Best Open-World RPGs That Let You Play Your Own Way

Early video games, like those from the 80s and 90s, generally didn’t let players stray from the developer’s intended experience. While still enjoyable, games like Pac-Man offered limited choices. Role-playing games (RPGs) began to change this, giving players more control over things like character equipment and party composition.

As gaming consoles became more powerful, role-playing games (RPGs) also grew more complex. Many open-world RPGs now let players make meaningful choices that affect the game, from what they say to how their character looks. If you want a personalized experience you can share with friends, these games are a great place to start – the higher the game’s ranking, the more choices it offers.

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A

I Choose You!

The newest Pokémon game, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, is unique because it’s entirely set within the city of Lumiose City. Although previous games featured larger, more varied environments, Lumiose City is big enough to offer plenty to do – you can catch Pokémon, battle other trainers at night, and more. Players can also customize their character’s appearance from the start, with options to change hairstyles and unlock new outfits as they progress through the game and visit different shops.

Just like in every Pokemon game, you get to pick your first partner – Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile. Then, it’s totally up to you how you build the rest of your team of six! You can go for a balanced team with all sorts of different types, or you can specialize, like building a whole team of Water-types if you chose Totodile. Honestly, how you build your team is all about personal preference!

Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning

Fight With All Your Might

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an open-world game best suited for players who enjoy action-packed combat more than a complex story. You can customize your character to specialize in various skills and weapons, letting you experiment with different playstyles without being limited to a single class.

These characters are just as good at using a bow and arrow as they are at unleashing powerful, ground-shaking attacks. While the quests offer some choices in dialogue, the story doesn’t change much based on your decisions. Even so, they’re worth completing just for the experience points – it’s a simple way to gain levels.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Dragons Are Coming

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim remains a landmark open-world game, and its freedom of choice was revolutionary when it launched in 2012. Players can fully customize their character, choosing from diverse races like the Khajiit, a feline humanoid people. Instead of traditional classes, the game features extensive skill trees, allowing players to develop abilities in areas like crafting, smithing, or magic, tailoring their character to their preferred playstyle.

Most character specializations come with associated storylines or quests for players who want a deeper experience. The game also features choices during conversations that impact how different groups react to you. Plus, the world is largely open from the beginning, letting you explore anywhere – even climb mountains – without restrictions.

Elden Ring

A Tarnished Pedigree

Elden Ring is a great entry point into the challenging ‘Souls-like’ genre, even though it’s definitely not easy. New players can still be quickly defeated if they aren’t cautious. The game lets you customize your character and pick a starting class – like Confessor or Astrologer, which are good for magic users. These classes are more like initial setups that determine your early stats and gear, and they don’t limit how you develop your character later on.

Players aren’t locked into a single playstyle in this game. If you begin as a magic user but don’t enjoy the spellcasting, you can easily switch to a combat-focused approach. This flexibility is a hallmark of FromSoftware games. The open world also makes the game more accessible, letting you explore and complete areas in any order, and even skip difficult parts using hidden shortcuts, similar to those found in Super Mario Bros. 3. And with the ability to play with up to three friends in co-op, there are plenty of ways to experience the game.

Dragon Quest Builders 2

If You Build It, They Will Come

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a unique take on the classic Dragon Quest series. Players can customize their character a bit and then work to rebuild villages according to the wishes of the people who live there. The game is similar to Minecraft, with players collecting resources by fighting monsters and breaking down the environment to build and create things.

NPCs do have preferences, but players have quite a bit of freedom to change up the town however they want. Plus, there’s a cooperative mode where up to four players can build and manage their own private island, offering even more customization. Between the main game and multiplayer, there are plenty of ways for players to get creative and build things exactly how they envision them.

Fallout: New Vegas

Falling Out Of Revenge

When you begin Fallout: New Vegas, you’ll create your character’s appearance using a simple system. However, because the game is played from a first-person perspective, your character’s looks aren’t the most important thing. This Fallout game differs from others by including a karma system that monitors your choices and deeds. How non-player characters (NPCs) respond to you will be based on your karma and the factions you support.

Being kind to those in need is always a good thing, but Fallout: New Vegas also lets you enjoy a more selfish approach to surviving the harsh desert landscape. You can ignore the many different groups vying for power and simply take what you need to stay alive. This freedom of choice, combined with a deep system of equipment and character upgrades, makes Fallout: New Vegas a game you can enjoy playing again and again.

Cyberpunk 2077

Back To The Future

Cyberpunk 2077 lets you create incredibly detailed characters, even down to the kind of trash they collect – though this doesn’t really impact the game. You start by choosing from three different life paths, which influence the beginning of your story. After that, you can further customize your character with cybernetic enhancements and skill upgrades to become proficient in areas like gunplay, hacking, or hand-to-hand combat.

Players have lots of freedom in how they develop their character and complete missions. They can choose to be stealthy, like hacking into systems and sneaking around, or go in guns blazing. Beyond the main story, Night City is full of things to do and people to meet, and players can also venture into the dangerous desert areas if they want.

The Outer Worlds 2

Flaws Maketh Man

While The Outer Worlds 2 might not have the same visual polish as Cyberpunk 2077, it’s a dream game for RPG lovers because everything within the game’s systems feels important. You’ll create a character with a unique backstory that can influence how characters react to you. Your skills and perks truly matter – for example, an engineering background could help you navigate conversations and get better outcomes. These skills aren’t just for talking either; missions are designed to be open-ended, allowing for creative solutions. You might be able to force your way through a locked door instead of repairing it, giving you plenty of options to complete objectives.

When dialogue isn’t enough, The Outer Worlds 2 offers satisfying combat with a variety of weapons to acquire and personalize. A standout feature is the Flaws system: players can choose drawbacks that also come with benefits, creating a unique gameplay experience. For example, you might move more stealthily while crouching, but make more noise when standing. The game dynamically adapts to your choices, making each playthrough feel truly personalized – and that’s incredibly cool.

2026-02-24 20:09