Best Open-World Mecha Games

Best Open-World Mecha Games

Key Takeaways

  • Video games provide the opportunity to pilot giant mechs and explore vast open worlds, fulfilling sci-fi fantasies.
  • Phantom Galaxies, Sand Land, and Steambot Chronicles offer unique mech customization and action-packed gameplay.
  • Warframe and Horizon Zero Dawn also provide engaging mech experiences, with Warframe offering new open-world areas.

As a lifelong enthusiast of mecha games, I must say that this journey through time and space has been nothing short of exhilarating! From the classic charm of Steambot Chronicles to the ever-evolving world of Warframe, it’s clear that technology and creativity have no bounds when it comes to these mechanical marvels.


Experiencing the thrill of controlling a colossal robot across vast landscapes is like no other sensation. Unfortunately, as of now, there’s no reality-based platform for everyday people to indulge in their dreams reminiscent of the movie “Pacific Rim”. However, video games have been a wonderful substitute. Regrettably, some enthusiasts find the constraints within these games somewhat restrictive.

Still, there are video games where piloting a giant mecha isn’t just fun, but players also get to use it to explore a vast, open world. These six games are exactly what gamers might be looking for in a free-spirited sci-fi adventure, although getting to the part where fans get to pilot a mech may be a challenge on its own in some.

6 Phantom Galaxies

Its Full Release Promises Limitless Exploration

Platform(s) PC
Released November 15, 2023
Developer Blowfish Studios
Genre Action RPG

Phantom Galaxies, which has been in early access since November 2023, is not yet fully polished due to the numerous features it plans to include for its final version. Given its expansive scope – offering players the freedom to traverse a futuristic universe while piloting massive mechs and engaging in combat with other players they encounter during their travels on Steam – it’s understandable that there are still some issues to iron out.

This action-packed game boasts four unique types of mech warriors: Assault, Lancer, Buster, and Breacher, all with varying abilities. Although it might not shine quite as brightly as some other titles in this collection, make sure to watch for its final launch!

5 Sand Land

Live Out Your Fantasies As Beelzebub

Desert Realm is a video game adaptation based on the legendary manga and anime series by Akira Toriyama, which was released in early 2024. This action RPG lets you traverse an expansive desert landscape. Similar to the animated version, the core of the game focuses on players constructing tanks and machinery to engage in thrilling battles against powerful adversaries.

This mecha game stands out due to its extensive customization options that allow players to design their own vehicles, ranging from robot suits reminiscent of Gundam series to high-performance racing cars. Even for fans who are deeply immersed in anime, this action-packed RPG offers a wealth of enjoyment. But even for those who aren’t familiar with the original content, the thrill of controlling giant machines remains engaging.

4 Steambot Chronicles

If Only Audiences Had Appreciated Its Innovation

Platform(s) PlayStation 2
Released June 30, 2005
Developer Irem
Genre Action RPG

If you’re into mecha games, Steambot Chronicles is a well-known timeless gem. This PlayStation 2 game, launched in 2005, was revolutionary with its sandbox-style adventure offering colossal robots. Players control “Trotmobiles,” used for various purposes such as transportation and combat.

Similar to Sand Land, the game Steambot Chronicles offered an extensive range of customization possibilities for the Trotmobile, enabling players to adjust its speed and strength or agility and durability. It’s regrettable that the series didn’t gain more popularity, as fans can only speculate about how grand the series could have been on modern-day gaming consoles.

3 Warframe

The Possibilities Are Endless In This MMO

One standout mecha game from recent years is the 2013 release, Warframe, which has been consistently popular on current-generation consoles. In fact, it was ported to iOS in 2024. This multiplayer shooter game revolves around massive mechanical suits, providing players with a range of modes such as PvP battles, role-playing adventures, and parkour challenges.

The unique appeal of Warframe lies in its continuous updates introducing expansive open-world zones such as the Plains of Eidolon, enabling players to traverse these landscapes using their mech exosuits. Remarkably, even after more than a decade, this free-to-play game that offers open-world mech action has aged remarkably well, with minor inconveniences from occasional microtransactions being the only noticeable drawback.

2 Horizon Zero Dawn

Monster Hunter Goes Cyberpunk

Back in 2017, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Horizon Zero Dawn when it released on PS4. Despite the sequels that followed for PlayStation 5 and the PC ports, the original game still stands out as the most seamless and unparalleled experience in the series thus far. What sets it apart from other games is a unique twist: instead of battling humans, you’re up against robotic creatures! It’s an exhilarating blend of technology and nature that I found truly captivating.

Primarily, the game Horizon Zero Dawn revolves around a hunter called Aloy, who explores an expansive world inhabited by colossal mechanical beings referred to as Machines. Contrary to popular expectations of donning a giant mech suit, players spend majority of their time engaging in combat against these gigantic robots. However, certain creatures can be manipulated to serve as mounts for traversing the landscape.

1 Xenoblade Chronicles X

This Wii U Gem Deserves More Respect

As a die-hard fan, I’ve always been in awe of the colossal nature of the Xenoblade franchise, evident right from its debut on the Nintendo Wii. But it wasn’t until the release of Xenoblade Chronicles X that my jaw truly dropped. In this game, players are granted the extraordinary privilege to pilot massive mechs called Skells, and traverse the breathtakingly vast and diverse open world of Mira. Yet, the opportunity to command these Skells is only unlocked near the midpoint of the main narrative.

In the initial part of the game, the thrill lies in playing an open-world action RPG, but once you start battling and exploring in Skells, your interaction with the environment transforms significantly. Essentially, Xenoblade Chronicles X provides a unique open-world mecha experience, regrettably available only on the Wii U at present.

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2024-08-29 09:05