The decade of the 2010s truly shaped open-world games, solidifying their place as a favorite genre for players. Each year brought several popular open-world titles, and while everyone had their preferences, a few games became massive hits and continue to influence the gaming landscape today.
2026 promises to be another excellent year for open-world games, and the excitement isn’t just about the release of GTA 6. These games continue to evolve, becoming more expansive, detailed, and immersive. If you’re looking for something new to play, or a game that captures the spirit of beloved open-world titles from the 2010s, you’ll have plenty of options. This list highlights the best open-world games of the past decade and suggests similar, modern alternatives to enjoy in 2026.
Let’s make this more fun by suggesting fresh games similar to the classics, even though many modern titles blend elements from different genres. We’ll focus on open-world games that are currently available and actively supported by their developers – games that are worth playing right now. And to keep things interesting, we won’t suggest simple sequels; we’re looking for unique alternatives.
2010 – Fallout: New Vegas
2026 Suggestion – The Outer Worlds 2
The 2010s began with a wave of popular open-world games, including titles like Red Dead Redemption, Mafia 2, and Just Cause 2. But when people talk about the best open-world game of that era, Fallout: New Vegas consistently comes out on top. It was a fresh and innovative installment in the beloved Fallout series, quickly becoming a fan favorite that people still enjoy playing today.
If you loved Fallout: New Vegas and are looking for something similar, check out the open-world RPGs being made by Obsidian Entertainment now. The Outer Worlds 2 is a great choice, as it continues the style of storytelling and rewarding exploration that New Vegas was known for, all within a unique sci-fi setting with fresh content. Plus, the developers are currently working on two big story expansions, making it a perfect time to jump in!
2011– The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
2026 Suggestion – Starfield
2011 saw the release of several excellent open-world games like Batman: Arkham City and inFamous 2. However, they were quickly overshadowed by The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Even today, 15 years after its release, Skyrim remains incredibly popular and recognizable as a leading open-world RPG, and it’s still the undisputed champion when it comes to player modifications, or ‘mods’.
Because of the popularity of games like Skyrim, it’s easy to find similar open-world experiences today. If you enjoy fantasy, Avowed is a good choice. But if you’d prefer a sci-fi setting, Starfield might be perfect. Bethesda’s newest game is often described as Skyrim in space, with all the strengths and weaknesses that implies. Now is a particularly good time to jump in, as Starfield is about to get a big free update and its second expansion, and will also be available on PS5 this April.
2012 – Assassin’s Creed 3
2026 Suggestion – Ghost of Yotei
2012 was an incredible year for open-world games, with titles like Far Cry 3, Borderlands 2, and Sleeping Dogs. But Assassin’s Creed 3 was the standout, marking a significant turning point for the AC series. It introduced the setting of colonial America – a period the series would return to – and featured a vast world, a detailed story, and a satisfying conclusion to Desmond Miles’ story arc.
While the RPG direction of recent games is a change, players who enjoy the classic Assassin’s Creed experience have plenty of options. Any modern Assassin’s Creed game will offer a similar feel, and there’s no shortage of other open-world action-adventure games available. For those who prefer the style of earlier Assassin’s Creed titles, Ghost of Yotei could be a great choice. It features a unique Japanese setting, thrilling action, and a stronger focus on its characters and story compared to the newer Assassin’s Creed games.
2013 – Grand Theft Auto 5
2026 Suggestion – Cyberpunk 2077
Man, I still remember when Grand Theft Auto 5 came out in 2013. It totally blew everything else away – even games like Saints Row 4 and Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag didn’t stand a chance! And it still sells like crazy. I’ve honestly bought it a few times myself, just to play GTA Online on different consoles. It’s easily one of the best-selling games ever, and for good reason.
Okay, so it’s tough finding games like GTA right now, especially anything that’s come out recently. We’re all waiting for GTA 6 later this year, and honestly, not many games have even tried to fill that gap, and the ones that did weren’t great. I think Cyberpunk 2077 is probably the closest thing we have, but it’s really a different experience, so you shouldn’t go in expecting another GTA. Still, if you’re craving that open-world, living-city vibe like GTA 5, Cyberpunk‘s Night City is amazing and can definitely hit that same spot.
