The Best Open-World FPS Games, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Mixing FPS gameplay with open-world environments is a recipe for success in gaming.
Older games like STALKER and Far Cry 3 set high standards for the future.
Notable open-world FPS games like Cyberpunk 2077 and GTA 5 remain iconic.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that these open-world masterpieces have left me utterly awestruck! Each of them offers a unique blend of immersion, storytelling, and gameplay that’s hard to match in today’s gaming landscape.

It appears that many gamers have a particular fondness for two genres: first-person shooter (FPS) games and open-world games. Every year, titles like Call of Duty dominate bestseller lists within the FPS category, while some of the most prominent gaming franchises revolve around expansive open worlds.

It’s not surprising at all when blending two genres results in a winning formula, and open-world first-person shooter (FPS) games are a great example of this. In fact, some of the most outstanding open-world games ever made belong to the FPS genre. With so many fantastic open-world FPS titles available, it can be challenging to decide on just one. They’re typically lengthy games, so choosing may require considering their review aggregates. However, if these scores were debated among critics, that will be mentioned as well.

13 Rage 2

A Great Looking Open-World And Excellent Gunplay Make Up For The Games Flaws

Much anticipation built up around the launch of Rage 2 in 2019, as the original game had gained a dedicated following due to its stunning world creation and precise shooting mechanics. With expectations high for an expanded, improved open-world sequel, fans were eagerly awaiting the release.

Regrettably, the game “Rage 2” fell short of some expectations. Although it wasn’t a poor quality game overall, it lacked the depth and lasting appeal that fans had grown accustomed to. Be cautious about getting too caught up in the hype. On the other hand, looking back, “Rage 2” offers a polished open-world FPS experience. Unlike many modern open-world games that tend to be overly serious, “Rage 2” is an ideal game for unwinding and enjoying some fast-paced FPS action with impressive graphics. Its Metacritic score of 73 seems both unforgiving and yet accurate.

12 Dying Light

Brutal First-Person Zombie Killing, Awesome Parkour Movement, And An Authentic Feeling of Open-World

Reflecting on it now, it’s quite astonishing that the Metacritic score for “Dying Light” is merely 74. As an open-world first-person shooter with a strong emphasis on parkour, “Dying Light” was essentially pioneering its genre, and aside from “Mirror’s Edge,” there hadn’t been anything quite like it prior.

Playing zombie slaughter in Dying Light was an absolute blast, and it remains one of the top co-op zombie games even today. Over time, the game accumulated a staggering array of tools to annihilate zombies, including firearms. The gunplay in Dying Light was never complex, and the range of guns was limited, but nothing quite compares to the satisfaction of decapitating a zombie with a well-aimed headshot. If you’re after a hardcore FPS experience, you might want to consider other titles, but for everyone else, Dying Light is an exceptional pick.

11 STALKER: Shadow Of Chernobyl

An Iconic FPS Survival Horror Classic That Revolutionized The Genre

Over time, the classic game “STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl” continues to astonish, standing out as one of the finest first-person shooter games set in an alternative history. The narrative unfolds within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, but with a unique twist in “STALKER’s ” portrayal – it teems with grotesque mutated creatures. This game masterfully combines survival horror elements with open-world first-person shooter mechanics, creating a world that feels vibrantly alive and responsive.

In the game STALKER, resources are in short supply, necessitating careful preparation for all possibilities. The narrative isn’t strictly linear and encourages players to delve deep into the world, rewarding those who take risks and make challenging choices. Although its first-person shooting mechanics may seem basic compared to modern games, the overall experience offered by STALKER is still highly impressive – save for its graphics, which could use an update. The main challenge in playing this game now lies in getting it to run smoothly on contemporary hardware.

10 No Man’s Sky

Forget About An Open-World, This Is An Open-Universe FPS

In comparison to “Cyberpunk 2077,” “No Man’s Sky” might be one of the most remarkable comeback tales in gaming history. Prior to its launch in 2016, it was heavily hyped, with developers promising a vast, procedurally generated universe for players to freely explore and interact with. However, upon release, many found it resembled more of a walking simulator blended with a less-than-impressive version of “Minecraft.” The initial launch, unfortunately, did not meet expectations. But through numerous updates over the years, “No Man’s Sky” has transformed into something truly extraordinary.

