The best open-world video games give you room to explore while making the world itself rewarding, and my best overall pick is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for its flexible exploration and player-driven discoveries. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey suits players who want a large historical setting with structured quests, while Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut offers a more focused, cinematic adventure. The main tradeoff is between freedom and direction: sprawling maps can invite discovery, but also bring repetition, long travel, or busywork. Platform and play style matter too, especially when comparing role-playing adventures, racing worlds, and action-led stories. Read on for the full breakdown and a guide to matching each game to the kind of exploration you enjoy.
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Key Takeaways
- Breath of the Wild leads on player freedom: its open-ended exploration makes it the clearest fit for players who want to set their own goals rather than follow a dense quest list.
- Odyssey and Tsushima serve different story preferences: Odyssey favors a sprawling role-playing journey, while Tsushima gives its exploration a more focused cinematic frame.
- Open worlds do not all mean the same thing: Forza Horizon 6 centers on driving and events, while Watch Dogs builds its world around urban systems and technology.
- Platform compatibility deserves an early check: this lineup spans PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo systems, and edition or platform differences can affect what a buyer can play.
- Scope has a real cost: larger worlds and more activities can extend an adventure, but players who prefer a concise, guided campaign may be happier with a more focused option such as God of War Ragnarök.
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Standard Edition for PlayStation 4 |  | Best for Choice-Driven Exploration | Platform: PlayStation 4 | Edition: Standard Edition | Players: 1 | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 |  | Best for Star Wars Mission Variety | Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 | Edition: Gold Edition | Included content: Base game and season pass | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Forza Horizon 6 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X |  | Best for Open-World Driving | Platform: Xbox Series X | Edition: Standard Edition | Setting: Japan | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Hogwarts Legacy for Nintendo Switch |  | Best for Wizarding-World Exploration | Platform: Nintendo Switch | Genre: Open-world action RPG | Setting: Wizarding world in the 1800s | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Watch Dogs for Xbox One |  | Best for Urban Hacking | Platform: Xbox One | Format: Disc | Edition: Standard | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Outward Definitive Edition (Nintendo Switch) |  | Best for Survival-RPG Fans | Platform: Nintendo Switch | Genre: Survival RPG | Included DLCs: The Soroboreans; The Three Brothers | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Ghost of Yōtei for PlayStation 5 |  | Best for Cinematic Samurai Exploration | Platform: PlayStation 5 | Release date: October 2, 2025 | Setting: 1600s northern Japan | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch |  | Best for Open-Ended Exploration | Platform: Nintendo Switch | Compatible consoles: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch OLED Model, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch Lite | Players: 1 | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – Physical Deluxe Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 |  | Best for a Content-Rich RPG | Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 | Edition: Physical Deluxe Edition | Game format: Physical | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| God of War Ragnarök for PlayStation 5 |  | Best for Cinematic Mythic Action | Platform: PlayStation 5 | Setting: The Nine Realms | Resolution and frame rate: Full 4K at a targeted 30 fps or dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at a targeted 60 fps | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut for PlayStation 4 |  | Best for Cinematic Exploration | Platform: PlayStation 4 | Players: Multiplayer | Release date: August 20, 2021 | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Days Gone – PlayStation 4 |  | Best for Survival-Focused Exploration | Platform: PlayStation 4 | Release date: April 26, 2019 | Genre: Open-world action adventure | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Borderlands 4 for PlayStation 5 |  | Best for Co-op Build Variety | Platform: PlayStation 5 | Release date: September 12, 2025 | Players: Solo, 2-player split-screen, or up to 4-player online co-op | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – From the Ashes Edition (PlayStation 5) |  | Best for Perspective Choice and World Atmosphere | Platform: PlayStation 5 | Edition: From the Ashes Edition | Included content: Base game, From the Ashes expansion, and three banshee color patterns | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| open world video game | Platform | Setting | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | PlayStation 4 | Ancient Greece | October 5, 2018 |
| Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition | Nintendo Switch 2 | — | — |
| Forza Horizon 6 Standard Editi | Xbox Series X | Japan | — |
| Hogwarts Legacy for Nintendo S | Nintendo Switch | Wizarding world in the 1800s | — |
| Watch Dogs for Xbox One | Xbox One | Chicago | — |
| Outward Definitive Edition | Nintendo Switch | — | — |
| Ghost of Yōtei for PlayStation | PlayStation 5 | 1600s northern Japan | October 2, 2025 |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of | Nintendo Switch | — | March 3, 2017 |
| The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion | Nintendo Switch 2 | — | — |
| God of War Ragnarök for PlaySt | PlayStation 5 | The Nine Realms | — |
| Ghost of Tsushima Director’s C | PlayStation 4 | — | August 20, 2021 |
| Days Gone | PlayStation 4 | Hostile post-pandemic Pacific Northwest | April 26, 2019 |
| Borderlands 4 for PlayStation | PlayStation 5 | — | September 12, 2025 |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora | PlayStation 5 | — | December 5, 2025 |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Standard Edition for PlayStation 4
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey suits players who want an expansive historical setting where exploration is paired with consequential choices. Its version of ancient Greece spans cities, wilderness, and the Aegean, with naval travel and ship customization giving the map more variety than a city-focused adventure such as Watch Dogs. Large battles between Sparta and Athens add scale, while recruited crew and branching decisions give the journey a personal angle. That breadth comes with a tradeoff: it is a single-player, Mature-rated game, and buyers looking for a gentler fantasy adventure may prefer Hogwarts Legacy. The Standard Edition is a strong fit for players who want story-led exploration and several ways to move through its world, but its combat and mature content narrow its audience.
