The 25 Best Open-World Games On Game Pass (Ranked)

As a gamer, I’m telling you, Xbox Game Pass is packed with open-world games. Seriously, whatever you’re into – RPGs, surviving in the wilderness, playing with friends, fantasy, sci-fi, racing, shooters – they’ve got it. If I’m craving a huge world to lose myself in, I can always go back to classics like Skyrim or GTA, or check out newer hits like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and The Outer Worlds 2. Honestly, it feels like Game Pass has every single open-world game I could ever want!

With so many games available, deciding what to play can be surprisingly tiring, particularly in genres known for long, epic titles. I’ve wasted a lot of time scrolling through Game Pass, hoping to find something new, only to end up replaying games I’ve already finished. So, let’s simplify things by ranking the best open-world games currently on Game Pass, including both classic and recent releases.

Just wanted to let you know I updated things as of April 2026! I added The Long Dark and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – both of those hit Game Pass back in March, so I made sure they were included.

Grand Theft Auto V and Ashen will be removed from Xbox Game Pass on April 15, 2026. They are no longer listed as available games because of this upcoming change.

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1. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

An Absurdly Massive Open-World Game With Style, Charm, And Gravitas

Xbox Game Pass released Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii before Infinite Wealth, and now that both are available, subscribers should start with the Hawaii spin-off first. While Pirate Yakuza spoils some plot points from Infinite Wealth, both games are excellent and distinct enough to be enjoyed individually. Together, they offer around 100 hours of engaging Yakuza gameplay.

Following up on Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the 2024 sequel lets you play as both Ichiban and Kiryu, alongside a supporting cast of characters. While the game revisits some classic locations, its biggest draw is the new setting: Honolulu, Hawaii. For the first time in the series, the story takes the heroes outside of Japan as Ichiban and Kiryu search for Ichiban’s mother. Honolulu is beautifully realized and a great reason to play the game.

Like its previous game, Infinite Wealth features turn-based combat, but it’s been improved to feel even better. While clearly inspired by classic Japanese role-playing games, the battle system now has its own unique style. The story is very long, though it doesn’t quite reach the same incredible peaks as Yakuza 0 or Like a Dragon – but that’s not to say it’s bad.

2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

An Open-World Game That Justifies A Game Pass Subscription

Even though it’s not the largest open-world game available on Game Pass, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the most compelling reason to subscribe, especially with its planned release in 2026. The game returns to the world of Bohemia, continuing the story of Henry from the first Kingdom Come (also available on Game Pass) with a larger map and improved gameplay. This sequel is designed to be more accessible than the original, allowing players to quickly learn and enjoy the experience.

Okay, so Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is seriously one of the most realistic open-world games I’ve ever played. It’s a proper medieval adventure where you actually have to earn your skills – you get better by, you know, practicing them. It’s not about fast-leveling; it’s about taking your time, facing challenges, and feeling good when you finally overcome them. The first-person combat is better than the first game, but it still takes some getting used to, and I liked that I could build my character into the kind of warrior I wanted to be. Plus, the world actually feels alive and changes based on what I did and the choices I made in the story.

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Definitive Fantasy Open-World RPG

It’s become almost predictable to call The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt the greatest open-world game ever made, but it truly deserves that praise. Few games combine compelling stories, a vast world to explore, rich details, and memorable characters as effectively as CD Projekt Red’s acclaimed title. The Witcher 3 is especially known for its incredible side quests, which set a new standard for the genre – and role-playing games in general. These quests are so well-made that they’re worth playing the game for alone, and they still stand up incredibly well today.

If you played the original Witcher 3 on Xbox One, you need to check out the Complete Edition on Game Pass. The upgrade for Xbox Series X/S is seriously amazing – it just runs so much better. But honestly, if you’re new to the game or the whole Witcher universe, just jump in! It’s surprisingly awesome even if you don’t know anything about the story beforehand.

4. Sea Of Thieves

Potentially Game Pass’s Best Multiplayer Open-World Game

When Sea of Thieves first launched, it had some problems, but it’s become one of the greatest multiplayer open-world games available. While you can play it alone, it’s really best enjoyed with friends. A lot of the fun in Sea of Thieves comes from players creating their own adventures together as a crew.

