10 Great Open-World Games That Are Fun From the Get-Go

A truly great open-world game is able to hook you from the very beginning.

From the moment things begin, the action is constant and relentless. Unlike some games that start slowly, building up to the excitement, this experience is more like being dropped immediately into a vast, engaging world – similar to Elden Ring. It grabs your attention right away and doesn’t let up.

Open-world games are incredibly popular right now, but many of them start slowly. Crimson Desert is a good example – it takes a while to become truly engaging, and not everyone has hours to invest before a game really gets good. Fortunately, most open-world games eventually deliver a rewarding experience, so your time isn’t wasted.

10. Elden Ring

An Impressive Open World From the Beginning

Given that I brought it up earlier, Elden Ring seems like a natural starting point. It’s no surprise the game is immediately impressive – this is FromSoftware, the studio known for challenging players right from the beginning and demanding they improve.

Okay, so Elden Ring actually does a really good job of teaching you the ropes before just dropping you into the massive open world. It doesn’t hold your hand too much, which I appreciate, but it eases you in nicely. It doesn’t overwhelm you with everything at once, and instead trusts you to figure things out as you go. Honestly, that approach made the whole experience unforgettable, right from the beginning to the very end.

9. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

An Iconic Opening Sequence for a Reason

Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild have surprisingly similar beginnings. Both games feature an unforgettable moment where you leave the initial tutorial area and are greeted by the vast and beautiful open world that you’ll be exploring.

Similar to Elden Ring, Breath of the Wild doesn’t hold your hand, encouraging players to explore and discover things independently. This creates a deeply engaging experience where the most memorable moments happen naturally. The game’s enemies feel truly alive, responding realistically to your actions. While the weapon durability system isn’t perfect, Breath of the Wild’s open world is flawlessly designed, delivering a truly unforgettable gaming experience from start to finish.

8. Donkey Kong Bananza

You’ll Go Bananas Over Its Open-World

It was tough choosing between Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Odyssey for this spot – both are fantastic open-world platformers. But I ultimately think Bananza is slightly better, and here’s why.

This new game builds on the successful formula of the original Odyssey, offering a significantly enhanced experience thanks to the power of the Switch 2. Even more importantly, it represents Nintendo at its best – similar to Breath of the Wild. The game introduces core mechanics early on and consistently presents fresh ideas without feeling overwhelming. Players can also enjoy extensive exploration and uncover hidden secrets even before starting the main story.

7. World of Warcraft Classic

Don’t Call Me a Boomer Yet…

The way World of Warcraft introduces new players now isn’t very good, to put it mildly. I also know that many players feel the ‘best’ way to play the original, Classic version requires a lot of guides and help, which understandably discourages some people.

If you’re simply looking for a vast, immersive world to explore, this is a perfect place to begin. Imagine stepping back to 2005, creating a Human Paladin, and starting your adventure in Elwynn Forest. You’ll uncover hidden secrets, hear whispers of a plot against Stormwind, and experience quests that skillfully build tension around the Defias Brotherhood, culminating in a memorable battle within the Deadmines.

The starting questline for Human characters in Classic World of Warcraft is still considered a fantastic way to explore the game’s world, and it continues to influence game designers even now.

6. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Okay, Now Call Me a Boomer

Here’s the deal: Patrick Stewart rescues you from prison and, with his last words, urges you to locate someone named Sean Benn. If that doesn’t excite you, nothing will!

Skyrim and Fallout 4 have improved on gameplay, but there’s a unique charm to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion that has made it a standout Western RPG for over two decades. The game’s beginning feels classic, reminiscent of older RPGs, and then throws you into a huge open world that was ahead of its time, helping to define HD gaming. Oblivion is truly a special game, and it’s great that the remastered version was so well-received.

5. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Arguably the Best GTA From Start to Finish

Many recent Grand Theft Auto games are criticized for starting slowly. Some players dislike early tasks like towing cars or working at a port, but those kinds of experiences are often what make video games so engaging!

While I understand why some games start slowly, it’s frustrating when you just want to jump into the action. San Andreas avoids that by immediately delivering the exciting GTA experience and consistently raising the stakes. Hopefully, GTA 6 will follow this approach instead of making players wait a long time for the story to pick up.

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Arguably Rockstar’s Greatest Accomplishment From Start to Finish

It’s frustrating that recent Grand Theft Auto games start so slowly, especially since Rockstar showed with Red Dead Redemption 2 that they can create engaging openings right from the start. Why didn’t GTA 5 and 4 get the same fast-paced beginning as Red Dead 2?

The game does a fantastic job of easing you into its huge world. It introduces the characters and story at just the right speed, and teaches you how to play without feeling rushed or boring. The beginning is well-paced and sets up everything that happens later on perfectly.

3. Cyberpunk 2077

Welcome to Night City

Cyberpunk 2077 has a remarkable comeback story. From the start, the game excelled at immersing players in its dark and detailed world of Night City. Even with its initial problems, the game consistently captivated players with its strong opening and atmosphere.

A great open-world RPG immediately captivates you, even before famous faces like Keanu Reeves appear. This game does exactly that – the story hooks you right from the start and keeps you completely engaged.

2. Marvel’s Spider-Man

Makes You Feel Like Spider-Man

I’m very aware it’s a popular joke, and I enjoy it, but what Marvel’s Spider-Man does best is instantly make you feel like you’re actually Spider-Man.

Marvel’s Spider-Man immediately puts you in the role of Spider-Man, letting you experience all the exciting abilities and moves fans love. The game starts with a thrilling opening and perfectly captures the feeling of being Spider-Man, making it a huge success for Insomniac Games.

1. Baldur’s Gate 3

One of the Decade’s Best Games

Switching between Marvel’s Spider-Man and Baldur’s Gate 3 will be a big change in pace. Spider-Man is fast and action-filled, while Baldur’s Gate 3 is slower and more about careful planning. However, both games share something special: they both start with amazing introductions.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game that requires a significant time commitment, but it quickly draws you in. Unlike many similar games that start slowly, forcing you to play for hours before becoming enjoyable, Baldur’s Gate 3 immediately throws you into a compelling and challenging situation, and the experience only improves from there.

2026-03-29 15:40