Open world games that have built a cult following

There are a few video games so special, so good at what they do, that they have built up a large cult following over the years. Some obvious examples of such games are Fallout: New Vegas, Kenshiand Externalbut there are many others who have a dedicated fan base that keeps these games relevant and alive. The games in question aren't necessarily niche or unpopular either, as we'll see with some of the more well-known picks on this list.

Just so we're all on the same page about what a cult is, we're talking about games that have a specific, super-dedicated fan community. These aren't your mega fan bases or the masses that enjoy the same triple-A game, but unique communities that all rally behind their favorite title and stand behind it in everything.

Kenshi

Sandbox simulation with dedicated tracking

There is no better example of a game with a strong cult following than it is Kenshi. To say it's an accessible game is an overstatement because Kenshi is widely known as one of the most challenging and obscure titles to jump into without any prior knowledge or preparation. While it can certainly be part of the fun of not knowing what to expect, newcomers are usually surprised by how ruthlessly Kenshi's the world is.

You either love the freedom the game gives you by letting you go wherever you want and therefore tell the kind of story you prefer, or you hate how gritty and strategic the whole experience is. While it offers a lot of options in terms of what you can do in an open world environment, it's also a very niche experience that isn't for everyone, which is why it's built a strong and loving cult following over the years.

External

Aurai explorers and adventurers, unite

Still in the realm of games that are known for being hard to get into External. On the surface it looks like any other third-person fantasy RPG set in a rich open-world setting, but there's an extra layer of challenge through survival gameplay elements and punishing combat. Here you won't get a smooth start like in a Bethesda RPG, and you certainly can't rely on fast travel or power fantasy.

External it's about survival and fighting, choosing your battles early and when to back off and run. Because of this, she's carved out a bit of a niche for herself among players who crave a challenge just like her, and who are generally tired of games holding your hand and giving you overpowering abilities and weapons right out of the gate. WITH Outside 2 due out sometime in 2026, it will be interesting to see if the cult sequel expands on a second installment.

Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout was loved and praised by megafans

If there's one studio that has a bit of a cult following, it's Obsidian Entertainment, and many who love their work have become especially enamored Fallout: New Vegas. They are in the same group Fallout fans who think broadly New Vegas to be the crown jewel of the franchise on all fronts: combat, atmosphere, exploration, characters, story and role-playing.

Many often hail New Vegas as a perfect RPG thanks to its perfect and deep systems. There's so much variety between the different ways to play, and your choices have real, tangible effects on the game world, that it quickly gained a loyal cult of fans who still hope the game will one day see a remaster. After the success of the Amazon TV show, there are already rumors and whispers about it.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance Games

Medieval style grounded combat

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's release definitely put it, and the first game, on the lips of many brand new players. Both games are packed with detail and deliver an open world medieval RPG without the dazzle and dazzle of magic that shows the dedication and love that the developers really put into these games. This makes it easy to see how Henry's journey has managed to create quite a cult following over the years.

The main draw is what many consider the game's biggest challenge: combat. Both games feature combat that requires players to actually know what they're doing with a sword, a far cry from the hacking and slashing you can mindlessly do in other games. Beyond the combat, however, the sheer detail and dynamic quality of the world that reacts to Henry and his actions is exceptional for many fans. It's the perfect place for any medieval history buff and has had a loyal following since the first game.

Elden Ring

Maybe the smallest niche, right?

Soulsikes and Soulsbornes used to be fairly niche Elden Ring hit the scene, and yet I'd like to argue that even the widely beloved youngest child FromSoftware has its own cult following today. It's a unique mix of those coming to the game from other FromSoftware games, as well as newcomers who enjoy the freedom and variety. Elden Ring introduced

It's become somewhat of a phenomenon, and while the cult following may not be as defined and powerful as it would be in a non-open world game like Bloodyit's definitely there for players deep into the scene of speedrunning, NG+ runs, and other such demanding runs that involve running naked with nothing but a stick in hand. Now that the initial hype for the game is starting to cool, it's even easier to see this iconic form Elden Ringalso.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl

Or any of the STALKER games for that matter

Edition STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl was a moment that revealed the difference between newcomers to the franchise and longtime cult followers of the series. Many expected the game to be a gritty, realistic survival shooter in a post-apocalyptic wasteland of mutants and warring factions, but little did they know that the trademark of any STALKER the game is much more than that.

Classical STALKER the jank the game shipped with at release and is still being fixed today, enemies that seem to be unfairly overpowered, as well as limitations in the world and gameplay, divided a lot of people between those who fell in love with the series and those who decided it wasn't for them. However, many longtime fans knew roughly what to expect, and the cult sequel continues years after the first game's release.

Project Zomboid

More than ten years in the oven, and still burning

Project Zomboid is a zombie survival game that has been in the making for over a decade with updates coming every now and then. It's definitely its own place in the world of zombie titles, combining open sandbox gameplay with near-simulation features that harken back to The Sims games. Sandbox is highly customizable and has its own loyal cult following that has developed over the years with mods thrown into the mix.

It features an absolutely massive open world, adjustable difficulty settings, and endless details and options that make it one of those games you just can't get enough of. When it clicks, it clicks, but it's definitely not for all types of players and appeals to a specific group of players who enjoy freedom and invite it to fall on you. With integrated co-op and updates to mix things up, this is one game that will likely endure a cult following for years to come.