Open-World Games With The Best Gunplay

Open-world games need more than just a cool setting and lots to do; they also require a combat system that’s both enjoyable and challenging. For shooters, this means making the guns feel realistic. However, achieving that level of detail is tough for developers, and it can be hard to make every gunfight as thrilling as they envision.

Over the years, a few open-world games have really stood out with their fantastic shooting mechanics, making combat much more exciting and fun. If you’re tired of weapons feeling weak and ineffective, there are plenty of options that deliver smooth, engaging gunplay, turning every fight into an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Only fully released games will be included. So, no Star Citizen for now.

Honorable Mentions: Good Games That Were Left Out For One Reason Or Another

Metro Exodus – Great game with slow but effective gunplay. Most of the campaign doesn’t take place in an open-world.
Halo Infinite – The gunplay is rock-solid, as you would expect from Halo. That said, the open-world isn’t that great.
Saints Row: The Third – The gameplay isn’t that special, but it is fun.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl – The guns are really hit-and-miss, which can be part of the game’s charm.
Sunset Overdrive – Movement is the star here, but the gunplay is good, too.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – Look, the game isn’t great…but the gunplay is fine! It doesn’t fit most of the characters, but in isolation, it is fine.

10. Rage 2

Chaotic Shooter Held Back By Poor Open-World Design

Okay, so Rage 2 didn’t quite live up to the first game, but honestly, it still gives you that incredibly fun, fast-paced shooting experience you always get with an id Software title. What really stood out to me was how good the weapons felt – everything looked slick, from the way you switched guns to the reload animations. And they nailed the heavy weapons, especially the shotguns and rocket launchers. They were seriously satisfying to use!

Honestly, even though Rage 2 had a huge open world, it felt kinda empty after a while. The missions all started to feel the same, and exploring didn’t really give me much of a payoff. But, man, the shooting was amazing. If you just want a fast-paced, chaotic shooter and aren’t looking for a deep story or a ton of different things to do in the world, it’s still a really fun game.

9. Far Cry 2

The Random Nature Of Far Cry 2’s Gunfights Makes Each Encounter Feel Intense And Exciting

Far Cry 2 experimented with a unique weapon system rarely seen since, making gunfights feel powerfully realistic for both the player and enemies. Most weapons are found, not bought, and are often old, worn, and unreliable. This creates a sense of instability, but also makes each shot feel incredibly impactful. Combined with the game’s excellent sound design, gunfire is loud and echoes across the vast open world, adding to the immersive experience.

A key feature of Far Cry 2 was its realistic weapon system. Guns would jam or even explode if they weren’t maintained, simulating wear and tear. This encouraged players to frequently switch weapons and experiment with different firearms. While all weapons felt powerful, this element of unpredictability made them feel more lifelike and almost like characters themselves.

While Far Cry 2 was notable for its interesting weapons handling, Far Cry 5 generally feels the best when it comes to shooting.

8. Cyberpunk 2077

A Plethora Of Technically Advanced Weapons

Cyberpunk 2077 had a rocky start, and didn’t quite live up to the hype when it first came out. However, CD Projekt RED continued to improve the game, and today it delivers a fantastic and varied open-world experience with exciting combat.

Cyberpunk 2077 features a wide range of creatively designed weapons. Beyond the standard firearms, you’ll find futuristic guns with features like auto-targeting, making you feel like you’re wielding cutting-edge technology. Each weapon is crafted with impressive detail, giving them all a unique feel. It’s hard to forget the satisfaction of using iconic weapons like Johnny Silverhand’s pistol, complete with its awesome reload animation!

7. Mafia 2

Mafia 2’s Catalog Of 1940s Style Weapons Feel As Good As They Sound

In Mafia 2, as Vito navigates the dangerous streets of Empire Bay, he’ll find a variety of weapons, including several versions of the iconic 1950s Tommy Gun. Although the standard pistols aren’t very impressive, the magnum unlocked in Chapter 4 is much more powerful and satisfying to use, with a strong recoil that makes you feel like a force to be reckoned with.

The game features just four types of guns – machine guns and rifles – but they all feel different from one another. The Thompson 1928 is particularly enjoyable to use because of its incredibly fast firing rate and powerful recoil. The somewhat unpredictable enemy AI, with enemies not always aiming perfectly and having a bit of inaccuracy, also makes the gunfights feel exciting and believable, enhancing the overall immersive experience.

