The Best Open World Games To Play For Ambience

Slaying monsters and experiencing an epic storyline or two is always a joy in open-world video games, but sometimes, a player just wants to sit back and relax in the ambience. Escapism is a great way to relieve stress, and video games can provide that by immersing players into a world that captures their hearts and imaginations through visual and audio artistry.

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Whether they’re set in a real-world location or a fantastical one, the developers of these games put significant effort into their world design, allowing gamers to enjoy the experience without necessarily being distracted by all the action. The ability to roam an open world or simply stand still in a specific spot and take in the view is sufficient for anyone to appreciate the ambient sounds, music, and visuals of these open-world games.

9

Batman: Arkham Origins

Gotham City At Its Most Festive And Vibrant

Released

October 25, 2013

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

Batman’s world is mostly unpleasant, with mad, costumed criminals and metahumans running around causing chaos. However, Gotham City has always been a strange mix of beauty and grime, with one of the best examples being in Batman: Arkham Origins, where the whole game takes place on Christmas Eve.

The mix of gothic and modern metropolitan architecture topped with snow and ice and a constant blizzard provides Gotham City with a unique visual flair that is strangely relaxing. The ambient sounds of wind and orchestral music also help, making Gotham City look and feel cold, but in a good way, as Batman pummels criminals and villains before sending them home to Arkham for Christmas morning.

8

Stardew Valley

Taking Care Of A Digital Farm Is A Joy

Released

February 26, 2016

ESRB

E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)

While the object of Stardew Valley is to raise crops, mine for materials, and take care of animals on a farm, ConcernedApe has crafted one of the most charming in-game atmospheres to enjoy. Pelican Town is a pleasantly small place that changes visually and audibly every season of the year. With those changes come different natural items to collect and stories to unlock.

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The music in Stardew Valley has become so beloved that the official soundtrack is available for anyone to buy with the game. It helps make chores that should be boring feel like experiencing a serene existence, especially with the sound effects used to make the world feel alive and the cute pixel art visual style.

7

The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

Life On The Open Seas Of Hyrule

Systems

Released

September 20, 2013

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence

Every game in The Legend of Zelda franchise puts a new spin on the realm of Hyrule. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD depicts Hyrule as an endless ocean that can be sailed upon freely once Link unlocks his boat, the King of the Red Lions. Even players suffering from thalassophobia have credited The Wind Waker for its fun and imaginative open world.

When sailing, the adventurous music takes classic jingles from The Legend of Zelda and recomposes them to give the soundtrack a swashbuckling feel akin to Pirates of the Caribbean. Even when Link is just wandering Kakariko Village and other islands, everything feels peaceful, despite it being a post-apocalyptic version of Hyrule.

6

No Man’s Sky

The Final Frontier Is Dangerous And Serene

Adventure

Action

Survival

Released

August 9, 2016

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood

Procedurally generated planets are the big gimmick of No Man’s Sky, with each world providing new, never-before-seen environments, flora, and fauna to create a massive space-exploring venture. While there are many dangerous planets, the peaceful ones stand out for having stunning sci-fi visuals that truly feel like alien worlds as the player explores them.

No Man’s Sky was initially controversial at launch, but over the years, the developers at Hello Games have taken the time to rework and resurrect the game, turning it into the product that was promised. Now, gamers can set their controllers down and take in the extraterrestrial landscapes, with creatures wandering the land, starships flying through the sky, and other planets visibly looming in space waiting to be explored.

5

Super Mario 3d World + Bowser’s Fury

Feel Right At Home On Lake Lapcat

Systems

Released

February 12, 2021

ESRB

e

For as many decades as the Mario franchise has been around, it is surprising that it took until 2022 for Nintendo to give fans their first open-world Mario game with Bowser’s Fury. It may not be a complex game, but it provides classic 3D Mario gameplay with a unique NPC mechanic and a brand-new world for players to explore.

Lake Lapcat is free for players to explore and complete all missions in nearly any order that they wish. Rather than the bouncy tones that Mario games are known for, Lake Lapcat is more tranquil, with soft music that can melt the heart of even the most cynical player, especially when everything is visually based on cats. Aside from when Fury Bowser attacks, it is one of the most peaceful Mario experiences players can have.

4

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar Made Their Biggest World In This Beloved Sequel

Released

October 26, 2018

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

With hundreds of side quests, instances, and main storylines, the Old West has never been more expansive than in Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s a hostile, dirty, and unpleasant time to live in, but it can also be breathtaking in its visuals, which aim for realism above all, as Arthur Morgan travels through towns like Strawberry and cities like Saint-Denis.

There are biomes in Red Dead Redemption 2 for everyone’s tastes, rather than just the typical deserts and small towns seen in so many Westerns. There are the forest-coated mountains in the vein of Montana and bayous akin to Louisiana. It’s easy to get lost and end up exploring hours of wilderness, just enjoying the massive world developed by Rockstar.

3

Ghost Of Tsushima

Wandering A Japanese Island As A Samurai

Systems

Released

July 17, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity

Ghost of Tsushima makes it easy to get wrapped up in the story of Jin Sakai protecting his home from the Mongolian invasion. However, suppose one takes the time to pause and appreciate the visuals of Tsushima. In that case, they will find it to be an island of beauty and majesty, with every section designed with meticulous detail.

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Even something as simple as grass fields is enough to make Ghost of Tsushima take a player’s breath away. Japan is already famous for its serenity, and Sucker Punch embraced that to the fullest, creating a beautiful landscape that makes it easy to put down the controller and relax, especially when the sun is on the horizon, making everything glow in different hues of gold.

The Province Of Skyrim Is Still An Iconic Setting

Released

November 11, 2011

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol

Freedom is what has helped The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim remain a consistently popular RPG over a decade after its release. From players being able to craft any class that they desire to the entire province of Skyrim being explorable—with even more areas in later releases of the game—Skyrim is designed to be one of the most immersive fantasy games ever made, and it succeeds.

Whether players are in the city of Whiterun in the heart of Skyrim or the lakeview town of Riften, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is oddly relaxing when there are no monsters or raiders to fight. The sound of rivers running, the visual of aurora borealis, and the knowledge that adventure is around every corner make Skyrim’s province feel like a living world.

1

Minecraft

The Overworld Still Attracts New Players

Released

November 18, 2011

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence

Arguably, most of what players experience in Minecraft is the ambience with which it bombards them. No matter if it’s in the Overworld biome or the Nether, it is designed to fully immerse players in the blocky and pixelated world as they craft anything they please and survive the elements.

Minecraft has become a sensation for a reason, mixing imagination and welcoming visuals to keep fans coming back, with new players joining every year. The charming atmosphere and procedurally generated world make every Minecraft playthrough feel like a warm embrace. Even when the sun goes down and monsters roam, it’s difficult not to sit back and just relax.

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