The Best Open-World Games From The 2000s, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Open-world game maps became popular in the 2000s with expansive worlds and rewarding exploration.
Saints Row offers humorous gameplay, while Grand Theft Auto 3 pioneered detailed open-world environments.
Far Cry and Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind introduced new technologies and deep narratives to open-world gaming.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these open-world games are nothing short of marvelous! Each one offers a unique and immersive experience that transports you to different worlds, from the jungles of Far Cry to the fantastical lands of Morrowind.

Currently, numerous games are built around the open-world game map layout, which has become common across various genres such as role-playing and action-adventure games. However, this wasn’t always so. In the 2000s, particularly during the early part of that decade, only a few games dared to offer sandbox-style gameplay on a grand scale.

In the 21st century’s early years, video game enthusiasts started investing in advanced technology to enhance their gaming journey. This included high-speed GPUs and water-cooled gaming setups, among others. With these new tools at hand, developers could craft expansive virtual environments for players to traverse, often rewarding such exploration as well. Here’s a list of the standout open-world games from the 2000s based on their world design and game content quality.

6 Saints Row

Sandbox Gang Game

Popular for its humorous narrative
Often weird and whacky, bordering on surreal

In comparison to Grand Theft Auto, the game Saints Row is frequently likened to, but upon closer examination, the two games share some commonalities yet exhibit significant differences. At first glance, Saints Row may appear to be much like GTA, however, it presents a distinctly unique experience in numerous aspects.

In Saints Row, assuming the role of the Third Street Gang’s chief, you embark on a diverse array of criminal tasks and journeys. These missions can be completed on foot or by utilizing different vehicles. The expansive game map allows for exploration at your leisure, whether you choose to follow the storyline or roam freely. Saints Row made this list thanks to its undercurrent of humor and unique themes, occasionally presenting players with bizarre, unconventional situations.

5 Grand Theft Auto 3

Pioneered Open-World Games

A highly detailed rendition of Liberty City
Richly populated, immersive environment

In Grand Theft Auto 3, the player gets to roam freely across Liberty City’s expansive map, doing so at their leisure. This game was among the pioneers of open-world, free-roaming map design, allowing players to interact creatively with the environment in various unconventional ways.

In Grand Theft Auto 3, the action unfolds both on foot and in vehicles, set against a bustling cityscape teeming with characters who can engage and respond to the player’s actions. A standout feature is its realistic dynamic weather system. This game has earned a spot on our list for being a trailblazer, introducing many elements that have since become commonplace in open-world gaming.

4 Far Cry

The Start Of A Legendary Franchise

The first game to use the CryEngine
Offered freedom to approach missions in any way

While the initial version of “Far Cry” boasted an expansive open-world setting, it was with “Far Cry 2” that the developers truly utilized this aspect to enhance the gaming experience. However, the foundation for these subsequent advancements was laid by the original “Far Cry”.

Far Cry can be referred to as an action-packed first-person shooter (FPS) game that operates within an expansive sandbox environment. Moreover, it was the pioneering title to utilize the innovative CryEngine, which at the time, raised the bar for graphical realism and demonstrated to gamers how evolving technology would revolutionize game visuals in the near future. The game stands out on this list due to its blend of open-ended missions, intense combat sequences, and horror elements, all enhanced by state-of-the-art graphics.

3 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

One Of The Best Elder Scrolls Open-World Maps

Still popular over 2 decades after its release
A massive amount of mods are available

Many gamers consider The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, even though it was launched in the 2000s, as having the most captivating open-world game maps within the series so far. The map was rich with concealed mysteries and riches to uncover, turning exploration into an engaging and lucrative experience.

The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind stands out among timeless RPG adventures due to its rich fantasy backdrop and in-depth storyline. Here are two key factors that earned it this recognition. Primarily, the game grants players unparalleled freedom to act whenever they choose. Secondly, a thriving modding community has continually expanded its features and enhanced gameplay, adding to its enduring appeal.

2 World Of Warcraft

The First Theme Park MMORPG

WoW has a huge open-world map
Game lore is central to exploration

It might seem unusual to add a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that resembles a theme park to a collection of open-world games. But even though the game may encourage a linear playstyle, players are free to explore the entire map whenever they wish.

“World of Warcraft excels at providing a distinctive gaming experience as players traverse various regions within the vast open-world game map. The game landscape ranges from arid deserts teeming with scorpions and vultures, to submerged ruins inhabited by dangerous marine life. This world is incredibly diverse, with each area boasting its unique character.

1 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Open-World Map Covering 3 Cities

Massive free-roam, open-world game map
Explore cities and rural areas

In a reimagined California landscape, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas unfolds, encompassing an expansive game world divided among three cities – Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas. Rural landscapes interconnect these urban hubs, inviting players to traverse the map at their leisure.

Despite the exceptional map design, what truly sets Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas apart on this list is another compelling factor. The game’s narratives aren’t solely focused on gang politics; instead, they delve into family values and loyalty, making it a more multi-dimensional experience.

2024-09-23 14:33