Best Open-World Games With The Most Secrets To Discover

Some video games only include collectibles as an extra feature, but others transform exploration into a deep-seated compulsion, concealing puzzles, riddles, and mysteries throughout every nook and cranny. The following list features those game worlds, the ones so rich in hidden content that players unite to unravel all the secrets. From cryptic lore etched on cave walls to mechanics camouflaged beneath the map, these games celebrate exploration like no other.

As a game enthusiast, I’m not just listing games based on their vibes. Instead, I’m ranking them by sheer quantity, concentration, and influence, counting secrets, how well they’re concealed, and their overall importance. These discoveries aren’t just cool; they’re mind-blowing. Let’s begin with the least secretive world and gradually move up to the most jam-packed with hidden gems.

8. Outer Wilds

The World Ended, But Not The Curiosity

In Outer Wilds, there aren’t any conventional markers or milestones, but every exploration leads to uncovering something new. The game presents a 22-minute looping puzzle, where the entire solar system serves as an intricate escape room filled with clues to solve an ancient mystery. Unlike typical games that focus on gathering items, players in Outer Wilds are driven by the quest for knowledge – seeking answers about the vanished Nomai civilization, the reasons behind the sun’s explosion, and the eerie silence of the anglerfish nest.

In other games, measurements are often straightforward, but Outer Wilds defies such simplicity. Instead, the ship’s log contains approximately 160 entries that piece together like a complex jigsaw puzzle to reveal intricate secrets. These secrets are hidden within numerous aspects of the game world, such as mysterious black hole warps on Brittle Hollow or cryptic Nomai scrolls behind quantum puzzles. Nothing is freely given; players must unravel these mysteries themselves. Even structures that appear purely decorative, like the sand towers of the Hourglass Twins, are part of intricate, interconnected systems. Each secret is interlinked and players often don’t realize they’ve discovered something substantial until they intuitively feel it.

7. Tunic

The Manual’s Lying To You

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I was initially drawn to Tunic and found it strikingly reminiscent of a miniature version of The Legend of Zelda. However, upon diving deeper, I realized this is no ordinary game. Even the pause screen holds secrets waiting to be discovered!

At the core of Tunic‘s captivating open world lies its intricate in-game instruction manual, which players collect piece by piece as they progress through the game. Many pages are hidden behind complex puzzles or camouflaged behind seemingly innocuous walls, deep within the game’s later stages.

But

In Tunic, the game, you’ll find yourself on a quest to uncover secrets upon secrets, spanning over 56 pages of the manual. Some of these secrets are hidden deep within the game, requiring advanced tools from late-game or deciphered glyphs for access. There are intricate mechanics like the Holy Cross input system that you might easily overlook if you don’t explore thoroughly. The Golden Path puzzle serves as the ultimate test, and many players may not even realize they’ve been preparing for it throughout their playthrough. This game artfully conceals crucial answers in plain sight, taking pleasure in watching players discover what they’ve unintentionally missed.

6. Hollow Knight

Hallownest Doesn’t Want To Be Found

In Hollow Knight, the mystery isn’t about the number of secrets hidden, but rather the depth you’re willing to explore. Instead of asking “how many are there,” it’s more like “how deep do you wish to delve?” With 45 charms, a total completion level of 112%, and numerous optional bosses, dream battles, and lore tablets tucked away in Hallownest, this game feels as though its true conclusion has been buried under an archaeological excavation site.

Regions such as the White Palace and Path of Pain are only accessible with specific dream upgrades in the game, while others are connected to NPC questlines that unfold over multiple hours. Finding the Grimm Troupe or uncovering the hidden Godhome content isn’t just about exploring aimlessly; players need to pay attention to what the world is hinting at. The game includes cryptic symbols on walls, platforming challenges that don’t reveal their purpose until much later, and even an entirely different ending for those who delve deep into the game’s lore of the Void. Initially, Hallownest was a kingdom, but now it functions like a complex puzzle that players must solve.

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

There’s A Treasure Map In The Bottom Of A Well

Adventuring through The Witcher 3, it’s simple to find yourself misplaced, not merely due to its sprawling map. The game world is brimming with over 250 question mark spots, many of which lead to submerged ruins, monster dens, or hidden loot. However, it’s the tales associated with these locations that make them truly captivating. A seemingly insignificant journal could hint at a deserted cabin. That cabin may contain a key. That key might unlock a crypt connected to a side quest that eventually ties back into the main storyline. Such is life in Velen.

