Open-world gaming is something that fans can’t get enough of, making it clear why most AAA developers try to integrate a beautiful sandbox in their titles more often than not. If a game in this genre resonates with fans, then it’s only a matter of time before a profitable franchise is established.
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Some of the best open-world franchises players can check out are amazing to behold, letting players explore massive worlds with so many things to do that it can be mind-boggling. Most of these lauded series will have something or the other that keeps fans coming back for more.
Franchises will be ranked on their overall quality and popularity.
8
Horizon
A Post-Apocalyptic PlayStation Open-World Franchise With A Tantalizing Setting And Detailed Lore
- Notable Entries: Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Zero Dawn introduced players to one of the most interesting worlds they could explore, with humanity regressing as robotic dinosaurs took over Earth. As Aloy, it’s interesting to see the events that lead to humans being oppressed by the very things they created.
While Forbidden West didn’t feel like a huge innovation in the eyes of many, the game is so beautiful and fun to play that most people will give it a pass. Players may get overwhelmed early on, but slowly making progress in the open world lets players uncover a fun story that continues the excellent worldbuilding from the first game.
7
Forza Horizon
An Open-World Racing Series That’s A Joy To Play Through
- Notable Entries: Forza Horizon 2, Forza Horizon 4, Forza Horizon 5
Fans of open-world racing games love getting their hands on every new Forza Horizon game. The changing seasons coupled with a wealth of impressive cars make it clear why players can play these games for years before a new installment arrives.
The latest Forza Horizon game is a stellar display of what this series gets right, with players loving the idea of exploring these grand worlds and taking on racing challenges along the way. The progression curve could be all over the place, but fans didn’t mind as long as they got a fast car in record time that they could use to attain victory in every racing event as they left their opponents in the dust.
6
Mafia
A Series Of Open-World Crime Games With Dramatic Stories And Simple Yet Fun Gameplay
- Notable Entries: Mafia, Mafia 2
Players who want to check out gritty stories revolving around the interesting world of the Mafia will love what this series brings to the table. While the world itself may not be as engaging as players would like, the Mafia games make up for it with fun firefights and incredible stories that feel like a cinematic organized crime movie.
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Each game boasts iconic characters and memorable narratives as players experience the ups and downs of being a member of the Mafia. The lack of interactivity in each sandbox can be somewhat of a downer, but the games make up for it in other ways that have helped the Mafia series attract a sizeable fanbase in no time.
5
Marvel’s Spider-Man
The PlayStation Spider-Man Games Are A Joy To Play Through
- Notable Entries: Marvel’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Marvel’s Spider-Man finally lets players enjoy a high-budget game featuring the titular webhead. It was an instant hit that compelled Sony to cash in and develop more games for this IP. The introduction of Miles followed not long after, with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 letting players control both Spider-Men in an epic adventure.
It’s clear that Insomniac knows what’s best for this IP, and fans can’t wait to see what a new Spider-Man game will have in store for them. Swinging through the streets of New York and taking out enemies with flashy moves makes it clear why Marvel’s Spider-Man is such a joy to play through.
4
STALKER
A Hardcore Open-World Franchise With A Focus On Survival Gameplay That’s Tense Yet Rewarding
- Notable Entries: STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, STALKER: Call of Pripyat, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Fans of hardcore survival RPGs set in an open world are familiar with the STALKER series and its unique trappings. The tense gameplay loop makes every firefight a death-defying affair as players fend off humans and mutants in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
As long as players are willing to be smart about their activities in this game, they’ll eventually understand why the STALKER games hold such a soft spot in the hearts of many. With Heart of Chornobyl making waves as a worthy entry in the series, fans can’t wait to see if this game attracts more fans after all its bugs are ironed out.
3
Like A Dragon
The Games Have Small Yet Detailed Open Worlds That Feel Great To Explore Every Single Time
- Notable Entries: Yakuza 0, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Judgment
What makes every Like a Dragon game such a blast to play through is the way it approaches open-world design. Instead of dropping players in worlds with a ton of open space, the series formerly known as Yakuza presents smaller, detailed districts that are jam-packed with content.
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It’s easy for players to be sidetracked while playing a Yakuza game, with the substories and side content being so engaging that it sucks out numerous hours in no time. Players can enjoy turn-based combat in the new mainline titles, while spinoffs and old Like a Dragon games feature incredible real-time combat where one can feel like a monster as they use Heat Moves to smash their enemies in style.
2
Red Dead Redemption
The Western Open-World Games Are Brimming With Detail And Boast Some Intense Shooting Combat
- Notable Entries: Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2
Despite only working on two games, Rockstar has turned Red Dead Redemption into one of the most popular open-world franchises of all time. The first game let players control Marston as he hunted down the former members of his gang to secure his family’s safety, while the sequel is confusingly structured as a prequel to the first game that details the exploits of Dutch’s gang before they eventually broke up.
Both games are a blast to play through and show Rockstar at its very best. The sequel is praised to the moon and back for integrating one of the best narratives ever seen in a Rockstar game that will turn Arthur Morgan into an iconic protagonist in no time.
1
Grand Theft Auto
An Incredible Open-World Franchise That Needs No Introduction
- Notable Entries: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto 4, Grand Theft Auto 5
Players who can’t get enough of most modern AAA open-world games have Grand Theft Auto 3 to thank for setting a template that other developers have tried to adopt for the longest time. Every new GTA release captures mainstream attention as fans salivate at the prospect of playing these incredibly detailed open-world games.
Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the most important releases in the series, introducing a new engine that was way ahead of its time and setting the foundation for GTA Online to become a global phenomenon in no time.
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