Open-World Games That Don’t Know When to End (In a Good Way)

Open-world games are famous for their huge worlds and long storylines, and some can take over 100 hours to complete. While many of these games are already quite lengthy, some developers add unexpected twists and turns to surprise players and create memorable moments.

These open-world games are known for their surprising stories. They often reveal unexpected twists, unlock new characters, or introduce entirely new ways to play after you’ve already spent many hours in the game. Some even have fake endings that lead to further adventures! These moments can be really effective in shocking and delighting players, and the following games do it exceptionally well.

This discussion centers on open-world games with strong narratives, not those that are purely free-form and player-directed (like Kenshi). We’re only looking at the original games themselves, without including any expansions or extra content that might extend the story beyond the intended ending or offer extended gameplay.

Warning: This list contains major spoilers about how several games end. Read at your own risk!

NieR: Automata

Beat the Game Once? Haven’t Seen Anything Yet

Okay, so Nier: Automata is seriously famous for how it tells its story. It’s not just about getting to the end once – there are 26 different endings! But honestly, you need to play through it multiple times to really get what’s going on, see things from different characters’ points of view, and finally unlock the true ending, which has this amazing, special scene at the very end. It’s a game that really makes you work for the full experience, and it’s totally worth it.

Unlike some games that rely on repetitive playthroughs with small changes (like the recent Silent Hill f), Nier: Automata offers three distinct campaigns, each with a different character to play as. While the stories of 2B and 9S have some overlap, you need to finish all three campaigns to fully understand the game’s overarching story and experience its powerful emotional impact. It’s a must-play for anyone who loves a truly captivating narrative.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Wait, Are There Actually Templars in the Game?

Okay, so I’m diving into Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and it’s HUGE – seriously, a massive open world with tons to do. You start playing as Naoe, and it’s a pretty classic story: there’s this powerful, shadowy group called the Shinbakufu that you need to take down to save Japan. It’s a bit weird though, because usually Assassin’s Creed is all about Assassins fighting Templars, and this feels…different. I’m curious to see how that plays out!

It’s been known that Assassin’s Creed Shadows lets you play as both Naoe and Yasuke, but players were surprised by the game’s overall size and depth. Many were especially surprised to unlock Yasuke as a playable character after more than 20 hours of gameplay. While some initially preferred sticking with their first character, they quickly found Yasuke just as enjoyable. Interestingly, his storyline involves the Templars, but it’s revealed so late in the game that many players might miss it entirely.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Congratulations, You’ve Beaten the Game! It’s Time to Wake Up

Dragon’s Dogma 2 doesn’t feel like a completely new game, but rather a polished and expanded version of the original Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen. It builds on the same core gameplay and unique features, like the Pawn system, which made the first game special. However, the ending of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a significant departure from the original, and stands out as one of the most memorable examples of an intentionally misleading ending in open-world games.

After finishing Dragon’s Dogma 2 – beating the last boss and seeing the credits – players don’t actually finish. Instead, they’re brought back into the game and find themselves in a new area called the Unmoored World. This is a special continuation of the story that dramatically changes how the world looks and gives players a new set of urgent quests to tackle. It seems there’s no time to relax after such a journey!

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Never-Ending Search for Ciri Is Far From Everything

The story of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is simple: you play as Geralt, tracking down his adopted daughter, Ciri, to discover what’s happened to her. Along the way, you’ll meet many familiar characters from Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher books, as well as some new ones created by the game developers, CD Projekt Red. Because the game world is so large and the search for Ciri takes so long, many players expect the game to end once they finally find her.

Despite what you might think, finding Ciri in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn’t the end of the story. Even after spending over 50 hours to locate her, the game keeps going, with many of its most memorable and exciting moments still to come. Finding Ciri is roughly two-thirds of the way through the game’s main story, and players finally get to spend a significant amount of time with her after she’s been hinted at throughout the previous two games. This all sets the stage for the shift in perspective planned for The Witcher 4.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Farewell to Arthur, Hello to John

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a truly exceptional open-world game with a deeply engaging story that lasts 50 to 80 hours. You play as Arthur Morgan, experiencing the highs and lows of the Van der Linde gang as they navigate a changing America. The game handles its emotional ending beautifully, delivering a meaningful conclusion while still allowing players to continue exploring the world they’ve built.

After the main story ends, players are surprised to take on the role of John Marston, unlocking an epilogue where they can explore the world and complete any side quests Arthur Morgan didn’t. This epilogue isn’t just a quick add-on either; it’s a substantial story with 17 missions that take around 10 hours to finish, and even introduces players to previously unseen areas of the map.

Ghost of Yotei

This Time, Saito Surely Won’t Escape

While Ghost of Tsushima might not revolutionize storytelling, it’s still worth highlighting for a couple of clever design choices. The most talked-about is the unexpected “Chapter 2” screen that appears after players have spent around 40 hours with the story. It’s a powerful reminder of the game’s length and scope, and the reactions online show it really resonated with players.

Even though players can get a sense of how close they are to finishing Ghost of Yotei by looking at the map, the game still has plenty of surprises. The main antagonists, known as the Yotei Six, repeatedly manage to escape Atsu’s pursuit, particularly Lord Saito, who seems to always slip away when cornered. Furthermore, the final missions take place in areas separate from the main game world, making it difficult to predict exactly when the story will end.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Unfolding True to Its Espionage Themes, so Trust Nothing

Hideo Kojima is famous for surprising players in his games, but he really went above and beyond with Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. The game starts with a separate prologue called Ground Zeroes, which lets you test out the stealth gameplay. However, the biggest shock comes at the end of The Phantom Pain itself. The game suddenly stops after Mission 31 and shows the credits, leaving the story unfinished and fans confused.

Thankfully, Metal Gear Solid 5 doesn’t end with the main story. Players can still enjoy optional missions, build up their base, and play extra story content after the credits roll. But the real payoff comes from unlocking Mission 46, a hidden chapter that delivers a surprising and impactful ending after around 80 hours of gameplay. It’s a twist that really makes you appreciate Kojima’s creative brilliance.

Elden Ring

An Epic Finale That’s Hard to Predict

Finally, Elden Ring is one of the largest and most expansive open-world games released so far this generation. While it doesn’t rely on cheap surprises, it’s a massive game that keeps going and going. The game hides many large areas beneath the surface of the initial map, making it impossible to estimate how much content remains just by looking at what you’ve explored. New regions are constantly revealed as you progress through different character quests.

Elden Ring has a surprising turn of events near the end. Players might think burning the Erdtree at the Forge of the Giants would be the final act, but the game continues beyond that point. The world changes dramatically, and the most challenging bosses and biggest story secrets are still waiting to be discovered.

2025-12-04 08:36