Anyone who has played The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can attest to how monstrous its open-world feels. From the moment you first load into Geralt's latest adventure, you realize just how "insignificant you are" against the backdrop of the continent. There are so many places to explore, so many nooks and crannies just begging to be unearthed. Quests will take you to the farthest reaches of the land and NPCs are constantly begging you to rid them of some heinous evil.
RELATED: 10 Best Open World Games
Through stellar combat mechanics, deep and mystical lore, and character-driven choices, you'll spend countless hours solving the world's problems (and lining your pockets with gold). It's a grandiose adventure but even Geralt's expansive tale must come to an end at some point. When you find yourself finally finished exploring the world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you'll want something new to sink your teeth into.
If you enjoyed that adventure, you'll likely enjoy one of these.
10 10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Let's just go ahead and get this entry out of the way. Most are you are probably expecting to see at least one mention of Skyrim since it always seems to pop up when we're talking about open-world games or titles that allow you to "swordfight, spit magic, and tangle with creatures." Have we all been hearing about Skyrim for what seems like eons now? Yes. Is it still a great game that deserves mention? Yes to that too.
So for any of you out there that haven't picked up Skyrim, your enjoyment of The Witcher 3's open-world, expansive quests, and deep storylines may just act as the gate to Tamriel.
9 9. Dragon Age: Inquisition
To be honest, this entry could include the entire Dragon Age saga (although Dragon Age II is definitely the black sheep of the group, quality-wise). We decided to go with Inquisition, though, because its combat system is a little more robust, like The Witcher 3's. You'll find yourself slinging spells, dodging, and using all manner of tactics to down some pretty powerful foes. Dragon Age: Inquisition is open-world too and features a robust RPG-like class and leveling system. You even get a party that you can "hot-swap" between and give commands to.
Imagine having four Geralts you can order around!
8 8. Red Dead Redemption 2
Sure, gunfighting lawmen and robbing trains aren't exactly the same as slaying griffins and hunting banshees but Red Dead Redemption 2 is a must-play for anyone who even remotely enjoys the open-world genre.
RELATED: Every Banned Word in Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar's latest foray into the Old West is an absolute masterclass in gaming, featuring an incredible story, memorable characters, an expansive world, and enough side-quests and challenges to keep you busy for months.
7 7. Mass Effect 2
Like Dragon Age, you can jot down "the entirety of Mass Effect" as a viable option (although many will argue that you should avoid Mass Effect: Andromeda like the plague). For all intents and purposes though, Mass Effect 2 should be your starting point. The first game is solid and Mass Effect 3 features some great moments but Mass Effect 2 is definitely the series' highest point. Like Dragon Age, you'll get a squad of characters to control. Your choices will affect the world around you, there are tons of side quests, and there are a lot of RPG elements to be found. It's definitely a shooter (compared to the slashy-slash of Geralt's world) and it isn't as "open" as The Witcher 3.
Those points aside, it's definitely an experience worth having and there are a few similarities to draw between both franchises.
6 6. Horizon Zero Dawn
Back to solid open-world games that feature a challenge and a seriously kick-butt protagonist. Horizon Zero Dawn follows Aloy on her quest to free her land and its people from the tyranny of some rather nasty machines. It's a lot like The Witcher 3 but you'll face robotic T-Rexes and terrifying oil and electronic-driven robots rather than anything mythical or old world. RPG elements, a great combat system, stellar visuals, and some unforgettable characters create an experience that feels Witcher-esque, in a sense.
5 5. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
The Assassin's Creed franchise has been cranking out games like clockwork, and most of them feature some nice open-worlds for you to explore. Sure, some of them are a glitchy mess and the quality has arguably gone downhill since the Ezio Auditore da Firenze days, but Assassin's Creed is always good for at least one playthrough. We decided to highlight Odyssey on this list because it introduces some better RPG elements, like the ability to equip certain armor pieces with rarities attached. This, paired with its open-world and "romance options" makes it feel more Witcher-like than its predecessors.
4 4. Fallout 4
We know, we know, Fallout 4 is a First-Person Shooter but a lot of its other elements exude the same joy and style as The Witcher 3.
RELATED: Fallout 4’s Best Easter Eggs
You'll find countless NPCs to pester, track powerful legendary creatures, collect a variety of useful items, explore a vast and dangerous open-world, and sift your way through countless hours of in-depth lore. Put a gun in Geralt's hand, plop him in the wasteland, and change his point of view. Are things really that different, after all?
3 3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
If this game sounds unfamiliar it's because it wasn't crafted by a "big name studio" or a "well-known AAA producer." So much love and time went into the creation of this title and it definitely shows. While the release may have had a rocky start and things are a bit glitchy at times, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is one of the best Witcher-like experiences you can hope to have. Although it may "play more like Skyrim," it offers up some incredible visuals, multiple playstyle choices, deep character development, and some exciting (and twisty) storylines.
2 2. Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War
The lore of this game and the excitement surrounding it might appeal more to huge fans of J. R. R. Tolkien's expansive Middle-Earth but Shadow of War is a fantastic open-world game regardless. You don't need to have an extensive "background" of the lore to know what's going on, so feel free to jump right in. Although there aren't many "friendly" NPCs to interact with, you will come in contact with hordes of A.I., many of them with unique skills and backgrounds. The combat feels fantastic and the world is expansive (even if it's a bit dreary).
1 1. Final Fantasy XV
At its core, The Witcher 3 is an amazing open-world adventure that features a slew of sidequests, some incredible characters, a unique and skillful protagonist, magical creatures, incredible locations, and some stellar combat mechanics. Final Fantasy XV manages to tick all of these boxes, making it a lot more like The Witcher 3 than most people may realize.