Pros:- Player choices shape the story and its historical events
- Combines city and wilderness exploration across ancient Greece
- Ship customization and crew recruitment add depth to Aegean travel
- Large-scale Sparta-versus-Athens battles give exploration a sense of conflict
Cons:- Single-player only, unlike Watch Dogs, which includes multiplayer
- Mature rating makes it a poor fit for younger players
Best for: Players who want a large historical world with branching choices, naval exploration, and large-scale battles
Not ideal for: Families seeking a child-friendly adventure or players who want multiplayer, since this is a single-player game rated Mature
- Platform:PlayStation 4
- Edition:Standard Edition
- Players:1
- Setting:Ancient Greece
- Release date:October 5, 2018
- Language:English
- Manufacturer:Ubisoft
Our verdict“Choose Odyssey for choice-led exploration across a varied historical world, but skip it if you need multiplayer or age-appropriate content for younger players.”
Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition for Nintendo Switch 2
Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition is the pick for players who want to roam a Star Wars setting through a mix of crime-syndicate missions, stealth, combat, and gadgets. Nix adds a companion-based way to distract enemies, so encounters can reward planning rather than direct fighting alone. Compared with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which emphasizes historical exploration, Outlaws leans into outlaw jobs and a sci-fi galaxy; its Gold Edition also includes two story packs, an extra mission, and character and cosmetic bundles. That additional content makes this edition broader than a base-game-only choice, but the full game requires an internet download, which matters for players with limited connectivity or storage. A listed pre-order bonus also has a claim deadline, so buyers should not assume it remains available.
Pros:- Explores distinct locations in an open-world Star Wars setting
- Combat, stealth, gadgets, and Nix’s distractions allow different approaches
- Gold Edition includes two story packs and an additional mission
- Character and cosmetic bundles add extra included content
Cons:- Full game download via internet is required
- Some listed bonus content has a claim deadline
- Season-pass extras may matter less to players who only want the base adventure
Best for: Star Wars fans who enjoy mission-based exploration with stealth, gadgets, combat, and extra story content
Not ideal for: Players with limited internet access or storage, or anyone choosing a game primarily for offline play
- Platform:Nintendo Switch 2
- Edition:Gold Edition
- Included content:Base game and season pass
- Story packs:Wild Card; A Pirate’s Fortune
- Additional mission:Jabba’s Gambit Day 1 mission
- Included bundles:The Kessel Runner character pack; The Hunter’s Legacy; The Cartel Ronin
- Download requirement:Full game download via internet required
Our verdict“Pick the Gold Edition if you want a Star Wars open world with varied mission tactics and included story add-ons, and have reliable download access.”
Forza Horizon 6 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X
Forza Horizon 6 makes the strongest case for an open world built around driving rather than character combat or story missions. Its Japan setting combines rural environments with the series’ largest city area to date, giving players different roads and scenery to explore in more than 550 licensed cars. Car customization, player-built events, homes, and garages provide reasons to keep returning after a race. That focus sharply separates it from Hogwarts Legacy and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: those games center on exploration on foot and action RPG progression, while Forza turns the map into a driving playground. The tradeoff is that its multiplayer features need an internet connection, and online console play requires a platform-specific subscription. Players uninterested in racing will get less from its open world.
