Best Open-World Video Games Of All Time

Embark on a journey with us as we traverse the captivating worlds of some of the most iconic video games, each offering unique experiences rooted in their expansive world sizes and intricate features. From the snowy peaks and dense forests of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to the rich, dark fantasy world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, each game immerses players in compelling storylines and diverse environments that go beyond the main narrative. Engage with the Wild West in Red Dead Redemption 2, explore the satirical representation of Southern California in Grand Theft Auto V, or unravel the post-apocalyptic Boston in Fallout 4. Each game world, whether 75 or 127 square kilometers, brims with life and an array of activities, contributing to their enduring appeal.

Venture further with us into the vast landscapes of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule, the ancient Greece of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, or the robotic-populated post-apocalyptic world of Horizon Zero Dawn. Even as we cover smaller world sizes like that of Ghost of Tsushima’s feudal Japan-inspired Tsushima Island or the diverse fantasy realm of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’s Cyrodiil, the depth of exploration and player engagement these games offer is unparalleled. Whether it’s engaging in the main storyline, tackling side quests, participating in mini-games, or simply soaking in the stunning visuals, these gaming worlds have left indelible marks in the landscape of video gaming.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

7

World Size: Hyrule, the game's world, spans around 72 square kilometers. Notable Features: Players control Link, the protagonist, in a vast, open-world interpretation of Hyrule. They can engage in a non-linear main story, solve puzzles in Shrines, climb and explore mountains, cook meals, tame wild horses, and uncover countless secrets hidden throughout the world.

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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

7

World Size: The game's world, known as Tamriel, has a map size of approximately 37 square kilometers. Notable Features: Skyrim offers players an immersive fantasy world filled with diverse regions, from snowy mountains to dense forests. Players can choose from various races and skillsets, engage in a deep main storyline, join factions, explore dungeons, complete side quests, and even craft weapons and armor.

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Ghost of Tsushima

4

World Size: The game's world, set on Tsushima Island, covers around 28 square kilometers. Notable Features: Players assume the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai during the Mongol invasion of Japan. They can engage in an emotionally-driven main story, complete side quests, explore a visually stunning world inspired by feudal Japan, engage in sword combat, stealth assassinations, and learn various skills to adapt their playstyle.

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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

4

World Size: The game's world, known as Cyrodiil, has a map size of approximately 41 square kilometers. Notable Features: Oblivion offers players a diverse, open-world fantasy experience filled with various regions, from snowy mountains to dense forests. Players can choose from various races and skillsets, engage in a deep main storyline, join factions, explore dungeons, complete side quests, and craft weapons and armor.

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Fallout 4

4

World Size: The game's world, set in post-apocalyptic Boston, covers approximately 43 square kilometers. Notable Features: Fallout 4 allows players to explore a vast, post-apocalyptic world filled with diverse locations, creatures, and factions. They can engage in a main storyline, complete side quests, craft weapons and armor, build and customize settlements, and make choices that impact the game's outcome.

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Horizon Zero Dawn

4

World Size: The game's world is approximately 31 square kilometers. Notable Features: Players control Aloy, a skilled hunter, in a post-apocalyptic world populated by robotic creatures. They can engage in a compelling main story, complete side quests, explore diverse environments, hunt robotic creatures, craft weapons and armor, and uncover the secrets of the game's world and its ancient past.

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Red Dead Redemption 2

4

World Size: The game's world is roughly 75 square kilometers. Notable Features: Set in a detailed and expansive Wild West setting, players control Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. They can engage in story missions, side quests, hunting, fishing, train robberies, horseback riding, and interact with various characters, each with unique personalities and stories.

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Grand Theft Auto V: Special Edition

4

World Size: The game's world, known as San Andreas, covers approximately 127 square kilometers. Notable Features: GTA V features a satirical representation of Southern California, with diverse environments including cities, deserts, and mountains. Players can switch between three protagonists, engage in a complex main story, complete side missions, participate in racing, heists, and various criminal activities, or simply explore the vast open world.

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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Hearts of Stone

3

World Size: The Witcher 3's world spans over 136 square kilometers. Notable Features: Set in a rich, dark fantasy world, players assume the role of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter. They can engage in an intricate main storyline, complete countless side quests, explore different regions, craft weapons and armor, play the in-game card game Gwent, and make decisions that impact the game's outcome.

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Assassin's Creed Odyssey

2

World Size: The game's world, based on ancient Greece, is roughly 256 square kilometers. Notable Features: Players can choose between two protagonists, Alexios or Kassandra, and experience a rich historical world. They can engage in a branching main story, complete side quests, participate in naval battles, explore various islands, and make decisions that impact the game's outcome.

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