Best Open-World Games That Let You Do Anything

At its heart, an open-world game is all about giving the player freedom. However, some games execute this idea more successfully than others. Take The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, for instance. It’s a fantastic open-world RPG with a huge world to explore, but often, once you arrive at a location, there isn’t a lot to *do* beyond battling creatures and collecting items. That might sound harsh, but it’s a fair point.

Other open-world games stand out because they redefine freedom. They provide players with a wide range of choices – how to get around, how to fight, what side quests to take on, and much more. While there are still limits, players are encouraged to experiment and try almost anything, whether it’s climbing, destroying objects, or building new structures.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

More Than A Delivery Game

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach significantly builds upon the gameplay of the original game. The central idea remains delivering packages to various bunkers, but now the action takes place across the landscapes of Mexico and Australia. Players now have access to a wider range of tools to help with deliveries, including motorcycles, trucks, exoskeletons, and even a coffin that transforms into a surfboard. They can also construct roads and monorail systems to improve travel. There’s also an increased focus on combat, offering players the choice between aggressive, direct approaches or stealthy, non-lethal tactics.

Dragon Quest Builders 2

Minecraft With A Purpose

Dragon Quest Builders 2 improves upon the original by taking what made Minecraft so well-loved and expanding on it. Similar to Minecraft, you gather materials by mining in Dragon Quest Builders 2 and then use those resources – which look like bricks – to construct buildings and other creations. However, this game stands out because it features a more engaging story and a more developed combat system. You can venture through the world on your own, battling monsters, collecting supplies, and rebuilding villages. Plus, there’s a cooperative island where up to four players can work together to build a perfect world.

Grounded 2

Go Small, Go Big

Grounded 2 is still in early access, but it’s already a significant step up from the original game, especially when it comes to how it looks and plays. Collecting resources and starting to build feels much smoother now. Players can create weapons and armor using materials gathered from bugs and the environment.

Players will eventually be able to capture insects to ride, similar to ants, allowing for quicker and more interesting movement. In addition to equipment, they can also build structures and decorate them to create a fully customized miniature world within a larger, contained environment.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Building A Better Hyrule

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom largely reused the Hyrule map from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, though it included some important additions. Players once again control Link and can freely roam the world, either on foot or by horseback. This new installment introduced both an underground Hyrule and floating sky islands to explore. Notably, players could now construct items – like vehicles capable of traversing lava or flying – adding a whole new layer to the gameplay. Building on an already expansive experience, fans have been showcasing their incredible creations online since the game’s release in 2023.

Palworld

Pretty Robust For Early Access

Palworld initially appears to be a Pokemon copycat, and it shares some similarities, but it expands on that concept in several ways. Players explore the world, capture creatures called Pals, and can use them in a variety of ways – as companions, workers at their base, or even as weapons, like flamethrowers. You can even ride some Pals, making getting around much faster. The game also lets you build homes, gardens, weapons, and many other things. It’s equally a survival game and a monster-collecting game, and it’s surprisingly well-developed for being in Early Access.

Red Dead Redemption 2

A Cowboy’s Life For Me

Red Dead Redemption 2 truly lets you live out your cowboy dreams, especially if you’ve ever wished you lived during the time of the Old West. Playing as Arthur Morgan, you have the choice to be a ruthless outlaw – robbing and even harming innocent people – or a helpful, kind-hearted citizen who lends a hand to those in need.

Compared to other open-world games, there aren’t a lot of detailed crafting options, but there’s still a great deal to experience. You can breed and raise horses, go hunting, and explore the wide-open plains to discover interesting things – like crime scenes or maybe even something supernatural.

Sea Of Thieves

Drink Up Me Hearties

When Sea of Thieves first came out in 2018, honestly, it was pretty bare bones – mostly just sailing around with your friends was the thing to do. But Rare has been *amazing* at adding content ever since! They’ve included everything from treasure hunting quests and interesting NPCs to even cool crossovers with other pirate stuff, like Pirates of the Caribbean. And it’s not just about new things to *do* – they’ve even brought the game to consoles like the PS5, and thankfully, crossplay is supported, so you can play with friends on any platform! It really is the ultimate pirate experience – you can genuinely do whatever you want out on the high seas.

Starfield

Become A Space Explorer

Starfield is a truly enormous game, even bigger than other open-world titles from Bethesda like Fallout 76 and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, simply because of the vastness of space. Players will find familiar Bethesda gameplay – completing story missions, opening chests, and fighting enemies – but now in a cosmic setting. The gunplay is the best it’s ever been in a Bethesda RPG, and while the main story isn’t extensive, there’s plenty to do for players who enjoy building and exploring. In Starfield, you can design and construct spaceships, and then establish bases on different planets to create your own spacefaring life.

2025-10-02 01:37