Pros:- Japan setting includes varied rural and urban driving areas
- More than 550 licensed cars support a wide range of driving preferences
- Car body kits, Forza Aero, and window liveries offer customization
- Includes solo play, co-op, competitive multiplayer, and user-created events
Cons:- Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription
- Some multiplayer features require an internet connection
- Racing-focused gameplay offers less appeal to buyers seeking action RPG exploration
Best for: Racing fans who want a large Japanese driving map, a broad car collection, and solo or online events
Not ideal for: Players who want character-led exploration, combat, or a substantial open-world adventure without a racing focus
- Platform:Xbox Series X
- Edition:Standard Edition
- Setting:Japan
- Vehicle count:More than 550 licensed cars
- Multiplayer:Online co-op and competitive modes
- Vehicle customization:Car body kits, Forza Aero, and window liveries
- Player customization:Customizable homes and garages
Our verdict“Choose Forza Horizon 6 if driving is the main reason you want an open world; look elsewhere for a story-led adventure on foot.”
Hogwarts Legacy for Nintendo Switch
Hogwarts Legacy is a natural choice for players who want its open world to feel like an invitation into a familiar fantasy setting. The route between Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and nearby areas offers more than castle sightseeing: spell learning, potion brewing, plant growing, and care for magical beasts give exploration several complementary activities. Compared with the historical terrain of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, this adventure builds its appeal around magical systems and a customizable student path. It is not a purely relaxed school-life game, though; combat is central, with dangerous enemies appearing throughout the story. Players seeking a driving-first world will find Forza Horizon 6 a better match, while fans of fantasy exploration and spell-based action have a clear reason to choose this one.
Pros:- Explores Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and surrounding areas
- Spell learning and skills let players shape their character’s approach
- Potion brewing, plant growing, and magical beast care vary the activities
- Wizarding-world setting offers a distinct alternative to Odyssey’s ancient Greece
Cons:- Combat against dangerous enemies is a central part of the game
- Players looking for a driving or multiplayer-focused open world should choose a different style of game
Best for: Players who want to explore Hogwarts and its surroundings while learning spells and developing a customized character
Not ideal for: Players seeking a peaceful, school-focused experience with little combat, since dangerous enemies and fighting are part of the adventure
- Platform:Nintendo Switch
- Genre:Open-world action RPG
- Setting:Wizarding world in the 1800s
- Exploration areas:Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and surrounding areas
- Character progression:Spell learning, skills, and house selection
- Crafting and care:Potion brewing, plant growing, and magical beast care
- Combat:Action combat against dangerous enemies
Our verdict“Choose Hogwarts Legacy for magical exploration and varied spellcraft activities, but skip it if you want an adventure with little combat.”
Watch Dogs for Xbox One
Watch Dogs turns Chicago into an interactive city, with Aiden Pearce using his phone to manipulate connected infrastructure while evading authorities and pursuing targets. That makes its open world feel different from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: rather than crossing ancient landscapes by ship, players move through city streets and rooftops, using technology to affect the environment. More than 65 vehicles give travel a range beyond walking, and the game supports both single-player and seamless online multiplayer. Its city-scale focus is also narrower than the varied rural and urban map described for Forza Horizon 6, and players who want wilderness exploration may find Chicago limiting. Multiplayer depends on online connectivity, so the solo campaign is the safer fit for anyone who cannot count on a connection.
Pros:- Connected infrastructure gives the city a distinctive gameplay role
- Chicago can be explored on foot and across rooftops
- More than 65 vehicles provide varied ways to get around
- Offers both single-player and seamless online multiplayer modes
Cons:- Multiplayer features depend on online connectivity
- Its Chicago setting is more urban and geographically focused than Odyssey’s varied ancient Greek world
Best for: Players who want a modern city adventure built around hacking infrastructure, pursuing targets, and moving by foot or vehicle
Not ideal for: Players looking for broad wilderness exploration or reliable multiplayer without an internet connection
- Platform:Xbox One
- Format:Disc
- Edition:Standard
- Players:Single-player and multiplayer
- Genre:Action-adventure
- Setting:Chicago
- Vehicles:More than 65
- Brand:Ubisoft
Our verdict“Pick Watch Dogs if urban hacking and vehicle-based movement appeal more than wilderness roaming or fantasy exploration.”
Outward Definitive Edition (Nintendo Switch)
Outward Definitive Edition makes its open world feel like a place to endure, not just a map to clear. You manage sleep, hydration, and disease while exploring, so preparation matters as much as combat. That gives it a tougher, more self-directed survival loop than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, whose exploration is more welcoming and puzzle-focused. This Switch edition includes both major expansions, adding substantial story and exploration content, and online co-op lets a friend share the risks. Constant auto-saving is a helpful quality-of-life addition, though it cannot soften the game’s demanding systems. Choose this for deliberate survival play; skip it if hunger and fatigue management sound like chores or if you want the smoothest performance available.
