Best Open-World RPGs That Didn’t Get A Sequel

Open-world games and role-playing games (RPGs) are typically huge projects, costing a lot of money and taking years to develop. This is especially true when these genres are combined. Because of the financial risk, developers often stick to well-known franchises with existing fans rather than creating entirely new worlds. As a result, truly original, standalone open-world RPGs are rare, and successful ones almost always lead to sequels or expansions.

Look, most games these days get a sequel, but there are a few that just… didn’t. And honestly, after all this time, I don’t think they ever will. But you know what? That’s okay! These games are still really fun – or at least, totally worth playing – and there’s something cool about knowing they’re a complete experience, a one-time thing. It’s kinda refreshing, actually.

Some notes and criteria:

While completely standalone games are the priority, one franchise release will be included.
Although they can be hard to tell apart, the focus is on open-world RPGs and not open-world action-adventure games. Titles like Brutal Legend, Immortals: Fenyx Rising, Beyond Good and Evil, and Sleeping Dogs.
Games that have sequels in the works will be avoided, which removes stuff like Kenshi and Outward.
Games have to be at least a few years old to qualify, just to give developers a chance to announce a sequel. So, no Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Ongoing live-service games will not be considered.

8. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

The Yakuza Team’s Open-World Battle Shonen

The Like a Dragon series (also known as Yakuza in the West) has been remarkably consistent over the past ten years, especially for open-world RPGs. Sega regularly releases new games, and they’re almost always excellent. While Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio primarily focuses on the stories of Kiryu and his allies, they occasionally create other games like Judgment, Binary Domain, and the upcoming Stranger Than Heaven. What’s impressive is that these side projects receive the same level of detail and quality as the main Yakuza games, making them enjoyable even if you’re not already a fan of the series.

While it might not be as widely celebrated, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise is a fantastic action RPG. It features over-the-top fighting, a compelling story that retells several iconic arcs from the Fist of the North Star series, and a quaint, appealing location called Eden. Like the Like a Dragon games, Lost Paradise is full of character, humor, and plenty of brawn, and the over-the-top action of the original series is a perfect match for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s signature style.

A sequel to the game seems unlikely right now, as Lost Paradise has a clear ending. However, the game didn’t explore everything from the original FOTNS story, and it didn’t include content from the sequel manga, leaving plenty of material for a continuation. At the very least, Sega should release the 2019 game on platforms other than PlayStation 4.

7. The Ascent

A Brilliant Cyberpunk World And A Fine RPG

Okay, so 2021’s The Ascent was awesome, and I’m still holding out hope for a sequel, even though it hasn’t been that long. But Neon Giant is now focused on No Law, and it sounds like that’s a totally different world. Honestly, I’m kinda resigned to the fact that we probably won’t ever go back to Veles, which is a real bummer because that city was incredible and deserved more stories. Seriously, The Ascent has one of the best cyberpunk worlds I’ve ever seen in a game – a huge, detailed city that just feels alive with atmosphere and little details everywhere you look. The top-down view isn’t perfect for getting totally lost in the world, but it’s still a really vibrant and engaging place.

Let’s be honest, The Ascent isn’t flawless. The combat is quick and strategic, but it becomes repetitive, and there are stronger twin-stick shooters out there. The story and quests aren’t particularly memorable, and they’re outshined by the game’s impressive visuals. Playing alone, the game can feel a bit drawn out, even though it’s relatively short for an open-world RPG. However, these issues could be easily addressed in a sequel, potentially turning The Ascent into a truly excellent game.

6. Ashen

The First Open-World Soulslike Game

While Ashen might have stood out more before Elden Ring came out, it’s still a game worth remembering. Its open world is a bit small compared to today’s games, but it lets you explore freely, and the game gently eases you through challenging parts. The combat is very similar to Dark Souls, so fans of that series will likely pick it up quickly.

While clearly taking inspiration from games like those made by FromSoftware, A44 made some important changes. Instead of focusing on traditional stats, the game lets you improve your character through gear and items. It also features a strong emphasis on multiplayer, and even when playing alone, you’ll sometimes have AI companions helping you out. The simple, clean art style was a great decision.

I really enjoyed playing Ashen, and I’d suggest it to players looking for a game that feels familiar yet unique. There are a lot of RPGs inspired by the Souls series these days, and many of them start to feel repetitive. What sets Ashen apart is that it’s one of the few true open-world games in the genre.

