The best open world games
An open-world video game is a genre of video game where the player is given a large, expansive virtual world (or universe) to explore and interact with. In contrast to linear games that follow a predetermined path or level-based progression, open-world games typically offer freedom and non-linearity, allowing players to roam and engage with the game world at their own pace.
Open-world games often feature vast landscapes or cities that can be freely traversed, and they often include a variety of activities, missions, or quests for players to undertake. These games commonly provide a range of gameplay options, such as exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, character development, and interacting with non-player characters (NPCs).
Popular examples of open-world games include The Elder Scrolls series (e.g., Morrowind), the Grand Theft Auto series, Ultima 7, Darklands, and Star Control 2, among many others.
Most popular open world games
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Ultima 7 Part 1: The Black Gate
DOS1992 Origin Systems
Ultima VII: The Black Gate is a top-down RPG where you, the Avatar, have to find out what's happening in Britannia by solving quests, meeting interesting NPCs and fight hordes of headleass monsters. The land of Britannia is shaken by mysterious earthquakes, a new religion (the Fellowship) is spreading and is replacing the old virtues, and who is th...
Divine Divinity
Windows 10/11Mac OS2002protected Larian Studios
Divine Divinity is a role-playing game (RPG) developed by Larian Studios and released in 2002. It's the first game in the Divinity series, which has since expanded with several sequels and spin-offs. The game is set in a fantasy world called Rivellon, which is threatened by the rise of an evil force known as the Black Ring. Players take on the role...
Elona
Windows XP/98/952007freeware
Elona (short for Eternal League of Nefia) is a free roguelike RPG developed by Japanese indie developer named Noa in 2007. Its gameplay combines elements of open-world exploration, dungeon crawling, and life simulation. It has complex gameplay mechanics, and high replayability. Elona offers a sandbox world where players can pursue various role...
Interstate '76
Windows XP/98/951997protected Activision
Interstate '76 is a vehicular combat video game developed and published by Activision. It was released in 1997 for Microsoft Windows. The game is set in an alternate history 1976, featuring a stylized 1970s atmosphere with a unique blend of vehicular combat and first-person shooter elements. Players assume the role of a vigilante named Groove ...
Wizardry 7: Crusaders of the Dark Savant
Windows XP/98/95LinuxDOS1992protected Sir-tech Software
Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant is a first-person perspective party-based RPG developed and released by Sir-tech Software in 1992 for Windows, Linux and DOS. Wizardry 7 is the seventh chapter in the Wizardry series and it's part of the Dark Savant trilogy, set in a world where sci-fi themes (space travel, androids) are mixed with fantasy...
Outcast
Windows XP/98/951999protected Appeal
Albion
DOSWindows XP/98/951995 Blue Byte Software
Albion is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) developed and published by German studio Blue Byte Software. It was released in 1995 for MS-DOS and later for Amiga. Albion is notable for its blend of traditional RPG elements with a unique setting and storyline.The game takes place on the planet Albion, a world with a rich history and diver...
The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall
DOS1996freeware Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall is an old school first-person 3D RPG developed by Bethesda Softworks and released in 1996 for DOS. Daggerfall is the second chapter in popular The Elder Scrolls series. The open world gameplay, the procedural generation of dungeons and the freedom of exploring and taking on the quests at your own pace are some of the...
TomeNET
Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS2001freeware
TomeNET (Troubles of Middle Earth, Net) is an online, multiplayer rogue-like game set in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth. It’s a persistent-world game inspired by Angband, a single-player dungeon-crawler based on Tolkien lore. You can play as familiar fantasy races like Elves, Dwarves, Humans, or Hobbits, as well as more obscu...
Ultima 6: The False Prophet
DOS1990protected Origin Systems
Ultima 3: Exodus
DOSMac OS1985 Origin Systems
Ultima III: Exodus is a role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and published by Origin Systems. It was released in 1983 for the Apple II and later ported to various other platforms such as the Commodore 64, MS-DOS, and NES.The game is set in the fantasy world of Sosaria, where the player controls a party of adventurers on a quest to ...
Star Control 2
DOS1992protected Toys for Bob
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Windows XP/98/952002protected Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is a critically acclaimed open-world action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. It was released in 2002 and is the third installment in the Elder Scrolls series. The game is set in the fantasy world of Tamriel, on the island of Vvardenfell in the province of Morrowind.The game offers a vast a...
Ultima 8: Pagan
DOSMac OS1994protected Origin Systems
Starflight 2: Trade routes of the Cloud Nebula
DOS1989 Binary Systems
Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
DOS2001protected Troika Games
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura is a classic role-playing game developed by Troika Games and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 2001 for Microsoft Windows. The game is set in a unique steampunk fantasy world where magic and technology coexist, often in conflict.Players assume the role of a customizable protagonist who starts ...
Knights of Legend
DOS1989 Origin Systems
Knights of Legend is a tactical role-playing game (RPG) released by Origin Systems in 1989 for MS-DOS, the Apple II, and the Commodore 64. Known for its complex gameplay and strategic depth, the game provides a turn-based combat experience that requires players to manage characters carefully and strategize battles with attention to detail. Set...
Legends of Valour
DOS1992 Syntetic Dimensions
Bad Blood
DOS1990 Origin Systems
Might and Magic 7: For Blood and Honor
DOS1999protected New World Computing
Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor is a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) developed by New World Computing and released in 1999. It is the seventh installment in the long-running Might and Magic series. The game is set in the fictional world of Enroth and takes place in the same universe as the previous Might and Magic games. Might and Mag...
Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons
DOS1995 KOEI
Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons is an abandoned simulation game, sequel of Uncharted Waters, developed and released by KOEI in 1995. The Uncharted Waters series is set in the Age of Discovery and gives the player the freedom to set sail with their ship and go wherever you want exploring, fighting, trading, privateering, etc.
Joyous Rebel
DOS1996freeware
Port Royale
Windows XP/98/952002protected ASCARON Entertainment
Starflight
DOS1986 Binary Systems
Starflight is a classic space exploration and role-playing video game released in 1986 by Binary Systems and published by Electronic Arts. It is known for its innovative gameplay, as well as its open-ended approach to space exploration and storytelling.The game is set in a massive, procedurally generated universe with thousands of star systems to e...
Might and Magic: Swords of Xeen
DOS1995 Catware, Inc.
Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny
DOS1988 Origin Systems
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny is a role-playing video game developed and published by Origin Systems in 1988. It is the fifth installment in the highly influential Ultima series, created by Richard Garriott. Initially released for the Apple II and Commodore 64, it was later ported to DOS, Atari ST, Amiga, and other platforms. The story pi...
Anachronox
Windows XP/98/952001protected Ion Storm
Uncharted Waters
DOS1990 KOEI
Crazy Taxi
Windows XP/98/952002 Sega
Crazy Taxi is an abandoned driving / racing game developed by Sega and released by Activision in 2002 for Windows and other platforms (it's an arcade conversion). Crazy Taxi is set in a city full of potential passengers: get them on your taxi and drive them to various destinations in time.
Frontier: First Encounters
DOS1995 Frontier Developments