In this game, there are numerous mechanisms to manage, yet the first-person shooting (FPS) action is undeniably one of them. While combat has not been the primary emphasis in the game previously, it is included, and the original rudimentary gunplay has evolved significantly. Players have the ability to craft their own weapons, engage in hunting, and fight an array of diverse enemies. They can even take control of a mech equipped with firearms. However, it’s essential to note that No Man’s Sky primarily emphasizes exploration and the open-world experience.

9 Starfield

An Ambitious Game That Didn’t Quite Live Up To The Hype But Is Still Plenty Of Fun

Some individuals might find it questionable that Starfield is placed so highly in this ranking. After all, it’s not hard to understand why. The game generated a significant amount of buzz before its release, and the enthusiasm among Bethesda fans was palpable, but unfortunately, many felt the game fell short of expectations. Although gamers might be willing to forgive the typical Bethesda glitches, the unfortunate reality is that the game’s world didn’t measure up to the caliber of Skyrim and Fallout.

Starfield offers an expansive universe for exploration, however, it’s important to note that this universe is heavily segmented. Even by Bethesda standards, there are numerous loading screens. The game exhibits clear signs of procedural generation, giving the impression that every other structure could be an identical Red Rocket. Despite these criticisms, the game does deliver on some of its intended goals. The first-person shooting mechanics are the studio’s best work to date, and in its structured areas, the world-building is as impressive as that found in its other titles. It appears that Bethesda has recognized this feedback and the latest Shattered Space expansion offers a more traditional Bethesda-style open-world experience.

8 The Outer Worlds

A Spacefaring Adventure Where Every Decision Counts

Similar to the style of “Starfield,” “The Outer Worlds” is a space-faring game that’s designed to emulate an open world experience. However, unlike “Starfield,” which was more ambitious, “The Outer Worlds” proved to be less so and consequently more successful in delivering this sense of freedom. Drawing inspiration from classic “Fallout” games, the game is divided into various zones, each featuring an open-ended structure that allows players to roam freely and tackle side quests at their leisure.

In this game, Obsidian demonstrates a strong background in creating immersive worlds, and that’s evident here. Similarly, the interactive quests effectively convey the impact of player decisions. However, the first-person shooting aspect is merely decent. Essentially, The Outer Worlds leans more towards being a role-playing game rather than a shooter, which is reflected in its gameplay.

7 Cyberpunk 2077

Epic Moment To Moment Gameplay, Gorgeous Visuals, And An Entertaining Story

Initially, Cyberpunk 2077 was launched in an incredibly flawed condition, particularly on consoles. However, it took several years of continuous updates for its hidden greatness to surface. Now, it stands as one of the most visually stunning open-world games and is often considered highly enjoyable. The 2.0 update played a significant role in rectifying many issues.

Beyond its visually appealing aspects, Cyberpunk 2077 boasts an engaging, multi-layered storyline with ample replay value. Its expansive open world teems with undiscovered content, side missions, and activities for players to explore and complete. Unlike many games of comparable size, Cyberpunk continues to be entertaining throughout its entirety. This is largely due to the thrilling gameplay experiences it provides on a moment-to-moment basis. Cyberpunk offers numerous ways to play, but regardless of the chosen path, firearms are likely to remain significant. The FPS combat in Cyberpunk is gruesome, excessively dramatic, and incredibly enjoyable.

6 Fallout 4

A Classic Bethesda Open-World With Decent Gunplay But Slightly Simplified RPG Elements

Some enthusiasts of the “Fallout” series might find it disappointing to spot “Fallout 4” instead of either “Fallout 3” or “New Vegas”. It’s worth noting that both alternatives have a compelling case as being superior in terms of open-world exploration and overall “Fallout” gameplay. Nevertheless, there’s one aspect where “Fallout 4” outshines its counterparts without debate – its First-Person Shooter (FPS) gameplay.

In simpler terms, while some might argue that Fallout 4’s role-playing aspects are less complex or its story is less engaging compared to other games in the series, its combat stands out as the best among all Fallout games. It offers an authentic first-person shooter experience, and handling weapons in Fallout 4 feels surprisingly satisfying. Moreover, the VATS system remains enjoyable. Additionally, Fallout 4 is a fantastic open-world game with numerous things to explore, maintaining the series’ distinctive style and world-building. Although it might not be the top-tier Fallout game, it delivers an excellent open-world first-person shooter experience.