Pros:- Survival systems make travel and preparation meaningful, with sleep, hydration, and disease to manage.
- Includes The Soroboreans and The Three Brothers expansions.
- Online co-op allows a friend to join the open-world adventure.
- Constant auto-saving and other quality-of-life improvements reduce some friction.
Cons:- Harsh difficulty and extensive survival management can overwhelm players seeking a relaxed adventure.
- Nintendo Switch hardware may limit performance compared with other platforms.
Best for: Players who want a demanding open-world RPG built around survival planning and who have a friend available for online co-op.
Not ideal for: Casual explorers who prefer forgiving progression, minimal resource management, or performance beyond what the Nintendo Switch can provide.
- Platform:Nintendo Switch
- Genre:Survival RPG
- Included DLCs:The Soroboreans; The Three Brothers
- Multiplayer:Online co-op
- Survival systems:Sleep, hydration, and disease management
- Additional features:Dynamic defeat scenarios; constant auto-save; quality-of-life improvements
Our verdict“Choose Outward if you want a co-op survival RPG with demanding preparation; pick Breath of the Wild for a more accessible, puzzle-led journey.”
Ghost of Yōtei for PlayStation 5
Ghost of Yōtei pairs a revenge story with exploration across the rugged landscapes of 1600s northern Japan. Traveling on foot or horseback gives the open world a grounded scale, while training with sensei and switching among weapons such as dual katanas, an odachi, and a kusarigama offer varied combat approaches. Compared with Breath of the Wild, this is the more story-led, combat-centered pick; its shrines, onsen visits, and painting activities offer quieter breaks, but do not change its central focus on vengeance. As a standalone adventure, it does not require knowledge of another story. Its Mature rating and combat-heavy premise make it a poor fit for younger players or anyone seeking a nonviolent sandbox. The listed release date is October 2, 2025.
Pros:- Northern Japan landscapes can be explored on foot or horseback.
- Multiple weapons, including dual katanas, an odachi, and a kusarigama, support varied combat styles.
- Shrines, onsen visits, and painting add quieter activities alongside combat.
- Standalone story does not require prior series knowledge.
Cons:- The Mature rating makes it unsuitable for some players and households.
- Vengeance and combat are central, limiting its appeal for players seeking a lighter adventure.
Best for: PS5 players seeking a standalone, story-driven samurai adventure with varied weapons and cultural activities between fights.
Not ideal for: Younger players or buyers who want a gentle, combat-light open world rather than a Mature-rated vengeance story.
- Platform:PlayStation 5
- Release date:October 2, 2025
- Setting:1600s northern Japan
- Main character:Atsu
- Exploration:Travel on foot or horseback
- Combat weapons:Dual katanas, odachi, and kusarigama
- Language:English
- Item type:Video game
Our verdict“Pick Ghost of Yōtei for a standalone, combat-led samurai journey, while Breath of the Wild suits players who want more freedom to solve and explore.”
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch
Breath of the Wild earns its place through a world that rewards curiosity and lets you choose your route. Its open-air Hyrule mixes fields, forests, and mountains with puzzles that allow different solutions; gathering ingredients, cooking, and brewing elixirs turn exploration into practical preparation. Compared with Outward Definitive Edition, it is less demanding about survival routines and better suited to players who want experimentation without constant needs management. The Sheikah Slate adds ways to interact with objects and enemies, broadening how you approach obstacles. The tradeoffs are a single-player-only format and a design that will not provide shared co-op exploration. Its listed compatibility includes several Switch models, making it a flexible pick for owners of the original Switch family and Switch 2.
Pros:- Open-air Hyrule encourages exploration across varied environments.
- Puzzles support multiple solutions, rewarding experimentation.
- Gathering, cooking, and elixir brewing make resources useful during exploration.
- The Sheikah Slate creates varied ways to interact with objects and enemies.
Cons:- Designed for one player, with no multiplayer option listed.
- Its open-ended structure may be less appealing to players who want a closely guided story.
Best for: Solo players who want an exploratory adventure with flexible puzzle-solving, resource gathering, and freedom to set their own route.
Not ideal for: Friends or families looking for simultaneous multiplayer, or players who prefer a tightly guided, story-first open world.