In the expansive and beautiful world of Sea of Thieves, players become pirates embarking on constant adventures. They can take on trade routes, hunt for hidden treasure, and battle dangerous creatures like the Kraken or ghost ships. The game is frequently updated by Rare with new features and ways to interact with the game world and other players.

5. Forza Horizon 5

An Open-World Racing Game Executed To Near-Perfection

The Forza Horizon series from Playground Games is known for its exciting and expansive open-world racing, and Forza Horizon 5 continues that tradition. This latest installment takes place in Mexico and features a much more varied landscape than the previous game, with each area boasting a unique look and feel.

As with other games in the series, Forza Horizon 5 perfectly combines stunning, realistic graphics and a believable game world with exciting, arcade-style driving. This combination works incredibly well. The developers at Playground Games consistently create open-world environments that are simply fun to explore, and FH5‘s map is packed with things to do, appealing to players whether they prefer playing alone or with others.

6. Skyrim

The Most Beloved Open-World RPG On Game Pass

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is a classic open-world game, and it’s expected to stay popular until the next major Elder Scrolls game comes out. Remarkably, even now, many players are still exploring the game’s snowy landscapes, forests, and ruins, especially considering it first launched in 2011.

If you haven’t yet experienced the amazing story of the Dragonborn, now is a great time to start. And if you have, there’s a huge variety of mods available for Xbox that let you create a fresh and unique experience with a game you already love.

7. Minecraft

The Biggest Sandbox Game Pass Game

Minecraft is unique in how much freedom it gives players. From the moment you start, there are no limits to what you can do. You can build a huge house, dig deep underground, or even create a complicated roller coaster – the choice is entirely yours.

Unlike many games, Minecraft doesn’t have a set list of quests. Instead, its biggest strength is the freedom it gives players to build and do whatever they imagine. It’s the perfect creative playground, limited only by your own ideas. Minecraft has been a huge force in gaming for so long that it barely needs an introduction. Most gamers already know it, and likely already know if it’s a game they’d enjoy. Among open-world games available on Game Pass, Minecraft remains incredibly important and stands out from the competition.

8. The Outer Worlds 2

Obsidian’s Delightful Open-World RPG

Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds is an enjoyable, mid-budget open-world game that succeeds in many areas. The sequel builds on the original, offering larger environments, better shooting mechanics, and choices that have a greater impact on the story. Whether it’s better than the first game is up to individual players, but it generally features a fantastic story and witty dialogue, though it’s a bit less over-the-top than the humor in the original.

While The Outer Worlds 2 didn’t immediately become a massive hit when it launched in 2025, it’s the kind of game that people will likely keep finding and enjoying through Xbox Game Pass for a long time. Obsidian Entertainment put a lot of effort into improving the optional side content, which has sometimes been a challenge for them. Importantly, the game doesn’t require you to explore that content – you can play through the story as a fairly straightforward RPG if you prefer.

9. Cyberpunk 2077

The Best Sci-Fi Open-World Game On Game Pass

Do you remember when Cyberpunk 2077 received so much criticism at launch? The game was a mess for many players, seriously hurting CD Projekt Red’s reputation – a surprising turn after the success of The Witcher 3. Now, Cyberpunk 2077 has been greatly improved and is a game many people can recommend, particularly to those who enjoy open-world games, as there aren’t many other games set in a similar cyberpunk world.

The game features a fantastic main story that doesn’t drag on, deep character customization options for diverse playstyles, meaningful choices that change the story, and a vibrant, memorable world filled with things to do beyond the main quests. By now, most people know how good Cyberpunk 2077 is, but if you haven’t visited Night City yet, now is the perfect time to jump in.

10. No Man’s Sky

The Most Ambitious Open-World Game On Game Pass

When No Man’s Sky launched in 2016, it received a lot of criticism for feeling unfinished and lacking engaging gameplay. Players were disappointed because the final product didn’t deliver on many of the features the developers, Hello Games, had initially advertised. However, despite the negative reviews, the team continued to work on the game, significantly improving it over the years.

Wow, No Man’s Sky has come SO far! It’s honestly the space game I always dreamed it would be, and everyone’s been loving it lately. If you want a really immersive, fun, and seriously addictive experience, you absolutely have to check it out – it’s an incredible adventure!

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2026-04-09 00:36