Best Open-World Games For Both Single-Player & Multiplayer

Key Takeaways

• Open-world games sometimes integrate multiplayer elements to enhance player experiences.
• Games like Red Dead Online and Ghost of Tsushima: Legends offer engaging multiplayer modes.
• Multiplayer additions like Comrades in Final Fantasy 15 enhance open-world gameplay.

Open-world gaming is one of the most popular genres around, attracting a massive player base that doesn’t shy away from paying the big bucks to enjoy these experiences. Most of these titles feature fun single-player campaigns that players can immerse themselves in with ease.

However, there are times when some open-world games integrate multiplayer elements to ensure that fans will stick with these games for the long haul. These experiments can generate varied results, either attracting criticism for their lackadaisical multiplayer integration or opening the floodgates for fans to engage with these open worlds on a level they couldn’t have fathomed before.

8 Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Online May Lack Content But Is A Blast To Experience Along With Arthur Morgan’s Story

After a long wait, fans were treated to a new single-player Rockstar title that was in a class of its own. The narrative, gameplay, characters, visuals, and technical polish of Red Dead Redemption 2 are second to none and help players immerse themselves in a world where the age of outlaws and the Wild West is slowly dying out.

Arthur Morgan’s tale is an amazing one to behold, but fans can also explore this rich setting in Red Dead Online. While the lack of content in this mode has angered many fans, that shouldn’t stop players from checking out exclusive content in this mode that’s a joy to interact with — especially when playing with some friends.

7 Ghost Of Tsushima

Legends Enhances The Allure Of The Open World By Letting Friends Play Together

Ghost of Tsushima hit the scene as a Japan-based Assassin’s Creed-style game that fans had been eager to get their hands on for a long time. The focus on honorable swordplay coupled with stealth assassinations and open-world exploration appealed to numerous fans and ensured that players could tackle this game in pretty much whatever manner they saw fit.

These gameplay systems were further enhanced in Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, a multiplayer mode where players explored a more mythical version of Tsushima’s areas alongside allies and tackled the many supernatural enemies that came their way. It’s a blast to play through and one of the best multiplayer additions to a single-player game in quite some time.

6 Final Fantasy 15

Comrades Gave Players An Excuse To Jump Into This Beautiful Open World Once Again

The world of Final Fantasy 15 is beautiful and deserves better, even if the Royal and Windows Editions did a great job of rectifying some of this game’s flaws. Players would love an excuse to drop into this open world once again and enjoy the same with the launch of Comrades.

The exclusive story content in this multiplayer mode is a joy to experience, and players will love exploring with their allies and engaging in combat that is arguably more challenging and satisfying than what is present in the base game. Players who want to interact with Final Fantasy 15‘s world as much as possible will love playing through the multiplayer Comrades mode.

5 Elden Ring

The Seamless Co-Op And PvP Shines In This Open-World FromSoftware Game

FromSoftware’s action-adventure RPGs are known for featuring somewhat clunky multiplayer elements, and despite improving their multiplayer systems with each video game release, Elden Ring is no exception here. Despite the esoteric shortcomings, players love invading other worlds and teaming up with their friends to tackle particularly challenging bosses.

Of course, players who don’t want any distractions can just save themselves the trouble and play in offline mode instead. Missing out on the creative and hilarious player signs may not be ideal, but this freedom afforded to the player shows that Elden Ring can be accessed in whatever manner players see fit.

4 Grand Theft Auto 5

GTA Online Is A Revolution That Gave Players A Reason To Revisit This World After The Single-Player Story

Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the greatest open-world games ever made, with its advanced engine showing Rockstar’s impressive technical capabilities. A re-release introduced a first-person viewpoint that served as an interesting way to play the game, but nothing came close to the sheer revolution that was GTA Online.

The rampant success of this online mode compelled Rockstar to divert the bulk of their assets to add more content to this mode, often to the detriment of other games. Players could genuinely live out a virtual crime-laden life and check out a bunch of engaging activities with their friends.

3 No Man’s Sky

One Of The Game’s Earlier Updates Added The Promised Multiplayer

No Man’s Sky suffered one of the most criticized launches in video game history. The numerous promises uttered by Sean Murray failed to see the light upon release, but Hello Games put their heads down and ensured that all of this content would arrive in post-game updates.

Eventually, No Man’s Sky turned its reputation around following numerous substantial updates, including ones that added multiplayer to the game. Exploring planets with friends, building bases, and scavenging resources makes for a relaxing and fun time.

2 Forza Horizon 5

Racing Against Friends Helps This Open World Of Mexico Come To Life

One of the best street racing games fans can get their hands on, the Horizon Festival of Mexico is a joy to experience in Forza Horizon 5. Most of the game’s races and events can be experienced in single-player, but a game in the Forza Horizon series of course integrates competitive multiplayer too.

Players can partake in multiplayer races with other people and try to beat them using the best cars in their garage. The immersive world, coupled with a wide variety of races and open-world activities, ensures that players will have a great time playing through Forza Horizon 5, either alone or with their friends.

1 Dying Light 2 Stay Human

Co-Op Parkour And Action Is A Blast To Play Through

Dying Light 2 is a sequel to a sleeper hit that decided to make things bigger and bolder than ever before. The open world is larger, players have access to unique traversal options, and the story integrates a surprisingly effective choice-consequence system.

Along with this, the co-op integration from the first game is present in the sequel too. Jumping on rooftops and taking out zombies in Villedor is a blast with a friend, but players can choose to tackle this game solo without any problems if they’d prefer.