5 Halo Infinite

The Halo Gameplay Fans Expect Set In A Beautiful Open-World Setting

Initially, when the release of Halo Infinite was announced, some enthusiasts expressed valid apprehensions. For a long time, the Halo series had been recognized for its level-based structure and superior first-person shooter (FPS) gameplay. The fear was that the shift to an open world might compromise the game’s playability, potentially diminishing its renowned combat mechanics. However, their fears proved unfounded.

Despite garnering controversy among fans for various reasons, the single-player campaign of Halo Infinite has rarely been a point of contention. The creators, 343 Industries, have successfully captured an expansive open world while keeping true to what Halo fans appreciate. This open world is primarily geared towards combat, with exploration taking a backseat to shooting aliens and completing missions. This balance is ideal, as it reflects the first-person shooter (FPS) essence of Halo Infinite. Unlike many other open-world FPS games that emphasize the open-world aspect, Halo Infinite focuses primarily on the FPS experience.

4 Far Cry 3

A Classic Open-Word FPS That’s Still Hard To Beat

The action-adventure game “Far Cry 3” is widely recognized as one of the most impactful open-world titles ever created. While other open-world first-person shooters had emerged prior, “Far Cry 3” swiftly established itself as the benchmark in the genre. Although subsequent games have refined aspects of its design, numerous players continue to regard “Far Cry 3” as the superior Far Cry experience.

This game, Far Cry 3, truly excels because it offers a complete experience. Its expansive world is dynamic and resembles a genuine sandbox. The enemies exhibit realistic responses to the player, the map stretches far, and there are numerous routes to accomplish any task. The storyline is engaging and features one of gaming’s most memorable villains, Vaas. The first-person shooter gameplay saw significant enhancements from previous Far Cry games, and both stealth and combat felt not only practical but enjoyable. Play an open-world FPS today, and you’ll find traces of Far Cry 3’s genetic makeup everywhere.

3 Borderlands 2

The Grandfather Of the Looter Shooter Genre That’s Still A Blast To Play

In essence, while Borderlands 2 follows a zoned structure, it gives off an open-world vibe. Contrasted with Borderlands 3, which transported players between locations from a spaceship, the map in Borderlands 2 seemed more interconnected and explorable, as if one could traverse the entire game without leaving a single zone, though there would be numerous loading screens along the way.

Borderlands 2 is widely recognized as one of the top-tier looter-shooter games ever created. Its first-person shooting mechanics, even to this day, are considered among the best in the genre, and its humor is side-splittingly funny. In comparison to the original, it places a greater emphasis on narrative development and world design, but never sacrifices gameplay for story. For many fans, it represents the pinnacle of the series. While its world may not offer as much interactivity as some other games (e.g., shoot this, press a button next to that), there’s no disputing the game’s quality. Here’s hoping that Borderlands 4 can live up to its predecessor.

2 Red Dead Redemption 2

One Of The Most Eye-Watering Open-Worlds In Gaming

In this ranking, Red Dead Redemption 2 tied for first place in terms of scores but came in second due to a slight preference for gameplay experience in GTA 5. Both games offer third-person and optional first-person perspectives, yet the latter’s first-person mode provides a more satisfying gaming experience. As a result, RDR2 placed second on this list.

As a gamer diving into the wild west world of Red Dead Redemption 2, I can’t deny that the first-person perspective is an option, but it feels more like a bonus addition rather than a core part of the experience. It’s as if Rockstar knew they had nailed it in GTA 5 and decided to include it here without fully considering its impact on this game.

1 Grand Theft Auto 5

As Immersive As Open-World Gets, Especially In First Person

Initially, the debut versions of “Grand Theft Auto 5” on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 were only playable from a third-person perspective. However, subsequent editions now allow players to switch to first-person mode entirely. This change offers a fresh perspective on this classic game, emphasizing the incredible detail of its world.

While playing Grand Theft Auto 5 from a first-person perspective might not be the optimal choice for the entire game, it significantly enhances the immersion in combat scenes and adds a touch of realism to driving. The combat in GTA 5 is exceptional within the series, and this perspective makes it even more engaging. The game’s world remains enjoyable to explore or simply drive around in, and its story continues to be compelling. GTA 5 remains one of the finest open-world games ever created.

2024-11-05 00:55