5. Vampyr

The Best Standalone Vampire Open-World RPG Of The Last Decade

If you enjoy vampire stories, you shouldn’t miss Vampyr. It’s a unique game that combines engaging conversations and choices with a detailed Victorian setting and challenging combat inspired by the Souls series. While it’s not perfect, Vampyr offers a compelling experience because of how well these different elements work together. You play as a doctor who’s become a vampire, struggling with both his humanity and his new bloodlust. Your decisions – whether to save or kill characters – significantly impact the story and how it unfolds.

London in Vampyr is a dark, gritty, and claustrophobic city, full of atmosphere. While it’s not a completely open world like The Elder Scrolls, the game does allow for a good amount of exploration, particularly at the beginning, before your decisions limit where you can go. Like other games from Dontnod, the story is also very well-written.

4. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Once Upon A Time, This Was the Best Open-World Action RPG For Fun Combat

Both the original Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning from 2012 and its 2020 remaster are fantastic games. Unfortunately, financial troubles led to the closure of the studios behind it, and the game faded from memory. It was revived with Re-Reckoning, bringing it to newer consoles, and fans have been hoping for a sequel ever since. While the “Fatesworn” expansion was released in 2021, there haven’t been any official announcements about a true sequel.

For a truly empowering RPG experience, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning remains one of the best open-world options available. Its combat is quick, enjoyable, and easy to pick up, while still offering plenty of ways to customize your character and try different weapons. The world of Faelands is vibrant and beautiful, and it holds up surprisingly well even today. Amalur wasn’t perfect, but its rich universe deserved to become a long-running series – the developers even had plans for a massive online multiplayer game!

3. Fallout: New Vegas

The Best 3D Fallout Is A One-Off Spin-Off

Expect to see more Fallout games in the future, and they’ll likely be good. While some might draw ideas from New Vegas, it’s highly unlikely Obsidian Entertainment will develop a direct sequel. A New Vegas 2 has been talked about for years, and although Bethesda is probably planning new Fallout projects, their recent games don’t indicate they’ll recapture the freedom, impactful choices, intricate factions, and darkly humorous style that made New Vegas so unique.

Luckily, a thriving modding community has kept the game fresh and exciting, offering both technical upgrades and new content. If you’re looking to really dive back in, the PC version is the way to go, and you should download as many mods as possible. The original game is still a fantastic open-world RPG, but after many playthroughs, it can start to feel repetitive.

2. Disco Elysium

A Brilliant Written Open-World RPG That Might Get A Spiritual Successor

You’ve likely heard the praise for Disco Elysium, but it’s hard to overstate how good it is. ZA/UM has created a true masterpiece of storytelling and philosophical ideas. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a uniquely captivating RPG, drawing inspiration from classic tabletop games and older computer RPGs. Instead of fighting with weapons, Disco Elysium focuses on conversations – both with other characters and with the protagonist’s own inner thoughts. You play as a deeply flawed character whose personality and political beliefs change based on the decisions you make throughout the game.

Fans of Disco Elysium are likely to see several new games emerge from the team behind the original. ZA/UM is developing Zero Parades, though details are scarce and it may not capture the same magic, as the original writers and developers have moved on. These creators have since formed Dark Math Games and are working on a detective RPG called Tangerine Antarctic. Another new studio, Longdue Games, also formed from the original team and is planning an isometric RPG named Hopetown.

As exciting as the above projects are, Disco Elysium 2 will probably never happen at this point.

1. Prey

Arkane’s Stellar Immersive Sim That Will Never Get A Sequel

The game Prey, much like the original from 2006, feels like a prime candidate for a follow-up, but unfortunately, that hasn’t happened. It’s a deeply engaging, semi-open world game with RPG elements that genuinely matter, and it allows players complete freedom to explore and find their own solutions to challenges.

Talos I isn’t a massive game, but its level design is excellent. The map feels natural, is easy to learn, and offers lots of different ways to play. You’re encouraged to experiment, explore, and even get a little lost. This sense of freedom also applies to the GLOO cannon, which is a remarkably useful tool. The game’s story, how you progress, and the overall atmosphere are all top-notch.

Although Arkane Studios remains open, the team that created Prey, known as Arkane Austin, was closed earlier in 2024. Considering it’s been almost a decade since the original Prey came out, it’s unlikely a sequel is currently in development, as we would have likely heard about it by now.

2026-01-31 03:06