Open-world games have become quite popular among gamers these days as they allow you to explore large fictional fantasy worlds that are filled with stunning visuals and graphics. Such games give you the freedom to explore, roam in cities, roam areas, ride horses, explore mythical lands filled with creatures and secrets, and give you the choice to choose your fantasy adventure.
We are in 2025, where technology and innovation have advanced a lot. Because of these technological advancements, there are hundreds of open-world games across consoles and packs that offer immersive gameplay, stunning visuals and high-end realistic graphics that enhance our gameplay experience. Open-world games have become the gold standard for immersive, player-driven experiences in modern gaming. Whether you’re seeking epic adventures, dynamic worlds, or the freedom to carve your path, these games deliver vast landscapes teeming with secrets, side quests, and unforgettable stories. Over time, developers are pushing their creative boundaries and developing more amazing games and more are to come.
Some of the best open-world games include the newly released fan favorite “Remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the futuristic chaos of Cyberpunk 2077, the magical world of Hogwarts Legacy, the feudal-era brilliance of Ghost of Tsushima, and the racing fan heartbeat of Forza Horizon 5 (recently launched on PS5 also),” are some examples of great open world games that combine stunning visuals, realistic graphics with immersive gameplay for gamers.
I’ve handpicked 21 of the best open-world games to explore on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC, focusing on titles available today—no waiting for future releases! So, let’s jump into the best open-world games of 2025 that’ll make you forget the real world exists.
Best Open-World Games to Explore in 2025
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Initial release date: 20 March 2025
Developers: Ubisoft
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the game to feudal Japan, where you step into the shoes of both a stealthy shinobi and a powerful samurai. The game mixes classic stealth kills and open-world exploration with a new dual protagonist. In this game, you will get to see cinematic story, deep cultural information, and a moody, war-torn backdrop which will give a realistic experience.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Dual-protagonist
- Gameplay based in Japan- Stunning castles, bamboo forests, and dynamic weather
- Deeper Stealth gameplay
What You Should Know
- PS4 or Xbox One -Not supported
- Switching isn’t always up to you-depends on mission
- It’s more realism than fantasy/sci-fi stuff
Red Dead Redemption 2
Initial release date: 26 October 2018
Developers: Rockstar Games
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an absolute “Master Piece”. This game will take you to the American frontier of the 1800s. You will play as “the Arthur Morgan” – one of the most famous and popular characters in the gaming world. This game is filled with stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, realistic graphics, emotional storytelling. This game will make you feel absolutely real from small towns to open fields.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Deep and emotional story like movies
- One of the most realistic & detailed open-world game
- Freedom to explore – rob trains, hunt, fish, ride anywhere
- Arthur Morgan – one of the Beloved, famous & popular character in the gaming world.
What You Should Know
- Slow-paced game
- Huge Game-takes times to enjoy fully
- Not a next-gen remake- supports backward compatibility
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Initial release date: 11 November 2011
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S
Skyrim was released in 2011 but still in 2025, this game gives goosebumps and is one of the best open world games today in gamers’ list. In this game you will get to explore snowy mountains, ancient ruins and magical cities during your journey. Whether you are a wizard, a warrior or a thief, the game lets you shape your own story in a world full of choices.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Massive Open-World exploration
- Varieties of playstyle: magic, swords, stealth
- Longer Gameplay
- Active community keeps the game fresh
What You Should Know
- Graphics and combat may feel a bit dated by today’s standards
- Bugs and glitches
Cyberpunk 2077
Initial release date: 10 December 2020
Developers: CD Projekt RED, CD Projekt
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Cyberpunk 2077 takes you to a futuristic nightlife of Badlands filled with advanced technology, neon lights, violence. You play as V, a mercenary trying to rise through the ranks while dealing with a mysterious chip in his head. This game is a perfect blend of RPG, shooter, and open-world with deep customization and areas to explore. Racing cars in the streets, shopping, lighting up a cigarette — you will never feel bored.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Night life-Stunning visuals, ultra realistic graphics filled with stories
- Freedom of customization
- Phantom Liberty expansion sets a whole new level
- Smooth gameplay
What You Should Know
- PS4/Xbox One due to graphics of the game
- Depends heavily on dialogue and choices
Ghost of Tsushima
Initial release date: 17 July 2020
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC
