Which Open-World game should you play next?

Open-world is a huge video game category that encompasses many different sub-genres and niches. Depending on what your personal preferences are, you might lean more towards survival sandboxes like Minecraft and ICARUSor maybe you prefer RPG games with lots of action and story, like Cyberpunk 2077 or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

The genre has grown exponentially over the past two decades, so there's plenty to choose from if you know what you're looking for. If the problem of open world game fatigue still hasn't gotten to you, here's a list of a variety of games to pick up next if you're looking for another big world to dive into. We'll be covering a variety of subgenres here, not just individual games.

If you like survival games and crafting

These games will challenge your wits and creativity

The survival and crafting genre is huge, and many of these types of games tend to feature open-world environments where you have to find a good place to build a base to survive against all odds. Crafting is usually included, and you're given many different options for how you approach thriving in a challenging environment. Some games are a little tougher than others, even on the easiest difficulty. Some basic open world games in this genre are Minecraft and Terrariabut if they are getting old, here are some others to try.

• Green Hell: Against poisonous frogs, dangerous predators and hostile locals, you must survive and thrive by building a shelter and making sure you get all four nutrients to keep from going insane.
• Satisfactory: An open world to build your own factory. Automate processes, collect resources and go as deep as you want in this sandbox game that will appeal to fans of games like Factory.
• ICARUS: Survive on a hostile planet where terraforming didn't go exactly according to plan. You will face environmental hazards and predators in this game which also comes with story missions.
• The Long Dark: A winter survival game in the freezing wilderness where you need to hunt for food, take care of your needs and make sure you don't get cabin fever.

If you like an action-packed shooting game

There won't be a dull moment

FPS fans, good news, there's an open world game for you too. You might think that a more linear game would provide better action, but there are many games that prove that idea wrong. A solid, action-packed open-world shooter should have a gun that feels buttery and rewarding, a good variety and density of enemies, and possibly a bit of story thrown into the mix to keep things moving forward. If you don't mind older games, Fallout: New Vegas is a good shout, along with some of those Borderlands games, but if you've explored them to death, here are some suggestions for where to go next.

• Cyberpunk 2077: A visually stunning, action-packed dive into a futuristic, dystopian night city where you play as a mercenary known as V. Drive vehicles, complete side dinghies and build V into anything from a cyber ninja to a strong, melee-based solo.
• STALKER 2: The latest in STALKER series, take on the role of Skif, a stalker on a mission in the dangerous zone full of anomalies, mutants and warring factions. Get ready to fight tooth and nail for survival and scarce resources.
• Fallout 4: Bethesda's latest version of its atomic punk Fall-out universe, the fourth installment takes you into the Boston area known as the Commonwealth, where you must find your missing son, but keep getting distracted by side missions.
• Far Cry 5: The franchise's fifth game drops you into Montana, at the site of an over-the-top cult that rules the area. In true franchise fashion, you're given a solid variety of weapons and vehicles to mess with.

If you're not afraid of a dash of horror

Not for the faint of heart

Do you lean more towards the spookie-ookie side of things? No problem, many open world games also manage to deliver a tense, atmospheric horror experience. These games may not be full horror games, but they do have moments that are potentially scary and stressful, so be warned. Whether it's a zombie survival a la 7 days to die (great game too, by the way, if you haven't tried it already), or something a little more subtle, your thirst for ghostly thrills will be satisfied.

• The forest: A plane crash separates you from your son in a strange forest with some extremely unwelcoming locals. Heavy survival crafting game is included here.
• Subnautica: When you crash land on a water planet, you must find a way to survive and escape by diving into the depths for resources. Better equipment means you can dive deeper, but do you dare?
• Dying light: Kyle Crane is dropped in Harran, a city overrun by the infected. Known for its impeccable parkour-style traversal gameplay, it's a gold standard among zombie titles that were well ahead of their time.
• Project Zomboid: A tense and deep survival zombie game in Knox Country, where you, as the only survivor, need to collect resources and live as long as possible. A charming, isometric game to tickle that nostalgia bone.

If you want to explore planets and stars

See you Starside

On the sci-fi side, it's certainly not easy to deliver something that feels as infinite and immersive as real space. Many games have tried, but only a few seem to really capture the feeling of exploration perfectly. If you're fascinated by new frontiers, alien planets, and don't mind controlling a spaceship while crafting and collecting resources, these games are right up your alley. For something more mysterious and story-oriented that still falls within sci-fi, Outer Wilds is a must play, but if you've already solved that puzzle, this is where you'll fly next for different space vibes.

• No Man's Sky: Undoubtedly one of the best and most extensive space exploration games. A highly customizable experience in a sandbox, you can stay and do whatever you want, from building your own base to flying around freely.
• Planet Crafter: A base building and crafting game about turning an otherwise hostile planet into a habitable environment through terraforming efforts. Turn these deserts into lush grass fields. Bonus points for inviting your friends for co-op.
• Starfield: Bethesda's procedural generation and space travel are decent fun, along with some classic RPG features from faction missions and a mysterious main mission that has you exploring the universe's deepest secrets.
• Astronauts: Survive, build and shape your environment in this cute and colorful exploration game. There's a little bit of everything here, from factory-like automation to resource gathering to base building. An unbeatable wombo combo.

If a good story is what you're really after

Bring your tissues, it's about to get emotional

If you're more picky when it comes to lore and story, you're also spoiled for choice in the open world category. Some good story titles were already mentioned in previous categories viz Cyberpunk 2077so check out the others for some more story-oriented choices as well. But for the best of the best, the following open-world games will have you hanging on every dialogue, every twist, and they'll probably live rent-free in your head for some time after you've completed them.

• Red Dead Redemption 2: Witness the changes in a fictional Old West through Arthur Morgan and his band of outlaws. Rockstar Games doesn't spare you emotion and detail in this deeply personal story with amazing side quests.
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Inspired and based on Andrzej Sapkowski's book series, the third game in the series is more beautiful, deeper and bigger in every possible way. Follow Geralt as he hunts for his adopted daughter Ciri.
• Ghost of Tsushima: Following the aftermath of a Mongol attack on his home, Jin Sakai is the sole survivor, determined to free his home and start anew. Not just an emotional story, but a world that will make you gasp at its beauty.
• Horizon Zero Dawn: Aloy's story begins in a world ravaged by an apocalyptic event that has left its people in survival mode against machines roaming the land. The game's lore and the beauty of the world are some of its biggest highlights.

If you like a medieval fantasy world

Swords and shields, magic and mystery

Finally, one of the strongest categories in the open world genre is arguably anything medieval fantasy. The recommendations here assume you've already experienced the joys of all of them Elder scrolls game from Morrowind to Skyrim (and maybe even the previous titles!), and that you're now hungry for something more. Whether you prefer a magical, surreal world with tons of build options or lean more towards a grounded experience, you'll find your next medieval fantasy life here.

• Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon: Drawing inspiration from Arthurian legends, this game is often cited as the next to try after Skyrim. Just prepare for slightly tougher enemies and a world that's a touch darker than you might be used to.
• Wrapped: A good middle ground for players who like a bit of survival and crafting on the side, Wrapped up delivering it with plenty of magic and combat in a world tainted by a mysterious shroud.
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance: The first and second parts put you in Henry's shoes in a medieval world that is stunningly deep and beautiful. You won't find deeper and more realistic swordplay than this.
• The Fire Ring: If you're looking for real challenge and power, FromSoftware's open-world RPG is the perfect nose dive into a gorgeous but brutally difficult fantasy world where you're a disgraced person seeking glory.