements to find and capture their targets. This new version offers bigger maps and more intricate gameplay than previous games in the series.

‘Ghost of Yotei’ (2025)

Sucker Punch Productions created the follow-up to their popular game, which Sony released on October 14, 2025. The game takes place over three hundred years after the original and stars a new character named Atsu. Players will explore the lands around Mount Yotei, a beautiful open world inspired by the Ezo region of Northern Japan. This world features both traditional samurai weapons and newly introduced firearms, and the story centers around a quest for revenge and uncovering hidden truths.

‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ (2025)

Ubisoft launched its highly anticipated game, set in Japan, on February 14, 2025. Players can experience the story through two main characters: Naoe, a skilled shinobi, and Yasuke, a famous samurai. The game world is dynamic, with changing seasons that impact how you play – for example, water can freeze and grass grows taller depending on the time of year. The game map is a large recreation of historical Japan, emphasizing both stealthy tactics and powerful combat.

‘Death Stranding 2: On The Beach’ (2025)

Kojima Productions launched this one-of-a-kind adventure game on May 15, 2025. Players take on the role of Sam Porter Bridges as he journeys to reconnect a fragmented world beyond the Americas. The game features huge, mobile bases and dangerous new environments that will test your ability to navigate. Hideo Kojima masterfully combines a compelling story with unique online features that connect players worldwide.

‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ (2025)

Game Freak and Nintendo released this exciting new game on March 20, 2025. The entire story unfolds in Lumiose City, which is undergoing a huge construction and renewal project. Players will explore a detailed and bustling city environment, using the powerful Mega Evolution feature. This game offers a fresh take on open-world gameplay by concentrating on the complex and interconnected areas within one famous city.

‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance II’ (2025)

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II launched on February 11, 2025, immersing players in a gripping tale of revenge and political maneuvering set in 15th-century Bohemia. The game boasts stunningly realistic medieval towns and a combat system focused on authentic, gritty encounters. Players will need to carefully manage their resources, reputation, and survival skills as they navigate the turmoil of a brutal civil war.

‘Mafia: The Old Country’ (2025)

Published by Hangar 13 and 2K Games on August 12, 2025, this game tells the story of how the mafia first began in early 1900s Sicily. Players will explore a beautifully rendered and realistic open-world Italy, experiencing the harsh realities of life as the mafia took hold. Unlike previous games, this one features a focused, story-driven experience within a large and historically accurate setting.

‘South of Midnight’ (2025)

Released on July 18, 2025, by Compulsion Games and Xbox Game Studios, this game is a Southern Gothic adventure where you play as Hazel. She journeys through a magical take on the American South, tracking down legendary creatures. The game features a distinctive stop-motion art style that beautifully captures its folklore-inspired world. Players use special weaving abilities to move around and fight off old, powerful enemies.

‘Borderlands 4’ (2025)

Gearbox and 2K Games released the newest installment in the looter shooter series on October 28, 2025. The game takes place on a completely new planet featuring diverse environments and a new team of characters. Players can find millions of randomly created weapons, offering tons of ways to customize their combat style. This version also features larger, more open areas with more opportunities for exploration, including hidden locations and increased verticality.

‘Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’ (2025)

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio launched a new game on February 21, 2025, where Goro Majima unexpectedly finds himself a pirate captain with amnesia. Players will navigate the Pacific Ocean, discovering different islands and getting into exciting, over-the-top fights. The game combines the familiar city exploration of the series with the fresh addition of seafaring gameplay.

‘InZOI’ (2025)

Krafton will release this life simulation game on March 25, 2025. Players will be able to create unique avatars and experience detailed, realistic lives in an open world. The game features extensive interaction with the city and its inhabitants, and boasts impressive graphics and complex social features, making it a promising title for fans of life simulation games.

‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ (2025)

I’m so excited about Leach Games’ new game! It came out on August 21, 2025, and it’s a dark fantasy action title set in the late Ming Dynasty. Basically, you’re exploring this incredible world that’s been overrun by a strange plague and all sorts of terrifying supernatural creatures. The coolest part is the environment – it’s got these beautiful traditional Chinese buildings, but they’re all mixed with this creepy, organic, almost biological growth. It’s really challenging, and you need to get good with different weapons and magic to survive the tough combat and really complex levels. I can’t wait to dive in!

‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ (2025)

Okay, so I’ve been playing this new RPG, Sandfall Interactive’s release from May 20, 2025, and it’s seriously cool. You’re in charge of an expedition trying to stop this villain called the Paintress – she’s using her art to wipe out everyone! The game world is amazing, totally inspired by old France, but with these weird, beautiful, and mysterious landscapes. What really grabs me is the combat – it’s turn-based, but things happen in real-time, so it feels really fast and keeps you on your toes. It’s not your typical slow-paced strategy game, that’s for sure!

‘Dune: Awakening’ (2025)

Funcom released their survival MMO, set on the desert planet Arrakis, on June 17, 2025. Players need to find water and build shelter to survive the dangerous environment, including massive sandworms. The game world is constantly changing, with sandstorms revealing and concealing different areas. Players join factions and battle for control of spice fields, which are essential for advancing in the game.

