Top 10 Best Open-World Games by Japanese Developers You Must Play

Nowadays, it seems like every month brings at least one open-world game, and that’s a modest estimate. Although they were pioneers in developing the concept during the late ’90s and early 2000s, Japanese developers are not uniquely linked to this genre any more than their Western counterparts are.

Although they don’t operate in isolation, several companies have attempted to create immersive gaming experiences, some of which truly excelled. Notably, the top Japanese open-world games are considered among the most impressive releases across all genres. Therefore, let’s shine a spotlight on some significant successes from industry giants like Nintendo, Capcom, Square Enix, and others.

Here are some rules and criteria to keep in mind:

Only full-blown modern-style open-world games will be considered, so no open-zone titles (Monster Hunter) or Metroidvanias that exist adjacent to the genre (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Bloodborne, and Metroid Prime).
One entry per franchise.
While the game’s full quality will be taken into account, the open-world element will be given more weight than anything else.

10. Death Stranding

Hideo Kojima’s Take On The Open-World Genre

Without a doubt, one of the Japanese open-world games that has caused the most debate throughout history is “Death Stranding.” This game’s connection to Hideo Kojima, its creator, is evident from the outset. The game unfolds in a post-apocalyptic America where the land is desolate and barren. Players assume the role of Sam Bridges, essentially a courier tasked with traversing this challenging terrain to deliver packages and, more crucially, forge connections between isolated communities.

Setting aside its unique narrative structure and sometimes inconsistent fight scenes, Death Stranding truly excels when it envelops players in total solitude, tasking them with mapping out a path and then gradually traversing the uninviting landscape towards a far-off human settlement. The gameplay style may not appeal to everyone, but Death Stranding can offer a nearly soothing experience if it resonates with someone in a particular way.

The Phantom Pain” is an outstanding stealth-action game with a good open-world setting. However, “Death Stranding” was given priority because it offers a unique twist to the genre.

9. Dead Rising

Capcom’s Smaller-Scale Open-World Zombie Game

Currently, open-world games often prioritize size, creating maps that can be quite daunting at times. Yet, bigger isn’t always better, and Dead Rising shows us that sometimes one location, like a single mall, can effectively carry out the task. An exclusive title for Xbox 360 that was later remastered several times, Capcom’s original takes players on an adventure with Frank West, a photographer who unwittingly finds himself in the midst of a zombie outbreak.

Stranded within the confines of Willamette Parkview Mall alongside fellow survivors and the undead horde, Frank finds himself in a 72-hour struggle for survival. This ordeal requires him to improvise homemade weapons capable of subduing several zombies. Despite some irritating moments, the original Dead Rising exudes an endearing appeal that few games can rival, even those within the same series sequels.

8. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

An Impressive Achievement And The Culmination Of A Consistently Fantastic Open-World Franchise

From around the mid-2010s, Monolith Soft has primarily focused on creating open-world JRPGs within the Xenoblade Chronicles series. In this span of about 15 years, they have released four main games, excluding expansions or remasters. These games offered vast environments and long gameplay sessions, even though they often ran on consoles that were not as powerful as modern ones. Each title is impressive in its own way, but Xenoblade Chronicles 3 stands out as the culmination of over a decade’s worth of achievements, setbacks, and knowledge gained along the way.

Despite not being the most visually stunning open-world game, XC3 showcases an impressive appearance on the Switch, especially considering its scale. Apart from the vastness of the map, the 2022 release boasts a well-structured combat system that continues to unveil intricate aspects even deep into gameplay. The narrative is also contended to be one of the best in this genre, and it effectively maintains its momentum throughout.

7. Nier: Automata

Not The Best Open-World, But One Of The Best Open-World Games

By uniting Yoko Taro, PlatinumGames, and Square Enix, the game Nier: Automata successfully elevated the lesser-known IP, Drakengard, to prominence, marking a significant triumph that even motivated its precursor, 2010’s Nier, to receive a remaster. The narrative unfolds on a post-apocalyptic Earth where the landscape has been scarred by an endless conflict for many years. The story revolves around two androids, 2B and 9S, as they join forces with the human resistance to combat the machine invaders.

Much like any creation by Yoko Taro, the storyline in Nier: Automata features numerous unexpected plot twists and daring risks, making it the game’s standout feature. The combat, reminiscent of games such as Bayonetta, is robust and offers a good fighting experience, with added customization options to enhance the experience. Interestingly, the open-world in this game appears desolate, repetitive, and somewhat underwhelming; however, it effectively supports the narrative’s mood and tone.

6. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Square Enix’s Best Open-World Game

Generally speaking, Square Enix’s history with open-world games hasn’t been exceptional. While Final Fantasy 12 and Lightning Returns made significant strides towards incorporating this feature, Final Fantasy 15 was the first to fully adopt an open-world design, resulting in a mix of positive and negative feedback. Given this background, the announcement that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth would also delve into open-world gameplay sparked some concern among fans, particularly since it was following a more linear game.

