The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most recognizable open-world games available to players. With its massive popularity, the fantasy RPG has been re-released several times since its initial release date in 2011 to make it accessible on just about any gaming platform.
But with this massive world comes a massive amount of content that adds tons of replay value, but also a mountain of activities to get through. So, instead of wading through over 200 hours of content, here are some open-world games that are more manageable than Skyrim.
10 Red Dead Redemption
The second installment in the Red Dead series, Red Dead Redemption thrust players in the role of John Marston, a former outlaw. Forced to work with the Bureau of Investigation, John set out to hunt down his former gang. Set in a fictional version of the United States and Mexico, Red Dead Redemption allows players to roam freely while completing the main story, strange missions, and side activities without feeling overwhelmed.
9 Fallout 4
The latest single-player addition to the Fallout franchise, Fallout 4 lets players explore the wasteland that was once known as Boston. From the suburbs to the irradiated glowing sea, players can explore this world and take part in missions for various factions to determine the fate of Boston. Aside from missions, there are several points of interest in the game that allows players to discern for themselves what transpired before, resulting in the current hellscape.
8 Dying Light
Dying Light is a free-running zombie survival game that comes with two large districts of a city for players to explore. Play as Kyle Crane climbing, running, and jumping off of buildings in order to traverse the city and evade zombie pursuers.
Scavenge for supplies to make weapons and tools that will help in situations against fellow humans, zombies, and the terrifying nocturnal Volatile. Side objectives, hordes of zombies, and challenges offer plentiful gameplay for solo players and co-op.
7 Batman: Arkham Knight
Batman: Arkham Knight is the fourth installment in the Arkham series, where Batman's villains shift their attention to Gotham City. Players leave the streets of Arkham City and jump into Gotham as The Scarecrow terrorizes the populace. Able to utilize the Batmobile, Batman faces off against a rogue's gallery of super-villains on the streets of Gotham with an assortment of new gadgets. Players can explore Gotham to progress through the story, take down super-villains, and find collectibles to track down the elusive Riddler.
6 Watch Dogs 2
Ubisoft's Watchdogs 2 sets players in San Francisco as a security company seeks to invade people's privacy. Players take control of Marcus Holloway, a member of Dedsec, as he hacks his way across this open world. With new and returning hacking abilities, players can infiltrate restricted areas, cause chaos among gangs, and evade the police. Players can also collect audio and video files from the citizens of San Francisco.
5 Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V is Rockstar's latest entry to the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Following the psychotic Trevor, rookie Franklin, and veteran Michael, players can explore the world of Los Santos.
Each character has their own specific missions as well as other missions that can be played by any of the three criminals. Players can take part in multiple stranger missions and jobs across the entirety of Los Santos.
4 Assassin's Creed: Origins
The first Assassin's Creed game to explore RPG gameplay, Assassin's Creed Origins takes players to Ancient Egypt. Players take on the role of Bayek, a Medjay fighting against a shadowy cabal. Hunting, crafting, and collecting adds more to do in Ancient Egypt than in previous games. The game also sports a previously unheard number of side missions for the Assassin's Creed franchise.
3 Far Cry 5
Ubisoft shifts its focus from pirate-ruled islands to the United States of America in Far Cry 5. Players take control of a Sheriff's deputy fighting against a radical cult in Hope County, Montana. With the help of friends, players can complete a multitude of quests across the game. From trying to improve the lives of residents to destroying cult outposts, players will find no shortage of things to do.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Project Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was released in 2015 with much acclaim from both players and critics. The Witcher 3 allows players to explore Velen and Skellige. Players jump into the role of Geralt of Rivia as he searches both countries for his missing surrogate daughter, Ciri.
Aside from the main story missions, The Witcher 3 holds a variety of other tasks to complete. Monster contracts, side missions, and fighting competitions are just some of the activities players can take part in.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar's latest addition to the Red Dead franchise follows outlaw Arthur Morgan. Expanding on the American portion of the previous game's map, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a variety of activities. Exploring the map can unlock strange points of interest with positive or negative consequences. Aside from exploration, the game includes the return of stranger missions for players to meet interesting characters. Whether in the main story or the prologue, players will have plenty to do in this massive world.