Sky-High Adventures: Top 10 Open-World Games Where You Can Fly

Summary

Non-vehicle flight in open-world games delivers thrilling and varied ways to explore vast landscapes.
Titles like Palworld, No Man’s Sky, Horizon Forbidden West, and Hogwarts Legacy feature flying mounts for dynamic and exciting traversal.
In Immortals Fenyx Rising, Anthem, and Just Cause 4, flight mechanics rely on magical artifacts or specialized gear.

Open-world games have always enthralled gamers with their sense of freedom, providing multiple paths to traverse expansive landscapes. As technology and the genre advance, novel methods of exploration surface, such as soaring through the skies without conventional transportation, which is undeniably the most exhilarating means to navigate large worlds. Notable open-world games now allow players to fly effortlessly using different methods like superhuman powers, enchanted items, scientific equipment, specialized outfits, or even rideable flying creatures.

In an unusual twist for this type of game, soaring through the skies instead of driving significantly enhances the player’s journey, both in terms of speed and height. This mode of travel offers thrilling means to get to locations quickly, but more crucially, it provides a stunning, bird’s-eye view of the game’s exquisite scenery. From this vantage point, players can discern intricate aspects of the environment that would otherwise remain hidden, adding depth and beauty to their gaming experience.

In this compilation, we’ll organize contemporary open-world games (released post 2015) that boast impressive visuals, with a special emphasis on titles where players can soar through the skies using skills, powers, unique equipment, or magical creatures, thereby omitting ordinary vehicles such as aircraft and helicopters that are prevalent in the genre. The rankings will be determined solely by the flight mechanics, disregarding any other game features.

8. Palworld

Ride Fast Flying Pals With Almost No Restrictions

The remarkable popularity of Palworld can be attributed in large part to its enchanting creature-collection aspect, appealing particularly to enthusiasts of games akin to Pokémon. Apart from the creatures players can amass for diverse assignments, the game features aerial Pals such as Nitewing, Vanwyrm, Beakon, Ragnahawk, Frostallion, and Jetragon. These serve as convenient flying steeds, providing continuous, almost unrestricted flight, only occasionally hindered by stamina depletion. Fortunately, stamina recovers swiftly; players merely need to allow their Pals a brief respite to catch their breath before taking off once more.

In Palworld, the flight mechanics are intriguing, but since the game is still in its early stages and the development team is quite small, the flying experience isn’t as polished or exhilarating as it is in certain other open-world games, at least not yet.

7. Batman: Arkham Knight

Gliding Isn’t Quite Flying, But Shines When Mastered

To this day, Batman: Arkham Knight continues to be recognized as one of the best Batman games ever produced and a high point for Rocksteady Studios. The open world of Arkham City is expansive and breathtaking, providing players with various means to traverse, such as racing through the city in the Batmobile or flying elegantly using advanced gliding mechanics.

While Batman’s cape-assisted gliding doesn’t technically classify as flying, gamers can acquire enhancements to improve maneuverability, distance, and velocity in mid-air. In fact, using the cape alongside the grappling hook and utilizing the environment effectively can greatly extend flight duration. Once perfected, this mode of travel gets surprisingly close to flying without vehicles, making it an ideal method for navigating the cityscape.

6. Immortals Fenyx Rising

Soar Across A Vibrant Greek World With Magical Wings

The tales of Greek mythology provide an abundant source for creative ideas in gaming. It’s filled with legendary creatures and enchanted objects that grant heroic abilities when wielded by characters. In the game Immortals Fenyx Rising, players can collect numerous such items as they progress, but the wings stand out as particularly beneficial. This game, set in a world influenced by Greek mythology and developed by Ubisoft, emphasizes exploration, making flying abilities crucial to the overall experience. Therefore, acquiring the wings swiftly is essential for an enjoyable journey through this open world.

Daedalus-made wings enable Fenyx to glide or briefly fly once gathering speed, and stamina enhancements increase their capabilities. By vanquishing Typhon’s minions, players can acquire upgrades that extend flying time. With continued progress, they may even match Icarus’ aerial prowess.