- Platform:Nintendo Switch
- Compatible consoles:Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch OLED Model, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch Lite
- Players:1
- Language:English
- Release date:March 3, 2017
- Publisher:Nintendo
Our verdict“Choose Breath of the Wild for solo exploration and flexible puzzles; choose Outward if survival management and online co-op matter more.”
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – Physical Deluxe Edition for Nintendo Switch 2
Oblivion Remastered – Physical Deluxe Edition is the pick for Switch 2 players who want a broad fantasy RPG package, including the base game, Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional content. Its remastered visuals and refined gameplay update the presentation of Cyrodiil, while character customization and choices let players shape how they approach the adventure. Compared with the more focused, combat-led Ghost of Yōtei, this edition is built around a larger role-playing package and added expansions rather than one central revenge story. The physical format may appeal to collectors, but buyers should note that some themed armor, weapons, and horse armor are digital content, not physical extras. This is a strong fit for players who value an expansive RPG, though the supplied details do not specify performance targets or the full contents of every add-on.
Pros:- Remastered visuals and refined gameplay update the Cyrodiil adventure.
- Includes the Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine expansions.
- Adds downloadable content and quests with themed armor, weapons, and horse armor.
- Character customization and choices support different approaches to play.
Cons:- Some armor, weapons, and horse armor extras are digital content rather than physical items.
- The supplied product details do not state performance targets for Nintendo Switch 2.
Best for: Nintendo Switch 2 RPG fans who want a physical edition with two story expansions, additional quests, and character customization.
Not ideal for: Buyers who expect every Deluxe Edition extra to be a physical item or who need confirmed performance details before choosing.
- Platform:Nintendo Switch 2
- Edition:Physical Deluxe Edition
- Game format:Physical
- Language:English
- Included expansions:Shivering Isles; Knights of the Nine
- Included content:Base game, additional downloadable content, and quests with themed armor, weapons, and horse armor sets
Our verdict“Choose this edition for a physical Switch 2 RPG bundle with two expansions, but look elsewhere if you require all bonus items on the cartridge or disc.”
God of War Ragnarök for PlayStation 5
God of War Ragnarök takes Kratos and Atreus through the Nine Realms in a story-led journey shaped by expressive combat and detailed mythological settings. Its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add tactile cues to attacks, while compatible stereo headphones can use multidirectional 3D audio to help convey enemy positions. Players can choose a targeted 4K mode at 30 fps or dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at 60 fps, balancing image clarity against smoother motion. Compared with the broader exploration focus of Breath of the Wild, Ragnarök prioritizes its characters, combat, and dramatic journey; it is less suited to players seeking an unrestricted sandbox. The strongest visual and audio options also depend on compatible equipment, including a 4K display for 4K output and stereo headphones for 3D audio.
Pros:- Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add tactile response to combat.
- Multidirectional 3D audio can help communicate enemy positions with compatible stereo headphones.
- Two display modes let players choose targeted 4K at 30 fps or upscaled 4K at 60 fps.
- Detailed mythological environments support the story-led journey.
Cons:- 4K output requires a compatible 4K TV or display.
- 3D audio requires compatible stereo headphones.
- Its focused journey is less open-ended than Breath of the Wild’s exploratory structure.
Best for: PS5 players who prioritize a character-led mythological adventure, tactile combat, and cinematic presentation over unrestricted sandbox exploration.
Not ideal for: Players seeking a highly open-ended world, or buyers without compatible equipment who want the full 4K and 3D audio features.
- Platform:PlayStation 5
- Setting:The Nine Realms
- Resolution and frame rate:Full 4K at a targeted 30 fps or dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at a targeted 60 fps
- Audio:Multidirectional 3D audio with compatible stereo headphones
- Haptic feedback:Supported
- Adaptive triggers:Supported
Our verdict“Choose Ragnarök for cinematic, tactile action through mythic settings; pick Breath of the Wild if open-ended exploration is your main priority.”
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut for PlayStation 4
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut pairs an explorable island with focused samurai combat, making its open world feel scenic and purposeful rather than built around constant gear collection. Jin Sakai’s fight to reclaim Tsushima gives the landscape a clear story direction, while the Iki Island expansion adds another region, story, mini-games, and enemy types. Compared with Days Gone, this is the better fit for players seeking measured sword fights and a historical setting; Days Gone puts more emphasis on scavenging, survival, and its drifter bike. The Director’s Cut also includes Legends online co-op, though that mode depends on online matchmaking or playing with friends. Skip this pick if you want a fully self-contained solo experience with no online component or prefer modern firearms to katana combat.
Pros:- The explorable Tsushima setting gives the samurai story room to unfold through travel and exploration.
