So far, 2026 has given us Crimson Desert and Gothicjust to name two open world RPGs. Although they may not linger in the mind to the same extent as legendary masterpieces like The Witcher 3it is safe to predict that these titles will not be forgotten in a decade. Unfortunately, many open-world RPGs fail to escape this fate, dooming them to a present and future consisting mostly of appearances in “forgotten games” discussions.
One of my favorite things to do is revisit games from the 2000s and 2010s that have almost no digital footprint, just to see what they offer, if they hold up, and if they should be better known. To be honest, there aren't that many open-world RPGs out there, but there are some great titles that fans of both genres should definitely check out. While they are far from perfect, they are amazing in their own right.
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Dragon: Gates of the Ancients
A PS2 Open-World RPG that lets you ride a dragon
Dragon: Gates of the Ancients
- Released
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January 29, 2002
- ESRB
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M for mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer
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Surreal software
The deepest cut in this article, Dragon: Gates of the Ancients, is a PS2 cult classic that almost qualifies for the “cult” part, as it barely seems to be remembered by most. The definition of a flawed masterpiece, Surreal Software's project was arguably ahead of its time, presenting a sense of scale that even modern AAA developers still struggle to integrate.
17 Video Games That Let You Ride Dragons
Take to the skies on the back of a fire-breathing lizard in these dragon riding games.
The gameplay loop is divided into on-ground and airborne sections, with the latter involving taking to the skies on the back of a fire-breathing dragon. Both halves are well developed for their era, with ground combat with skill trees, weapon types, magic and puzzles. The dragons dogfights are its main selling point, and it still looks pretty impressive raining fire down on camps over the hub areas.
The “wrong” part comes from the many bugs that plagued Dragon: Gates of the Ancientsa side effect of an ambitious project that couldn't quite make everything work smoothly. I wish the game was ported to PC, because modders could really do wonders.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13
The Forgotten Final Chapter (and the best FF13 game)
I know what you're thinking: “No Final Fantasy the game is forgotten.” Generally I agree, though The lightning returns will definitely almost be an exception. We're talking about the third entry in a polarizing trilogy that had long since lost steam in 2013; just die hard FF13 the fans would even have noticed The lightning returns came out
Unlike the linear corridors of the original game, The lightning returns is an open world game with four regions that can be explored in any order. Despite not featuring a traditional party, the game's Schemata system delivers one of the most satisfying active combat loops in the JRPG genre, with Lightning effectively serving as multiple classes by changing her customizable outfit. The battles are fast, tactical and visually spectacular; FF13 would have been received much better if it played closer The lightning returns.
As much as I enjoy this bizarre final chapter, The lightning returns can be directly foreign. The muddled cosmic story reads almost like fan fiction, presenting Lightning as a pseudo-goddess and forcing players to race with a countdown clock (which isn't too strict once you learn the mechanics, but still feels unnecessary).
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
An ambitious RPG that gives you complete freedom
The troika Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura exists in that weird bubble of being highly regarded by enthusiasts and a complete non-entity to everyone else. In terms of pure roleplaying freedom, Arcanum set the standard in the early 2000s, and it still puts many modern titles to shame. Although not built as GTAthe game still has an open world that mostly lets you go where you want, with a level of reactivity that very few RPGs attempt.
As the title suggests, Arcanum Set in a society divided by science and magic, you decide whether to prioritize technology or play as a mage. Missions encourage you to adopt different approaches, be it brute force, diplomacy, stealth or even engineering. Just be prepared for the consequences.
Due to its age and general elegance, Arcanum can be hard to appreciate these days, especially since the battle isn't very big in the imagination.
Yo-kai Watch 2
Yo-kai Watch went Open-World before Pokemon
Hard to believe in retrospect, but for a brief moment, Yo-kai watch seemed ready to join Pokémon as Nintendo's new big creature collection. The original game did incredibly well, leading to an avalanche of spin-offs, sequels and other mediums. Maybe it was oversaturation, or the fact that it took more than 2 years to realize its international release, but Yo-kai Watch 2 did not attract nearly the same attention as its predecessor.
15 years later, these forgotten PS3 Fantasy masterpieces have aged like fine wines
Rayman Origins, Child of Eden and other overlooked PS3 gems have held up remarkably well 15 years later, offering timeless gaming experiences.
Of course, fans of the first entry should 100% play all the sequels, all of which contain new ideas that allow them to stand on their own two feet. But people who have never heard of the franchise should specifically try the second entry, as it ranks among the 3DS's best and most atmospheric open-world games. Blends monster collection with viable elements, Yo-kai Watch 2 brings rural and suburban Japan to life incredibly well, while also using time travel to change the appearance of the world.
The combat system is a little too passive for its own good, so I wouldn't specifically recommend the game as a turn-based JRPG.
Kenshi
The biggest Open-World RPG most people will never play
Kenshi
- Released
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December 6, 2018
At this very moment, Kenshi have more than 4K players on Steam, which should automatically disqualify it from receiving the “forgotten” label. While I understand that, Kenshi is arguably the most underrated open world RPG of all time, one that is loved by a select group but completely ignored by everyone else. Dropped in a massive Mad Max-esque sandbox, you are a nobody and must decide how to live, survive and prosper.
Your actions determine your place in the world, and you can be anything from a nomad to a military leader or a trader. Progression feels incredible because it's earned through actual combat; for example, if you lose an arm in a skirmish, you have to deal with it and not just wait for it to grow back. Kenshi excels at emergent storytelling.
7 Open-World RPGs that are 10/10, no notes
As the years go by, these open-world RPGs remain the unsurpassed pinnacle of the genre – and are absolutely worth playing today.
For its shortcomings, you only need to look at a single screenshot. Kenshi looks like an absolute train wreck, and runs like one too.