The story of Ghost of Tsushima is set in 13th century, Japan, when the Mongol army invades Tsushima Island. Your character will be named Jin Sakai, a samurai, who learns to fight as a ghost to protect his home. In this game you will get to see beautiful stunning visuals and graphics with emotional storytelling. It blends sword fighting, stealth, and breathtaking exploration. It’s a beautiful game with some of the best cinematic scenes, graphics with smooth movements.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Stunning visuals- golden fields to snowy mountains
- Satisfying & smooth sword combat
- Deep emotional story – honor, sacrifice, identity
What You Should Know
- Mainly focused in realism than fantasy
- Need practice to master combat
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Initial release date: 18 May 2015
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC
The Witcher 3– a journey of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter trying to find his missing adopted daughter while a deadly force called the Wild Hunt is chasing her. It’s a dark fantasy RPG with mature storytelling, rich characters, and a world that reacts to your choices. You will enjoy its great story with open-world exploration.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- One of the best stories
- Massive open-world to explore
- The expansions (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine) are good as the full game
What You Should Know
- Involves a lot dialogue and reading
- Long gameplay
Elden Ring
Initial release date: 25 February 2022
Developer: FromSoftware Inc.
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Elden Ring takes you to a vast, mysterious world called the Lands Between- filled with monsters, ruins, and gods. You play as a Tarnished Warrior who seeks to become the Elden Lord. It blends deep lore, brutal combat, and open-world exploration in a way that is both challenging and rewarding. In some of the areas it will be hard to beat the Bosses that can kick you out of the frame within seconds.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Open-world freedom
- Stunning graphics and cinematic visuals
- Deep & satisfying combat
- Every location feels unique
What You Should Know
- It’s really a hard game
- Hidden stories
- No traditional quest markers
- Punishing boss fights
Forza Horizon 5
Initial release date: 1 November 2021
Developer: Playground Games
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Forza Horizon 5 is an open-world racing game- enjoy and racing in the stunning version of Mexico. The game has stunning visuals, ultra realistic graphics with some of the best cinematic scenes. race, explore, stunt, and just cruise across deserts, jungles, cities, and volcanoes – No restrict rules- just Fun on the Wheels.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Huge open-world exploration with stunning graphics and visuals
- Great collection of cars with customization
- Smooth & seamless online play
- Regular updates and events
What You Should Know
- Large download size- 100 Gb+
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Initial release date: 20 October 2023
Developer: Insomniac Games
Platforms: PS5, PC
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gives you the chance to roam a bigger, more detailed version of New York City including Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. The game’s story follows the rise of some of the dangerous new villains like Kraven and Venom. You’ll also get the chance to explore the personal conflicts and emotional moments. Enjoy the fluid web swing around the city and skyscraper with fast catch bottles. As a gamer — and honestly, as a kid — Spider-Man has always held a special place in our hearts.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Play as two Spider-Men, each with unique powers
- Smooth and satisfying Web-swinging
- Fast, flashy combat
- Emotional story depth
What You Should Know
- Available on PS5, PC only
- Big download size- 90 GB+
No Man’s Sky
Initial release date: 9 August 2016
Developer: Hello Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
If You Want to Explore the Universe, Planets and Really in Love with Space Exploration then “No Man’s Sky” is for you. It is a massive sci-fi exploration game where you can travel on unlimited planets in a procedurally generated universe. You can mine resources, build bases, trade, fight in space battles or simply explore beautiful alien worlds. Technically it was not that much popular but after years of getting updates, it came back stronger and stands out as an impressive open world game.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Explore unlimited Planets
- Play as explorer, builder, trader, or fighter
- Regular free updates
- Solo and online co-op, with cross-play
What You Should Know
- Slow-paced game
- Limited interaction with players
- Big download size
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Initial release date: 4 February 2025
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II continues the gritty, grounded medieval journey of Henry, a blacksmith’s son caught in the chaos of 15th-century Bohemia. The game doubles down on realism — no magic or dragons, just steel, dirt, and brutal history. From sword fighting to political drama, everything feels raw and human. If you love deep, historical storytelling with no fantasy fluff, this game is for you.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Historically medieval world to explore
- Choice-driven storytelling
- Intense swordplay & combat
- Realistic Graphics- from dialogue to armor, everything feels real
What You Should Know
- No dragons or spells- no a fantasy game
- Need patience
- Performance-hungry
Genshin Impact
Initial release date: 28th Sept, 2020
Developer: miHoYo, Shanghai Miha Touring Film Technology Co., Ltd.