- Katana-based combat provides a focused alternative to the scavenging and firearms of Days Gone.
- The Iki Island expansion adds a new story, mini-games, and enemy types.
- Legends includes online co-op story and survival missions.
Cons:- Legends co-op relies on friends or online matchmaking.
- The samurai combat focus may not suit players seeking a broad range of ranged weapons or survival systems.
Best for: Players who want a story-led samurai adventure, scenic island exploration, and optional online co-op content.
Not ideal for: Players looking for gun-focused combat, survival crafting, or an entirely solo package without online matchmaking.
- Platform:PlayStation 4
- Players:Multiplayer
- Release date:August 20, 2021
- Language:English
- Included content:Full game, Iki Island expansion, Legends online co-op, digital mini art book, director’s commentary, and bonus in-game items
- Dimensions:0.58 x 6.76 x 5.35 inches
- Weight:1.6 ounces
Our verdict“Choose this Director’s Cut for story-led island exploration and katana combat, with online co-op as an extra rather than a requirement.”
Days Gone – PlayStation 4
Days Gone makes travel itself part of the challenge: Deacon’s drifter bike carries him through forests, snowfields, meadows, and lava fields, while changing weather and day-night cycles affect the hazards he faces. Scavenging supplies and crafting weapons or traps turn detours into practical decisions, not just sightseeing. That survival pressure sets it apart from Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, whose island adventure puts more weight on samurai combat and a defined story journey than resource management. Here, exploration can be rewarding, but it can also leave Deacon exposed to hostile survivors and evolving Freakers. This is a strong match for players who like managing supplies and preparing for danger; those seeking relaxed wandering or a low-friction open world may find the threats and upkeep wearisome.
Pros:- The Pacific Northwest setting varies across forests, snowfields, meadows, and lava fields.
- Weather and day-night cycles affect gameplay and enemy behavior.
- Craftable weapons, traps, and customizable skills support different approaches to danger.
- Deacon’s drifter bike gives exploration a distinct travel method.
Cons:- Hostile environments and enemies can make routine exploration hazardous.
- Survival depends on scavenging supplies and crafting equipment.
Best for: Players who want a post-pandemic open world where bike travel, scavenging, crafting, and changing conditions shape exploration.
Not ideal for: Players who prefer peaceful exploration, minimal resource management, or predictable travel without frequent threats.
- Platform:PlayStation 4
- Release date:April 26, 2019
- Genre:Open-world action adventure
- UPC:711719504757
- ASIN:B01GW8XRCG
- Setting:Hostile post-pandemic Pacific Northwest
Our verdict“Pick Days Gone if you want exploration to involve preparation and survival pressure rather than the more story-led swordplay of Ghost of Tsushima.”
Borderlands 4 for PlayStation 5
Borderlands 4 is the pick here for players who want an open world built around combat, loot, and playing together. Four Vault Hunters, branching skill trees, and customizable builds give characters room to develop in different directions, while double jumping, gliding, dodging, and grappling make movement part of the action. It supports solo play and two-player split-screen, as well as online co-op for up to four players. Compared with Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Borderlands 4 puts more emphasis on weapon collecting and combat builds; Avatar offers a choice of first- or third-person exploration in a different kind of adventure setting. The tradeoff is that online play needs an internet connection and console online play needs a separate subscription. Players seeking a quieter, primarily contemplative open world should look elsewhere.
Pros:- Four Vault Hunters and branching skill trees support varied character builds.
- Dynamic movement options make traversal more active than simple point-to-point travel.
- Supports solo play, two-player split-screen, and up to four-player online co-op.
- A large world includes varied environments, quests, and dynamic events.
Cons:- Online play requires an internet connection.
- Console online co-op requires a separate subscription.
Best for: Players who enjoy experimenting with character builds and want to explore and fight solo, in split-screen, or in online co-op.
Not ideal for: Players seeking a low-combat exploration game or those unwilling to use an internet connection or separate console subscription for online play.
- Platform:PlayStation 5
- Release date:September 12, 2025
- Players:Solo, 2-player split-screen, or up to 4-player online co-op
- Language:English
- Genre:Video game
- Manufacturer:Gearbox Software
- Product dimensions:0.56 x 5.4 x 6.75 inches
- Item weight:2.88 ounces
Our verdict“Choose Borderlands 4 for build-driven combat and flexible co-op, but skip it if your priority is quiet exploration without online requirements.”
