The open world games that have officially surpassed Red Dead Redemption 2

In the open world genre Red Dead Redemption 2's link remains largely intact. Even years after its release, no other game has come close to matching how believable, detailed, and reactive its Wild West world feels. Rockstar Games poured immense resources and passion into the project, and it seems that the studio's next title, Grand Theft Auto 6could eclipse it and set a new, perhaps unattainable, standard for the genre.

to this day Red Dead Redemption 2 remains one of the top rated (95 on OpenCritic), best selling (79 million copies sold) and the longest (the diameter of the main story 50 hours) open world story games ever made. Even though subjectively there is no other game quite like it, several titles have still managed to surpass Rockstar's masterpiece in certain areas. Below are the open world games that have officially beaten the competition Red Dead Redemption 2 in at least one of three key metrics: OpenCritic score, total sales, and story campaign length.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

OpenCritic Score: 96

From 2025 Red Dead Redemption 2 is the fourth highest rated game on OpenCritic across all genres with an average score of 95 out of 100. Only one open world title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildranks higher. Nintendo's 2017 masterpiece has a 96 out of 100 and remains widely regarded as one of the best games ever made.

Like Red Dead Redemption 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's influence on the open world genre is hard to overstate. It's one of the most influential and iconic entries in the series, offering unparalleled freedom of exploration, stunning visuals and a reactive world that makes it a pure joy to spend hours in.

Grand Theft Auto 5

Total sales: more than 220 million units

With total sales exceeding 79 million copies by 2025, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the fourth best-selling game of all time, surpassing many other iconic open-world titles. For a quick comparison, RDR 2 sold more than twice as many The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (over 35 million) and significantly exceeded The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (over 60 million). However, it still can't hold a candle to Rockstar's own record-breaking hit, Grand Theft Auto 5.

A truly colossal game, GTA 5 has sold over 220 million copies to date – nearly triple that RDR 2in total. Released in three generations of consoles, it has maintained a strong position in the sales charts for more than a decade, Grand Theft Auto 5 remains a force of nature among open-world titles, largely fueled by its constant evolution GTA Online multiplayer. At the moment it seems that only GTA 6 he could ever hope to surpass her.

Minecraft

Total sales: more than 350 million units

But there is one more phenomenon in the open-world sandbox genre and the unrivaled best-selling game of all time. Of course it is Minecraftwhich outsold both GTA 5 and RDR 2 combined. Minecraft passed the 100 million sales mark in early 2014, less than three years after its official release, something virtually unheard of since then. for comparison, GTA 5 she did not reach this milestone until five years later.

Although it may seem unfair to directly compare Minecraft sale until RDR 2given that the two games have completely different appeals, there's no denying that Minecraftlegacy and influence. Its impact extends far beyond the gaming industry, attracting even those who don't usually play games.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Length of Main Story: Average 52 hours

Red Dead Redemption 2 features a lengthy, sprawling and cinematic main story that takes around 50 hours to complete, featuring dozens of unique hand-crafted missions, memorable characters and shocking moments. While many open world games can take even longer to complete, such as Elden Ring (60 hours) or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (59 hours) these titles focus much more on gameplay than storytelling.

Looking specifically at narrative-driven open-world games, there are still a few out there Red Dead Redemption 2 in length. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of them, delivering a sprawling cinematic story filled with rich dialogue, complex characters, and major events that rival Rockstar's work. Unlike RDR 2, The Witcher 3 it also offers a high degree of non-linearity in its narrative, effectively lengthening it when considering all its branching storylines.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Length of Main Story: Average 54 hours

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is another epic open-world RPG celebrated for its rich narrative, currently ranked among the best new titles of 2025. Its main story campaign alone averages over 54 hours, making it one of the longest games of the generation to date.

Much like The Witcher 3, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is heavily influenced by player decisions with long-term consequences that lead to unique outcomes and events for each player. Combined with a level of freedom comparable to Red Dead Redemption 2which allows players to live in its world, engage in side activities and immerse themselves in its carefully crafted historical setting, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 it stands as one of the closest modern fan recommendations RDR 2.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Length of Main Story: Average 61 hours

Much has been said Assassin's Creed Valhalla over the years, but personal preference aside, one thing is undeniable: the game is truly massive in both scope and length, easily the largest entry in the long-running open-world series. With a complex narrative with multiple layers to unravel, Assassin's Creed Valhalla's the main story takes over 60 hours to complete and is packed with major events, historical figures and deep lore revelations for the series' most dedicated fans.

Aside from its massive main story, Valhallathe world is also much bigger than the world Red Dead Redemption 2. With several expansive maps to explore, players embark on an epic journey across real-world inspired regions and dreamlike mythical realms, each with its own unique atmosphere and setting. For those determined to uncover every secret, collect every weapon, piece of armor and rune and completely clear the maps and explore everything Valhalla can offer more than 200 hours.