7 Best RPGs If You Like Giant Open Cities to Explore, Ranked

The RPG genre is one of the most complex and complete in the entire world of gaming, as it features tons of different side quests and NPCs players can interact with. Some RPGs allow players to level up spells and attacks to fight their enemies, whereas others focus on different types of combat.

Related

6 Best Isometric RPGs with Fast-Paced Gameplay, Ranked

Isometric RPGs are lots of fun, especially when they game great mechanics. Here are some titles in this genre with fast-paced gameplay.

Other RPG titles also offer players various romance options so they can pursue a character of their interest. One thing most titles in this genre have in common is the possibility of exploring large areas full of things to discover. Here are some of the best RPGs with giant open cities to explore.

7

Dragon Age: Origins

Large Areas That Are Fun To Explore

Released

November 3, 2009

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content

• The first installment in the Dragon Age series
• Players can choose a race

Dragon Age: Origins is the first major game in the Dragon Age franchise, and it has tons of very interesting things for players to explore and discover throughout the game. Players can choose a race for their player character, and while the options are not as vast as they are in other games, they’re still decent.

This title features various large areas, including Amaranthine, which is an outstanding location that has a lot to offer players. There are also several mods for this game and Dragon Age: Inquisition that players can take advantage of to make their experience better.

6

Cyberpunk 2077

V’s Story Takes Place In The Exciting Night City

Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades. The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

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

• Night City feels alive
• Tons of businesses to purchase items from and crimes to stop

Although Cyberpunk 2077 had a rough start due to some performance issues, today it has become one of the greatest games of the last 10 years thanks to its outstanding graphics, compelling narrative, and great main inside quests.

Night City and its outskirts are well-crafted and have a lot to offer players in terms of different experiences. The city feels alive and creates an amazing sense of immersion that players will definitely love as they progress through the game. Throughout the story, players will get to listen to some of the best quotes in Cyberpunk 2077, uttered by various interesting characters.

A Strong Precursor To The Masterpiece That Is Skyrim

Systems

Released

May 1, 2002

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood, Violence

• Several areas to explore
• 10 different playable races

The main story of The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind takes place on Vvardenfell, an island in the Dunmer province of Morrowind. Although this title’s graphics and game mechanics are a little outdated, it’s still great fun to play today thanks to a few iconic dungeons.

Related

6 Best JRPGs with Farming, Ranked

These are some of the best JRPGs that include farming into their gameplay.

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind features 10 different races that players can choose from, which is impressive for a game of its time. The game features various interesting locations, and while they’re not as large as what players would expect nowadays, they were quite the hype back in the day. While some players agree that the game does not need a remake, other fans of the franchise would likely love it.

4

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Cities Like Novigrad Are Amazing To Explore

Released

May 19, 2015

ESRB

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

• Amazing world design
• Outstanding story with likable characters

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is not only the best installment in the series, but also one of the best RPGs set in a medieval fantasy setting. Players will take on the role of Geralt of Rivia as they explore the vastness of The Continent and the various villages, large cities, and romance options available.

Novigrad is a great example of this, as it features tons of main and side quests for players to have fun with, as well as various merchants from which they can purchase valuable goods and weaponry. There are also many tragic stories throughout The Witcher 3, which players will come across whether they like it or not.

3

Elden Ring

Leyndell Royal Capital Is Massive, And It Holds Many Dangers

Released

February 25, 2022

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

• Leyndell is very large and home to various dangers
• When the city is covered in ash, it feels like a completely different place

Like other recent titles developed by FromSoftware, Elden Ring does not feature lively cities with friendly merchants and NPCs, but rather a very hopeless world full of dangers that players will have to fight to survive.

Although most of the game takes place in open fields, there are some areas like Leyndell Royal Capital that offer large sections to explore and many enemies to fight. Players will get to experience this interesting location both in its full glory, and once it’s been covered in ash, making it feel fresh the second time around.

Arguably, The Best Title In The Series So Far

Skyrim

Released

November 11, 2011

ESRB

M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes

• Many large cities that are fun to explore
• Players can create a nearly infinite number of builds

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is arguably the best installment in the series thanks to all the things it has to offer players, including different playable races, tons of different NPCs to take quests from, and a broad range of weapons and armor for players to take on their enemies.

Related

7 Best RPGs If You Like Cinematic Storytelling, Ranked

Looking for RPGs with cinematic storytelling? These games deliver a movie-like experience, as interesting to watch as to play.

This title also lets players create various different builds, including the Warrior build, for which many powerful weapons are available. Although not every major city in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is enormous, there are many that are, and hold various secrets within their walls.

1

Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios’ Fantasy RPG Masterpiece

Released

August 3, 2023

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

• Stellar voice acting from every character
• Fun main and side quests

While the Baldur’s Gate franchise has been around for a very long time, none of the previous titles attained the success that Baldur’s Gate 3 managed to. This game won the Game of the Year award in 2023, which is unsurprising, as it has many great things to it.

For starters, the story is very interesting, and so are the NPCs and companions, all of which have outstanding voice acting and animations. Throughout their playthrough, players will get to explore many large areas, interacting with most people and even getting quests from a few of them.

More

10 Sci-Fi RPGs to Play While Waiting for The Outer Worlds 2

With anticipation for The Outer Worlds 2, gamers can enjoy other sci-fi RPGs in preparation, including Deus Ex and the original The Outer Worlds.