Best Open World Games with Deep Lore

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A great thing about open world games is how they let you discover imaginative worlds with their own interesting histories, cultures, and ways of life.

Stories told by characters, narrators, books, and audio logs make game worlds more immersive and help players feel more connected to the characters within them.

It’s important to note that not all open world games prioritize building original stories and worlds. Some simply aim to realistically recreate modern settings or provide a playground for players to enjoy unrestricted freedom, like in Saints Row IV.

Many open world games feature rich and detailed stories hidden throughout their environments. These stories often connect directly to the main plot or provide fascinating details about the game’s world.

10. Halo Infinite

Zeta Halo’s Storied History

With Halo Infinite, 343 Industries took its first real swing at creating an open-world Halo experience, and they filled it with a wealth of detailed backstory for both the single-player campaign and the multiplayer modes.

Zeta Halo is deeply connected to the history of the galaxy, particularly the ancient humans, the Forerunners, and the Flood. After the Human-Forerunner War, it briefly served as a refuge for humanity before being turned into a weapon by the Primordial and a renegade AI called Mendicant Bias.

Beyond its ancient history connected to the firing of the Halo Array, Zeta Halo holds a wealth of information about the Banished, especially the Jiralhanae, and the UNSC’s struggles during the Created Conflict.

Audio logs from Banished War Chief Escharum offer a rare and valuable look at Doisac, the Brute homeworld. Despite the Brutes being key figures in the Halo series, very little has been known about their home planet until now.

9. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

The Na’vi Clans of Pandora

James Cameron’s Avatar movies are among the most financially successful films ever made. However, the stories in the three films largely center on just two of the native tribes of Pandora: the Omatikaya, who live in the forests, and the Metkayina, who live in the ocean.

While the three Avatar movies offer glimpses of other tribes, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora delves much deeper into the histories and cultures of Pandora’s diverse clans and peoples.

Players can discover a variety of Na’vi clans, like the Sarentu – the player character’s people, known for their history as traveling storytellers. They’ll also learn about the creative Aranahe, the quiet and skilled Kame’tire who specialize in herbalism, and the wandering Zeswa.

As you explore Pandora’s Western Frontier and work with its clans to build a rebellion against the RDA in Frontiers, you’ll discover just how vibrant and full of stories Pandora really is.

8. Horizon Forbidden West

Ruins and Tribes of a Post-Apocalyptic World

The world of Horizon is inherently captivating. It takes place in a wild, post-apocalyptic setting where humans live in tribes and fight for survival against massive, machine-like creatures, all amidst the ruins of a lost civilization.

While Horizon Zero Dawn has a fascinating backstory with secrets about Aloy’s family, the Zero Dawn project, and the Eclipse cult, I believe Horizon Forbidden West delves into even richer and more complex lore.

All the tribes from Horizon Zero Dawn are back in Forbidden West, and the game expands the world with several new ones. These include the Utaru, Tenakth, and Quen, each with unique cultures and histories. You’ll also encounter the Far Zenith, a mysterious alien group with their own complex pasts.

The main story of Forbidden West reveals a lot about the post-apocalyptic American West, but you can find even more details about the tribes and what happened to humanity by exploring ruins and tribal settlements.

7. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

A Dive Into Lord of the Rings’ Greater Mythos

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is a beloved and highly acclaimed book series. While it’s been adapted into many films, shows, and games, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is unique in how deeply it explores the rich mythology Tolkien created.

Taking place between the events of The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, Shadow of Mordor tells the story of Talion, a Gondorian Ranger, who teams up with the Elf wraith Celebrimbor. Together, they seek revenge on the families of both characters by hunting down three powerful Black Numenoreans.

Many fans first experienced the rich backstory of Tolkien’s world through the video game Shadow of Mordor. The game delves into the history of Celebrimbor, the creator of the Rings of Power, and how he was deceived by Sauron, offering a story set before the events of The Hobbit.

In addition to telling Celebrimbor’s tale, Shadow provides more details about the history and culture of the Orcs and other human groups, including the tribes living in the Nurn region.

6. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

The Viking and Isu Ages

I’m a huge Assassin’s Creed fan, and what I love about the series is how it blends real history with its own incredible stories. While every game touches on fascinating periods, I think Assassin’s Creed Valhalla really goes the deepest when it comes to building out its world and lore. It just feels so rich and detailed!

Set during the Viking invasions of England in the late 800s, Valhalla tells the story of Eivor Varinsdottir, a Viking raider, as they try to establish themselves in a new land and become entangled in a hidden war between two ancient groups.

As Eivor explores Western Europe, players discover a lot about the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Gaelic traditions, and Pagan beliefs. The game also features a unique take on Norse mythology, adding its own spin to classic stories.

