Ever since Grand Theft Auto III showed the world how possible open-world structures can be in a 3D space, gaming industry developers have been sneaking the formula bit by bit into their own games. The result is an oversaturation of open-world video games these days, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as game worlds have never had that much real estate, and the freedom is always welcome.
It does appear that the open-world trend is not about to die or wane anytime soon. In fact, it might have even become the standard way to make video games as the top critical performers of the year 2020, according to Metacritic, have open-world in their category. So sit back and relax because who needs the wide-open, virus-infested space of reality when you can roam the plains of these top open-world video games?
10 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales - 85
You can’t go wrong with a Spider-Man video game, it’s just a ripe opportunity for an open-world title. In the latest, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, it’s almost an effortless case as it feels like open-world itself is made with the web slinger in mind.
Miles Morales is a spin-off of the similarly successful and popular Spider-Man game from 2018. As the title implies, players assume control of Miles Morales instead of the usual Peter Parker. There, Miles gladly accepts his new life under Parker’s tutelage.
9 Wasteland 3 - 85
As one of the spiritual successors of the old Fallout games, the Wasteland franchise has come a long way. Its most recent title yet, Wasteland 3, sits in well with the critics and even manages to be one of the most played and awarded RPGs of the year.
Of course, there’s no doubt that the open-world format has lent much to the game’s success. Wasteland 3’s cutthroat locale and consequence-driven RPG choice system let players maximize the open-world much better than other games.
8 Risk of Rain 2 - 85
Risk of Rain 2 is a unique title as far as open-world games go since it’s also primarily a rogue-like game. However, that doesn’t diminish Risk of Rain 2’s fun factor one bit. It’s a third-person action shooter where players get to stack up crazy buffs and modifications for their guns.
Of course, all those can and will disappear if they die. It’s a rogue-like game though so that is a big part of the charm and the selling factor of Risk of Rain 2. The best part is that it can be played in co-op mode so players don’t actually get too lonely in that big open playground.
7 Death Stranding - 86
One of the most controversial games to be released last year on the consoles, Death Stranding has also made a splash this year for the PC. Much like its console counterparts, the PC version is polarizing to the player base.
The gameplay is too unconventional and relies on a gimmick that Hideo Kojima pulled from the tangled depths of his brain. Nevertheless, it has established itself a niche in the gaming community as something that dared to go against the flow.
6 Yakuza: Like A Dragon - 89
The Yakuza series has long been touted as the Japanese equivalent of the GTA franchise. They’re usually not as big but the content is denser and replayability is more layered. Yakuza: Like a Dragon, is no exception.
It’s the eighth main release in the series and follows the rise of Ichiban Kasuga into the ranks of a certain Yakuza clan by being a fall buy and undertaking many odd and violent jobs. Along the way, players can choose to bring out their chaotic evilness, GTA-style.
5 Yakuza 0 - 90
Unlike Yakuza: Like a Dragon (no pun intended) which has limited availability and sales outside Japan’s chosen countries, Yakuza 0 is more ubiquitous. It’s arguably the bigger of the two games and follows a more standard rags-to-riches story.
Yakuza 0 is set during the 1980s where Japan was undergoing an economic crisis with high property prices to boot. Traversing through the much are two budding Yakuza henchmen, Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima whom the players can control and help rise to the top.
4 Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 90
Despite being only available on one gaming platform, Animal Crossing: New Horizons took the world by storm as a Nintendo Switch exclusive. It’s the biggest game in its class and genre, placing players in a living, breathing, and cute 3D open-world.
That’s pretty much the premise and the plot. Players start the game on a deserted island with their customizable male or female character. They can then cultivate the island and turn it into their own version of paradise with lovely animals joining them.
3 Cyberpunk 2077 - 90
The year has yet to end and thankfully, CD Projekt RED made it and was able to release Cyberpunk 2077 in December. So, how’d it fare? It’s phenomenal, of course, though a little rough around the edges especially for the consoles.
For the most part, however, Cyberpunk 2077 delivers and is worth every penny and minute spent waiting. It’s already one of the highest-grossing games in history relative to its release date and broke many grounds in gaming.
2 Microsoft Flight Simulator - 91
Microsoft Flight Simulator takes the term “open-world” a little too literally since the game boldly recreates a massive 1:1 model of planet Earth as the setting. That sounds a bit far-fetched and ambitious until you consider the fact that the only gameplay is flying.
That isn’t to say the 1:1 Earth of Microsoft Flight Simulator is unimpressive. The details, from the skyscrapers and even to your house in the suburbs (lucky you) are all there. Of course, if you want it that way, then prepare to have a beefy gaming system.
1 Demon’s Souls - 92
Demon’s Souls is actually an old game but the PS5 remake is simply too good that it now counts among the most sought-after titles of the next generation. The game pretty much remains the same in core and gameplay.
Demon’s Souls has its own faux open-world where players can visit hubs and other locations in any other and complete or clear the stages as they see fit, for most of the game at least. This isn’t to be treated like other happy open-world games, though, as it’s a game world created mostly for masochists.
NEXT: 10 Upcoming Open-World RPGs We Cannot Wait To Get Our Hands On