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
If you enjoy gorgeous Worlds, smooth combat, and a touch of anime charm — this one’s hard to put down.!
Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG with anime-style visuals, fast-paced combat, and a fantasy world full of elemental magic. You explore the vast lands of Teyvat, switching between characters in your party and solving puzzles, fighting bosses, and gliding across stunning landscapes.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Free-to-play open world game
- Element-based combat
- Stunning graphics and realistic visuals -mountains, cities
- Regular updates- content, new characters & events
What You Should Know
- Always-online- Solo player also needs internet
- Timed contents and events
Grand Theft Auto V
Initial release date: 17 September 2013
Developer: Rockstar Games
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox Series X|S
Grand Theft Auto V Needs No Recognition – It’s a Legendary Game.
GTA V takes you to the wild, chaotic world of Los Santos. There are 3 characters in this game: Michael, Franklin and Trevor, Players can switch between the characters while committing robberies, driving like crazy and experiencing all kinds of criminal adventures. This open-world game gives you full freedom to roam in the city which is full of detailed and stunning visuals and graphics, events and drive endless cars, buses, trains etc. It is one of the most entertaining sandbox games ever, having a massive fan base around the world from a child to older ones, everyone falls in love with this game.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Huge open world with missions
- GTA Online adds endless multiplayer fun with regular updates
- Tons of vehicles, weapons, and ways to play
- Three-character story
- Gives you full freedom to explore the open-world
- Stunning graphics and visuals
What You Should Know
- Mature content
- Download Size- 90 GB+
Horizon Forbidden West
Initial release date: 18 Feb 2022
Developer: Guerrilla Games, Nixxes Software
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Horizon Forbidden West continues Aloy’s story as she travels through a beautiful but dangerous post-apocalyptic world filled with robotic creatures. You explore lush forests, deserts, and underwater areas while uncovering secrets of the past and future. The world feels alive, and every place has something new to offer. The game has amazing graphics and eye-catching visuals. If you loved Horizon Zero Dawn, this one goes even bigger and deeper.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Beautiful detailed open-world
- Smooth combats with verities of weapons
- Emotional and strong storyline
- Improved Climbing, swimming, and gliding mechanics
What You Should Know
- Heavy on story- need attention on cut scenes
- Game world is huge
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Initial release date: 12 May 2023
Developer: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2
Pure adventure, discovery, and magic, Zelda never disappoints
Tears of the Kingdom picks up after Breath of the Wild, bringing you back into Hyrule — but this time, the sky and underground are open too. You play as a character of “Link”, who is on a new journey to uncover secrets, face new threats, and rebuild a broken kingdom. This game is all about open-world exploration, creativity, and freedom, but with even more surprises and depth than before with immersive gameplay and stunning visuals.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Huge open-world to explore
- New building and crafting abilities
- Rich & emotional story
- Side quests, and secrets
What You Should Know
- Only on Nintendo Switch
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Initial release date: 21 March 2024
Developer: Capcom
Platforms: PS 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Dragon’s Dogma 2 brings back the action-RPG vibe with a fantasy world full of danger, magic, and mythical beasts with rich & impressive visuals, monster designs and animations. You play as the “Arisen,” someone marked by a dragon, and set off on a journey shaped by your choices and companions. The game emphasized on deep combat, exploration, and freedom in how you play and build your character. It feels like a living, breathing fantasy world where anything can happen. If you love fantasy RPGs with freedom and brutal fights, this one might be waiting for you.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Action-packed combat
- Unpredictable encounters in a massive open-world
- Multiple classes and skills
- Impressive graphics and visuals
- Beautiful, realistic lighting and shadows
What You Should Know
- No fast travel early on
- Tough combat with strategy
- Not beginner-friendly
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Initial release date: 1 September 2015
Developer: Konami