‘Eternal Strands’ (2025)

Yellow Brick Games released their new action adventure game on July 10, 2025. In the game, you play as Brynn, who is on a quest to restore her people’s homeland. The game world is very responsive, letting players use things like the weather and natural elements to help them in battles. A key part of the gameplay involves climbing huge creatures and exploring tall, challenging environments.

‘Windblown’ (2025)

Released on April 22, 2025, this fast-paced action roguelike lets players speed through floating islands, battling robotic enemies. The game features open levels with lots of different paths and secret upgrades to discover. By collecting the memories of defeated warriors, players can unlock new abilities and weapons to help them on their next run.

‘Dying Light: The Beast’ (2025)

Techland released a new standalone adventure starring Kyle Crane on October 31, 2025. Set in the sprawling Castor Woods, the game blends beautiful landscapes with the remnants of industry. Players will need to master parkour and tough combat to overcome both human opponents and terrifying, evolved zombies. The game world is designed to feel more detailed and responsive than previous games in the series.

‘Titan Quest 2’ (2025)

Grimlore Games and THQ Nordic launched the highly anticipated sequel on November 11, 2025. The game immerses players in a beautifully crafted ancient Greece inspired by mythology, complete with iconic monsters and gods. Players will explore a vast and wondrous world while hunting for valuable treasure. A deep character customization system lets you combine different skills and abilities to create a truly unique playstyle.

‘Mecha BREAK’ (2025)

Seasun Games released their new multiplayer mech combat game on August 5, 2025. The game features large maps perfect for fast-paced aerial combat and ground battles. Players can personalize their mechs with a variety of weapons and defenses to suit different missions. The open-world areas include changing weather and environments you can destroy, which affect how battles play out.

‘Where Winds Meet’ (2025)

I’ve been playing this new game from Everstone Studio that came out on June 27, 2025, and it’s seriously cool. It’s an open-world wuxia game, so think ancient China with a bit of magic. You can choose how you want to play – I’m going for a doctor build, but you can also be a total swordsmaster! The world is packed with cool supernatural stuff and feels really authentic to the Ten Kingdoms period. Combat is super fluid and there’s a really deep crafting system, so you can really customize how you play. Plus, you can recruit characters to help you unravel mysteries and take down threats around the city – it’s a blast!

‘Atomfall’ (2025)

Rebellion released their new survival game on March 27, 2025. The game takes place in a reimagined Northern England following a nuclear catastrophe, and features a large, detailed open world. Players will need to find supplies to survive while interacting with strange characters and avoiding dangerous cults. The game’s story draws inspiration from actual historical events and classic British science fiction from the mid-20th century.

‘The Midnight Walk’ (2025)

MoonLooney and APE Games launched their unique adventure game on October 7, 2025. What makes it special is that the entire game world was built with real clay, then scanned into the digital world. Players will explore a dark but charming setting, solving fire-based puzzles and encountering strange creatures. The game is designed to be explored at your own pace, with a focus on atmosphere and discovery.

‘Anno 117: Pax Romana’ (2025)

The newest installment in the city-building series launched on April 15, 2025, from Ubisoft. In the game, you play as a Roman governor responsible for overseeing large territories throughout the empire. Its expansive maps let you build intricate trade routes and design impressive structures. Balancing the demands of both the Roman senate and your citizens will provide a deep and engaging strategic challenge.

‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ (2025)

After a long wait, Retro Studios and Nintendo finally released the sequel on November 7, 2025. Players take control of Samus Aran as she journeys through expansive alien worlds that are more open and connected than ever before. The returning scan visor helps uncover the rich backstory and hidden secrets of each environment. Using classic abilities, players will navigate new areas and battle the notorious space pirates to survive.

‘Tales of the Shire’ (2025)

Released on March 25, 2025, by Weta Workshop and Private Division, this game lets you experience life as a Hobbit in the charming village of Bywater, located in the Shire. You can enjoy relaxing activities like gardening, fishing, and trading with your neighbors to help build a better community. The game is all about enjoying the peaceful, simple pleasures of life in Middle-earth.

‘Hell is Us’ (2025)

I’m really excited about this new game! Rogue Factor and Nacon just released it on September 30th, 2025. It’s a third-person action adventure set in a war-torn country that’s also been hit by something seriously strange and supernatural. What I love is that the developers aren’t holding your hand – there are no map markers or quest logs, so you really have to explore and discover things on your own. From what I’ve seen, the combat is all about mastering unique melee weapons and using a drone to take down these creepy, hollow creatures. It looks awesome!

‘Wanderer: The Fragments of Fate’ (2025)

Mighty Eyes launched their open-world VR adventure game on March 31, 2025. In the game, players journey through time, solving puzzles and altering historical events. Each time period – from ancient civilizations to the moon landing – features a unique and expansive world to explore. Realistic physics make every action and interaction feel believable and meaningful.

‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)

The action RPG, developed by Neople and Nexon, launched on March 27, 2025. Players take on the role of General Khazan, driven by a quest for revenge within the Pell Los Empire. The game features a large, explorable world with challenging, fast-paced combat and a unique, cartoon-like art style. To overcome difficult enemies, players will need to learn the game’s intricate skill system and upgrade their equipment.

Share your favorite open-world gaming memories from the past year in the comments.

2026-01-06 20:48