Best Open-World Games That Are The Most Satisfying To Beat

Summary

Open-world games offer satisfying narratives and challenges.
Death Stranding, Subnautica, and Elden Ring provide unique and rewarding experiences.
Conquering game challenges contributes to emotional satisfaction.

Among various types of games, none can be more gratifying than conquering an open-world game. These games are inherently vast, offering a wealth of content to explore. Typically, they boast intricate and extended narratives that consume hours of gameplay. Overcoming them signifies not merely mastering the mechanics but also learning the ins and outs of the world itself, leading to an incredibly rewarding experience.

If you’re looking for open-world games that either explore a post-apocalyptic America or deal with the fall of the West, there are numerous excellent options available. This list ranks these games based solely on how gratifying it is to complete them, considering aspects such as mechanics, storyline, and any other relevant criteria.

Death Stranding

Rope and Sticks

Following Hideo Kojima’s departure from Konami to establish his own video game studio, there was much anticipation for what the esteemed game creator would produce next. The answer was Death Stranding, which took everyone by surprise as it wasn’t a stealth-action game but rather a delivery game set in a post-apocalyptic, fragmented America, focusing on the task of transporting packages.

Despite not meeting the expectations of many gamers, Death Stranding offered a deeply emotional narrative that seemed visionary, exploring themes of connection and appreciating the effort players invested. There’s nothing quite as rewarding as traversing the roads you built throughout the game, leading all the way back home at the end.

Subnautica

Beat The Waves

For someone with a fear of the sea (thalassaphobe), playing Subnautica would undoubtedly be a harrowing ordeal. In this game, players find themselves stranded on an aquatic planet from the very beginning and must learn to survive amidst the terrifying creatures lurking in the depths below. The experience can be quite intimidating at first and demands every ounce of bravery from the player.

By the game’s conclusion, the player has attained dominance over the seas, having learned the intricacies of its depths. They won’t be able to battle the giants of the ocean using technological warships, but instead, they have the ability to control every aspect of the sea. The pinnacle of satisfaction in open-world gaming is reached when the player eventually constructs their spaceship, allowing them to finally escape.

Elden Ring

Become The Elden Lord

As a gamer, I’ve come to expect challenging gameplay from FromSoftware titles, but what sets Elden Ring apart is its expansive scale. Unlike their previous games which were more compact experiences, Elden Ring pushes the FromSoftware formula to its limits, offering an epic open-world quest that ranks among the most immersive in all of gaming.

Once the player has triumphed not only over the main game, but also the “Shadows of the Erdtree” expansion pack, they will have vanquished countless formidable bosses and risen to the top among a world’s top predators. Overcoming Elden Ring is an impressive feat that few other games can rival.

Outer Wilds

Master The Loop

In a nutshell, Outer Wilds is unique because, with the right information at hand, players can quickly complete the game. Yet, the captivating time-loop mini-galaxy open-world experience of Outer Wilds revolves around the numerous steps players must take to uncover that crucial knowledge and hidden mysteries, enabling them to eventually break free from the loop.

Exploring knowledge will lead the player on a journey through a mini solar system, showcasing some of the finest environmental storytelling and gameplay that gaming has ever produced. Completing Outer Wilds isn’t just about mechanical fulfillment, but offers one of the most impactful narrative conclusions in all of gaming. It’s an experience that must be witnessed to be fully appreciated.

Fallout: New Vegas

Viva Las Vegas

Bethesda RPGs often struggle with their conclusions. Typically, the main storyline isn’t particularly engaging in these games, resulting in rather unimpressive endings as well. However, Obsidian Entertainment, responsible for crafting a spin-off Fallout game, felt that wasn’t good enough and instead produced a standout title with Fallout: New Vegas.

As I navigated my way through the dusty expanse of New Vegas, I can confidently say that by the time the game’s end credits rolled, I had become more than just a traveler in the Mojave Wasteland. I had learned its complex politics, allied with factions that shaped its destiny, and forged bonds with companions who left an indelible mark on my journey.

But what truly made this game stand out was the climactic slideshow at the end. It wasn’t just a recap; it was a testament to how my choices echoed through time, shaping the world for decades. The satisfaction that washed over me as I saw the ripple effects of my decisions was unparalleled, reinforcing the powerful feeling that my actions truly mattered in this desolate yet vibrant land.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Hyrule Reborn

In the refreshing reimagining of the Zelda series, specifically in Breath of the Wild, players have the freedom to head straight to Hyrule Castle and face off against Ganondorf right from the start. However, it’s important to note that this initial encounter might result in a rather challenging defeat for the players.

Instead of just learning a few moves, players should explore every hidden corner of Hyrule thoroughly and vanquish a collection of villains to transform into the mightiest Link possible. Along their journey, they will find new abilities, gear, and companions in this post-apocalyptic world. Their ultimate goal is to defeat Ganondorf. The thrill of witnessing every narrative action unfold mechanically during the final fight is an unparalleled sensation that’s difficult to surpass, leaving players feeling like they’ve embodied the hero Link was destined to become.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

End Of The Road

CD Projekt Red has earned a formidable reputation for crafting some of the most compelling writing and narratives in video game history, and rightfully so. Their characters and game worlds are rich with maturity and complexity, making it rare that any choice is straightforward, and the outcomes are usually a blend of various emotions rather than simple right or wrong decisions.

By completing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, players find Geralt’s story at its climax, wrapping up an extraordinary trilogy that boasts numerous captivating side quests and a compelling narrative conclusion that could have easily gone awry in less skilled hands. It’s remarkable that a trilogy can feel this complete, which is why the game remains highly regarded as one of the greatest RPGs ever created.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Death Of The West

As a gamer, I’d say there aren’t many game studios out there that can match Rockstar’s talent and resources. Frankly, Red Dead Redemption 2, their masterpiece set in the Old West, might not only be the finest video game Western ever created, but its storyline and immersive world are also up there with the greatest Westerns ever produced, across all mediums – movies included.

One key factor behind this is the exceptionally compelling storyline that Rockstar meticulously crafted for Red Dead Redemption 2. Without giving away any plot details, it’s safe to acknowledge that the characters and their narratives are among the most poignant and exhilarating in Western-themed stories, and the climax of the game is both heartrending and pulse-poundingly exciting within the gaming world.

2025-08-10 07:35