Modern Open-World Games That Changed the Genre

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The popularity of open-world games really took off with the release of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim in 2011. While open-world games existed before then, Skyrim led to a surge in their creation – with mixed results. Some developers struggle to create truly captivating open-world experiences, but others have built upon Skyrim‘s foundation and pushed the genre forward with innovative designs.

Over the last decade, many open-world games have pushed the industry forward. This isn’t about picking the most popular titles; even smaller, innovative games can have a big impact. Here’s a look at the games that truly changed things, across all consoles and genres.

10. Assassin’s Creed Origins

From Stabs To Stats

In 2017, Assassin’s Creed Origins revitalized the Assassin’s Creed series by introducing role-playing game (RPG) elements. Players could now improve their characters by leveling up and collecting a wider variety of loot. While previous games allowed for some gear upgrades through crafting, Origins firmly established the series as an RPG – a direction it has largely maintained, with the exception of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, which aimed to recapture the feel of earlier titles.

9. Pokemon Legends: Arceus

The Franchise Evolves At Last

Pokemon Legends: Arceus delivered changes that Pokemon fans had wanted for years. The game takes place in the past and features a story similar to those found in Isekai anime, where a modern Pokemon Trainer is transported to an older time period where the idea of catching Pokemon is brand new. The game world is much more open than previous titles, allowing players to catch Pokemon without battling, and battles themselves feel more dynamic and real-time. Its follow-up, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, builds on this foundation with even more action-focused combat, and these changes are a welcome improvement.

8. Death Stranding

The First Strand Game

Death Stranding is a truly unique game set in a broken, exaggerated version of America. Players take on the role of Sam, a delivery person who travels on foot to connect isolated underground settlements and rebuild society. A standout feature is the crafting system, allowing players to use collected resources to repair and rebuild structures like bridges and roads. The game also features a clever multiplayer system where players can indirectly help each other by contributing to the rebuilding of the world. While a sequel is on the way, Death Stranding stands out as a remarkably creative open-world experience, and hopefully, we’ll see more games like it in the future.

7. Cyberpunk 2077

GTA But Cooler

Cyberpunk 2077 built upon the foundations laid by games like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Deus Ex. It took the open-world city concept of GTA 5 and improved it, while also offering the same player freedom and open-ended missions that made the Deus Ex series popular.

Players will be able to design their own character and improve them throughout the game by adding cybernetic enhancements that change how they play. These upgrades could offer advantages like improved aim with better vision, or allow players to bypass obstacles and avoid fights using hacking skills. While no open-world city game has offered this level of customization before, Cyberpunk 2077 might inspire Grand Theft Auto 6 to include similar features, though without the futuristic setting.

6. No Man’s Sky

An Open-Universe Game

When No Man’s Sky first launched in 2016, it wasn’t a hit, but the developers at Hello Games have continuously improved it, turning it into an incredible gaming experience. Building on the idea of automatically generated worlds that Minecraft popularized in 2011, No Man’s Sky takes that concept to a universal scale. Its powerful engine allows for the creation of an endless number of planets for players to visit, explore, and build on. Although other space simulation games exist, No Man’s Sky remains unique.

5. Genshin Impact

Free To Play And Here To Stay

While free-to-play games weren’t new, Genshin Impact really shifted how people viewed them. It still used the common ‘gacha’ system for getting characters and items, but it wasn’t as pushy about spending money. Importantly, the game offered players a lot of content to enjoy before asking them to spend anything. Now, many other popular free-to-play games follow a similar model, and Genshin Impact undeniably left its mark on the gaming market.

4. Palworld

Freakonomics

While games about collecting creatures existed before Pokemon, Palworld really brought that concept to the forefront. Even though it’s still in development, Palworld quickly gained attention by offering features some Pokemon fans wanted. The creatures, called Pals, weren’t just for fighting – you could ride them, use them as tools, or even have them help build and maintain your base. The game also included survival elements, and its popularity suggests we’ll see more open-world monster-collecting games in the future.

3. Ghost Of Tsushima

Samurais Are Back!

The 80s and 90s saw a surge of games featuring ninjas and samurai, but interest in those themes eventually faded. Then came Ghost of Tsushima, a fantastic samurai game that brought the genre back into the spotlight and significantly raised its profile.

Players could experience thrilling combat inspired by classic samurai films, and also play as a hidden ninja. Ghost of Tsushima offered a stunning and expansive world based on the real island of Tsushima and its rich history, making it a huge hit with fans of the samurai genre. Beyond the intense battles, the game featured a beautiful and peaceful open world unlike any other.

2. Elden Ring

A Bold Move For Soulslikes

FromSoftware revolutionized video games with the 2009 release of Demon’s Souls, effectively creating the Soulslike genre. More than a decade later, they did it again with Elden Ring, an open-world take on the challenging formula. It’s surprising no one explored this idea sooner, but FromSoftware delivered brilliantly. Elden Ring offered branching paths, making it more approachable for some players, while still maintaining the notoriously difficult and unforgiving gameplay that defines the genre – especially for those who aren’t fully focused.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Take My Breath Away

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild truly revolutionized open-world gaming. Unlike many games that heavily guide players, it offered a vast world to explore with minimal instruction, letting you freely choose your own path and adventures. The ability to climb almost anything and then glide down was especially impressive – a feature many games still haven’t adopted, which is surprising. It’s easily the most iconic open-world game of the last ten years.

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2025-12-30 08:35