Worlds You NEED To Explore (Ranked!)

Summary

Open-world maps offer large amounts of seamless exploration for players.
Far Cry 3 and its map created the formula for the rest of the series going forward.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s map is widely considered one of the greatest maps in all of gaming.

Over time, video games have evolved from being compact and straightforward, featuring multiple levels or stages interspersed within gameplay. Since the initial period of gaming, creators have consistently sought to broaden these horizons by incorporating expansive, open worlds for players to traverse.

Currently, you can explore an array of vast open environments, each offering unique themes, eras, and artistic influences. Ranging from the arid landscapes and quaint frontier towns of a western setting, to the bustling cityscapes and towering, technologically advanced skyscrapers of a cyberpunk metropolis. Needless to say, there’s no dearth of immersive open worlds for you to explore, and the gaming community has been treated to some exceptional examples throughout time.

In the selection process, games featuring randomly generated levels will not qualify, and we will limit submissions to a single title per gaming series.

7. The Carribean (Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag)

Sailing The West Indies As A Pirate

Fans often consider Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag as one of the finest entries in the series, and possibly even the best. One reason for this acclaim is the fresh concepts it introduced compared to previous Assassin’s Creed games, particularly its emphasis on exploring the open seas on a ship.

In this latest installment, Black Flag offered a distinctive vibe and narrative that sets it apart from previous games. Players assume the character of Edward Kenway, a pirate in the 1700s, navigating the expansive Caribbean Sea filled with diverse tropical islands – some large, others small. The game features three major cities: Havana, Nassau, and Kingston, modeled after their real-life counterparts, which contributes to the game’s grandeur. This new setting gives the game a spacious feel that was refreshing for the series. It also introduced an innovative ship mechanics, making it seem like no other Assassin’s Creed title was as open-ended at the time.

6. The Rook Islands (Far Cry 3)

The Origins Of The Far Cry Formula

In Far Cry 3, Ubisoft appeared to perfectly capture the essence of the series, laying the foundation for the gameplay mechanics that have since been seen in all its subsequent games. Instead of the expansive African savannahs from the previous game, Far Cry 2, players find themselves on the vibrant and tropical Rook Islands this time.

Back in 2012, I found myself exploring a breathtaking archipelago, rumored to be nestled within Indonesia’s vast expanse. Lush jungles, pristine beaches, and a dangerous underworld of pirates and mercenaries made up this tropical paradise turned battleground. The Rook Islands were more than just eye candy in the game Far Cry 3. They were teeming with activities: raiding enemy bases, tracking down elusive wildlife, and unearthing ancient artifacts. And let’s not forget about Vaas Montenegro, one of gaming’s most iconic villains who called these islands home. Even after over a decade since its release, fans still praise the third installment and its map as some of the finest offerings in the series.

5. San Andreas (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas)

A Mind-Blowing Map For The PS2

Back in 2004 when Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas made its debut on store shelves, it was evident that Rockstar Games wasn’t messing around. As the third installment in the GTA series for PlayStation 2, this game was set to be their most extensive and ambitious project to date, a fact clearly demonstrated by the intricate design of its map.

This time around, unlike previous games which centered on a single city or region, San Andreas offers players an entire state to traverse, featuring three major cities that differ significantly from each other. These include Los Santos, known for its gang-ruled neighborhoods, San Fierro with its picturesque rolling hills, and Las Venturas, home to a vibrant strip of casinos. The expansive state of San Andreas also boasts numerous smaller towns nestled between the main cities, as well as various counties, vast open deserts, and more.

Beyond its entertaining narrative, expansive terrain, and numerous activities, the open-world of San Andreas stands out remarkably because it was able to run on a PlayStation 2, an achievement that continues to astound even today. While the map underwent significant enhancement in Grand Theft Auto 5 (released in 2013), the original map’s revolutionary impact for its era is unparalleled.

4. Night City (Cyberpunk 2077)

High-Tech, Low-Life

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but reflect on my journey with Cyberpunk 2077, a game that had a challenging debut in 2020, a hiccup we gamers are all too familiar with by now. Yet, CD Projekt Red has been relentless in their efforts to enhance the game, transforming it into an even richer experience, with the sprawling metropolis of Night City becoming more immersive than ever before.

