Best Non-Franchise Open-World Games

Important takeaways

• Standalone open world titles like
  Fire Ring
  ,
  Ghostwire: Tokyo
  and
  Immortal Fenyx Rising
  offer refreshing experiences with unique worlds and characters.
• While some games are designed as one-time experiences, others like
  Days gone
  had sequel potential but ultimately got none.
• Other notable open-world standalone games that differ from established franchises include
  Rise of the Ronin
  ,
  No Man's Sky
  and
  Atlas Fallen
  .

In a gaming landscape dominated by franchise games and sequels, it's refreshing to see unique standalone games that introduce new worlds to explore and characters with fresh stories. Across genres, including open-world games, countless titles never see a sequel and remain unattached to any existing franchises—for better or for worse.

Interestingly, the reasons why some unique titles don't get sequels can vary. Some developers design these games as unique experiences that don't need lengthy sequels, while others may have had sequels initially planned, only to have them scrapped later. Here's a look at some of the best open world games that stand alone, offer standalone, memorable experiences, and can leave players wanting more.

1 Fire Ring

One of the best open world journeys that requires no tracking

Fire Ring took the industry by storm in 2022, perfectly blending the soulful genre with a truly open world that players can explore at their own pace – and at their own risk. While the majority of the game's vast regions are accessible from the start, many expansive areas require specific steps to unlock, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue as players strive not only to defeat menacing bosses, but also to uncover hidden spots on the map.

Fixed Fire Ring already got the massive one Shadow of the Erdtree expansion – originally intended as part of the base game – the story of Lands Between feels satisfyingly complete and doesn't necessarily need to continue. Ultimately, it's up to FromSoftware to return to this unique world, although director Hidetaka Miyazaki has previously indicated that the studio has no such plans.

2 Sunset Overdrive

Non-stop action in a vibrant open world with no brakes

Years before Marvel's Spider-Man game, Insomniac had already delivered an outstanding open-world action experience with unique playthrough Sunset Overdrive. This game perfectly captures the spirit of an earlier era in the genre and is still worth playing today for several reasons, from its vibrant visual style to its high-energy story and gameplay.

Sunset Overdrive Bursting with personality, it comes across as a fresh new IP that sets itself apart with ease. The game's exhilarating movement feels like a precursor to Insomniac's later titles, and its infectious enthusiasm for mayhem is something few other action games can hope to match.

3 Immortal Fenyx Rising

Light-hearted, mythologically inspired adventure with some cues from recent Zelda games

Immortal Fenyx Rising is what happens when Ubisoft takes the bright setting off Assassin's Creed Odyssey and moves the formula to one more Zelda-style adventure, focusing on exploration and puzzles over story and combat. Developers have openly admitted it Immortals originates from Odysseys development, which aims to establish its own light-hearted mythological series inspired by different cultures.

Despite positive reviews, Immortal Fenyx Rising was not successful enough to secure a full sequel, which was reportedly in early planning (but never officially confirmed by Ubisoft). But mythology enthusiasts can find a lot to enjoy in the original alone, especially with the game's DLC, which introduces a new story inspired by Chinese mythology.

4 Ghostwire: Tokyo

An exciting version of ghost stories in a setting like no other

Ghostwire: Tokyo is a unique open world game in several respects. From the visually striking, magic-infused first-person combat to its eerie, ghost-infested Tokyo setting, the game is crafted to leave a lasting impression. The story is also engaging, even if it treads familiar ground with many common tropes and twists.

Once players dive deeper, they can find it Ghostwire: Tokyo relies on a somewhat traditional structure, with a beautifully realized but sometimes repetitive open world design. While it may lack depth and innovation, the game's outstanding features may still be enough to attract fans who appreciate its distinct take on supernatural adventure.

5 Rise Of The Ronin

A rare breed of true souls in open world with a masterfully designed combat system

Rise of the Ronin may initially feel overshadowed by Ghost of Tsushimaas both are PlayStation exclusives set in Feudal Japan – even though the two are separated by around 600 years in history. What really stands out in Rise of the Ronin is its combat, developed by Team Ninja, the minds behind Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynastytwo of the best soul lovers that aren't FromSoftware.

The game benefits from the expertise of Team Ninja and delivers a fast-paced, layered combat system with different approaches. From lightning fast parries and counter attacks to special weapon skills, combo attacks and even firearms, Rise of the Ronin provides many options. While the open world may feel a bit traditional and less awesome than its competitors, the combat alone is likely enough to keep players fully immersed.

6 Days gone

Beloved by many, the story of Deacon St. John never gets a proper resolution

Days gone is a solid open-world zombie shooter with plenty to see and do, and its standout feature – fighting massive zombie hordes – is only unlocked later in the story. While not necessarily pushing the open world formula forward, Days gone quickly established itself as one of the most beloved titles of the PS4 era, featuring compellingly vivid characters and a unique biker aesthetic, alongside impressive technical execution. Despite its strengths, it was somewhat underrated at launch, somewhat overshadowed by Sony's own The last of us series, which shares a similar post-apocalyptic appeal.

The cancellation of the game's ambitious sequel surprised many fans, especially considering how Days gone teased a promising continuation of his story. With each passing year, hope diminishes that Sony will one day return to the series, allowing fans to enjoy the experience they have.

7 No Man's Sky

A playground for unlimited space with the best redemption arc in gaming

Over the years, No Man's Sky evolved from one of the most disappointing game launches to a true icon of post-launch support, with dozens of massive content updates released completely free of charge. Marking one of the most impressive and well-deserved turnarounds in the industry, No Man's Sky today stands out as an exceptional open-world space exploration game with few competitors.

With its unparalleled scope, options for solo, co-op or online play, in-depth crafting and building systems, seamless exploration and much more, players can find countless things to enjoy in No Man's Skys galaxy of possibilities. The best part is that Sean Murray and Hello Games show no signs of stopping, so there's plenty more to come.

8 Atlas Fallen: Reign Of Sand

A familiar open-world formula with a unique spin on environment and combat

At launch, Atlas Fallen largely flew under the radar, but the developers took a year to revitalize the project, redesigning various elements, adding a new prologue, and bringing in Ben Starr for voiceover. After Reign of Sand content update, Atlas Fallen is now in its best form and has a lot to offer fans of open world action role-playing games.

While some aspects may feel somewhat dated and may have resonated more a few years ago, Atlas Fallen brings a unique setting and a distinct twist to its combat system, while also containing a few surprises. Plus, the game's signature sand-sliding traversal is just plain fun.