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Metal Gear Solid V drops you into war zones as Big Boss, a legendary soldier out for revenge. It’s a game that lets you choose your playstyle — sneak in quietly or go loud and risky. Set in open deserts and jungles, the missions feel like real operations, and every choice you make matters. It’s smart, gripping, and filled with moments that hit hard emotionally too.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Open and free missions
- Stealth & tactical gameplay
- Tons of Weapons, gadgets, and customizations
What You Should Know
- Not a typical action-packed shooter
- Older-gen visuals
- Story feels unfinished
Fallout 4
Initial release date: 10 November 2015
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Bethesda has developed some of the best open-world games, “Fallout 4” is one of them. Fallout 4 drops you into a post-apocalyptic Boston where the world has been wrecked by nuclear war. You step out of an underground vault into the ruins and start your journey to survive, explore, and shape the future. The game gives you freedom to build, craft, fight, and make tough choices that actually impact the world.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Deep story
- Crafting, weapon mods, and base-building
- secrets, factions, and side quests
- Playing styles- stealth, guns blazing, or charisma
What You Should Know
- Decent graphics
- Some bugs and glitches here and there
Far Cry 6
Initial release date: 7 October 2021
Developer: Ubisoft
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Far Cry 6 throws you into the heart of a revolution on the island of Yara, a South America country — ruled by a brutal dictator. You play as Dani Rojas, a local turned guerrilla fighter, taking down military outposts, driving wild vehicles, and using over-the-top weapons to fight for freedom. It’s chaotic, explosive, and full of action moments around every corner.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Massive open-world with jungles, towns, and coastlines
- Tons of Weapons with customization
- Fast & smooth action
- Vibrant, diverse open world
What You Should Know
- Okay okay story
- Not much player choice
Hogwarts Legacy
Initial release date: 10 February 2023
Developers: Avalanche Software, Shiver Entertainment
Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
If you’ve ever wished for your own Hogwarts letter — this game is the closest thing to living that dream.
Hogwarts Legacy lets you live out the dream of being a wizard in the magical world of Harry Potter — but set in the 1800s, long before Harry’s time. You attend Hogwarts, learn spells, brew potions, tame magical beasts, and uncover ancient secrets hidden in its open world. The game blends nostalgia, freedom, and magic beautifully. The game has amazing visuals, rich and ultra realistic graphics with immersive gameplay.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Explore Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Forbidden Forest & more
- Tons of spells, gear, and magical customization
- Mounts like broomsticks and hippogriffs is fun
- Unique wizarding adventure
What You Should Know
- No Quidditch
- Story is good but not emotional
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Initial release Date: April 22, 2025
Developers: Virtuos, Bethesda Game Studios
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
A legendary RPG
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered brings back the iconic fantasy RPG that helped shape open-world games as we know them. Set in the lush and magical province of Cyrodiil, players get to relive (or experience for the first time) the thrilling mix of dungeon crawling, politics, magic, and mystery — but now with modern graphics and gameplay upgrades. It’s a true trip back to one of Bethesda’s most beloved worlds.
Why It’s Worth Playing
- Deep character customization
- Endless quests
- Massive open world full of secrets, guilds, and lore
- Nostalgia vibes- huge fan base community
What You Should Know
- Remaster, not a full remake
- Mods may or may not be supported right away
There are still so many amazing Open-World Games out there — and with titles like GTA 6 on the way, the list is only going to grow. These games are my personal picks, the ones I feel really stand out. Your list might be different, and that’s the beauty of gaming — everyone has their own favorites. You can totally add more or swap a few based on what you love. In the end, it’s all about playing what makes you happy😊
Official Websites
Check Out More Games
Best FPS Games of 2025: Play These Gems Now Best Free Steam Games for PC Gamers in 2025Connect with GamesNerdz for more latest Gaming news and tips!!!
🎮 Happy Gaming🔥
What a brilliant roundup! You did a fantastic job showcasing the best open-world games to dive into in 2025—each pick feels thoughtfully chosen and really highlights the incredible variety the genre has to offer right now. The writing is crisp, engaging, and clearly reflects your deep passion for gaming. Starfield: Beyond is definitely my favorite from the list—it’s a stunning example of how far open-world exploration has come. Kudos to you for putting together such an informative and enjoyable read—bookmarking this for sure!
🙂