Everyone has a different definition of what they think is fun, and that's fair enough. Some enjoy the challenge of Soulsborne games, being beaten over and over by a boss three times the size (at least), only to try again and eventually succeed. Others prefer to quickly become so powerful and so godlike that the game almost feels trivial. There is no right or wrong.
10 Best RPG Escape Games, Ranked
Do you need a break from everyday life? These RPGs offer rich stories, emotional journeys and the freedom to disappear for hours.
Since the definition of “fun” is so hard to pin down, we're going to focus on open-world RPGs that give you tons of content and are quite immersive. It's fair to say that these are the minimum expectations that people have for this genre of game. Not every game here will appeal to everyone, but one thing's for sure: you'll find your niche here if you like RPGs at all and enjoy exploring huge worlds packed with quests and secrets.
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The perfect Bethesda games for chasing power fantasies
If you're on the I-don't-want-to-be-OP ASAP team, Skyrim is the game you will have the most fun with, simply. Yes, there is a leveling system, but if you jump into the Anniversary Edition, you'll have access to some pretty powerful weapons and gear right from the start. From there, the world is your oyster. There are very few limitations in the game in terms of what you can do, which is great for players who may not want to start multiple playthroughs.
Want to join the Dark Brotherhood and also become a member of the Thieves Guild? You can. And you can also be Archmage of the College of Winterhold, Thane of every Hold… You see. Skyrim does not require you to live with your choices, which can feel a little superficial to many, and I fully understand that. But there's plenty of fun to be found in making the most blasted building known to the people of Tamriel and conquering the entire province, as well as the DLC content. Alternatively, if you want a little more consistency and RPG flavor to your Bethesda RPG, I recommend booting up either Morrowind or the one Oblivion Remaster.
Kingdom: Come Deliverance 2
A more grounded medieval game to dethrone Skyrim
Many fans have described Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 like their new Skyrim, and that's perfectly fine if you're okay with losing everything magical from your game. Realistic swordplay is the main property of this game. You will either hate it or love it, but I truly believe there is a niche of players out there who will find this twist on combat very enjoyable. If you want to be challenged and you're hoping for a semi-simulated game that still has all the charm of a classic RPG and more, this is your next game to play.
10 Open-World Games Where Exploration Feels Personal
For these characters, the journey to explore every nook and cranny of their world means everything.
What makes this game so great is the immersion. Beyond the battle, the world begs to be explored, every nook and cranny hiding something exciting. Its quests are nuanced, and some of the features are quite unique: Henry has to bathe, if one drinks too much, NPCs will comment on it, and you have to maintain a sort of reputation system when interacting with the world. It also helps that the game just looks absolutely gorgeous.
Fallout: New Vegas
Darkly whimsical Fallout game with character
Watch, if you are completely new to Fall-out franchise and you prefer your graphics to be up to date, start with Fallout 4. Other, Fallout: New Vegas is the road to go a thousand times over for fun. Its main charm is the depth it has with role-playing, choices and consequences, karma and interactions with the world and its factions. No one else Fall-out the game has pretty much managed to replicate this quirk and the sheer amount of detail that goes into each turn, depending on what kind of character you make.
If you are a discerning gamer who takes RPG freedom very seriously, New Vegas is a simple matter, and you'll have plenty of fun mayhem between the NCR, Legion, and the other factions roaming the Mojave Wasteland. Your skills not only determine what you can do, but they actually open up additional dialogue options and new ways to solve missions. It's a role-playing masterclass, and the powerful writing that's both dark and humorous is a classic that will make you snort with delight.
Cyberpunk 2077
A story to remember, with unforgettable combat
Based on Mike Pondsmith's TTRPG, Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since its rocky release. The Phantom Liberty DLC is an absolute must if you want to start this game next time, as it goes ever deeper into the themes already explored during the main quest. And speaking of the main quest, it's one of the most heartbreaking experiences you'll be put through. For history-loving RPG fans, this is a treat and a half, all wrapped up in a wonderfully twisted cyberpunk world full of neon lights and violence. The writing is brilliant, the missions and characters you meet from Johnny to Panam will stay with you long after the credits roll.
When it comes to combat, you have so much variety: become a stealthy hacker, a strong melee character, an agile ninja with a katana as a weapon, or just rely on smart weapons that can target enemies behind walls. With cybernetic enhancements, character building is literally next level in this game, and you'll never run out of things to do. There's always a fight around the corner, or a cyber psycho to kill, or one of your lovers to call up for a hang out at your apartments. Buy cars, clothes or visit Joytoys… Night City is an experience.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A world that is so packed that it feels endless
Many describe The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt as the gold standard for open world RPGs. That's a fair claim, given how it ticks so many boxes. It has a huge world that begs to be explored. It's not uncommon to encounter enemies guarding a chest, a monster in the wild, or a random NPC who will invite you for a quest. That sense of discovery and adventure is very present as you travel across the lands of Novigrad and Velen to Skellige, Toussaint and beyond.
Best Open-World Games on Xbox Game Pass
Looking for an open world adventure to embark on on Xbox Game Pass? These are the best open world games currently available on Microsoft's service.
The combat is also quite varied and you can build Geralt however you want. You also get to experience the game sometimes from Ciri's perspective, and she has her own fighting style that is a bit faster. Both characters also have their own stories, and going back and forth between them is incredibly satisfying. All of your choices also have consequences, so those who really don't enjoy having everything handed to them on a silver platter, but instead want their actions to matter, will strike gold in this game.
Fire Ring
A soulmate without parallel
If all the games listed here still haven't caught your attention for fun because they lack challenge, I present to you: Fire Ring. FromSoftware's latest darling (if you ignore the Night rulewhich is a thing in itself) expands the Souls format into an open world where the strange world of the Lands Between opens up to you in all its mysterious, dark and strangely wonderful glory. There is hardly any direction in this game, which is the tradition of such games. You carve your own path, and if a boss like Margit or Tree Sentinel keeps bringing you down, you either come back when you're ready or try again.
These two are also just the tip of the iceberg. The game has countless optional and non-optional bosses that feel distinct (the non-optional ones have some repetition, of course), and with a bunch of different dungeons with their own aesthetic and theme, you always feel a sense of awe as you enter the next area. The game also feels endless, like The Witcher 3and if you have the DLC, you're in for an even bigger treat with an expanded sub-location that comes with tons of verticality and new, weird and, of course, very challenging bosses and enemies. The abundance of weapons and armor sets also means you have a huge variety in crafting. Even the dumbest ideas, from magic to classic double bonk, can work effectively.
9 Open-World Games That Encourage You to Slow Down
Take it easy and slow down, because these open-world games want you to appreciate the journey rather than rush to the finish line.