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – From the Ashes Edition (PlayStation 5)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – From the Ashes Edition suits players who want to explore the Western Frontier from either a first- or third-person view, a flexibility that distinguishes it from the fixed-perspective adventure in Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut. This edition bundles the base game with the From the Ashes expansion and three banshee color patterns, and it supports solo play or two-player online co-op. That makes it a more exploration-oriented alternative to the combat-and-loot focus of Borderlands 4, though Borderlands offers broader group play, including split-screen and online co-op for up to four. Plan around the digital extras: redeeming them requires an internet connection and a Ubisoft Account, and the expansion and bonus content have a later release date than the base game. Buyers who want everything available at once may prefer a different pick.
Pros:- First- and third-person perspectives let players choose how to view the world.
- The edition includes the base game and From the Ashes expansion.
- Two-player online co-op offers a way to share the adventure.
- Three banshee color patterns add included cosmetic options.
Cons:- Digital content redemption requires an internet connection and Ubisoft Account.
- The expansion and bonus content release after the base game.
Best for: Players who want to explore the Western Frontier with a choice of camera perspective and the option of two-player online co-op.
Not ideal for: Players who want all included content available with no later release timing or who prefer not to redeem digital content through an account and internet connection.
- Platform:PlayStation 5
- Edition:From the Ashes Edition
- Included content:Base game, From the Ashes expansion, and three banshee color patterns
- Play modes:Single-player; two-player online co-op
- Perspective:First-person or third-person
- Release date:December 5, 2025
- Expansion and bonus content release date:December 19, 2025
- Digital content requirements:Internet connection and Ubisoft Account required to redeem
Our verdict“Pick this edition for flexible perspectives and a bundled expansion, provided you are comfortable with its account, internet, and release-timing requirements.”
How We Picked
I compared these games by how meaningfully their worlds support exploration, how much freedom players have to approach objectives, and whether activities feel connected to the setting rather than added simply to fill the map. I also weighed story direction, variety of play, accessibility, and the tradeoff between open-ended play and a more guided campaign. A large map alone did not earn a high position; the stronger picks give players compelling reasons to move through the world.
The ranking reflects the range and quality of the open-world experience, then accounts for the audience each game serves. Breath of the Wild ranks first for broad, player-led exploration; Odyssey and Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut follow as strong but more structured alternatives. Games centered on a specific activity, platform, or style of progression rank for their distinct appeal rather than trying to outdo the most versatile picks. I also treat platform and edition details as part of the buying decision, since the listed versions may not suit every player’s hardware or expectations.
| open world video game | Platform |
|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | PlayStation 4 |
| Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Forza Horizon 6 Standard Editi | Xbox Series X |
| Hogwarts Legacy for Nintendo S | Nintendo Switch |
| Watch Dogs for Xbox One | Xbox One |
| Outward Definitive Edition | Nintendo Switch |
| Ghost of Yōtei for PlayStation | PlayStation 5 |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of | Nintendo Switch |
| The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| God of War Ragnarök for PlaySt | PlayStation 5 |
| Ghost of Tsushima Director’s C | PlayStation 4 |
| Days Gone | PlayStation 4 |
| Borderlands 4 for PlayStation | PlayStation 5 |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora | PlayStation 5 |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Open World Video Games
Before choosing, decide what you want the open world to do for you. A vast setting can support quiet exploration, a tightly directed story, repeatable activities, or a specialized pursuit such as racing. These broader questions help separate a genuinely appealing adventure from a game whose scale may not fit your habits.
Choose a World That Matches Your Kind of Freedom
Open-world design ranges from broad freedom to a story-led route with optional detours. If you like setting your own pace, prioritize worlds that reward curiosity and let you solve problems in different ways. If you prefer a clear next step, a focused campaign can feel more satisfying than a map filled with icons. A common mistake is treating map size as a measure of freedom; a large setting can still funnel you through repetitive tasks. Ask whether you want to wander, follow quests, or alternate between both. That answer may matter more than a genre label.
Look at What You Will Actually Do Between Story Missions
Consider the core activity that will occupy most of your time, not only the premise or setting. Some games build exploration around combat and quests; others make driving, stealth, survival, or environmental discovery the main draw. A world can look varied while asking you to repeat the same actions, so check whether its activities appeal to you on their own. Buyers often choose by setting and later find that the central gameplay loop is not a fit. Think about which actions you enjoy repeating over a long campaign. That can prevent a mismatch even when the world sounds appealing.