Without a doubt, Square Enix’s “Rebirth” stands as their top open-world game, outshining others significantly. Post the departure of Cloud and his comrades from Midgar, the narrative unfolds, providing players with vast, expansive areas brimming with main storyline and additional content. A degree of diversity is present, as “Rebirth” includes a host of mini-games, hidden adversaries, secrets, and delightful yet trivial side quests. The visuals are consistently stunning, and the action flows smoothly during combat sequences.

5. Shenmue 2

Surpassing An Open-World Masterpiece

Regarding impact and significance to the open-world genre, Shenmue stands second only to Grand Theft Auto 3, with Sega’s game being launched several years prior to Rockstar’s groundbreaking title. Launched exclusively on the Dreamcast in 1999, this game offered players a level of freedom unmatched on consoles at that time, merging martial arts adventures with nearly life-like simulation elements. The first installment holds a significant spot in gaming history, and its sequel is widely regarded as even more impressive.

Despite its less-than-satisfying conclusion, Shenmue 2 significantly surpasses its original version in almost every aspect, enhancing the immersion by making interactions with the game world feel more authentic. Although it may show signs of aging, its brilliance, innovative ideas, and lofty aspirations remain evident.

4. Shadow of the Colossus

Team Ico’s Legendary Open-World Game

To be honest, it’s astonishing that “Shadow of the Colossus” managed to function on the PS2, and it barely did so. Despite this, the game – which can be seen as a spiritual sequel to “Ico” – has endured the test of time due to its incredible atmosphere, breathtaking colossal creatures, and subtle yet impactful storytelling. Whether players choose the 2005 original, the PS3 remaster, or the PS4 remake, they will be experiencing one of the greatest games ever made.

In contrast to many modern open-world games that overflow players with content and activities scattered across their maps, Shadow of the Colossus intentionally crafts a sparsely populated yet breathtaking world, inhabited only by 16 colossal creatures for the protagonist to hunt. This minimalistic approach eliminates unnecessary distractions, resulting in an experience that emphasizes solitude and the weight of player actions.

3. Elden Ring

FromSoftware’s Soulslike Open-World Masterpiece

FromSoftware, known for games like King’s Field, Shadow Tower, and Dark Souls, has spent decades working in areas close to open-world design, creating projects that offered players a significant degree of freedom and exploration. However, Elden Ring was their first full-fledged open-world project, a transition that surprisingly went very well. Upon finishing a brief tutorial, players find themselves in The Lands Between, a place where they can essentially roam freely. The game does offer some suggestions for the best paths to follow, but these should (perhaps) be disregarded most of the time as personal exploration is often more rewarding.

Elden Ring never fails to astonish, as its map is brimming with rewarding discoveries that are consistently engaging to conquer, finish, or mark for later. Although much of the game is optional, the content that can be easily missed seldom feels like unnecessary filler or a squandered effort, as it frequently offers epic boss battles, valuable treasure, intriguing lore details, or expansive dungeons to explore.

2. Yakuza 0

The Best Japanese Open-World Game In The Best Japanese Open-World Franchise

Regarding open-world game development, it’s indisputable that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is one of the top Japanese studios in this field. With over a dozen impressive titles under their belt, they excel in areas such as exceptional writing, humor that never fails to delight, and combat systems that become increasingly enjoyable, particularly in newer releases. Frankly, many games from the Like a Dragon series could be included in this conversation, and the same goes for the spin-off series Judgment; however, Yakuza 0 stands as the epitome of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s talent.

In this prequel, we follow Kazuma and Majima’s beginnings as novice Yakuza members. This series prequel boasts one of the best narratives across the entire franchise, which places it among the best in open-world storytelling. By skillfully combining heavy drama and deep emotions with absurd humor and fun side activities, Yakuza 0 showcases the art of providing high-quality content rather than just quantity. The game is set in two compact cities, offering maps that are richly detailed with personalities, events, and unforgettable characters.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo Reinvents The Open-World Wheel And Creates Something Close To Perfection

In a time when open-world games were becoming overly familiar, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, released in 2017, stood out as something entirely unique. It was unlike any other game at the time, making comparisons seem futile. This was a new breed of open-world game that significantly shaped the future direction of the genre. While Tears of the Kingdom built upon its predecessor’s base, BOTW surpassed its sequel in one crucial aspect: the feeling of exploration and discovery.

In essence, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild primarily focuses on the goal of vanquishing Calamity Ganon, but it largely leaves the narrative up to players as they traverse Hyrule and beyond. This open-world game is known for its emphasis on player autonomy, and Breath of the Wild may surpass other games in this genre when it comes to delivering on that freedom. The adventure is a refreshing experience, putting more importance on the journey itself rather than the final destination.

2025-04-14 02:38