Open-World Adventure Games That Are Great From Start To Finish

As a gamer, I think Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is seriously one of the greatest action-adventure games ever made – it’s where the Uncharted series really hit its stride. Even now, the shooting mechanics, how the game plays from moment to moment, and those huge, over-the-top action scenes are incredible. More recently, Kena: Bridge of Spirits caught my eye with its beautiful world and a bit more freedom to explore.

While those adventure games are excellent, they don’t offer the freedom of open-world exploration. These games do, and they relentlessly pull you in if you focus on the main story. Exploring everything these worlds offer might take time, but they’re ultimately must-play titles for any adventure game enthusiast.

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The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A Link To The Future

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the Zelda series in general, continues to set the standard for adventure games. Players have complete freedom to explore Hyrule however they want – they can search for hidden collectibles, fight enemies, create powerful meals for health, or climb mountains. It’s all about player choice.

This open-world game offers incredible freedom, but even players who rush through the main story will find a well-crafted campaign that’s as good as any other Zelda game.

Red Dead Redemption 2

How Arthur Got His Groove Back

Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely considered the best Western-style video game ever created, with a story that rivals classic Western movies. The game centers around Arthur Morgan and his difficult journey as a member of a criminal gang.

As Arthur reaches the end of his journey, players have a lot of freedom to choose how he spends his time. They can explore the vast landscapes, hunt wildlife, or even become outlaws and engage in thrilling robberies – like holding up banks and trains. The game offers a wide range of options to experience the Wild West.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

Sail The Caribbean

As a huge fan, I honestly think Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag basically invented the modern pirate game! Sure, we’d had pirate games before, but nothing captured the feeling of being a pirate quite like this one. I mean, who didn’t love hearing your crew break out into sea shanties while you were sailing around the Caribbean? It really set the standard for everything that came after.

This small detail greatly enhances the overall experience, from simply sailing and enjoying the ocean’s beauty, to exploring and taking over islands, and even diving for underwater treasure. Many consider this to be the best Assassin’s Creed game, despite the fact that the traditional ‘assassin’ elements aren’t as central to the gameplay.

Shadow Of The Colossus (2018)

Attack On Titan

Shadow of the Colossus is a beautifully crafted game with a straightforward concept, consistently well-made over the years. The 2018 release was a complete remake that primarily focused on improving how the game is controlled.

The game features a vast, beautiful world, but it feels lonely and desolate. Instead of bustling towns, it’s populated by massive, wandering titans. Gameplay primarily consists of challenging boss battles – each of the sixteen Colossi is unique in appearance and how it fights. Defeating them all is a truly intense and memorable experience.

Donkey Kong Bananza

Going Bananas

Donkey Kong Bananza is packed with collectibles, but it’s such a fun game that players will want to find them all. What really sets it apart is the unique gameplay – Donkey Kong can break through almost anything, something we hadn’t seen in a Nintendo game before.

Destructible environments have been explored in games before, but Donkey Kong Bananza really stands out with its excellent platforming and level design. The game boasts incredible variety in its settings – from thrilling mine cart rides to lush tropical islands and misty mountaintops – and the final level is particularly impressive.

Ghost Of Tsushima

Fighting Back The Mongol Hordes

Set on the Japanese island of Tsushima during a Mongolian invasion, Ghost of Tsushima puts you in the role of Jin, a samurai who must adapt and learn new fighting techniques – blending both samurai and ninja skills – to protect his people. Though the combat is strong, the game truly shines through its immersive exploration.

What makes exploring Ghost of Tsushima so enjoyable is how the game subtly guides you with details like birds, foxes, and even the wind. Combined with its stunning ancient ruins and beautiful natural environments, it feels less like playing a game and more like flipping through a gorgeous travel photo album.

Subnautica

Underwater Tales

Subnautica begins after a spaceship crashes, leaving players stranded in an alien ocean. To survive, they must explore the underwater world to gather resources and build essential tools and equipment. As players venture deeper, they encounter increasingly dangerous and frightening environments.

Subnautica is a challenging survival game where progress takes effort, but that’s part of what makes it enjoyable. Exploring the vibrant and beautiful underwater environments, filled with colorful life, is another major highlight. If you’re up for the challenge, Subnautica offers a truly satisfying experience.

A Short Hike

Going Birding

In A Short Hike, you play as a cheerful little bird determined to reach the summit of a mountain. The game takes place in a beautiful, expansive park filled with trails, waterfalls, and other interesting features like rope ladders and strong winds. Unlike many games, there aren’t a lot of tasks or missions – you’re free to explore, chat with other characters, find hidden treasures, and simply enjoy the climb at your own pace.

Though the characters in A Short Hike have a simple, blocky style reminiscent of older PlayStation games, this actually adds to the game’s appeal. Combined with its vibrant colors, the game is likely to inspire players to get outside and enjoy nature after finishing this short and sweet experience.

Outer Wilds

A Time Loop In Space

Outer Wilds is a unique game where you’re stuck in a 22-minute time loop – the universe keeps ending, and you have to start over. The interesting part is that you’re given all the information you need to figure out how to break the cycle right from the beginning.

The game cleverly keeps key details and how things work hidden, encouraging players to solve the mystery through their own discoveries – a process that can easily take over twelve hours. It’s fundamentally an adventure puzzle game, and a challenging one. Players who truly become invested will find the experience deeply rewarding and even life-changing by the end; it’s truly special.

Sable

Mad Max

Sable is a game about a young person who sets out on a solo journey into the desert to demonstrate their maturity to their community. It’s all about exploration, with no fighting – you’ll use tools to navigate the world. A standout feature is the hoverbike, which has a sleek, futuristic design reminiscent of those seen in Star Wars.

The game has a unique visual style, reminiscent of the Spider-Verse films, with a look that’s like a living comic book. This is enhanced by great cel-shading and a limited color palette. Players can travel using a hover bike, but also explore and solve puzzles in ancient ruins. The puzzles aren’t overly difficult, which will be a plus for those who enjoy a more relaxed, exploratory experience.

2026-02-11 20:13