8 Best Open-World Games For Feeling Like a Badass

People play games for all sorts of reasons. Some want to unwind and escape, others are looking for a compelling story, and many just want to have fun with friends. But sometimes, you simply want to feel powerful and capable – and that’s a feeling I enjoy. Open-world games are perfect for letting you do just that.

This genre offers something for everyone, from relaxing adventures where you feel powerful right away, to challenging experiences that require effort and skill. Let’s take a look at some of the best games it has to offer.

TopMob Quiz

Easy (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)

—

QUESTION 1/1

Results

—

More Games

8. Crimson Desert

Battle Brings Out The Best In This Greymane

Ever played a game that’s both amazing and incredibly confusing? That’s been my experience with Crimson Desert, at least in its current form for its 2026 release. It’s a really ambitious open-world RPG, but it has some serious problems. It excels visually, but in almost every other area, it’s a mixed bag. The stories within the quests are generally well-written, but the way they’re presented often feels needlessly frustrating. Boss fights are a cool idea and offer a good challenge, but they sometimes feel unfair, and winning often depends on having enough healing items. Strangely, the game holds your hand a lot, but doesn’t fully explain how things work, which leads to a lot of confusion.

The combat is a bit rough around the edges and initially feels limited. Sword fights tend to repeat, and Kliff can quickly defeat most enemies with his magic. When facing small groups, battles become repetitive and forgettable. But sometimes, Kliff finds himself overwhelmed by waves of hundreds of enemies, like in the Karin Quarry. These encounters turn into intense, 20-minute brawls where Kliff relentlessly attacks with his sword, magical abilities, and even finishing moves. He utilizes his powers to gather enemies and create powerful shockwaves, and can seamlessly switch between his sword and a spear (or other secondary weapon) to keep the fighting interesting. He can even fight hand-to-hand for a change of pace.

When the combat really gets going, Crimson Desert truly shines. The longer you play, the smoother and more engaging the action becomes – finding your rhythm and landing one-hit kills feels amazing. Kliff might be a man of few words, but he’s a total force to be reckoned with in battle.

7. Sleeping Dogs

Who Is More Hard-Boiled Than A Hong Kong Action Hero?

The combat in Arkham games instantly makes you feel powerful, and Sleeping Dogs builds on that by delivering the over-the-top action of a John Woo movie. Wei Shen, the undercover cop at the center of the story, is incredibly cool – enduring hardship and torture without ever giving up. This sense of effortless style is woven into every aspect of the gameplay.

In the game, you play as Wei, a skilled martial artist who can deliver brutal attacks and use anything around him as a weapon. Even stealing a car becomes an exciting, over-the-top stunt. Unlike Batman, who relies on dodging and countering, Wei aggressively takes down enemies, breaking their bones and intimidating them. It’s a raw and incredibly satisfying experience to play a character who doesn’t pull any punches.

6. The Saboteur

Raw, Stubborn, Blue-Collar Defiance

Presenting something in black and white always adds a cool edge, and The Saboteur certainly has that. But the game’s story is what really stands out. It’s set in Paris during the Nazi occupation, a time when the city felt drained of its vibrancy. That’s when Sean Devlin, a hard-drinking racecar mechanic, enters the scene. He’s not a polished spy or a traditional hero – just a regular guy motivated by a personal loss, determined to fight back.

Every time you destroy an enemy base or cause an explosion, color returns to the city, giving hope to the people. Your choices and determination actually transform the atmosphere, sparking a revolution. While playing as a superhero like Spider-Man is fun, it’s even more rewarding to achieve the impossible as an ordinary, frustrated mechanic who’s finally decided to take action.

5. Nioh 3

You Are A Badass Samurai And Ninja At The Same Time

While Soulslike games don’t always make you feel instantly powerful – often requiring many attempts to overcome challenges – they can be incredibly rewarding. Eventually, a skilled player can become virtually unstoppable in a game like Elden Ring, beating everything without using healing items. That feeling of total control is great, but it takes a significant time commitment most players don’t have. That’s where Nioh 3 shines – it offers a similar experience without demanding quite the same level of dedication.

Team Ninja’s upcoming 2026 game definitely has challenging bosses that will push even experienced players of Soulslike games, and defeating them is incredibly rewarding. However, what really sets it apart – and makes it fit well here – is the open world. Players shouldn’t be stuck for long before they become strong enough to easily overcome most enemies. The quick, action-packed combat is also very satisfying, especially with the option to switch between a powerful samurai and a nimble ninja.

4. Scarface: The World Is Yours

That’s The Bad Guy

Look, I get that Tony Montana in the movie isn’t exactly a role model, but the game Scarface: The World Is Yours is totally different. It’s all about embracing that over-the-top, crazy confidence! When you play as Tony, you’re supposed to be a boastful, loud, and yeah, even destructive gangster. That’s what makes the game so fun!

In the game, Tony and other players fill up a special meter by acting like the notorious Tony Montana – pulling off stylish kills, driving dangerously, and generally defying convention. This reckless behavior unlocks a powerful rage mode, making Tony temporarily invulnerable. Essentially, his audacity is his superpower. The core idea is incredibly compelling: Tony refuses to accept defeat and actively reshapes his own fate, losing everything only to immediately begin rebuilding. The game also effectively portrays Montana’s extravagant and rebellious lifestyle.

3. Ghost of Yotei

The Ultimate Lone Wolf

You don’t need to be flashy or disruptive to be powerful, and Atsu proves that. Driven by a desire to avenge her family’s slaughter, she transforms into the ‘Ghost of Yotei’ – a survivor who becomes a terrifying hunter, haunting those responsible.

Okay, so playing as Atsu is seriously intense. I usually drop into enemy camps and immediately call out their toughest fighter – it’s a direct, no-nonsense approach. But sometimes, I prefer going silent, taking out a bunch of enemies without anyone realizing what’s happening, basically becoming their biggest fear. In terms of gameplay, Ghost of Yotei really shows how dedicated and powerful Atsu is, especially when you unlock the Ghost Stance. It feels like a total transformation – going from skilled swordswoman to something…more demonic. It’s a really cool progression!

Ghost of Tsushima also qualifies. Jin is a badass.

2. Yakuza 0

What’s Better Than One Badass? Two Badasses!

Most Yakuza games feature tough characters, but Yakuza 0 lets you experience the early days of two particularly iconic ones. You play as Kiryu, a stoic and powerful fighter with a dragon tattoo and a willingness to take on any challenge. And then there’s Majima – despite a rough past, he’s still incredibly dangerous and unpredictable.

These characters are incredibly capable fighters, able to take down entire criminal organizations with just their skills and whatever objects are nearby. They aren’t concerned with how they look while fighting and will happily use unconventional methods. The combat itself is straightforward but satisfying, and becomes even more enjoyable as players learn new moves for each character.

1. Prototype

New York Is At Your Mercy

I mostly wanted to steer clear of listing open-world games where you play as an incredibly powerful hero, but I had to make an exception for Prototype. Many games let you be a superhero capable of amazing things, but few explore the idea from the perspective of someone truly dangerous. Alex Mercer isn’t exactly a villain, but he is a powerful biological weapon, driven by rage and incredibly destructive.

In Prototype, destruction is key, and that applies to everything you do. You move around New York by tearing through buildings and ignoring gravity. The police and military are no match for this powerful creature, easily brushed aside. Instead of sneaking or defending, you aggressively attack and absorb energy. Even a helicopter trying to take you down becomes a weapon – you can jump into the air, eliminate the pilot, and take control of it.

2026-03-29 21:06