Open-World game that is objectively better than GTA 5

There are many great open world games, spanning decades and countless console eras, but one name that always seems to pop up as the best is Grand Theft Auto 5. Rockstar really pulled out all the stops and gave us a master class in open world design that beat every mark on the head and delivered over a decade of joy to millions of players before a sequel was even announced.

But despite how great the game is, there are a couple of open world titles out there that are objectively better than GTA5. Of course, personal taste plays a big role, as some people may consider a game to be the best, while another player would argue otherwise. Yet, at the end of the day, these select few demonstrate a level of excellence that can be appreciated everywhere, even by the biggest haters.

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Grand Theft Auto 4

Story Trump's expansiveness

Details:

• More dense open world

• Emotionally affecting story

Grand Theft Auto 5 can offer a bigger playground, but IV delivers a much more focused and memorable story that surpasses any writing seen in the newer installment. Niko Bellic's journey through Liberty City explores much broader themes of betrayal and the pursuit of the American Dream with a maturity rarely seen in the franchise or even anywhere else in the genre, and as a result there is a much stronger connection to the character due to how relatable and grounded his life is.

The world itself also benefits from the more grounded approach, as each neighborhood feels distinct, and the city has a sense of authenticity that many players still prefer over the over-the-top satire of Los Santos. I can see the strength of the arguments from both sides, one offering spectacle and the other a stronger overall storytelling experience, but if you step back and look at the big picture, the more well-rounded and impressive experience has to be GTA 4.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Revolutionizing the genre

Details:

• Rewards curiosity better than almost any game ever made

• Gives players unprecedented freedom right from the start

Breath of the Wild fundamentally changed expectations of open world design. Unlike GTA 5often guiding players through structured activities, the game relies on you to create your own path across the world, placing mountains, forests, shrines and hidden secrets in every corner of the landscape to constantly encourage exploration without relying on excessive markers or checklists.

There's a real sense of reward that comes from every discovery, and the game's mechanics perfectly complement that desire to see more, giving you more options for mobility and in combat to create personal paths to victory. If you look at details and variety, then for sure, GTA 5 takes the price, but the effect Breath of the Wild has had on the genre can never be underestimated, as the game single-handedly changed our perception of exploration and influenced an entire generation of open world experiences long after its release.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar's crowning achievement

Details:

• Perhaps the greatest video game story ever told

• Unparalleled detail across the board

Red Dead Redemption 2 may well represent the pinnacle of video game detail, and it's pretty hard to find another open-world game that even comes close, let alone one in Rockstar's catalog. Every aspect of its world is crafted with expert precision, from wild ecosystems and dynamic weather to the NPC routines that bring each city to life, and that doesn't even take into account the incredible story that ties it all together.

Arthur Morgan's character arc is widely regarded as one of the best in gaming, taking you on a brutal, emotional journey that elevates the entire experience beyond a simple open-world adventure. Combined with the previously mentioned immersion and world building, the standard set is well above the mark set by GTA 5though only time will tell if the follow-up can further push Rockstar's ceiling.

Fire Ring

FromSoftware strikes again

Details:

• Spiritual battle on a grand scale

• A wonderful world where all interesting places are accessible

Fire Ring is like a tribute to the open world genre and the game as a whole. It takes the iconic soul-like combat style and blows it up on a gigantic scale, sending you onto a huge map where every remote castle and every minor structure before you can be explored and looted, but not without a fight.

I think what so many players love about the game is the sheer dedication to wonder. There's never a moment where you don't know what to do or where to go, as the world shows you through epic reveals and enticing buildings, and while you have a reasonable learning curve to climb, few people would put GTA 5 above it on the podium.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Fantasy Gaming Perfected

Details:

• Iconic missions across the board

• Make exploration rewarding through narrative revelations

The Witcher 3 is about as solid and complete as an RPG can be, and it manages to achieve that in a massive world that somehow never feels devoid of content. Even minor side quests often feature memorable characters and moments that can keep you invested for countless hours, with many choices actually rivaling the main story in complexity and consistency.

Where GTA 5 sometimes rely on activities for variety, The Witcher 3 choosing instead to infuse meaning into every moment, whether you're galloping around the edges of the map or heading deep into a city. Exploring consistently reveals new and

insightful stories rather than simple distractions, and combined with the exceptional writing in Geralt's overall story, it makes for a richer and more rewarding playthrough in almost every respect.