6. Days Gone

An Open-World Zombie Shooter With Weighty Gunplay

Combat in Days Gone is a bit of a mixed bag, and whether you’ll enjoy it depends on what you look for in a game. It’s not as fast-paced as some other open-world shooters, but it excels at making weapons feel powerful and realistic. Gunshots are loud and satisfying, and the recoil actually affects Deacon, adding to the immersion. This more grounded approach might not appeal to everyone, but it fits well with the game’s overall story and atmosphere.

Unlike some games, Days Gone makes weapon upgrades feel impactful without just adding numbers to stats. At the start, your guns are unreliable and not very powerful, which can be frustrating. However, as you play, your weapons and skills improve significantly, and by the end of the game, you truly feel like a skilled and effective fighter.

5. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands

The Amazing Audio Design And Fast-Paced Combat Make Gunplay Very Satisfying

In Ghost Recon Wildlands, players will find a wide variety of weapons, and Ubisoft has clearly put a lot of work into making them realistic. While the assault rifles fire quickly and deal significant damage, they also have strong recoil, creating a balanced but still powerful gameplay experience.

Light machine guns are powerful weapons, often found in chests, but they require skill to control due to their recoil. Mastering them is rewarding, though. The realistic sound design – bullets whizzing and ricocheting – adds to the excitement, creating fast-paced and intense firefights that are incredibly satisfying.

4. Borderlands 4

Taking Weapon Variety And Modification To The Next Level

Borderlands 4 received generally positive reviews, but a lot of confusing marketing and hype created a mixed impression. The game isn’t perfect, and its attempt at more open levels actually makes the gameplay feel less focused. Although the developers didn’t call it an “open world” game, Borderlands 4 is the most similar to that style of game the series has ever been.

Despite its imperfections, Borderlands 4 truly shines when it comes to shooting. Borderlands 3 already made significant improvements in this area, and Borderlands 4 expertly expands on that. While Borderlands 3 had excellent shooting for its style, Borderlands 4‘s gunplay is as good as or better than most open-world shooters – and those games don’t typically offer anywhere near as many weapons.

3. Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar’s Attention To Detail Is Shown Through Red Dead 2’s Satisfying Selection Of Weapons

Rockstar is known for its attention to detail in games, and they really outdid themselves with Red Dead Redemption 2. They made everything, particularly the guns, feel incredibly realistic. The weapons aren’t just cosmetic variations; each one – from pistols to revolvers, rifles to shotguns – has a distinct feel and sound, making them truly believable.

The gunfights in Red Dead Redemption 2 are especially engaging thanks to its distinctive combat system. Though it’s based on a typical third-person shooter style, the game makes all characters, including the player and enemies, quite inaccurate, particularly while moving. This creates unpredictable and exciting firefights. Plus, with a huge number of customization options, experimenting with and using different weapons is genuinely fun.

2. Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

Every Weapon In The Division 2 Is Unique In Terms Of Design, Sound, And Strength

The original Division was praised for its engaging open world and fun gameplay loop of finding better gear. Many players especially loved how good the weapons felt to use. The developers built on this in the sequel, and now, because enemies don’t take as much damage, the wide variety of guns – from pistols to rifles to shotguns – are even more powerful and dependable.

Despite being smart, the AI enemies remain challenging opponents. They often wait for the perfect moment to attack, making firefights unpredictable. Rushing in and shooting without aiming carefully can quickly lead to chaos. Fortunately, all the weapons feel fantastic to use, whether you prefer sniping from a distance or engaging in close-quarters combat with a shotgun. The game manages to strike a good balance, ensuring no single weapon feels overpowered or useless.

1. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Every Gun Packs A Powerful Punch

Fans of the Metal Gear Solid series are well aware of Hideo Kojima’s love for firearms. He frequently showcases weapons in detail throughout his games, sometimes dedicating entire scenes to a single gun or accessory. This attention to detail isn’t limited to cutscenes; the in-game weapons are equally well-crafted, particularly in Metal Gear Solid 5, where they feel remarkably realistic.

Throughout most of the game, Snake relies on stealth, so guns are best saved for essential moments. However, when you do use them, they feel incredibly strong and sound fantastic. The game’s quiet environments – like the landscapes of Afghanistan and Africa – make each gunshot feel powerful, like a cannon blast. The weapons also have satisfying recoil, making every shot feel as deadly as it sounds.

2026-01-04 04:13