Best Open-World Games To Play Over A Long Time

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Honestly, there are *so* many open-world games now, and it’s hard to find one that really gets it right. A lot of them either feel empty, like there’s nothing to do in this big world, or they’re just overloaded with stuff. I think that’s why games like *Marvel’s Spider-Man* and *Grand Theft Auto 5* are so popular – they nailed that sweet spot of having plenty to do without being overwhelming.

Some open-world games strike a great balance between freedom and things to do, but they can still be huge. If you find one of these, it’s often best to take your time. Don’t worry about the main story – just explore and enjoy everything the game offers. It might take weeks or even a month, but it’s more rewarding to slowly appreciate these games than to rush through them.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Beat The Level Scaling

The newest *Assassin’s Creed* game, *Shadows*, is set in feudal Japan. You begin by playing as Naoe, a female ninja, and later team up with Yasuke, a samurai. Once the story is established, you’re free to explore a vast world, though your progress is tied to your character’s level. Enemies are often as strong or stronger than you, making it tough to rush through the game. Often, a slower, stealthier approach will be more successful.

Avowed

Dual Wielding Mages

Avowed is a vibrant and colorful open-world game set against the backdrop of an impending war and a spreading fungal threat. Players create their own character and can customize their abilities through skill trees, including magic – from launching fireballs to creating ice walls. Even if you don’t build a traditional mage, you can still use magic with wands and grimoires, which contain pre-set spells. You can even wield both a wand and a grimoire at the same time for even more fun! The game is packed with content, but it’s not overwhelming, making it best enjoyed over multiple play sessions. Every side quest and hidden secret is worth discovering.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Connect The World

In *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*, players return as San Bridges, tasked with connecting isolated countries – this time in Australia and Mexico. The gameplay revolves around delivering packages to bunkers, with higher rewards given for items that remain in perfect condition.

Planning your path and bringing equipment like ladders to handle difficult areas is a smart move. The main draw of Overtime is its unique multiplayer experience – players can build structures that impact everyone else, just like in the original game. Seeing the game world change as more players join is really special.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

It’s Only Hard If You Rush Through It

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a challenging open-world RPG that doesn’t hold your hand, leaving you to figure things out on your own. You’ll create your character and a team of Pawns, then venture into a dangerous and vast world. While exploring and completing quests will help you progress, you’ll likely need to consult online resources and talk to other players. Building a helpful community and sharing tips is key to enjoying the game. With friends to guide you, even a difficult game like Dragon’s Dogma 2 can become much more approachable.

Fallout: New Vegas

Perfect To Play Until Season Two Of The Show Starts

Many fans consider *Fallout: New Vegas* the best game in the series, and the second season of the *Fallout* TV show will draw heavily from it. We’ll see locations like New Vegas, The Fort, and Novac featured. If you’re excited for the show, now’s the perfect time to revisit the game or experience it for the first time. Even without the show, *Fallout: New Vegas* is a truly special post-apocalyptic adventure, with a compelling story, memorable quests, and fascinating locations that deserve to be explored.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Savor The Game That Changed Everything

If you didn’t get a chance to play *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* on Nintendo’s older consoles, now is a perfect time to start. The game runs even better on the new Switch 2, with faster loading and improved visuals.

Players immediately recognized the classic *Zelda* quality in the early versions, thanks to the interesting characters, huge world, and difficult Shrine puzzles. Before facing Ganon, it’s best to thoroughly explore all of Hyrule to maximize Link’s strength.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Building Up Mother Base

In *Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain*, you build up your headquarters, Mother Base, by recruiting team members. Both this game and the previous one, *Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker*, let you capture enemies using a fun, albeit slightly ridiculous, balloon system during missions. There are tons of recruits to find! Once captured, you can assign these team members to research new equipment or improve facilities at Mother Base, all of which happens in real-time. This makes the game best enjoyed in longer play sessions. *Metal Gear Solid 5* is packed with features, serving as Hideo Kojima’s final take on the Big Boss story.

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Be Patient, You Will Get Your Mech

Xenoblade Chronicles X is known as the most challenging game in the Xenoblade series, and that holds true even with the recent Switch release. Players will frequently encounter incredibly powerful enemies that can quickly defeat the party, sending them back to the last checkpoint. While you won’t lose overall progress after dying, constantly restarting can be frustrating. To overcome this, it’s almost essential to complete every side quest and become as strong as possible. Taking your time and steadily building up your strength, rather than rushing through the story, will ultimately unlock the game’s awesome mechs, called Skells. These Skells dramatically change the gameplay and are well worth the effort.

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2025-10-12 13:46