The introduction of the Xbox One X before the Xbox Series X was potentially controversial. The nomenclature alone was confusing for the average gamer. At the end of the day, people looked at the Xbox One's games. It filled genres that were mostly ignored on other platforms. With open-world racing games like Forza Horizon, the system flourished in the market.
Open-world games are part of a subgenre that is becoming ubiquitous. The ability to freely explore a region's landmass and oceans is appealing for a multitude of reasons. Open-world games are evergrowing in detail and are far from reaching a plateau.
10 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands
The Ghost Recon series has come a long way since its initial release date in 2001. Ghost Recon now has an immersive open-world to explore while you complete objectives. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands is a tactical third-person shooter with a massive open-world. You can solo the missions or play with a squad of friends online. The diverse landscapes are breathtaking and expansive, making this one of the Xbox One's best games for exploration.
9 Sunset Overdrive
Insomniac Games, the development company behind games like Spider-Man and Spyro the Dragon, released an Xbox One exclusive in 2014. Sunset Overdrive was likely inspired by games like Jet Set Radio Future and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
The freedom to ride rails and shoot enemies while doing so is a liberating feeling. Years after its release, Sunset Overdrive is recognized for its achievements in open-world design. It contains a detailed open-world and supports gameplay that allows you to explore the game freely.
8 Minecraft
With various biomes to explore throughout your journey, Minecraft offers unique exploration. Minecraft can be an enjoyable open-world exploration game if you can wrap your head around the game's block building. Blocks might take away from the realism and immersion, yet players can delete and move any object in the game. Eventually, you'll hit the edge of the map, only to find out the world has no bounds. Minecraft is now cross-platform so that you can play with VR, Nintendo Switch, and PC players.
7 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Just as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was beginning to show its age, Bethesda Softworks released a remastered version called The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition. The game is compatible with mods on PC and consoles, which is rare for consoles.
Exploring the game's open-world, players become in tune with its atmospheric environment. Wildlife and greenery are abundant throughout the region of Skyrim. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is undoubtedly one of the Xbox One's best exploration games.
6 No Man's Sky
Hello Games' No Man's Sky goes above and beyond with surreal gameplay that encourages interstellar exploration. The overarching objective to make it to the center of the galaxy. Afterward, you are transported to another galaxy to complete the same goal.
No Man's Sky's procedurally generated universe is unlike any other game; it's impossible to explore every nook and cranny. Those who deviate from the main objective can build bases, explore new planets, or play with friends—the universe is your oyster.
5 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Assassin's Creed Valhalla won acclaim across the board as possibly the most ambitious Assassin's Creed game to date. The game takes place in the Viking era during the invasion of Britain.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla has improved combat over its predecessors, despite having less of a stealth-focus. Some bugs keep the game from reaching its potential. Bearing in mind the game's massive map, an extraordinary amount of detail went into constructing its open-world.
4 Red Dead Redemption 2
Developer Rockstar Games has demonstrated the ability to create immersive open-world games. While Grand Theft Auto takes players into urban cities, Red Dead Redemption 2 travels back in time to the wild west. It's set in the old west, but the game showcases graphics ahead of its time. Rather than follow trends, the bright minds at Rockstar Games are continually innovating with their latest games.
3 Forza Horizon 4
The Xbox One is a relevant last generation system because of the Forza franchise. Although the Xbox One didn't have as many hit exclusives as the PlayStation 4, it had arguably better racing games. Forza Horizon 4 is the flagship racing game of the Xbox One. Its open-world contains dynamic seasons and weather, bringing unparalleled realism for a racing game.
2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Unlike games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is divided into sections. The individual maps are large enough to consider the game open-world. Riding on horseback, players can visit a multitude of places, where they can form relationships and complete quests.
Witcher Senses add a layer to exploration as you can hunt for enemies like werewolves. This feature was introduced in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and it proves that the game has anything but a basic open-world.
1 Grand Theft Auto V
When it comes to open-world exploration games, few compare to Grand Theft Auto V. From an exploration standpoint, the game is rife with options to explore Los Santos. Whether you're in the countryside walking through vineyards or visiting friends' apartments in the city, Grand Theft Auto V provides a seamless experience. It's a feature-rich game that lets you swim in an ocean next to an aquatic ecosystem or hike the map's mountainous places. According to theverge.com, "Grand Theft Auto V will be releasing for the next-gen console in the second half of 2021."