There is no going in a straight line in these ‘Sandboxes’. The concept of Open world games emerged in the 1980s with the release of some titles like ‘Space Simulator Elite’, ‘Ultima’ series and obviously ‘The legend of Zelda’. But for this list, we will talk about games that are much more advanced in time, mechanics and gameplay.
10. Batman: Arkham City (2011)
When you make a Batman game, people naturally have high expectations. Expanding on the linear design of Arkham Asylum, Arkham city has you gliding and zip lining across rooftops in a way that really makes you feel like Batman.
Though it may be a bit small and a little drab, Arkham city is so full of surprises (and obviously Riddler’s puzzles) that it will take you hours to discover it all, let alone understand it.
9. Fallout 3
Even though the entire Fallout series is more than qualified to be on this list, but it’s the third installment of this game that truly captures what open world games are all about.
While the third of this game basically maintains the macabre beauty set in the place by the first 2, being able to explore the wasteland from the ground up is the truly way to go. And it’s the ruins of Washington DC, you’ll find yourself in an endless adventure where this often bleak landscape is absolutely peppered with harrowing encounters and grim discoveries.
8. Saints Row 4
While this game has not had the same amount of success as its GTA counterpart but there is no doubt that the Saints Row series have given us some great games.
Though Saints Row 2 and 3 gave us a really good open world atmosphere to explore, the 4th one brought us a crazy alien invasion storyline, superpowers and a freaking gun that shoots dubstep. *Drop the beat*
7. Far Cry 3
Blending the FPS and open world game genres is no easy task. However, the third entry in the far cry series showed us that it can be done.
Receiving widespread critical acclaim Far Cry 3 did not have to sacrifice its open world freedom in order to deliver a compelling narrative.
6. Just Cause 2
One of the more action packed games on this list, Just cause 2 have tons of open world mayhem to enjoy. At 400 sq. miles across, JC 2 has the largest pre-made map on the list and the infamous grappling hook that lets you latch on to any solid thing.
Who would have thought the best mode of transportation involved getting yanked by your arm for miles on it.
5. Minecraft
You would be hard-pressed to find a gamer who doesn’t know about this wildly popular low-res block laying game.
Minecraft is comprised of an almost endless world that is randomly generated for each player where it’s tranquil by day and dangerous by night. With no distinct goal, building and exploring in Minecraft becomes a strangely addictive and often existential experience that players have to try to understand.
4. Red Dead Redemption
Rockstars seem to have a knack for making open world games that go above and beyond any others. Contrary to the belief of many, this game is not just GTA set in the old west. Players take on the role of John Marston, a former outlaw who is trying to reunite with his family by doing government’s dirty works.
He has to deal with con men, Mexican revolutionists, and his former gang which in turn makes it one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made.
3. Elder scrolls 5: Skyrim
Few games truly give you the hands of freedom right off the bat that the Elder Scrolls series can offer. Because of the huge open sandbox Skyrim provides, any shortcomings of the game are totally eclipsed, not to mention the sheer volume of content and stunning landscapes.
Go to the top of any mountain you see, explore any building, every cave and dungeon but bring protection, it’s dangerous to go empty hand.
2. Assassin’s Creed Unity
Being my personal favorite, AC series as a whole is known for its huge environment to explore, but with this addition to series the bar is raised quite high for any other game to reach. Learning history was never this fluid and fun. With a more interactive world and an awesome new parkour system, staggeringly huge cities and towns, desert islands and turquoise waters over which you can explore, AC unity is one of the top selling games in AC history and Video game history as well.
This game has every reason to be on the top, but somehow our top contender still takes the lead.
1. Grand Theft Auto 5
While pretty much any GTA installment is eligible for the top spot, with San Andreas being considered, GTA 5 was the fastest selling game in the series and still is with the recent release on Windows in the history of GTA.
For those players who have been to Los Santos before, it has grown a lot in their absence. Teaming with interesting characters and innumerable distractions, the macro detail of the map is only rivaled by the micro detail at every turn. While all the rest of the open world games give you enormous sandbox to explore, the attention to detail makes this game’s city field truly alive. Not to mention the addition of pets and wild animals.
Though many more titles are eligible for this list, but here we focus on those which truly brought the wow moments in the open world genre. These are the games which make gamers impatient for the next game to release in the series.