Best Open-World Games That Let You Live A Normal Life, Ranked

Summary

Medieval Dynasty allows players to establish and grow a town through farming, crafting, and building.
My Time At Portia offers a post-apocalyptic town life with crafting, farming, and building activities.
Minecraft and Kingdom Come: Deliverance provide opportunities for players to live a normal life with daily tasks and reward patience.

A gamer’s life can be quite thrilling. One moment could be filled with intense action, the next might involve a leisurely stroll across vast landscapes. While some gamers may relish games brimming with explosions and secret assassins lurking around every corner, others appreciate the chance to take off their dirty boots, sit by a fire, and enjoy a warm bowl of soup before taking a well-deserved break.

Games set in open worlds where players can live ordinary lives don’t necessarily need to be comforting or peaceful. But, to make it onto this list, they should offer gameplay mechanics that mimic everyday activities like cooking, socializing with neighbors, or holding down a job. Additionally, these games should allow the player to decide when to switch back to an action-packed adventure at their convenience.

7. Medieval Dynasty

Live, Hunt, Build, and Pay Taxes Like It’s 1400

Throughout much of documented human history, the typical existence was rooted in agriculture. Even those ensnared by modernity’s allure often find themselves longing for this simple ideal. Medieval Dynasty, at first glance, may appear to be another survival-crafting game set in a medieval era; however, its mechanics transcend mere foraging and fortification. Initially, players assume the role of a solitary peasant and progressively construct a life by farming, crafting, establishing a village, founding a family, and even paying taxes.

In the forests lie potential perils, yet even a warrior’s spirit dwells within simple folk, hearts as valiant as those of knights. For those who prefer nurturing gardens and fostering a community in an expansive world over engaging in battles against bandits or wolves, Medieval Dynasty offers a fulfilling journey of growth and development to those who exercise patience and strategy.

6. My Time At Portia

Small Town Life With a Post-Apocalyptic Twist

In the captivating game known as “My Time at Portia“, I find myself inheriting a dilapidated workshop on the tranquil outskirts of a sun-kissed town, which, unbeknownst to many, is subtly rejuvenating from an ancient apocalypse. Despite the presence of remnants from past technology and the occasional robot, life in this town revolves around simple joys and continuous advancement. I spend my days crafting furniture, tending crops, nurturing animals, fishing from picturesque piers, and step by step improving my dwelling and tools.

People playing this game can make friends with town residents, join local celebrations during different seasons, and even accept tasks to aid the community’s prosperity. Although there’s a bit of fighting for those who enjoy action, My Time at Portia truly stands out when you immerse yourself in its balanced lifestyle that combines work, fun, and building relationships within the small town.

5. Minecraft

Building A Life As Big Or Small As Needed

In Minecraft, you can engage in thrilling activities like constructing grand structures, battling shadowy dragons, and even discovering redstone tricks for automated environments. However, contrary to appearances, the tempo and subject matter of the game are always tailored to the player’s preference. Whenever desired, players have the freedom to pause and appreciate a sunrise, embark on a leisurely boat trip across a lake for some peaceful fishing in the afternoon.

In a more relaxed setting, players who enjoy a comfortable lifestyle might take pleasure in constructing a quaint log cabin in a woodland oasis, lighting a fire for cooking, and sharing companionship with loyal wolf friends. On the other hand, individuals who are community-oriented may opt to establish themselves in a village, cultivating fields for income and (if they wish) making positive contributions to the town’s residents by enhancing their quality of life. Although Minecraft’s mechanics could potentially encourage the misuse of nature, there are numerous everyday routines available to keep those seeking an ordinary existence contented.

4. Lake

Touching Grass With A Lakeside View

This indie game titled “Lake” centers around a mail carrier in a quaint American countryside town, devoid of the usual explosive action and extensive gameplay found in other open-world titles. Instead, it serves as a calming antidote for today’s overstimulated souls seeking a touch of normalcy – a “live life” and “get back to nature” kind of experience. In this game, you play as Meredith, a young woman who has been overwhelmed by city life, returning home temporarily to assist her father.

The central rhythm of the game involves handling mail, parcels, and town folk’s tales, deepening your understanding of the town’s residents, and reminiscing with long-lost acquaintances. This 80’s, leisurely-paced town offers ample activities without overwhelming players with task lists, fostering a cozy, down-to-earth atmosphere. Individuals seeking momentary self-reflection may find solace in this lakeside town.

3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

A Peasant’s Path Through War-Torn Bohemia

In contrast to its direct successor which surpasses Kingdom Come: Deliverance in numerous aspects, the roleplay of a commoner in medieval Bohemia set as Henry, a blacksmith’s son, offers an exceptionally engrossing “everyman” experience within open-world RPGs. Before Henry engages in combat or aligns with nobility, he dedicates his time to tasks such as running errands, assisting his father at the forge, and accumulating funds.

In Deliverance, players continue to face everyday necessities such as eating, sleeping, maintaining their wardrobe, and making a living. Without the fantastical elements like magic, dragons, or extravagant feats, this game offers a realistic, engaging, yet challenging experience that is historically accurate. It’s particularly appealing for those who enjoy role-playing an ordinary life.

2. Skyrim

Hunt In The Morning, Fish In The Afternoon, Slay Dragons In The Evening

As a devoted roleplaying enthusiast, I’ve come to appreciate the immersive nature of computer-driven RPGs like Skyrim. Unlike traditional tabletop games, where the action is mechanical, this game unfolds in my mind. From the vast library of readable books it offers, to the organic discovery of ingredients for my concoctions scattered across its world, and even eavesdropping on the gossip at the local tavern, Skyrim provides a depth and richness that few open-world games can match.

Apart from the primary plotline, players aren’t pressured into immediate action or compelled to adopt a specific playstyle. Over the course of numerous game updates and modifications throughout its lifetime, the game’s version offers a rich variety of mechanics for players to immerse themselves in Skyrim, allowing them to evolve from a simple woodsman to a prominent figure within the town as a prosperous thane.

1. The Sims 3

Still The Best Mundane Life Fantasy Simulator

Creating a game centered around everyday activities might seem straightforward, but crafting an immersive open world teeming with mundane opportunities is one of the most challenging game design tasks, as demonstrated by games like The Sims and their open-world counterparts. Although players don’t have the same level of immediate control found in other open-world games, The Sims 3, sans expansions, strikes a remarkable balance between the intricacies and details of real life and the freedom offered by a sandbox environment.

Each day is brimming with everyday activities seldom depicted in video games – preparing breakfast, squabbling with flatmates, or simply enjoying a book on the sofa. The “World Adventures” expansion pack expands this. In The Sims 3, you can immerse yourself in a comprehensive simulation of living a lively, complex, and chaotic life, minus escalating rent costs, exhausting commutes, or economic woes. However, be prepared to navigate the most cringe-worthy fashion fads of the 2010s.

2025-07-22 19:34