10 Great Open-World Games With the Best Worldbuilding (2024)

Early video games, especially those present in arcades, did not have to worry about complex characters or immersive worlds. Players were satisfied with munching pellets with Pac-Man and jumping over barrels in Donkey Kong. Modern games have changed completely from this, and while some arcade-style titles are still created, developers often want to build massive worlds for players to immerse themselves in. One genre in particular, the open-world genre, develops games with this concept in mind.

In recent years, open-world games have become some of the most influential on the market, and players have become attached to the worlds contained in these titles. The Assassin's Creed franchise pioneered the genre with Assassin's Creed II, while more recent games like Yakuza Kiwami 2 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth perfected it. These titles may all have fantastic gameplay filled with lively action sequences, but perhaps their best aspects are in their amazing world-building.

10 Fallout 4 Breathes Life Into a Postapocalyptic Wasteland

For a game about a postapocalyptic wasteland, Fallout 4 is surprisingly filled with life, which adds to the title's fantastic level of immersive worldbuilding. Every one of the games in the Fallout franchise does a fantastic job of making its world feel lived in with intriguing locales and entertaining NPCs. Fallout 4 does the best job of this, as its narrative and characters play perfectly off of the game's desolate scenery.

Throughout the game's extensive runtime, players traverse a surprisingly vibrant world and interact with many different survivor groups. These groups are the best part of the game's worldbuilding, as they not only add to the narrative but also give the player a purpose for their actions. While other apocalypse-themed games have been more heartfelt, none of them hold a candle to the amazing realism and sci-fi feel of Fallout 4.

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6 Images

Fallout 4

6

10

In Fallout 4, players exit the vault to a postapocalyptic world to search for their lost child.

RPG

Action

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:87/100 Critics Recommend:89%

Franchise

Fallout

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

November 10, 2015

Developer(s)

Bethesda

Publisher(s)

Bethesda

Engine

Creation

ESRB

M FOR MATURE: BLOOD AND GORE, INTENSE VIOLENCE, STRONG LANGUAGE, USE OF DRUGS

How Long To Beat

27 Hours

X|S Enhanced

No

File Size Xbox Series

51 GB (December 2023)

Metascore

87

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

Steam Deck Compatibility

yes

Cross Save

no

Cross-Platform Play

no

9 Persona 5 Somehow Makes Its Anime World Believable

With the increasing demand for more anime-inspired games, it can be hard to find titles that excel at making their characters and world believable while also having an intriguing narrative. Luckily for fans of the genre, the Persona franchise has never had this problem, as it is one of the most beloved JRPG franchises of all time. While fans are quick to look back on Persona 3 as the series' peak, Persona 5 has by far the best worldbuilding in the series.

Persona 5 is a fantastic blend of anime and detective drama, and the developers did a phenomenal job of making these elements work together in a fantastically designed world. The world is filled with side activities that make the world feel more lived in than many other open-world games. Furthermore, each of the game's antagonists and their interactions with the Phantom Thieves help to drive the story forward and give the player motivation to uncover the game's mystery. Many anime games miss the mark with their immersion and deliver bland experiences, but Persona 5 is a perfect example of an anime game perfecting worldbuilding and storytelling.

Persona 5

RPG

Dungeon Crawler

Adventure

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:94/100 Critics Recommend:98%

Franchise

Persona

Platform(s)

PS3 , PS4

Released

September 15, 2016

Developer(s)

Atlus

Publisher(s)

Atlus

Engine

Proprietary Engine

ESRB

m

8 Assassin's Creed II Pioneered the Open-World Genre

Some game franchises over the years have become synonymous with their respective genres to the point where they are seen as gaming pioneers. From Super Mario Bros. to Halo, many iconic names have led trends in gaming to where they are today. One franchise in particular did this for the open-world genre, but it didn't catch on with fans until its second installment.

Assassin's Creed II may not have aged well in terms of its gameplay loop, but its worldbuilding is the best the franchise has to offer. From its realistic depiction of Renaissance Italian life to its endearing characters, every inch of Assassin's Creed II is filled with life. Furthermore, its story also fits perfectly in the world of the franchise, as it helps to set the tone for later entries. Dazzling setpieces and one of gaming's most iconic leads (Ezio Auditore da Firenze) have helped Assassin's Creed II's worldbuilding stand the test of time.

Assassin's Creed 2

Assassin's Creed II introduces you to Ezio, a new assassin carrying on the deadly lineage of his forebears. Confront an epic tale of power and corruption as you hone your Assassin's art, wielding weapons and instruments designed by the legendary Leonardo Da Vinci himself in this gripping and deadly sequel.

