There are few things more fun than wandering a wide-open and massive setting in a video game, and it's part of why fans are looking forward to the October 25th release of Gotham Knights. The chance to explore a gigantic Gotham City in full is one that's hard to pass up.
Open world games have been growing increasingly popular, and it's thanks to some incredible franchises that have truly left their mark on the gaming world. Some fans on the site Ranker have actually taken to voting to determine which open world games have had the best releases, and the choices truly show just how much fans have loved the work that went into these games.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
10 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
A game that players can explore at their own pleasure and pace, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offered fans the opportunity to journey through a truly open world. Without set power scaling, players can take on different sections of the game without being forced into a true linear structure.
It's a fairly inventive game that allows for player creativity, really embracing the interactive nature of video games. It's not a surprise that fans came to love the game, and certainly not a shock that many continue to support and return to Breath of the Wild even years later.
9 Fallout: New Vegas
It's been over a decade since Fallout: New Vegas first launched, and fans still continue to adore the game. It's one of the best open-world games for casual gamers in part thanks to its thrilling storyline, mechanic improvements (such as the addition of crafting), and exciting Nevadan setting.
Navigating the politics of the New Vegas area is incredibly fun, and exploring the environment can get players various rewards and fresh weaponry. Though there were a few bugs that could interrupt gameplay, it was still an excellent experience that took advantage of a large map and engaging NPCs.
8 Spider-Man
Compressing the entirety of the borough of Manhattan into a single game was a challenge, but Marvel's Spider-Man did an incredible job. The wall-crawler takes advantage of the city's skyscrapers with every web slung and every fight on a rooftop or garden.
There is such a wide area to play through that it takes experts to find some hidden areas. Even outside of the extraordinary map, fans adored the gameplay, character interactions, and the mechanics involved in both the suit's tech and in each and every fight.
7 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Nearly two decades old and still beloved by fans, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is beloved both for its innovative gameplay, open world, and for having the best Grand Theft Auto protagonist. With three different cities involved in the game's large map, there's a lot for fans to explore.
The gameplay is now fairly standard for a Grand Theft Auto game, but it was incredibly innovative in 2004, especially given how engaging the storyline and characterization could be. There's a reason fans recall it today, and why many still continue to view such an old game as one of the best open-world games.
6 Red Dead Redemption
Embracing a morality system in the midst of a fully-fleshed out Old Western environment, Red Dead Redemption often asks fans to consider both the ethical and gameplay implications of each and every decision. Best of all, the environment feels realistic, which helps put fans in the shoes of the player character, John Marston, through every step.
Players can explore the map both on horseback and on foot, which means there's a lot to explore and a lot of things to encounter. NPCs, particularly, vary in responsiveness depending on the moral decisions each player makes, which really helps to make the game feel interactive and responsive.
5 Minecraft
There are few games with worlds as moldable as each world in Minecraft. While it doesn't boast any particular storyline or plot, players are encouraged to mine the ground and chop down trees while facing off against various enemies like creepers, zombies, and walking skeletons with bows.
Thanks to its status as a survival and building game, every playthrough of Minecraft is different, which helps increase replayability and variety. Players can choose to build castles or huts or even wander the world as a nomad. Whatever players choose, it's up to them, which certainly adds to the fun.
4 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
With numerous endings and a large and adaptive world, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt encourages players to be careful on every step as they wander an inventive medieval fantasy setting. As an action-adventure roleplaying game, players are encouraged to explore and interact with various villains and NPCs.
While the main narrative of the story is fun, the game has incredible side quests that really help turn a wide environment into an engaging setting filled with life. Well-written NPCs help to advance both wider plots and their own minor storylines, which helps to encourage players to continue checking every corner to see if there might be another task.
3 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Few games have ever received the level of fan responsiveness that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has. Having become such a critical and audience success that it has been continually remade for various consoles and devices, the game has proven to be a lasting monument.
Another medieval fantasy series, Skyrim allows players to wander the map as they work to gain new skills at their own pace. With Skyrim being a game more about the journey than any inevitable victory, it offers a wide array of NPCs, side quests, and options that mean fans can put off the main storyline as long as they'd like.
2 Grand Theft Auto V
The game that took the world by storm, Grand Theft Auto V offered a massive map comprised of the city of Los Santos, and it encouraged players to explore every inch of it. With a variety of vehicles to carry players across areas, on top of buildings, and even to a mountain, there's a lot to do in the game even before touching the combat system.
It's considered one of the best PC games for a reason, and it's largely thanks to a compelling storyline, a fun online component, and modes that allow for roleplay components if fans seek them out. The game also has several player character protagonists, so should fans grow bored of one character, it's easy enough to switch to another.
1 Red Dead Redemption II
The sequel to the original Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption II introduced a new player character with an incredibly tragic storyline that moved fans and left them somewhat oddly satisfied, considering that most games leave fans wanting more.
But Red Dead Redemption II is a narrative that revolves around a morality system like the first game that allows for a changing narrative. Players can somewhat influence the ending of the game, allowing an easier or harsher fate for the Old West protagonist as the familiar setting crumbles around him.
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