Playing an open-world video game has never been as enticing. Open-world games do not have loading screens between regions, yet there are exceptions to the rule. We are witnessing the expansion of the most detailed worlds due to powerful PCs. An increase in computing power has applications for the medical and business fields, although it is also beneficial for gaming.
The PC is the most backward-compatible of any gaming platform. Like on consoles, open-world games can be highly optimized for a seamless experience. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are next-generation behemoths, but a quality PC rig still outputs the most detailed open-worlds. Here's a look at the landscape of open-world gaming today.
10 Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Using the Fox Engine, Konami Digital Entertainment put together the gutsiest game in franchise history. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain's strong suit is that it isn't afraid to take chances. It offers a new type of Metal Gear Solid experience. The game's open-world missions need to be experienced. Contrasting other open-world games, scavenging for items in Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain is minimal. The game's developers weren't afraid to take chances with a hit franchise, and they deserve praise for that.
9 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Assassin's Creed's developers have steadily increased the size of the series' open-worlds. One exception to the pattern is Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, one of the most massive open-world maps in franchise history.
According to twinfinite.net, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag has a 90.2-mile squared map. Although there is quite a bit of tedious sailing, the islands you visit in the game are breathtaking. This game's open-world offered a unique experience, and it's still relevant as an open-world game today.
8 Fallout 4
There are times when Fallout 4's story is downright nonsensical. Although the game can be criticized for its lack of detail (nearly everything is a barren wasteland), when Fallout 4 looks good it surpasses expectations. No pun intended but Diamond City is the crown jewel of the game. It pops out of the open-world as a vibrant city filled with friendly people. Of course, even Diamond City has felt the effects of the apocalypse. Nevertheless, this open-world game deserves recognition for the landscape which is enhanced further with mods.
7 Forza Horizon 4
Racing games can contain unparalleled detail in an open-world setting. Environment interaction in Forza Horizon 4 is minimal, but aside from that, it has all the fixings of a quality open-world game.
Forza Horizon 4 is the latest Forza Horizon game on the block. The game's England setting differs from the last installment's Australia location. Not only can you drive through cities and towns, but there is also the ability to go off-roading. Forza Horizon 4's open-world is your oyster waiting to be experienced.
6 No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky breaks new grounds with a stunning open-world that can take you anywhere in a procedurally generated universe. After a tumultuous launch, No Man's Sky went through drastic changes to make it more enjoyable. Developer Hello Games may have missed many deadlines before the launch date, yet the newly updated game is a night and day difference. As long as No Man's Sky's developers continue to release massive updates as they have, the game has a bright future.
5 Assassin's Creed: Origins
The Assassin's Creed series is becoming renowned for stunning open-world design. Assassin's Creed: Origins' developers made a notable leap in open-world design. In addition to containing unique environments, the scale of the world is enormous. It's much easier to render a vast desert oasis than to create a metropolis city. Ubisoft took advantage of this opportunity to create the most breathtaking open-world desert to date.
4 Red Dead Redemption 2
While riding, there is a cadence to the horse's footsteps. Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of those few games that appear once in a blue moon. In regards to open-world design, Rockstar Games hit the nail on the head. It has the right blend of exploration and a story-driven narrative.
Inspired by regions across the United States, the game will take you to snowy mountains, a tropical island, or rolling green hills. Towns are up and coming, and this is what gives the open-world a quaint feeling.
3 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
As far as open-world design goes, Assassin's Creed's development company Ubisoft is a world leader. One can criticize the games for containing bugs and monotonous trail and fetch quests. However, this won't prevent many from pouring over a hundred hours trying to scale its world.
The latest installment in the franchise, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, is a triumphant release on next-gen platforms. Ubisoft didn't hold back with the latest release. The game's stunning open-world is the product of years of development.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
If you can get past the game's learning curve, this PC game offers an unparalleled RPG experience. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt released way back in 2015, yet it's one of the last generation's most beautiful games. Set in a land called the Continent, you'll find gargoyles, archgriffins, fiends, bears, and vampires. The game continually surprises you with enough content to make exploration an engaging experience.
1 Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V continues to make its mark as other open-world games struggle to catchup. The game had a massive budget, but it ended up making more than any movie ever.
Grand Theft Auto V's Los Santos is located in the fictional state of San Andreas. The area can be mountainous, urban, and rural at times. The location is a cultural hub that is host to wildlife. Designing Grand Theft Auto V's open-world was an ambitious project, but ultimately, it works on so many levels.