When incredible world-building and a deep sense of adventure combine, fantastic titles are born. Some games are destined to become timeless classics from the start, and the people who work tirelessly to bring these amazing experiences to life are masters of storytelling and game design.
Check this list of games you should play at least once to discover true essence of worldbuilding and adventure merge into a seamless and exciting experience. The perfect titles to add to your bucket list.
Best Open-World Games That Are Hard To Put Down
A well-designed open world can keep players hooked for countless hours, drawing them into an immersive world they won't want to leave.
1
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of The Wild
Worldbuilding reached perfection with this one
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
10/10
- Released
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March 3, 2017
- ESRB
-
E for All: Fantasy violence, use of alcohol, mild suggestive themes
- Developer
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Nintendo EPD
- Publisher
-
Nintendo
From the moment you wake up, this game transmits an eerie and melancholy sense of loneliness: It's present at every turn, with every enemy defeated and every shrine, temple and dungeon visited. World building in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the best ever created. No matter what you play after this title, you will feel the difference between a masterpiece and the average title.
2
The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
One of the best classics, and for good reason
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Released
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November 21, 1998
- ESRB
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E10+ for all 10+: animated blood, fantasy violence, suggestive themes
- Developer
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Nintendo
- Publisher
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Zelda 64 engine
The beginning of Link's story may have happened long before the Nintendo 64 was released, but it's here The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time when Adventure and Worldbuilding merged perfectly to create one of the most incredible games ever made. Any true Zelda fan will return time and time again to this entry in the franchise and feel like they are playing it for the first time.
3
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Incredible world building, worth playing just for the story
Horizon: Zero Dawn
9/10
- Released
-
February 28, 2017
- ESRB
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T for Teens: blood, drug references, language, mild sexual themes, violence
Horizon: Zero Dawn is one of those titles that you have to play at least once and feel the story as you go. Regardless of the raging giant robots, or the many twists and turns the story has, what matters most is the message, beneath the surface of a devastated world, hidden in the remains of those long gone. This game invites you to explore and understand a distant past, to find out what is really happening in this dystopian future dominated by giant mechanical beasts. A real masterpiece.
4
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Top rating, even though the first game was superior
Zelda games have this exciting and amazing way of engrossing you in their story, even if the story itself isn't revealed outright but scattered around in little breadcrumbs. With The tears of the kingdomthere's an incredible and heart-wrenching story to discover, and the world-building is excellent, although not as much as it was in the first game. One thing is certain: The Gameplay in TOTK is far superior to that in BOTW.
5
Fable: The Lost Chapters
An underrated gem of world building and classic adventure
Fable: The Lost Chapters is the definitive Hero's Journey game, a clear representation of Worldbuilding done well, and one of the best adventure RPGs ever made. With all that being said, it's true that it's a game that doesn't get better the more you play it, and it's a bit dated for modern tastes. Still, all lovers of classic RPGs and adventure games should play it at least once and pay attention to how the world develops around them. The story of Albion is as fascinating as it gets full of dark twistsand creatures that are extremely difficult to understand unless you listen to the whispers hidden behind Demon doors and well-placed lore entries.
8 Best Open-World Games Where Free Exploration Is More Rewarding Than The Main Story
These open-world games offer a main story campaign to complete, but their settings are so immersive that exploration almost always takes priority.
6
Middle-earth: Shadow Of War
The best Lord of the Rings game
From everyone The Lord of the Rings game ever made, Middle-earth: Shadow of War dared to risk everything and created something truly wonderful by slightly twisting the lore made by a giant like Tolkien. The game not only has the incredible and unprecedented Nemesis systembut also has extremely polished worldbuilding that puts it near the top of the charts in terms of storytelling and immersion.
Best Open-World Games That Make You Think
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7
Red Dead Redemption
The world building in this game is extremely good
Red Dead Redemption
8/10
- Released
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May 18, 2010
- ESRB
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M for Adults 17+ due to blood, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs
- Developer
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Rockstar San Diego
Red Dead Redemption is insanely good at world-building, and it takes full advantage of it, fully immersing players in a tale of revenge and redemption that they'll never experience in any other Western adventure game. Of course, its sequel is superior in terms of gameplay, scenario design and graphics, but RDR is (so far) the best of the franchise.
8
Assassin's Creed Black Flag
No other game depicted the pirate life like this title did
Assassin's Creed Black Flag has seen a resurgence in popularity ever since Resynced was announced, but it has always been, and will always be, one of the best Pirate games ever made. Its mix of seafaring adventure, incredible battles, exploration and the classic AC gameplay make it one of the best titles to enjoy and relax for hours. The world-building behind its story is immense, a work of art that takes into account tons of real historical events and blends them seamlessly with the action-packed story of Edward Kenway.
9
Red Dead Redemption 2
Riding To the Horizon, Top Of The Shelf in terms of adventure and world building
Red Dead Redemption 2
10/10
- Released
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26 October 2018
- ESRB
-
M for mature: blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, sexual content, strong language, drugs and alcohol
In terms of world building and adventure, Red Dead Redemption 2 is magnificent: It manages to capture the essence of the Wild West and translate it into a vivid, immersive and engaging game that can keep you hooked for hours. Whether you're playing a vengeful outlaw or doing a race of honor, the game offers tons of hours of fun.
10
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arises
The best of the franchise
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arises
- Released
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April 23, 2013
- ESRB
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M for adults 17+ due to blood and gore, partial nudity, suggestive themes, violence
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arises is a massive game that digs even deeper into the educational world that CAPCOM created for this incredible title. In this immediate sequel to the first game (which is actually the original game + an extensive sequel), the story becomes even clearer. We discover more about The Cycle of the Dragon and the Arisen, how both are bound by fate and tragedy, and the consequences of past Arisen choices. It's one of the best adventure RPG games to try if you love being immersed in a finely crafted world-building.
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