Open world games that are objectively better than GTA 5

There are plenty of great games in the open world space spanning decades and countless console eras, but one name that always comes up as is best Grand Theft Auto 5. Rockstar really went all out and gifted us with a masterclass in open world design that hit every mark on the head and brought over a decade of joy to millions of players before a sequel was even announced.

Despite how amazing the game is, there are few open world titles that are objectively better than GTA5. Of course, a lot comes down to personal taste, as some people may consider one game to be the best, while another gamer would argue the opposite. Still, at the end of the day, these select few demonstrate a level of excellence that even the biggest haters can universally appreciate.

Build your perfect ten one revelation at a time.

Start

Restart
Rear

Final standings

—

Your blind rating is locked.

Build your perfect ten one revelation at a time.

Start

RestartRear

Final standings

—

Your blind rating is locked.

Grand Theft Auto 4

Story beats sprawl

Details:

• Dense open world

• Emotionally compelling storytelling

Grand Theft Auto 5 can offer a bigger playing field but IV it delivers a much more focused and memorable story that surpasses any text from the more recent work. Niko Bellic's Liberty City Journey explores much broader themes of betrayal and the pursuit of the American Dream with a maturity rarely seen in the franchise or even elsewhere in the genre, and as a result there's a much stronger connection to the character due to how relatable and grounded her life is.

The world itself also benefits from this more grounded approach, as each neighborhood feels distinct and the city has a sense of authenticity that many players still prefer over the over-the-top satire of Los Santos. I can see the strength of the arguments on both sides, one offering spectacle and the other an overall stronger narrative experience, but if you step back and look at the bigger picture, it has to be a more comprehensive and compelling experience. GTA 4.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A revolution in the genre

Details:

• It rewards curiosity better than almost any game ever made

• It gives players unprecedented freedom right from the start

Breath of the Wild fundamentally changed the expectations of open world design. Unlike GTA 5that often guides the player through structured activities, the game trusts you to create your own path across the world, placing mountains, forests, shrines and hidden secrets in every corner of the landscape to constantly encourage exploration without relying on over-the-top markers or checklists.

There is a real reward from every discovery, and the game mechanics perfectly complement the desire to see more, give you more options for mobility, and in battle you can create personal paths to victory. If you look at the details and variety, then sure, GTA 5 takes the price but the impact Breath of the Wild game's take on the genre can never be underestimated, as the game itself changed our perception of exploration and influenced a generation of open-world experiences long after its release.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar's crowning achievement

Details:

• Perhaps the greatest video game story ever told

• Unrivaled detail throughout

Red Dead Redemption 2 may well represent the pinnacle of video game detail, and it's pretty hard to find another open-world game that even comes close, let alone in Rockstar's catalog. Every aspect of its world is crafted with expert precision, from the wildlife ecosystems and dynamic weather to the NPC routines that bring each city to life, and that's not even counting the incredible story that ties it all together.

Arthur Morgan's character is widely considered to be one of the best video games that takes you on a brutal, emotional journey that elevates the whole experience beyond a simple open world adventure. Combined with the aforementioned immersion and world building, the standard set is well above the mark established by the company GTA 5though only time will tell if the sequel can push Rockstar's ceiling even further.

Elden Ring

FromSoftware strikes again

Details:

• Mental warfare on a grand scale

• A beautiful world where all points of interest are accessible

Elden Ring is like a tribute to the open world genre and gaming as a whole. It takes the iconic soul-like fighting style and blows it up on a massive scale, sending you onto a huge map where every distant castle and every minor structure in front of you can be explored and looted, but not without a fight.

I think what so many players love about the game is its sheer commitment to wonder. There's never a moment when you don't know what to do or where to go, as the world shows you around with impressive reveals and enticing buildings, and while you have a reasonable learning curve to climb, there are few people who would GTA 5 above him on stage.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Fantasy gaming to perfection

Details:

• Iconic quests across the series

• Narrative revelations make exploration rewarding

The Witcher 3 it's about as solid and complete as an RPG can get, and it manages to do so in a huge world that somehow never feels empty of content. Even smaller side quests often feature memorable characters and moments that will keep you invested for countless hours, with many choices actually rivaling the main story in complexity and consequence.

Where GTA 5 sometimes relies on a variety of activities, The Witcher 3 instead, it chooses to infuse every moment with meaning, whether you're galloping around the edge of the map or venturing deep into the city. Research is constantly uncovering new and

insightful stories rather than simple distractions, and combined with the exceptional writing in Geralt's overarching story, makes for a richer and more rewarding game in almost every way.