Summary
Open-world gamesare tremendously popular thanks to the unparalleled freedom that they offer players.Well-crafted open-world gamescan offer players unique experiences that reward exploration, giving players a sense of wonder and discovery that linear games can’t quite achieve.
While some open-worlds, such asgames in theFar Cryfranchise, exist purely as sandboxes for combat systems, the open-worlds of games such asThe Elder Scrollsare often dense with detail. Many open-world games take place in fantasy settings — or urban environments, as seen inGrand Theft Auto. However, the genre of science-fiction has also provided ample inspiration for many open-world games.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivorproves that theStar Warsuniverse is still a playground of epic proportions. Players step into the shoes of Cal Kestis once again, navigating a sprawling galaxy that feels more alive than ever. The planets are vibrant and dense with both familiarStar Warslore and new, intriguing locations that keep exploration fresh.
What makes this game stand out isn’t just the sheer scale of itsopen world, but how it combines that with storytelling.One minute, players might be traversing ancient ruins filled with echoes of Jedi history, and the next, they’re dodging blaster fire in a bustling cantina. It’s the seamless blend of exploration and narrative that keeps players hooked.
The combat feels just as fluid and impactful as it did inJedi: Fallen Order, but the real upgrade is in the world design. From the neon-lit streets of a smuggler’s den to the tranquil beauty of a distant forest moon, every area feels meticulously crafted. Plus, the dynamic weather and time-of-day changes make each location feel like it’s constantly evolving.
Bethesda’sStarfieldis as ambitiousas space games get. While many titles boast vast worlds,Starfieldtakes it to another level with an entire galaxy to explore. It’s not just about stepping out onto a new planet; it’s about uncovering its secrets, from ancient alien artifacts to human colonies thriving in the harshest conditions.
The exploration feels genuinely unrestrained. Players can land on planets scattered across star systems, and while some areas may seem barren, others pulse with life, from bustling spaceports to eerie alien structures. The mix of handcrafted and procedurally generated content means no two journeys feel the same.
The game’s layered narrative draws players deeper into its universe, weaving politics, survival, and the thrill of discovery into a story that feels personal despite its grand scale. Whether hunting down relics or mapping star systems,Starfieldmakes players feel like true spacefarers charting their own destinies.
Few games balance sci-fi and nature as beautifully asHorizon Zero Dawn. Aloy’s journey through a world reclaimed by nature and dominated by machine life is one of discovery and survival. The remnants of a lost civilization lie buried beneath forests and mountains, while robotic beasts patrol the land, hinting at the world that came before.
Exploring this open worldfeels like unraveling a massive mystery, with every ruin and data log shedding light on humanity’s downfall. The juxtaposition of high-tech machinery and tribal life creates a setting that feels both ancient and futuristic. It’s a world constantly challenging players to adapt, be it through crafting, combat, or simply navigating treacherous terrain.
Climbing a Tallneck to scan the surroundings feels genuinely rewarding, as does hunting down rare machine components to craft new gear. The world’s lore, intertwined with its lush, decaying landscapes, makes every exploration feel purposeful.
No Man’s Skywas an infamous title for while after release due to a number of factors, but over the course of its development, it managed to salvage its promises into a fully-fledged game that will appeal to a very specific group of players. The planets ofNo Man’s Skyare still not quite as diverse as players would like, but the contemplative,exploration-focused gameplaycan offer a relaxing and unparallel experience. The infinite nature of the game’s procedural generation ensures players will never run out of things to do, though the gameplay may get somewhat repetitive over time.
No Man’s Skyis a fully-open world that allows players to fly through open space and traverse expansive alien environments, mining for resources and interacting with light survival mechanics as they do so.No Man’s Skyalso features a fairly deep base-building system, giving players a place to rest and recoup between adventures.
Thisopen-world space-simis a relatively inaccessible experience, but it rewards players that persevere through its initially tough learning curve. Once players have learned the basics, however,Elite Dangerousopens up rather quickly, leaving players with a mass of open space to explore.
The open world ofElite Dangerousmay not be the most richly detailed world in gaming, but there’s something relaxing about the stark, quiet space. Carrying cargo across the often awe-inspiring stars and experiencing the occasional moment of beauty can be a tranquil experience that’s sure to be a favorite for a select few sci-fi fans.
STALKER: Shadow of Chernobylis a sci-fi RPG with elements ofsurvival horror and FPSaction that’s infamous for being an uneven, at-times buggy experience. However, its unique combination of gameplay mechanics and persistently intriguing open-world environments make it a one-of-a-kind experience that any fan ofstrange science fictionsuch asRoadside Picnicand the slow-burning but imaginative imagery of 1979’sStalkershould enjoy.
Despite its aging graphics and somewhat bland colors, the world ofSTALKER: Shadow Of Chernobylremains enjoyable to explore thanks to several memorable locations and engaging survival gameplay; players must manage their resources and pay careful attention to their surroundings if they’re to survive out in the Zone, and players that fail to make suitable preparations for every outing will likely be punished by one of the Zone’s many dangers. The world is also populated by a variety of wandering NPCs that help to make the Zone feel alive, even when the player isn’t interacting with it, and it’s always a welcome sight when a few guitar-toting stalkers show up along the way.
As one of science-fiction’s most popular subgenres, there have been plenty of games to take ona cyberpunk setting, butCyberpunk 2077is arguably one of the best to feature an open-world. The crime-ridden,neon streets of Night City are constantly revealing new and interesting locations, characters, and narrative threads, rewarding players for exploring its bustling environments. Furthermore, Night City features an array of districts that help to offer visual variety as players progress through the game, preventing the experience from becoming stale.
Cyberpunk 2077can be an incredibly immersive experience, especially now that the game is in a more stable place than it was at launch, and the game’s richly detailed open-world helps toimmerse players in its narrative.
Thiscozy sci-fi experiencesets players off on a distinct adventure through space, flying through the game’s seamless open-world to explore a variety of mysterious planets and exotic locations. Each planet inOuter Wildsis wildly different from the last and can be explored freely. The music, atmosphere, sound design, and wonderfully minimal visuals work together to offer a consistently wholesome experience.
Outer Wildsdoes feature a time-loop mechanic that limits the player’s time in its world, but this rarely interferes with the gameplay, instead acting as a reset for the player. This allows the game to feel surprisingly bite-sized, allowing players to play through one satisfying loop in a short session. The sheer variety and unique environments of each planet is one of the biggest selling points, as well as the immersion created by manually flying the ship across the solar system.
Published bythe legendary Obsidian Entertainment(ofFallout: New Vegasfame) and sportingFalloutcreator Tim Cain and his good friend, Leonard Boyarsky, as its directors,The Outer Worldsis a wild adventure that takes place across several distinct open-world locations. The game features a sense of humor that fans ofFalloutwill appreciate, and similar FPS RPG gameplay to that ofFallout: New Vegas —with a few minor twists.
The game’s lovingly crafted open-world environments, however, are the real standout. The tongue-in-cheek writing, colorful characters, anddeeply interesting companionsmake for a consistently joyful adventure that’s almost reminiscent of great sci-fi television likeFireflyand Westerns such asDeadwood. Overall,The Outer Worldswill likely appeal to fans of both the Wild West and science-fiction alike, as well as those that appreciate the biting humor of earlierFallouttitles.
