The Best Open-World Games For Newcomers

Open-world games have become so ubiquitous in gaming that it’s hard to play multiple games in the genre without feeling like everything blends together after a point. This can make it grating for players who want a unique gaming experience only to be disappointed in this regard.

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An easy solution is for players to just avoid open-world games and focus on other gaming genres instead. However, a better way to go about this is to try out offbeat open-world games that try something different and may reinvigorate the love players had for this genre before the fatigue sets in.

8

A Short Hike

A Simple, Zen Open-World Game That’s Short And Satisfying

A Short Hike is one of the most charming open-world games players can get their hands on. It’s a simple game where players must ascend a peak to get cellphone reception, acquiring golden feathers to enhance their traversal options.

In no time at all, players will be able to glide, jump, and climb surfaces with ease to complete this game in a short span of time. It’s the perfect palate cleanser for players tired of most run-of-the-mill open-world games and doesn’t overstay its welcome.

7

Elden Ring

The Sandbox Feels Organic And Rewards The Very Act Of Exploration Itself

10/10

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Elden Ring

Released

February 25, 2022

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

There’s a reason why the reception to Elden Ring‘s open world was positive across the board. Players loved the idea of exploring this organic world and uncovering new content, rewarding exploration considerably.

Even if players face a boss that’s too challenging, nothing is stopping them from exploring another section of The Lands Between to engage in more manageable battles and grow stronger. During a time when open-world games can’t stop themselves from overwhelming players with endless map markers, the distinct visual style and excellent sense of exploration ensure that Elden Ring will rekindle the passion people had for this genre at one point.

6

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

A Beautiful Game Where Players Aren’t Bombarded With Quest Markers And Collectible Icons

Systems

Released

May 12, 2023

Developer(s)

Nintendo

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Fans were worried that the new Zelda games would sacrifice too much of what made this franchise so special by trying to incorporate an open world. However, Nintendo was going to show everyone that their attempt at crafting a sandbox would be anything but ordinary.

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Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom feature massive worlds with numerous landmarks and secrets to find that aren’t spoon-fed to players. The latter is especially impressive for adding new layers to the world of Hyrule and making exploration more dynamic than ever before courtesy of its incredible powers.

5

Yakuza 0

Kamurocho And Sotenburi Are Small Hubs Dense With Content

Unlike most open-world games, Yakuza 0 makes it a priority to keep its open world small yet dense. For many people, this game will be an introduction to the iconic pleasure district of Kamurocho, with Sotenbori also making a strong impression on players in Majima’s story.

Players love how much content is present in these small hubs, featuring a wealth of hilarious substories and iconic side activities that players can’t get enough of. Yakuza 0 is the perfect entry point into this rich series and is comfortably one of the best open-world games for players who are tired of genre because of its unique design.

4

Minecraft

The Open World Is Just A Small Part Of This Amazing Indie Gem

Minecraft is one of the biggest indie successes that players can’t get enough of to this day. Players can either check out other servers to explore detailed worlds or start in a procedurally generated world of their own and create something special.

Either way, it will become clear in no time that the sandbox approach is just a small part of what makes Minecraft so special. The emphasis on creativity, a massive community, and its immense accessibility ensure that Minecraft will appeal to everyone, regardless of their personal feelings regarding open-world games.

3

The Witness

An Engaging Puzzle Game Set In An Open World

10/10

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The Witness

Released

January 26, 2016

Developer(s)

Thekla Inc.

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

The Witness is a fun sandbox title that makes the most of its open world to immerse players in a unique setting. While the puzzles may be consistent, they remain challenging enough to keep players intellectually stimulated till the very end.

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The charming exploration and hard puzzles guarantee that players fatigued by run-of-the-mill open-world games will love what The Witness brings to the table. It’s an excellent and underrated title that more people need to check out.

2

Disco Elysium

A Story-Driven CRPG Where The City Of Revachol Is Incredible To Explore

9/10

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Disco Elysium

Released

October 15, 2019

Developer(s)

ZA/UM

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

The city of Revachol is one of the most detailed settings shown in an open-world game, and that’s just highlighting one of Disco Elysium‘s many strengths. This urban environment and its surroundings are populated with unique structures and memorable characters who add to the allure of this story-driven CRPG.

The open world is not overwhelming and features a ton of unique content that players can uncover at their own pace. This, coupled with some sublime writing, ensures that Disco Elysium stands out as one of the best open-world RPGs perfect for players who are tired of the copy-paste design plaguing most AAA open-world games.

1

Outer Wilds

An Ingenious Puzzle Game Where Information Is All Players Need To Make Progress

Outer Wilds is one of the most ingenious and engaging puzzle games players can get lost in. Despite the game being a sci-fi sandbox where players explore the vast reaches of space, the world is not overwhelming at all and lets players figure things out at their own pace.

Information is the driving force that governs progress in Outer Wilds, with players slowly figuring out how to traverse certain planets that were giving them a hard time. It’s a rewarding gameplay loop that helps players feel smart as they slowly uncover everything this game has to offer and figure out a way to stop the universe from collapsing across multiple time loops.

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Open-World Games With Must-Play DLC For The Story

While these open-world games already have great stories, the expansions and DLCs released for them ascend to even greater heights.