In the Skellige Isles, there are 22 hidden treasure locations that are typically accessible only by boat. These spots are often safeguarded by creatures that players new to the game shouldn’t engage with. Even the game of Gwent, initially a secondary amusement, has its own network of secret missions, uncommon cards, and tournament sequences for those who delve deeply enough. The game also includes undetected storylines such as the Towerful of Mice and surprising events buried in Blood and Wine’s region of Toussaint. Through these elements, The Witcher 3 consistently offers compelling reasons to continue exploring.

4. Elden Ring

That Bush Might Be A Trap

The game Elden Ring essentially turns curiosity into a formidable force. With more than 300 hidden dungeons, around 200 challenging boss battles, and numerous elusive NPCs hidden throughout the Lands Between, it’s a title that encourages players to explore every nook and cranny, potentially encountering unexpected surprises along the way. For instance, you might stumble upon a man trapped in a bush or an entire city beneath the map’s surface. Additionally, teleporter chests are scattered around, ready to transport you into endgame zones at level 10 if you happen to touch a seemingly innocent sparkle.

In the game Elden Ring, even a place as secluded as Haligtree demands players to collect two parts of a medallion from different corners of the world. Neglecting to activate certain story triggers could lead players to overlook characters like Ranni or entire realms such as Nokron. The abundance of updates on community wikis for months is no surprise, as Elden Ring doesn’t just have a few secrets – it’s essentially one massive puzzlebox that equally punishes and rewards exploration.

3. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Sometimes It’s In The Sky

Despite having played Skyrim more than a dozen times, players continue to uncover new mysteries. The map boasts over 340 marked locations, yet this barely scratches the surface of the unexplored areas. From fishing shacks concealing personal diaries to shrines nestled behind waterfalls, or even skeletons engaged in a game of chess within caves that no quest directs players to, Skyrim is truly designed for the curious-minded explorers.

Each Daedric mission, ranging from Molag Bal’s ominous estate in Markarth to Sheogorath’s whimsical realm of cheesy chaos, houses some of the most iconic moments in RPG gaming history. The Black Book quests lead explorers into Apocrypha, a realm reminiscent of Lovecraftian lore with its whispering books and tentacle deities, while the Thieves Guild boasts secret passageways and concealed treasures scattered throughout Riften. Twelve years later, modders are still unearthing dormant dialogue and abandoned quests within the code. In essence, Skyrim isn’t merely a fantasy playground; it’s an intricate, coded conspiracy waiting to be unraveled.

2. Red Dead Redemption 2

That Cabin Has A Story, And It’s Not A Happy One

The immersive depth of the world in Red Dead Redemption 2 is truly awe-inspiring. Beyond its 230+ animals to discover, 60 weapons to acquire, and 16 legendary beasts to hunt, there are numerous undisclosed locations that offer whole stories presented through scenes. A downed flying contraption, a spooky shack in a haunted swamp with an actual ghost, and the remnants of a cult ritual are all present seemingly just to unsettle or surprise the adventurous cowboys stumbling upon them.

In simpler terms, there are 144 collectible cigarette cards, 30 dinosaur bones, 10 ancient rock carvings, and a captivating murder mystery game involving piecing together dismembered bodies and cryptic notes. The standout feature could be the UFO encounter, where players can observe an alien spaceship by camping at a specific cabin during midnight hours. Instead of merely creating a Western game, Rockstar has essentially developed a folklore simulator. These hidden elements aren’t just fun little surprises (Easter eggs). They are intricate character explorations, dark humor, and insights into a complex and intriguing world.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Answer Is Still Just Offscreen

If there’s an elite category for secrets in open-world games, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” undoubtedly reigns supreme. There’s simply no competition. With approximately 900 Korok seeds cleverly stashed in various landscapes – forests, cliffsides, mountain peaks, and even as part of the environment itself – this game transforms every inch of its geography into an engaging scavenger hunt. Plus, finding all 900 doesn’t offer a tangible reward, but rather a humorous one: a golden poop emblem. Yes, it’s a joke, and it’s absolutely brilliant.

Besides the seeds, there are approximately 120 major sanctuaries, some nestled within maze-like cliffs or revealed through riddles whispered by dragons. Additionally, there are 42 labyrinth shrine missions, hidden recollections from Zelda’s journal, unique mechanics tied to the blood moon that rearrange enemy positions, and Lomei Labyrinth Island which seems to be drawn from a conspiracy theorist’s notebook. Even after extensive playtime, players often discover fresh experiences, such as specific recipes only becoming available during thunderstorms or shield surfing behaving uniquely on snow. Essentially, every stone conceals a possibility, and most of the time, it does hold something hidden.

2025-09-01 20:21