Best Open-World RPGs From The Last 10 Years

Man, ever since Skyrim came out back in 2011, open-world RPGs have just gotten HUGE. It totally makes sense though, right? Leveling up your character while you’re running around exploring or battling is just super satisfying. Even games like Assassin’s Creed, which weren’t really RPGs before, are adding those kinds of character progression systems now.

I’ve been thinking about the best games lately, and while titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are amazing, they don’t quite fit what I’m looking for in a truly open-world or RPG experience. But honestly, the rest of the games on this list are just fantastic! I specifically wanted to focus on original games released between 2016 and 2025, so no remasters, ports, or remakes – just the freshest, best stuff out there.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Fun With Friends

Monster Hunter Wilds introduced an open world to the Monster Hunter series for the first time. While you can’t explore everywhere immediately, once you reach the final area of the game, you’ll unlock the ability to travel freely across the entire world using a unique mount similar to a Chocobo, called a Seikret.

The ability to explore the world freely, whether solo or with friends, was a fantastic improvement and made finding monsters more rewarding. The combat remained excellent, offering fourteen different weapons and plenty of ways to customize and upgrade them.

Diablo 4

Loot Till You Drop

Diablo 4, released in 2025, marked a significant change for the long-running series by becoming an open-world game. While previous Diablo games featured explorable areas, Diablo 4’s world was much larger, and players could eventually explore it on horseback.

The journey to towns and dungeons was constantly filled with surprises – from side quests and unexpected monster encounters to limited-time events. The battle system let players customize their characters extensively; you picked a class and then developed unique skills, meaning no two players of the same class were quite alike.

Hogwarts Legacy

A Wizarding World Of Imagination

For years, fans of Harry Potter wished for a game like Hogwarts Legacy. It lets players create their own wizard or witch, get sorted into a Hogwarts House, and experience life as a student at the famous school.

Students could freely explore the castle between classes, stroll through Hogsmeade village, or discover the expansive grounds around the school. Learning magic felt simple, there were always interesting quests to undertake, and overall, Hogwarts Legacy was a fantastic open-world experience that truly captured the spirit of Harry Potter.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Hard, Scary, But Compelling

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a challenging open-world game that doesn’t hold your hand. It’s quite difficult, and the game doesn’t offer much direction, so players need to explore carefully and be prepared to die frequently.

One of the most enjoyable aspects for players who like a good challenge is the sense of real danger, much like the feeling you get in Soulslike games. Dragon’s Dogma 2 truly captures that terrifying experience of exploring a monster-filled world, and combines it with satisfying combat where every attack feels impactful.

Horizon Forbidden West

Jurassic Titanium Park

Compared to the first game, Horizon Forbidden West offers a much larger and more engaging world to explore. The original Horizon Zero Dawn took its time establishing Aloy and her skills as a hunter of robotic creatures, but Forbidden West builds on that foundation with a faster pace and more activities.

I’m really excited about the sequel because you get access to some of the coolest skills much earlier in the game! Things like stealth takedowns, hacking, and using different weapons are available right away. It makes exploring the wasteland so much safer and easier when you’ve got all those gadgets at your fingertips. And the way they’ve expanded travel is awesome – you can use hacked robots, a grappling hook, even a glider! It just makes exploring the open world so much more fun.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Grand Theft Carriage

In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, you begin as a low-class citizen and will need to work your way up. Expect to start with simple, everyday jobs to earn money and build a good name for yourself – and don’t forget to stay clean!

Players who persevere will discover a remarkably detailed open-world game grounded in historical accuracy – a refreshing change of pace from fantasy-based titles. The game also offers impressive replayability, even letting you experience it by playing as a disruptive force in society.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Luau Fantasy

Despite being a relatively compact open-world game, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Honolulu is packed with things to do. You can enjoy activities like photography missions, quirky side stories, and even food delivery, ensuring there’s always something to keep you engaged.

Players can sail to a dedicated island where they can build and customize their own little haven, similar to the relaxing gameplay of Animal Crossing, but with more action. Beyond these optional activities, there’s a deep job system where players can level up a variety of roles for their characters, like cowboys, surfers, and even hula dancers.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Two Factions Become Allies

In Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the game begins with two warring sides that eventually unite to fight a common enemy. Players will explore a huge and beautiful world featuring diverse environments like forests, deserts, and beaches. It’s particularly impressive how smoothly this expansive world runs on the Nintendo Switch.

Huge monsters lurk around every turn, but players can combine characters to create powerful, mech-inspired forms. This battle system is a highlight of the Xenoblade series, offering a great challenge and a memorable ending that fans of the franchise will love.

Cyberpunk 2077

Hi-Tech Hazards

Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world game centered around a large city, with a surrounding desert area to explore. Like Grand Theft Auto, you can drive around in vehicles, complete missions for criminals, and use your earnings to improve your character with cybernetic enhancements.

Okay, so in this game, the more cybernetic upgrades you get – and trust me, you want those upgrades because they make you seriously powerful – the more you lose touch with your humanity. It’s a totally open-world experience too, which is awesome. You can approach missions however you want and really forge your own path. It’s not about following a set storyline, it’s about how you play.

Elden Ring

From Obscurity To Dominance

Over the last decade, no open-world RPG has been more impactful than Elden Ring. Its massive success led FromSoftware to create both an expansion and a separate, multiplayer game, all set in the same universe.

Despite being a challenging game in the style of Souls games, players enjoyed the freedom it offered. If an area or boss proved too difficult, they could easily explore other parts of the game instead. Playing with friends online made the experience even more enjoyable and helped to make the difficulty more manageable.

2025-11-30 18:05