10 Unforgettable Open World RPGs That Redefined Gaming Forever

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Summary

  • Red Dead Redemption establishes one of the best Wild West environments in video games, expanding in the sequel with new terrains.
  • Yakuza’s Kamurocho is a compact, dense, and character-filled setting that has become iconic in open-world gaming.
  • Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City, despite launch issues, is a stunning example of a cyberpunk environment that sets a high standard.

It’s well-known that the open-world genre has risen to prominence in AAA gaming, with many of the largest and most costly games in the industry consistently striving to surpass each other in crafting some of the finest open worlds ever made. In this quest, they’ve not only produced exceptional open worlds but have also created iconic landscapes that aren’t just remarkable, but encapsulate the essence of what makes open-world gaming unique and serve as a blueprint for future designers.

This compilation features some of the most memorable role-playing game (RPG) open worlds, each one offering an immersive experience that rivals real-life locations like Rockstar’s creations or Tokyo’s Red Light districts. The ranking of these unforgettable RPG open world environments takes into account not only the excellence of the game but also their impact on gaming culture as a whole.

8. Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2 – The Wild West

Saddle Up Cowboy

Prior to Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar was predominantly recognized for crafting vast urban landscapes. It was quite unexpected when their subsequent venture delved into the open-world genre and set it in the Wild West, a setting that seemed tailor-made, but the barren deserts of New Austin stood in stark contrast to the bustling metropolis of Liberty City.

Rockstar not only excelled in their creation, but skillfully crafted one of the finest virtual wildernesses ever, a place that was both desolate and lonely yet bustling with wildlife, peculiar individuals, and iconic settlements. In Red Dead Redemption 2, this world was expanded significantly, incorporating swamps, mountains, and the vast Midwestern plains, resulting in an exceptionally vivid portrayal of the American Frontier captured within pixels.

7. Yakuza – Kamurocho

Tokyo Nightlife

No matter where the Yakuza games may wander throughout Japan, they always seem to return to Kamurocho – a vibrant district in central Tokyo filled with lively nightlife, illuminated signs, and more gangsters than any player could handle. This iconic urban landscape has significantly influenced the overall tone of the series.

Kamurocho, the backdrop for the Yakuza series, has gained notoriety not just as the primary location, but also as a testament to the power of small-scale efforts. Despite its relatively compact size, it is rich in detail and personality, earning it recognition as one of the most iconic open worlds in gaming history.

6. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom – Hyrule

The World After

Throughout the majority of “The Legend of Zelda” series, the Kingdom of Hyrule was more conceptual than it was a fully accessible realm (with some exceptions like the more open areas seen in “Ocarina of Time”). However, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” revolutionized the open-world genre by unfolding Hyrule as an expansive, player-explorable environment.

In this rendition, Hyrule showcases breathtaking vistas that roll out like a dream, concealing numerous mysteries beyond what most gamers could ever unravel. It boasts an authentic apocalyptic charm, making it the quintessential image of the franchise’s central domain. The Tears of the Kingdom has further enhanced its allure by delving into Hyrule’s celestial expanses, providing a wealth of side missions, and revealing its hidden depths, both light and dark.

5. Cyberpunk 2077 – Night City

‘Sup Choom?

It’s well known that Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t have the smoothest debut, but what everyone, whether a fan or critic, agreed on was Night City – the grimy, futuristic cityscape where most of the game unfolds. It stands alone as the most impressive open-world cyberpunk setting ever realized in a video game, and it’s an outstanding feat that will likely be revered for years to come as a masterpiece of digital environment design.

Each district within the city appears unique, housing diverse cultures, atmospheres, inhabitants, and spaces for V to relax, and this diversity is amplified with the addition of Phantom Liberty and Dogtown – a miniature fascist nation nestled right in the heart of it all. For enthusiasts of this genre, Night City represents an aspiration fulfilled, shaping future designs of city-centric open worlds.

4. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind – Vvardenfell

Volcano Calls The Elves Home

Currently, The Elder Scrolls series is arguably the most significant fantasy franchise within the gaming realm; however, this wasn’t always the case. In an audacious move, The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind opted to shift the open-world setting away from the entirety of Tamriel, as in the previous installments, and instead concentrate on the volcanic island of Vvardenfell, a territory inhabited by the dark elves.

As a gamer, I’ve never stepped into a more bizarre yet captivating open-world fantasy than this one. Gamers worldwide still talk about its peculiar striders, enigmatic cities, and ravaged landscapes because it was like nothing we had seen before in traditional fantasy open-world games. It has left an indelible mark on our gaming memories, becoming synonymous with its strange charm. Now, every new Elder Scrolls game is measured against this iconic strangeness.

3. World Of Warcraft – Azeroth

Hordes Of Alliances

As a gamer, stepping into the realm of World of Warcraft was like diving headfirst into the vivid world I’d only known through the Warcraft games – a dream come true! From the get-go, the developers aimed to bring Azeroth to life for us players to roam freely. And boy, did they succeed! This monumental task resulted in one of the most iconic MMOs ever made and arguably one of the richest open worlds out there. The unique biomes and the raw nostalgia it evokes for old Warcraft gamers make it feel like a second home for me.

One notable feature that sets Azeroth apart is its distinctive, slightly exaggerated cartoon aesthetic. This style gives each biome and questing area a unique visual identity, making it feel familiar and welcoming for players who spend countless hours battling mobs for loot drops. It’s hard to envision how this iconic fantasy MMO open world could be outdone in the future.

2. Fallout: New Vegas – The Mojave Wasteland

A Lotta Fellas With A Lotta Big Irons

The Fallout series encounters an intriguing challenge in creating a distinctive universe. Specifically, their open environments are characterized by the catastrophe that underpins them, resulting in a landscape predominantly consisting of a barren wasteland with few captivating elements beyond Radroaches and skeletal trees.

Games such as “Fallout: New Vegas” illustrate that expanses like the Mojave Wasteland are ideal for creating a distinct universe. The Mojave’s world is peculiar, marked by faction strife, and brimming with secrets and narratives hidden even in the most mundane locations. Every aspect, from buildings to outposts, is carefully planned, giving each structure significance. This meticulous world creation reaches its pinnacle here, a detail so ingrained that many fans of “New Vegas’s” Mojave could navigate it with their eyes closed even now.

1. Grand Theft Auto 5 – San Andreas

California Dreaming

It’s challenging to envision a more widely played open-world setting than San Andreas, particularly as depicted in Grand Theft Auto 5. Comprising Los Santos, a city that Rockstar has likened to Los Angeles, along with its surrounding wilderness (including mountains, forests, and deserts), this world has become nearly interchangeable with the term “gaming” for an entire cohort of players. Just like the original San Andreas was for a previous generation.

A significant factor contributing to its lasting appeal is the captivating experience offered by Grand Theft Auto Online. This aspect has persuaded numerous players to invest hundreds of hours exploring its world. Nowadays, most game participants can traverse the city effortlessly without referring to a map. Every street, building, and daring stunt jump holds a tale within it. While it may not be the ultimate open-world game for some, for countless gamers, it undeniably stands as the most memorable and distinctive.

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2025-05-04 16:52