It’s a common feeling for players of open-world games like Skyrim to feel a bit lost after finishing a long adventure. These games create such immersive and expansive worlds that it can be hard to let go when the story ends. Sometimes, though, you simply aren’t invested in continuing and are ready for a new experience. If you enjoy open-world games, you’ve likely felt this way before.
Luckily, finding your next favorite game is easier than ever! There are tons of amazing options available, whether it’s a brand-new hit or an older title you never finished. Games like the monster-filled world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the underwater alien landscapes of Subnautica demonstrate that a game can be truly exceptional even if you don’t complete every single part of it. Here are five open-world masterpieces to prove it.
Calling these games “masterpieces” is open to interpretation, but we’re really highlighting some of the best examples of open-world game design.
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Dragon’s Dogma 2
Scale Your Foes for an Advantage—And a Nice View
Although it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first game, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is still a huge and impressive open-world RPG filled with lots of hidden things to discover and activities to enjoy. The game really encourages you to explore on foot, initially restricting fast travel and making you journey directly to where you need to go.
I really got lost in exploring this game – it’s awesome if you like taking your time and finding everything. But honestly, sometimes I just wanted to get to the next main thing, and all the extra exploration felt a bit slow. It makes sense to me that not a lot of people have seen the true ending – less than 20% on Steam, actually! And even fewer, like only 8.2%, have bothered to find 50 of the hidden dungeons. It’s a big world, and it definitely rewards patience, but it might not be for everyone who just wants a faster-paced experience.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 offers a truly unique sense of adventure. Exploring the world feels limitless, with hidden treasures and multiple routes to discover around every corner. The game also boasts one of the most flexible and engaging combat systems ever seen in an open-world title, and you’ll face plenty of challenging enemies. It’s definitely worth experiencing!
Avowed
Unearth the Vibrant Secrets of the Untamed Living Lands
In Avowed, you play as an Envoy, traveling to the Living Lands to investigate the source of a mysterious affliction called the Dreamscourge. Though the game’s overall map isn’t the largest compared to other open-world titles, it offers a wealth of fascinating and distinct dungeons and caves to discover.
Avowed features fantastic combat for an open-world game, offering diverse playstyles and visually impressive effects. The game’s well-crafted quests and overall design deeply enrich the world of Eora, which is also the setting for the Pillars of Eternity series.
It’s surprising to see that only 22% of players on Steam have actually finished the game. Considering the story takes just 30 to 60 hours to complete – depending on how much you explore – it’s a relatively short experience compared to other games out there.
Don’t be put off by the game’s connection to the Pillars of Eternity series. Knowing those games can add to your experience, but it’s definitely not required to enjoy this one. Considering how much the game has improved since launch, it’s a mistake to overlook it.
Subnautica
There Are Many Wonders to Behold As You Descend Into the Depths
Instead of sprawling landscapes, this game takes place in the immense, underwater world of Planet 4546B. You’ll need to explore the dark depths, gather supplies, construct underwater bases, and create equipment to help you escape the planet.
Finishing Subnautica is a complex process that demands completing several late-game quests and mastering advanced crafting. Because the latter part of the game involves a lot of repetitive tasks, players often struggle to progress beyond simply exploring, which is reflected in the low 18.7% completion rate for the final story achievement.
I think there are a few reasons why people might not finish Subnautica, even though it’s not a super long game for an open-world title. Those 30 to 40 hours can feel a lot longer because it’s a pretty stressful game! Seriously, the deep sea is terrifying with those huge Leviathans, and squeezing through those tight underwater spaces really gets to you. It definitely takes a toll on your nerves!
Despite its moments of tension, Subnautica is a truly beautiful game. The feeling of exploring a broken-down spaceship is incredibly immersive, and the game’s controls make it even better. Whether you’re gliding through colorful coral reefs or dense kelp forests, it’s a stunning experience, perfectly complemented by the ambient music. Subnautica attempts something unique, and it pulls it off remarkably well.
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire
Sail the Seas to Confront a God
The original Pillars of Eternity followed classic RPG conventions, but Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire adds a new dimension with its open-world sailing. Players can now explore the islands of the Deadfire Archipelago at will, completing quests, battling enemies, and even fighting other ships at sea.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire offers incredible freedom in how you explore and complete quests, but finishing everything – including all the excellent downloadable content – can easily take over 100 hours. While the main story is relatively short, truly experiencing everything Deadfire has to offer requires a significant time investment. This seems to be reflected in player data, as only around 17% of Steam players have reached the game’s final battle.
The world of Eora, featured in games like Pillars of Eternity, Pillars of Eternity 2, and Avowed, is a remarkably detailed and captivating setting in gaming. Deadfire, in particular, excels with its diverse characters, strong writing, and meaningful player choices, making it one of the greatest classic role-playing games ever made.
The Witcher 3
Track the Wild Hunt on the Path
CD Projekt Red’s masterpiece proves that open-world RPGs can tell compelling stories and offer tons of engaging content while still letting players explore freely. It also highlights a common truth: even amazing, lengthy games often go unfinished.
A surprisingly small number of players have actually finished The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Most haven’t seen how Geralt’s story ends, or what happens to Ciri. On PlayStation, less than 30% of players have completed the main story, and the numbers on Steam are even lower – only 22% have earned the achievement for finishing the game.
It’s understandable why The Witcher 3 takes so long to complete – it’s a massive game with a huge amount of content. The main story alone can easily take 50 hours, and with its two large expansions, players could spend hundreds of hours exploring everything it has to offer. While it’s possible to rush through just the main story, doing so would mean missing out on some truly exceptional side quests that make The Witcher 3 one of the best open-world games ever made.
Between its expansive world, compelling characters, and terrifying creatures, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt continues to stand out as one of the best open-world games of all time – and simply one of the best games ever made. If you haven’t played it yet, it’s definitely worth checking out!
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2026-04-05 23:36