If there's one thing that almost all open-world games have in common, it's exploration. It doesn't matter if you're shooting into outer space or traveling to a fantastical kingdom; there's always a need to explore, but it's safe to say that some games handle it with a lot more creativity than others.
The creative mind can come from the literal modes of transportation, like mounts or movement abilities, how the environment is laid out, and even just the general progression of the playthrough. Either way, these featured games manage to deliver a borderline perfect experience, while leaving plenty of room for some satisfying exploration.
This is by no means intended to be a definitive list of open world RPGs with creative development.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of the Kingdom
Building a way forward
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Ultrahand and Fuse make exploration endlessly creative
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The world constantly rewards unconventional thinking
The tears of the kingdom is based on Breath of the Wild's revolutionary design by giving you even more tools to solve problems creatively. Whether building elaborate vehicles with Ultrahand, combining weapons through Fuse, or using Ascend to bypass entire puzzles, there's rarely just one correct solution to any obstacle, and in many cases the method can actually be more fun than the exploration itself.
That philosophy extends across the board, with so much additional verticality that it requires a lot of experimentation, which you're always rewarded for. It's the out-of-the-box stuff that makes it so engaging to play, and I'd easily say it surpasses the original by making the adventure feel so much more personal.
Fire Ring
Landmarks guide you to greatness
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Distant structures serve as the primary tool for exploration
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Secret paths through illusory walls
Fire Ring certainly goes a long way to avoid being boxed in, with a much higher level of intensity and difficulty than most of its contemporaries, but it's the exploration that many consider the game's greatest asset. You have no real sense of where to go, but instead it's about what you want and what structures you think look most interesting across the gigantic landscape.
Then there are the more structured locations, like the ancient dungeons, which include dozens of interlocking paths and hidden walls that often lead you even deeper into the depths of the underworld. Even after several hundred hours, I still find myself finding new paths into the unknown, and I'm always amazed at the level of creativity that goes into the game's world design, and thus how you can explore it.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
A planet at your fingertips
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Massive environments invite curiosity
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Skells fundamentally changes navigation
There are a lot of huge planets out there in the open world genre, but very few are anywhere near as exciting to explore as in Xenoblade Chronicles X. Mira is filled with vast continents, towering creatures, hidden caves, and distant landmarks that encourage you to wander far beyond the main story and into the alluring wilderness.
Each region feels distinct and constantly rewards those willing to stray from the beaten path, and freedom expands dramatically as you unlock Skells. Being able to fly completely changes the way the world can be explored, opening up previously inaccessible places and making familiar regions feel brand new, and by the end you'll feel like you're playing a completely different game.
ELEX
The world that does not wait for you
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Dangerous regions require creative problem solving
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Exploration is more about knowledge
ELEX challenges you to think differently about open world development. Powerful enemies roam the map from the start, and direct combat is a rather unwise solution in many situations, so instead you'll have to start thinking and use everything from stealth to route planning to survive the early hours.
The game's jetpack adds another layer of creativity by opening up unconventional paths through both the forests and more civilized locations. Combined with its refusal to bend to your will, the result is an ever-changing puzzle game that I think is one of the unique RPGs out there today.
OK, “almost perfect” is a bit of an exaggeration too Electbut Eurojank is part of the charm of a Piranha Bytes RPG. While we went along Elect due to its extended movement system, Gothic would also fit here.
Outwards
No shortcuts to survival
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Success depends on preparation
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Players solve problems through long-term planning
Outwards make it clear from the start that you will be using your head far more than your brawn. Before you set out, you need to think about supplies and what you need for the journey ahead, and that thought process always involves several additional variables such as the weather and the specific biomes.
When you eventually get to the battles, the same philosophy reigns supreme, with traps and environmental hazards proving just as effective, if not more so, than traditional attacks. I think it's a good game for when you get tired of endless grinding, and when you want something that requires a lot more thought to complete each challenge.
Outwards certainly has room for improvement, but it achieves its goal of being a player-driven adventurer's RPG well. Hopefully the sequel will be even better.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
As realistic as it gets
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Image via Warhorse Studios -
Image via Warhorse Studios -
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Grounded and pure exploration style
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Many questions require genuine investigation
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the series' commitment to realism by directing your attention to the world itself rather than simply following objective markers. Forest paths are ideal markers for objectives, while villages open the door to new and interesting stories, turning exploration into something much more fluid and authentic.
Many missions reinforce that philosophy by asking you to gather information or follow subtle clues scattered throughout the environment, and I'd say the best missions in the game are the ones where you have the least information. Rather than providing instant answers, the game rewards patience and logical thinking, creating an exploration experience that feels refreshingly different from most modern RPGs.
Crimson Desert
From Dragons To Flying Mechs
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Crazy many movement options
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Content littered on all layers of the ground
Crimson Desert aims to make player creativity a central pillar of its open world. While it takes a while to unlock and access everything that really makes exploration shine, you end up with a wealth of movement options, each with specific strengths that you can use to clear specific missions or reach far-off locations much more quickly.
Complementing the extensive list of mounts and mobility abilities is a map that's about as jam-packed with content as you could ever want. You might start out flying over a city, but then come across a floating landmark or see a looming tower in the forest, and there's only merit to exploring the edges of the world and using whatever tools you can to get there.