5. No Man’s Sky

Going Beyond Spaceships For Aerial Exploration

For those who haven’t played No Man’s Sky in a while, you might be taken aback to discover that the game has undergone significant changes since 2021. Originally, the game was all about space travel through spaceships only. However, recent updates have transformed the gameplay experience. Among the new features and options introduced, one notable change is the addition of rideable flying mounts that players can now tame.

These flying beings offer almost limitless flight possibilities across diverse planetary landscapes, differing significantly from spacecraft exploration. They allow for natural, low-level gliding over randomly generated universes. With an array of capturable creatures sporting fantastical shapes, players discover a novel and distinct method to traverse a colossal cosmos.

4. Just Cause 4

A Wingsuit Rivaling Batman’s Cape

In the Just Cause series, the expansive open worlds are famously known for requiring diverse movement options for player comfort. The inclusion of a wingsuit in combination with a grappling hook is ingenious. This setup allows the main character, Rico Rodriguez, to gracefully navigate the terrain by utilizing speed and environmental elements effectively.

In the game Just Cause 3, the wingsuit made its first appearance, but Just Cause 4 takes the chaotic open-world experience a step higher. This new installment offers additional stunts for the main character Rico, expanding his skillset even more. While players can still opt for conventional aircraft or seize vehicles in mid-air using their equipment, the thrill of such actions is not commonplace in gaming.

3. Horizon Forbidden West

Hack And Soar Above A Vibrant World On Flying Machines

In the post-apocalyptic world of Horizon, an abundance of mechanical creatures fill the land, many shaped like dinosaurs and posing a persistent danger to the remaining human clans. However, protagonist Aloy equips herself with a device capable of reprogramming these machines, converting them into allies instead of foes. Occasionally, these allies serve as transportation, carrying Aloy through the perilous terrain. The upcoming sequel expands on this premise by offering aerial mounts, but players must progress deep into the narrative to access this feature.

In the game Horizon Forbidden West, Aloy has the ability to commandeer a bird-like machine resembling a Pterosaur, known as a Sunwing. From atop this creature, she gains an awe-inspiring vantage point over the primitive landscape below. However, some players might suggest that the way it’s used could be made more imaginative. Regardless, when viewed from such great heights, even the colossal Thunderjaw – modeled after T-Rexes – seems inconsequential.

2. Anthem

One Of The Finest Flying Suit Implementations Yet

Though Anthem didn’t quite reach its full potential due to a limited narrative, repeated missions, and a shortage of depth and refinement, it excels in certain aspects. The most striking feature is the stunning world: a sprawling, awe-inspiring landscape teeming with lush greenery, vivid hues, and mysterious ancient relics. Another standout element is the Javelin exosuits, which players don before embarking on their expeditions from Fort Tarsis.

In the game “Anthem“, the Javelin exosuits are furnished with flight abilities, enabling players to soar gracefully across the alien landscape. Flight plays a crucial role in both exploration and movement mechanics. The game offers impressive air dashes, the ability to chill suits and extend flying time by diving quickly or skimming waterfalls, and striking visual aesthetics. Consequently, “Anthem” continues to shine as a notable example, inspiring other games to emulate its innovative concept and exceptional execution.

1. Hogwarts Legacy

Broomstick Or Magical Beast? The Choice Is Yours

Hogwarts Legacy stands out as one of the most adaptable open-world games featuring flight functionality currently available. In this open-world RPG, players are encouraged to delve into Hogwarts and its expansive surroundings by smoothly navigating through the skies. It’s not just about flying; there are multiple ways to do it. You can choose your preferred mode of transport for effortless flight: either a reliable broomstick or one of several magical beasts.

In the magical realm reminiscent of Harry Potter, I find myself surrounded by mystical creatures that dominate the skies. Among them, the iconic Hippogriffs stand out – magnificent beings with a blend of eagle and horse characteristics. There’s quite a variety to choose from, making each ride unique. Other remarkable mounts include Sepulcheria, Thestrals, and Graphorns. While they may not be as agile as broomsticks, these awe-inspiring half-bird, half-horse steeds add an element of grandeur to flight. Best of all, these majestic creatures can effortlessly transport me across Hogwarts and its expansive countryside, making every Potterhead’s dreams come true!

2025-03-11 03:56