Best Open World Games of All Time — Yourlist

Best Open World Games of All Time

a Yourlist ranking · the crowd decides the order

From sprawling fantasy realms to sci-fi galaxies, these open world games redefined player freedom. Vote for the ones that gave you the most unforgettable worlds to explore.

What counts: Ranked by overall critical acclaim, cultural impact, and depth of open world design; figures like scores, release years, and map size are approximate and sourced from general public consensus.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Reinvented open world exploration with true environmental freedom and physics-driven puzzles.
Release Year: 2017Critic Score: 9.7/10Map Size: ~60 sq mi (Hyrule)
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Red Dead Redemption 2
A breathtakingly detailed Wild West epic with unmatched atmosphere and narrative depth.
Release Year: 2018Critic Score: 9.7/10Map Size: ~29 sq mi
added by IJRin 6 rankings
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A monster-hunting fantasy RPG praised for its writing, side quests, and immersive world.
Release Year: 2015Critic Score: 9.6/10Map Size: ~52 sq mi
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Grand Theft Auto V
A satirical crime saga in a living, breathing Los Santos that still dominates sales charts.
Release Year: 2013Critic Score: 9.7/10Map Size: ~49 sq mi
added by IJRin 5 rankings Grand Theft Auto V
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Elden Ring
FromSoftware's brutal open world fused Souls-like combat with sprawling, mysterious lands.
Release Year: 2022Critic Score: 9.6/10Map Size: ~30 sq mi
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
A sprawling fantasy sandbox so beloved it's been re-released on nearly every platform imaginable.
Release Year: 2011Critic Score: 9.4/10Map Size: ~15 sq mi
added by IJRin 2 rankings The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Expanded the GTA formula into a massive state with three cities and countless activities.
Release Year: 2004Critic Score: 9.4/10Map Size: ~36 sq mi
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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Kojima's stealth masterpiece brought open world tactical freedom to a war-torn Afghanistan.
Release Year: 2015Critic Score: 9.3/10Map Size: ~17 sq mi
added by IJRMetal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
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Minecraft
A procedurally generated sandbox universe with effectively infinite exploration.
Release Year: 2011Critic Score: 9.3/10Map Size: Effectively infinite
added by IJRin 6 rankings
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Horizon Zero Dawn
A gorgeous post-apocalyptic frontier filled with robotic beasts and rich lore.
Release Year: 2017Critic Score: 9/10Map Size: ~18 sq mi
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Assassin's Creed Odyssey
One of the largest AC maps ever, letting players roam ancient Greece as a mercenary hero.
Release Year: 2018Critic Score: 8.7/10Map Size: ~130 sq mi
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Far Cry 3
Reignited the modern open world shooter with a hallucinogenic island and iconic villain.
Release Year: 2012Critic Score: 8.9/10Map Size: ~12 sq mi
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Ghost of Tsushima
A visually stunning samurai epic across a beautifully stylized feudal Japan.
Release Year: 2020Critic Score: 9/10Map Size: ~24 sq mi (Tsushima Island)
added by IJRin 5 rankings
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Cyberpunk 2077
A dazzling, troubled-then-redeemed neon dystopia packed with vertical city density.
Release Year: 2020Critic Score: 8.6/10Map Size: ~11 sq mi (Night City)
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Death Stranding
A divisive but ambitious traversal-focused open world unlike anything else in gaming.
Release Year: 2019Critic Score: 8.3/10Map Size: ~14 sq mi
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Fallout: New Vegas
A faction-driven post-apocalyptic desert renowned for player choice and consequence.
Release Year: 2010Critic Score: 8.4/10Map Size: ~13 sq mi
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Grand Theft Auto IV
Brought gritty realism and physics-driven chaos to Liberty City.
Release Year: 2008Critic Score: 9.3/10Map Size: ~10 sq mi
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Just Cause 2
Pure sandbox chaos with a grappling hook, a parachute, and a tropical island to destroy.
Release Year: 2010Critic Score: 8.1/10Map Size: ~150 sq mi
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No Man's Sky
A procedurally generated universe with quintillions of planets to discover.
Release Year: 2016Critic Score: 7.5/10Map Size: Procedural galaxy
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Xenoblade Chronicles
A JRPG set atop the bodies of two colossal titans, blending scale with heartfelt story.
Release Year: 2010Critic Score: 8.9/10Map Size: ~5 sq mi
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