2014 – Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
2026 Suggestion – Assassin’s Creed Shadows
In 2014, Ubisoft’s open-world games like Far Cry 4, Watch Dogs, and Assassin’s Creed Unity were incredibly popular. But Monolith surprised everyone with the release of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, which quickly became a favorite. Though inspired by Assassin’s Creed, the game’s immersive setting and innovative Nemesis system helped it stand out and become a critical success.
It’s difficult to find games that directly build on the innovative Nemesis system from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor because Warner Bros. holds a patent on it. However, if you enjoy the feeling of being a skilled assassin – carefully tracking and eliminating enemies – there are still many great options available today. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, for example, offers a large open world ideal for hunting targets, though it doesn’t quite capture the same personal connection to enemies as Shadow of Mordor did.
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2015 – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
2026 Suggestion – Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Many consider 2015 a standout year for gaming, with huge hits like Fallout 4, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, and Dying Light. However, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt remains exceptional – it’s still considered one of the best open-world action RPGs of all time. Even though The Witcher 3 continues to receive updates and give fans reasons to return, are there any truly comparable games available today?
If you enjoyed The Witcher 3, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 could be an even better choice. Like Cyberpunk 2077, it showcases what CD Projekt RED does well, but KCD 2 offers a uniquely immersive medieval experience. These large, realistic open-world RPGs are rare gems, and this one truly stands out. It’s a must-play for anyone who wants to experience a believable medieval world where your decisions genuinely matter and shape your journey as a skilled swordsman.
2016 – Tom Clancy’s The Division
2026 Suggestion – Borderlands 4
While 2016 wasn’t the strongest year for open-world games overall, it did give us memorable titles like Watch Dogs 2, Final Fantasy 15, and Tom Clancy’s The Division – arguably the best game of the year. The Division was a particularly innovative Ubisoft game, essentially creating the extraction genre with its unique Dark Zone and smooth cooperative gameplay. Plus, it was a highly engaging looter-shooter with a remarkably detailed and expansive world to explore.
Even though The Division is super popular, there aren’t a lot of games that do exactly what it does right now. Luckily, there are still tons of open-world games where you shoot stuff and grab loot! I’d definitely recommend checking out Borderlands 4 if you’re looking for something similar – though it looks way different! It’s got a huge world to explore and a ridiculous amount of loot to find and try out. Plus, you can play the whole thing with friends, which is awesome.
2017 – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
2026 Suggestion – Genshin Impact
In 2017, open-world games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Assassin’s Creed Origins were popular, following the style of games made by Ubisoft. But the game everyone was truly excited about was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It was a unique open-world experience at the time, and is still considered one of the best games in the genre, praised for its incredible freedom and exploration.
Many open-world games have taken inspiration from Breath of the Wild, but Genshin Impact is arguably the most similar. It focuses on exploring a beautiful world filled with action and challenges, and its ongoing updates and collectible characters keep players engaged for a long time.
2018 – Red Dead Redemption 2
2026 Suggestion – Crimson Desert
For fans of open-world games, 2018 was a standout year, comparable to 2015. It brought us fantastic titles like Far Cry 5, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. But the biggest release was Red Dead Redemption 2 – considered by many to be the greatest open-world game of all time. Its incredible scope and attention to detail still haven’t been surpassed. RDR 2 is a truly special game that players continue to appreciate and is seen as both a masterpiece and a landmark achievement in gaming.
Few games have tried to capture the magic of Red Dead Redemption 2, but Crimson Desert comes the closest. It’s heavily inspired by Rockstar’s classic, with a story centered around the Greymanes camp and a focus on horseback riding missions. The game also strives for the same level of detail and interaction with the world and its characters. Early reactions have been very positive, so if you’re an open-world fan, it’s definitely worth checking out.
2019 – Death Stranding
2026 Suggestion – STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
The 2010s delivered a lot of excellent open-world games, including titles like The Division 2, Days Gone, and Borderlands 3. But the standout game of the year was Death Stranding, a unique and experimental take on the genre. Often described as a ‘walking simulator,’ it dared to be different, and while it won’t appeal to all players, Death Stranding has become a truly memorable open-world experience.
Even years after its release, Death Stranding remains a one-of-a-kind game. However, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl could offer a similar experience, featuring a beautiful, post-apocalyptic world based on real-world locations and filled with strange, unexplained events. Like Death Stranding, STALKER 2 evokes a strong sense of loneliness and often involves long journeys on foot to reach safe havens or deposit valuable items.
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2026-04-03 02:37