Match Campaign Scope to Your Available Play Time
A long adventure can be a good fit if you enjoy returning to side stories and optional goals, but total map size does not guarantee a better experience. Players with limited sessions may prefer a game that makes progress easy to track and keeps its main story visible. Check whether you like completing optional content or tend to feel pressure when a map presents many tasks. Another common mistake is assuming that more hours always means more value; repetition can make extra content feel like a chore. Choose based on the pace you enjoy, not the apparent scale of the world. A focused game can be the better long-term fit if it respects your time.
Check Platform and Edition Before You Buy
Start by confirming that the listed version works with the console you own; this roundup includes games across several hardware families. Edition names can also signal differences in included content, so read the specific listing rather than assuming every version contains the same extras. This matters especially when a familiar game is listed for a different platform than the one you usually associate with it. Do not rely on a title’s name alone to confirm performance, content, or compatibility. If you are buying a physical edition, check what is on the cartridge or disc and whether any content needs a download. A quick platform and edition check can prevent a costly mismatch.
Decide How Much Challenge and Guidance You Want
Some open worlds give little direction and expect players to learn through exploration, while others mark objectives and guide progress more closely. Neither approach is universally better: freedom can make discoveries feel personal, but vague goals may frustrate players who want a steady story rhythm. Consider how much time you want to spend learning systems before the main adventure opens up. Also think about whether you enjoy retrying difficult encounters or prefer a smoother path through the campaign. Look for the balance of challenge and guidance that keeps you curious rather than stalled. This preference can outweigh setting or genre when two games otherwise appeal equally.
Pay for the Experience You Want, Not Just a Bigger Edition
Edition labels can be tempting, but additional content only matters when it fits how you play. A base edition may be enough if you mainly want the central campaign, while an expanded edition makes more sense for someone who wants a fuller package from the start. Compare what is explicitly included and consider whether you will have time for it. Buyers can end up paying for extras they never use because the edition sounds more complete. Also weigh the game’s replay appeal: a world you want to revisit may justify a different choice from a one-time story. Pick the edition that supports your actual plans, rather than assuming the most elaborate option is the best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game in this roundup is best if I want the most freedom to explore?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is my strongest pick for players who want exploration to set the pace. Its appeal rests on choosing your own routes and goals, rather than treating the map as a checklist. If you would rather follow a more quest-led role-playing journey, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a better match. For a more directed cinematic story, consider Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut. Choose based on how much guidance you want, not simply which world looks largest.
Are all 14 games suitable for the same console?
No. The listed games cover PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2, so start by matching the exact version to your hardware. Do not assume that a game or edition listed for one console will run on another. Console generation can also affect the version you are buying, even when the title is familiar. Check the platform and edition details on the product listing before ordering. If you own more than one system, choose based on where you are most likely to play.
Should I choose a huge open world if I only have short play sessions?
Not necessarily. A sprawling map works best when you enjoy returning to side activities and picking up where you left off, while a more focused story may suit brief sessions better. Before choosing, consider whether the game makes it easy to identify a short-term goal and resume progress later. If an abundance of map markers feels like pressure rather than choice, prioritize a guided campaign. A world’s size says little about how well it fits your schedule. The better match is the one whose pace makes each session feel worthwhile.
Is a racing game like Forza Horizon 6 a good choice for someone seeking an open world?
It can be, if your idea of exploration centers on driving, discovering routes, and moving between events. A racing-focused world offers a different kind of freedom from an adventure built around quests, character progression, or combat. That difference is the key buying question: choose it for its driving-led play, not because you expect a conventional role-playing campaign. If you want narrative exploration, other picks in this roundup are a closer match. If you want an open setting organized around cars and events, the genre distinction may be a benefit.
Do I need an expanded edition to get a satisfying open-world game?
No. An expanded or deluxe edition is only a better fit if its included content is something you expect to play. A standard edition can be a sensible choice when the main campaign is your priority, while extra content may appeal if you want additional activities or a fuller package. Check the exact contents of the edition and platform listing, since names alone do not tell you what is included. Think about the time you have for optional content as well as your interest in it. Choosing by fit is more useful than assuming a larger edition is automatically better.
Conclusion
For the strongest all-around choice, I recommend The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, especially if player-led exploration is your priority. Best value in play variety goes to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey for buyers who want a large role-playing adventure with plenty to pursue, while Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is my premium-style pick for a focused, cinematic journey. Beginners who want a clear sense of direction may prefer a more guided option such as God of War Ragnarök, while players drawn to a particular activity should look at Forza Horizon 6 for driving or Watch Dogs for urban, tech-led play. Before deciding, confirm the exact console and edition you need; the best game is the one whose world, pace, and platform fit how you actually play.