Like the gods in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Valhalla shows Norse gods as more than just myths – they’re part of an ancient, highly advanced race called the Isu. The Isu’s actions and technology drive much of what happens in the past and present throughout the Assassin’s Creed series.

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt’s Fantastical Adventure

Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher books are filled with fascinating Slavic mythology and medieval history, so it’s no surprise someone would turn Geralt’s story into a detailed open-world video game. The most successful adaptation is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

The world of The Witcher in Wild Hunt feels incredibly alive and detailed, with a rich history to uncover as you play. There’s so much to explore that it’s easy to overlook side quests, monster contracts, and important notes or books.

I absolutely loved how the main story in Wild Hunt really dug into the history and cultures of the Continent, but what really surprised me were the side quests. They weren’t just filler – one of them was this incredible story about a troll, a godling, a doppler, and even a werewolf teaming up against humans! It was a totally unexpected and fascinating little tale.

The many side quests and contracts in The Witcher: Wild Hunt really draw players into the game’s world and give it lasting appeal. Each time you play, you’ll discover something new, making it highly replayable.

4. NieR: Automata

A Robot-Ruled World

Games with rich and detailed backstories are often the most engaging, and NieR: Automata by PlatinumGames is a prime example of this, boasting a particularly complex and fascinating narrative and world.

If you haven’t played previous Drakengard or NieR games, the world of Automata might feel confusing or strange when you first start. It’s set on a distant Earth, 10,000 years in the future, and is populated entirely by androids and robots.

As you play through this post-apocalyptic world with androids 2B and 9S, you’ll uncover the mysteries of the planet’s history and the many different robot civilizations that live there.

Players will learn about the Forest Kingdom, established over 250 years ago by a group of robots who sought to live peacefully and protect their home with a team of Royal Knights. Unfortunately, the kingdom eventually collapsed because they couldn’t find a way to create new robots.

3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Tamriel’s Rich Northern Province

Honestly, if you’re looking for a massive open-world game to really lose yourself in, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is top-tier. I’ve spent so many hours just wandering around, getting sidetracked by quests and uncovering all the cool stories hidden in the world. It’s seriously addictive!

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It would take weeks to fully explore all the castles, cities, villages, and ruins in the medieval world of Skyrim, and even then, you still wouldn’t discover everything it has to offer.

Both the people and locations in Skyrim are filled with fascinating stories. For example, the history of The Companions includes a connection to werewolves, and many brave archaeologists have tried to uncover the secrets of the dangerous, ancient Dwemer ruins hidden beneath the surface.

Beyond talking to people and ghosts in Skyrim, players can discover the rich history of both Skyrim and the wider world of Tamriel by reading the many books and journals scattered throughout the land, including titles like The Book of the Dragonborn and A Dance in Fire.

2. Elden Ring

The Lands Between

FromSoftware is well-known for its games with deep, intricate stories. Players often need to piece together the lore by reading item descriptions to understand the characters and the world’s history, and Elden Ring continues this tradition.

As a huge Elden Ring fan, I’ve realized that everything in the game – every character and every item – has a really rich history. But the game doesn’t just hand it to you! You have to actively seek out the stories, whether it’s learning about Torrent, my spectral steed, or figuring out the tragic life of someone like Messmer the Impaler. It’s amazing how much depth there is if you’re willing to dig for it.

Elden Ring is the first open-world game that combines the challenging combat of the Soulsborne series with true freedom of exploration. This makes it easier for players to uncover the game’s rich story and hidden details on their own, without needing to rely on external guides.

Players can definitely enjoy Elden Ring by overcoming its challenging bosses, but the game becomes truly special when you delve deeper. Taking the time to read item details, explore the world carefully, and piece together the story will give you a much richer understanding of the Lands Between.

1. Fallout: New Vegas

The Legacy of War

The Fallout games are well-known for their distinctive settings – a retro-futuristic America devastated by nuclear war. While the entire series boasts rich and detailed history, Fallout: New Vegas is considered to have the most compelling stories.

This is largely because New Vegas started with ideas Black Isle Studios had for their own Fallout 3 game, which was ultimately canceled before Bethesda acquired the Fallout franchise.

Fortunately, a lot of the people who worked at Black Isle Studios joined Obsidian Entertainment, and they successfully created New Vegas as a true follow-up to the original Fallout 1 and 2.

The game consistently demonstrates the lasting impact of past events. For example, the New California Republic was founded thanks to the hero from the original Fallout, while the Super Mutants are what’s left of an army led by The Master. Even the Enclave are just survivors of a previous defeat. This shows that the consequences of war can be felt for many years.

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2025-12-21 23:42