Biggest Open World Games Based On The Size Of Their Maps

Open-world games are still incredibly popular because they let players lose themselves in huge, detailed worlds. Over time, these game worlds have become massive as developers try to top each other by creating bigger and more impressive environments. Now, it’s not just about size; these maps are also becoming more complex and interactive, offering truly dynamic places to play.

Today’s open-world games are often huge, with players easily spending over 100 hours discovering everything a map has to offer. However, it’s not just newer games – older titles sometimes had massive worlds too, using simpler graphics or automatically generated content to achieve this. Space games especially stand out, offering maps spanning multiple planets that would take a lifetime to fully explore. Here’s a look at some of the games with the biggest worlds available for players to discover.

Figuring out how big open-world maps are is tough because everyone measures differently, and it’s hard to compare sizes using a single unit like square miles. Official numbers are rare and often not completely correct. Plus, many fan-made estimates include areas you can’t even reach in the game, inflating the total size.

The map sizes listed below are based on information from different sources and aren’t official measurements, so they might not be completely precise. If you notice any mistakes, please let us know in the comments, and we’ll double-check our numbers to ensure this list of the largest open-world maps is as accurate as possible.

50. Burnout Paradise

Arcade-Style Racing In A Giant Game World

Around 30 Square Miles; Over 218 Miles of Road

The Burnout games are famous for their quick, exciting races and unrealistic, over-the-top crashes. Unlike most racing games that reward careful driving, Burnout actually encourages players to take risks, narrowly avoid collisions, and cause spectacular wrecks.

While often praised for its fast-paced racing, the Burnout Paradise series is also notable for its expansive open world. The game features a huge, 30-square-mile map that players can freely roam. Races are easy to jump into, and what’s really cool is that there aren’t any predefined tracks – you can choose your own path to win.

49. Elden Ring

Dark Souls, But Bigger And Better

31 Square Miles

Okay, so everyone’s probably heard of Elden Ring by now – it’s the newest game from the creators of Dark Souls. The world is huge, but honestly, it’s not quite as massive as some other open-world games I’ve played. Still, trust me, you’ll easily sink dozens of hours into just exploring everything it has to offer!

Elden Ring is a challenging game, and overcoming those challenges naturally takes a lot of time. This makes the game world feel bigger than its actual size, especially for new players who need to proceed carefully.

48. Crimson Desert

The Seamless Continent Of Pywel Features Stunning Vistas And Draw Distances

Around 40 Square Miles

Crimson Desert is a recently released open-world game that’s quickly gained attention – some people love it, while others aren’t so impressed. However, most agree that the game’s detailed and expansive world, the continent of Pywel, is truly impressive, offering a seamless experience across multiple regions.

One of the most impressive aspects of Crimson Desert is its incredibly expansive world. Players are treated to breathtaking views whether they’re on high ground or exploring deep canyons, and the landscapes are built with a lot of verticality. Everything feels realistically sized – distant mountains and castles truly feel massive and imposing.

47. The Lord Of The Rings Online

Walk In The Footsteps Of The Fellowship

Over 40 Square Miles

When The Lord of the Rings Online first launched in 2007, its world was quite small and could be traversed quickly on foot. But by 2023, the game’s map had grown massively, letting players fully explore the vast lands of Middle-earth.

The developers have done a great job expanding this game over time. However, the game world doesn’t have a clearly defined boundary. While estimates suggest it’s around 40 square miles, the exact size remains uncertain.

46. Forza Horizon 5

The Vast And Vibrant Map Of Mexico

42 Square Miles; Over 400 Miles of Road

As a huge fan, I was so excited when Forza Horizon 5 came out on PS5! It’s a really important game for the Forza Horizon series, which is already known for being a fantastic open-world racer. This time around, they set the game in Mexico, and it’s absolutely stunning. The map is the biggest and most detailed they’ve ever created, and I love how the seasons change – it really makes the world feel alive and constantly evolving.

The Mexico map in Forza Horizon 5 offers everything racing fans could want, despite not being the largest open world. You’ll find diverse environments like lush rainforests, scorching deserts, expansive highways, towering volcanoes, and lively cities. For those wanting even more to explore, the Rally Adventure expansion adds unique landscapes perfect for off-road racing.

45. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

The Largest Zelda Game Yet

46 Square Miles

The original The Legend of Zelda for the NES was revolutionary when it came out. It featured a vast world that players could explore at their own pace, which was a fresh concept for many gamers. While games like Might and Magic and Ultima also offered large worlds, The Legend of Zelda made its world feel much more alive and responsive to player actions.

Okay, so it’s been 37 years since the last big Zelda game, and Nintendo just dropped Tears of the Kingdom. As a player, I was surprised to see it uses pretty much the same map as Breath of the Wild, but they’ve seriously expanded things! They’ve added these huge floating islands and a massive underground area that’s just as big as everything above ground. Seriously, it feels like they’ve more than doubled the size of the world from the last game – it’s incredible!

44. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Get Completely Lost In A Dark Fantasy Game World

52 Square Miles

If you enjoyed exploring the vast world of Skyrim, you’ll likely love The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Its map is more than double the size of Skyrim’s, and it features a much wider range of landscapes – going beyond typical mountains, fields, and frozen areas.

Compared to Skyrim, The Witcher 3 features a much more colorful and lively game world. Skyrim was often criticized for its dull colors, but The Witcher 3 offers a vibrant experience with a wider variety of landscapes, reminiscent of Oblivion‘s brighter palette.

43. Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Gorgeous World Of Feudal Japan, Coupled With Yearly Seasons

55 Square Miles

The newest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, takes place in a beautifully detailed Feudal Japan. The game world is large, though not the biggest in the series, and is primarily made up of land – you won’t find a lot of ocean to explore. Players can explore the entire map right away, but be warned: some areas have powerful enemies that will be difficult to beat if you’re not a high enough level.

The world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the most visually impressive and detailed ever created in the series, boasting beautiful scenery, lush plants, and changing seasons. However, getting around can be a little limiting. Players will mostly need to stick to roads in Japan, as the forests are incredibly thick and much of the terrain is impossible to climb.

42. Forza Horizon 6

The Biggest And Most Diverse Map In The Series Yet

56 Square Miles, Over 600 Miles of Road (Estimated)

The highly anticipated Forza Horizon 6 is now available! It’s set to redefine graphics and gameplay in open-world racing, while also introducing some exciting changes to the series. The game takes players to Japan, featuring the largest and most varied map in Forza Horizon history, complete with dynamic seasons and expanded cities.

Initial reports about Forza Horizon 6 suggest its map will be around 56 square miles – about 33% larger than the previous game – and will have significantly more roads. Players can expect a diverse racing experience, from winding mountain roads ideal for drifting to busy city streets, fast highways, and plenty of off-road terrain.

41. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Vast Regions And Mythical Realms To Explore

Over 80 Square Miles (All Realms and Maps)

Ubisoft originally said that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla would be a more streamlined experience than Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. However, Valhalla actually features even larger game maps. While Odyssey had a lot of open water, Valhalla‘s world is mostly land, making its explorable areas feel bigger and packed with more things to do.

The game features a variety of beautiful and different locations, including snowy Norway, the hills of England, and even the legendary world of Asgard. While each area is initially captivating, the sheer size of the game and the number of things to collect can become overwhelming. It’s best enjoyed in shorter play sessions to make the most of this expansive adventure.

2026-05-18 06:36