The reality can be quite disappointing. And rough. Everyone needs some time to engage in a little escapism, whether it's through books, movies, or even video games. If the latter form of media is your favorite, I've got good news for you: we're literally spoiled for choice these days thanks to the abundance of immersive game worlds, both indie and AAA.
7 Open World Games That Mastered The Art Of Slow Exploration
There have been some truly breathtaking open-world games over the years, and these titles let you explore at your own pace.
Here I have selected some of the best ones for you to get lost in. They're worlds that have great environmental storytelling, tons of quests scattered in every nook and cranny, and of course, they just look amazing. Most of them have distinct biomes and areas that set them apart, with their own aesthetics, so you'll never get bored visually. Let's put on our backpacks and go on a virtual hike.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Ride into the sunset through this vast world
The Witcher 3 the world is divided into several regions and each of them is absolutely full of small details and great tasks. From Velen and Novigrad to Skellige, they also have their own distinct vibes and aesthetics, which are translated to perfection even years after the game's release thanks to the game's near-flawless graphics.
The world is alive and breathing, it's alive and cruel, and around every corner there's an unexpected surprise or a desire to squish you like Geralt down another rabbit hole. If you enjoyed worlds like Skyrimthen it's easily the next best step into the medieval fantasy universe. It also helps that the story and its main characters are thoroughly engaging, even if you don't know the books.
Elden Ring
Dangerous but beautiful and full of secrets
Perfectly combining beauty, gore and weirdness, FromSoftware has delivered again when it gave us Elden Ring. The world is breathtakingly beautiful, but also full of terrifying sights and massive, massive ruins and formations that speak of events long past. As you travel through the Lands between using Grace's guidance, you'll also realize that it's incredibly dangerous, as some biomes are much more challenging than others (ahem, the Caelid).
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And that's just scratching the surface. Elden Ring it also has some more secret locations, such as the underground world of River Siofra, the tall towers of Crumbling Farum Azula, and even a DLC location that goes deeper and deeper into strange new vistas. It's amazing how much there is to find and explore, but be careful as bosses roam the wilds as well.
Nordic Open world that still holds perfectly
Despite all the valid criticism you could give Skyrimyou have to admit that the world is special. This northern province of Tamriel has its own distinct feel from places in Oblivion and Morrowindwith autumnal biomes seen around Riften to the cold ice fields north of Winterhold. NPCs have their own agendas, so the world will simply carry on even if you go about your day as the Last Dragonborn.
It's also a very special world thanks to all the passive, straight-up simulation-like activities available in its latest version. You can go fishing, start farming, and from the base game you could get married, buy a house and settle down if that's your speed. It's an open world that wowed everyone upon release, and even though it's old, if you've never stepped into its cool embrace, now's the time to do so, as it's the best example of Bethesda's perfect environmental storytelling.
Cyberpunk 2077
Neon Future In A Sprawling Night City
Cyberpunk 2077 had a rough start, but I assure you the game has come a long way to deliver something absolutely incredible in its latest package. The world has seen many improvements and continues to be one of the densest urban experiences in the open world RPG genre. Night City has plenty of side alleys, tunnels, and verticles to access once you've unlocked the double-jumping cyberware and more.
Free open world games with the best exploration
These free open world games offer vast and beautiful open worlds, great exploration and tons of content; almost no catch.
You have the industrial areas of the Northside, the affluent suburbs of North Oak, and the exuberant vibes of Downtown and Corpo Plaza, and so much more. Admittedly, the outer part of Night City as you head into the Badlands is a bit more desolate, but even there you can find some unexpected secrets if you go back to the dump you previously visited during the main quest (against your will, I might add).
Fallout 4
A beautiful, irradiated wasteland welcomes you
I am aware of that Fallout 4 not necessarily popular with fans of the franchise, but just hear me out. For anyone who hasn't jumped into a Fallout Earlier I would argue that this is the place to start with those amazing views and a world that just pulls you in. Bethesda is really stretching its environmental narrative here Skyrim. You have a lot of unmarked places in the Commonwealth and it's easy to come across iconic places like Carhenge, the abandoned house with the girl's tragic last voice recording and more.
Boston itself is a sight to behold: dense and sprawling, with danger lurking around every corner. And then you have the Shining Sea. Before you step in there, make sure you are well prepared. With Nuka-World and Far Harbor, you get two other areas that have very different aesthetics and vibes, with Nuka-World being my personal favorite for its callbacks. New Vegas' in some parts aesthetics. Plus, who doesn't love an abandoned (or mostly abandoned) amusement park?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Almost like a medieval simulation
If you are really looking for an immersion that is not only a beautiful world to look at, but also a world where you have a lot of activities that are handled realistically, give Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 try. An absolutely gorgeous game with a more down-to-earth (and, I should add, magic-free) approach to the medieval world, it puts you in the shoes of Henry.
You'll probably struggle with its rather difficult combat system at first, but its excellent quest design, world interactions and details, its well-crafted NPCs, and beautiful environments will all make up for some of the learning and suffering at the start. The devil is in the details KCD2and you'll be easily blown away by the sheer amount of love and dedication that went into it. While you're at it, try the first game too.
10 open world RPGs with maps that are masterpieces of game design
Immerse yourself in the richly detailed maps of this open-world RPG with visually distinct areas that make the world feel alive.
