The Best River Regions In Open-World Games

Open-world games often feature realistic landscapes, including rivers, mountains, and lakes. While not always the main focus, rivers frequently serve as important pathways for players, connecting towns and harbors. Sometimes you can fish in these rivers, and other times they present obstacles to overcome. They can also mark key locations or serve as the beginning of quests.

Rivers are often stunning features in landscapes, particularly when they’re vast and include beautiful sights like waterfalls. If you’re looking for a virtual river adventure, these open-world games offer just that.

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Red Dead Redemption 2

Catch Fish To Help Arthur And The Gang Prosper

As a huge fan of Red Dead Redemption 2, I have to say the rivers in the game are absolutely stunning! There are so many beautiful ones, like the Dakota, Kamassa, and San Luis Rivers, plus the Montana and Lannahechee Rivers. They’re everywhere, shaping the land and acting as natural boundaries, and you can even use them to get around! Beyond just looking amazing, they’re actually part of the gameplay – I love fishing in them, and it’s cool how the weather changes how they look and flow.

Arthur can fish in these rivers to replenish his health or earn a little extra money. They also happen to be home to rare Legendary Fish, which can be traded for valuable rewards.

Honorable Mention to Red Dead Redemption‘s San Luis River.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

The Nile In All Its Majesty

Many of the locations in this list are based on real rivers, and Assassin’s Creed Origins showcases one of the most well-known: the Nile. The game accurately reflects the Nile’s immense size by building much of its world around it. The river isn’t just a beautiful landmark; it’s a crucial part of the game’s world and a key way for both characters and players to travel and explore.

The Nile River isn’t just a means of getting around in the game; it’s a central point for settlements, farms, harbors, and animal life. What’s particularly striking is how realistically the game portrays the river and its vastness.

Honorable mention to Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Sons Of The Forest

Rivers Are Integral For Survival In Site 2

Building on the gameplay of the first game, Sons of the Forest adds rivers to the game world. These rivers are important because players can use them for water, which is needed for survival and exploration around Site 2. Rivers also offer good locations for building bases, and players can even build dams to store water.

Fishing is a useful skill in Sons of the Forest that helps players stay healthy. Utilizing the rivers on the island is a great way to maintain your strength and survive.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Tread Carefully To Complete Deliveries

Okay, so in Death Stranding, the world throws a lot at you – tricky terrain and dangerous stuff everywhere as you try to make deliveries. But in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, rivers are a huge deal. There are over a dozen different ones, and they really mess with your progress if you’re not careful. You can’t just use the same trick to cross every river, either – each one is different and you’ve gotta adapt!

Rivers are common throughout the game, and crossing them requires careful stamina management and patience. While players can ford these rivers, bridges are also available and help create a realistic and immersive world in Death Stranding 2.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Rivers, Rivers Everywhere

Skyrim gives players a real sense of freedom, partly because of its huge world filled with rivers of all sizes. The White River is the most well-known and longest, flowing through much of the game’s landscape.

Like many aspects of Skyrim, mods can let you explore the rivers by boat, letting you fully appreciate the game’s beautiful scenery. You can also fish in these rivers, just like in other open-world games.

Genshin Impact

Welcome to Teyvat, The World of Wonders And Mysteries

Genshin Impact features stunning rivers throughout its different regions. In Fontaine, the nation based on water, players can explore underwater areas thanks to the large ‘Great Fontaine Lake’ river system. Other notable rivers include the Bishui River in Liyue, the waterway connecting Port Ormos and Sumeru City, and the smaller rivers found in Natlan’s Toyac Springs.

Many of the rivers in the game are great for fishing, providing materials used to improve weapons and trade with local fishing groups. Players can also explore these rivers using their Waverider, enjoying the beautiful landscapes. Keep an eye out near and under the water for valuable regional items like Nilotpala Lotus, Sango Pearls, Beryl Conches, and Lumitoiles – you’ll need them to strengthen your characters!

Far Cry 5

Henbane River Is Sure To Give Players Nightmares

Henbane River is a particularly creepy location in Far Cry 5, and possibly one of the most unsettling in the entire Far Cry series. The area is filled with Bliss flowers, which are used to create a drug that can confuse players and even cause them to hallucinate seeing Faith Seed. Adding to the eerie atmosphere are haunted houses and disturbing mannequins scattered throughout.

This region is full of interesting places to discover, along with plenty of missions and hidden supplies. The Henbane River area, in particular, is beautifully designed and often surprises players when they first experience Far Cry 5.

Honorable Mentions

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Pontar and Velen Riverlands, both of which reflect the world’s miserable state
Ghost of Tsushima — Various rivers are used to guide exploration
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — River of the Dead, and a big part of Zora’s Domain
Kingdom Come: Deliverance — Rivers serve a similar purpose as Assassin’s Creed Origins
Elden Ring — Sofia and Ainsel rivers; region-bound, but great in their locations.
The Lord of the Rings Online — Plenty of rivers in Middle-earth.
Horizon Forbidden West — Rivers carve through jungles, ruins, and lowlands

2026-02-05 18:35