As a devoted enthusiast, I find myself drawn to Night City, nestled in the heart of Northern California. This sprawling futuristic metropolis teems with towering tech corporations, ruthless gangs, and a myriad of other questionable entities that paint a complex picture, both grimy and captivating.

While it’s easy to see the city as disheartening in many aspects, its unique charm is undeniable. Divided into seven distinct sectors, Night City offers a rich tapestry for exploration beyond the typical high-rise buildings. For instance, the City Center thrums with large businesses and corporations, while the Badlands on the map’s edge resemble a desolate desert, inhabited mostly by nomadic tribes.

Each sector promises its own set of adventures and mysteries waiting to be uncovered in this intriguing urban jungle.

Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t new when it comes to the futuristic, tech-centric setting, but it stands out as one of the initial games offering players a complete open-world exploration of the cyberpunk universe. This unique feature makes delving into its vibrant neon lights and grimy underbelly all the more captivating.

3. Eastern Europe (Metro Exodus)

Where The Metro Series Went Open-World

In terms of its design, Metro Exodus significantly deviated from the pattern established by its predecessors, as the earlier games in the series tended to be quite linear and largely confined to the extensive underground network of Moscow’s subway system, with only a limited number of areas set above ground.

In this iteration, Exodus deviates significantly from the previous games, primarily by adopting a more expansive open-world setting and focusing on surface exploration rather than underground adventures. The game’s story unfolds as players traverse representations of real-life regions in Russia and Kazakhstan, accompanied by their Spartan comrades, aboard a steam locomotive known as “The Aurora”. Divided into various stages, Exodus consists of three principal open-world zones: The Volga, the Caspian, and the Taiga. However, it maintains the same rhythm and narrative coherence by incorporating additional linear levels to progress the plot. Each zone has a distinct season and theme, offering unique weapons, adversaries, and complex moral dilemmas to confront.

As a gamer, I can’t help but be drawn into the chilling atmosphere these game areas create. It’s unlike anything else out there, giving me goosebumps at times and leaving me feeling genuinely spooked. Plus, the graphics this time are nothing short of mind-blowing, making the open-world feel even more immersive and breathtakingly beautiful.

2. The Continent (The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt)

CD Projekt Red’s Most Famous RPG

Without a doubt, “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” is a game that’s gained significant recognition, sharing the spotlight with “Cyberpunk 2077” as one of CD Projekt Red’s most celebrated titles. This action RPG, inspired by Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series, has received extensive critical praise since its debut in 2015. In fact, it was even updated for next-gen consoles in 2022.

In this game called “The Witcher 3“, often simply referred as “The Continent”, the map, with its expansive detail and complexity, significantly contributes to the acclaim it receives. The world in this game is divided into six distinct regions, each brimming with specific details and lore drawn from Andrzej Sapkowski’s original book series. There are intriguing characters to engage with, quests to undertake, and places to explore – just a few examples. Jumping in for the first time can be a bit overwhelming due to the sheer amount of activities and sights, which explains why “Wild Hunt” has earned such widespread admiration from its fans.

1. The Wild West (Red Dead Redemption 2)

The American Frontier, Packed With Detail

Since its debut in 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2 has been widely praised for offering an extraordinarily immersive open-world gaming experience, largely due to the expansive, remarkably intricate map designed by Rockstar.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, you step into the shoes of Arthur Morgan as the game unfolds across various U.S. states, skirting the brink of the American frontier during the late 1800s. The map in this game is vast and diverse, composed of numerous regions. However, what truly sets it apart isn’t just its size; it’s the incredible level of detail Rockstar Games has meticulously incorporated into every corner. Even seemingly trivial locations harbor some untold tale waiting to be discovered.

In various locations like the frosty town of Colter, the mucky streets of Valentine, and the soggy Lemoyne swamps, there’s barely a corner in Red Dead Redemption 2 that doesn’t hold fascinating details. Many of these intricacies are still being unearthed by players even now, adding to its meticulously designed open-world and securing it a spot among the best.

2025-04-13 15:54