Action

Adventure

Systems

Franchise

Assassin's Creed

Platform(s)

macOS , Nintendo Switch , PC , PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One

Released

November 7, 2009

Developer(s)

Ubisoft

Publisher(s)

Ubisoft

Engine

havok, anvil

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language

How Long To Beat

19 Hours

Metascore

91

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

See at Amazon

7 Fable is Gaming's Best Portrayal of Medieval Fantasy

In recent years, many medieval-themed gaming experiences have been Soulslikes, which limits their appeal to the most invested gamers. While tabletop RPGs are still a great avenue to explore the genre, one early 2000s title perfected medieval fantasy storytelling before Soulslikes first got their start as a genre.

Fable is one of the most beloved action RPG series that Microsoft has ever released, and for good reason. Few games allow a player to have as much of an impact on the world as Fable does, except for the Grand Theft Auto series. Every interaction between the player and each NPC has an immense amount of impact on the narrative. Furthermore, every bit of Fable's world is filled with lush greenery and period-appropriate architecture that makes its world feel even more believable. Many games in the modern era have tried to perfect the medieval genre, but few have come close to the immense level of detail and worldbuilding present in Fable.

Fable (2004)

Action RPG

Systems

Franchise

Fable

Platform(s)

PC , Xbox (Original) , Xbox 360

Released

September 14, 2004

Developer(s)

Big Blue Box Studios , Lionhead Studios

Publisher(s)

Microsoft Game Studios , Feral Interactive

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol, Violence

How Long To Beat

13 Hours

6 Myst Perfects The Puzzle Formula With Charming and Eerie Scenery

The puzzle game genre is hard to perfect and even harder to produce, as most games in the modern era use a varying number of puzzles to either increase the game length or allow players to explore. Furthermore, puzzle games usually do not focus on building a world, as the primary focus of iconic puzzle games like Bejeweled and Peggle is on the puzzles themselves, with little input from characters. There are exceptions, of course, with games like Puzzle Quest standing out for their amazing stories. However, one puzzle game in particular has been renowned for its worldbuilding for over 30 years.

Myst is one of the most intriguing puzzle games of all time, and its success spawned multiple sequels. The game takes place on the island of Myst, and players complete puzzles to travel through time and explore different eras of history on the island. While the puzzles may be a grueling challenge for some, their difficulty allows time for players to appreciate all the island's intricate details. Myst's worldbuilding may be abstract compared to other games, but it is still the most immersive world that the puzzle game genre has to offer.

Myst

Puzzle

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:74/100 Critics Recommend:54%

Franchise

Myst

Platform(s)

macOS , PC , PS1 , PSP , Sega Saturn , Nintendo DS , 3DS , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

September 24, 1993

Developer(s)

Cyan Worlds Inc

Publisher(s)

Broderbund

Engine

unreal engine 4, hypercard

ESRB

E For Everyone

5 Control Perfectly Stands on the Line Between Unsettling and Exciting

Horror games often have a difficult time balancing their scare factor with good writing. Over the years, fans have had to fill in the gaps in many games' stories with fan theories (ex: Five Nights at Freddy's). However, one game developer, in particular, has mastered horror worldbuilding, and their best project does this perfectly. Control, developed by Remedy Entertainment, is a continuation of the universe present in Alan Wake, and it builds off of that game to create some of the best worldbuilding in any horror game.

Players assume the role of Jesse Faden and explore the Oldest House, an X-Files-style repository for interesting and haunted objects. These objects, along with the creatures that have taken over the building (The Hiss), help to flesh out the game's terrific narrative. Furthermore, specific written documents can be found throughout the building that help explain the motivations of both Jesse and the creatures. Finally, the best aspect of the game's worldbuilding is the character that ties it together, Ahti. With a sequel currently in the works, fans are excited to continue to explore one of the most well-crafted worlds in the history of horror games.

Control

Solve puzzles and complete quests to discover the secret of Jesse’s past and the true purpose of the Bureau of Control

Action

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:83/100 Critics Recommend:89%

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One

Released

August 27, 2019

Developer(s)

Remedy Entertainment

Publisher(s)

505 Games

Engine

Northlight Engine

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence

How Long To Beat

12 Hours

Mode

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

4 Red Dead Redemption 2 Features a Stellar Western World

In art forms like TV and film, the Western genre has often been seen as a relic of a forgotten era, as very few Western projects often achieve mainstream success. While there are rare exceptions, these exceptions are less rare in gaming, as the medium has experienced a resurgence in Westerns in recent years. Games like Weird West and Wild West stand out, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is the pinnacle of Western worldbuilding in gaming.

Red Dead Redemption 2 features one of the most well-crafted worlds in the history of the open-world genre. From sprawling landscapes filled with lush scenery to Arthur Morgan's internal conflicts, every part of the game is realistic and makes its world feel immersive and vibrant. Furthermore, the game's dialogue is also phenomenally well-written, which makes its world feel more relatable to fans. Red Dead Redemption 2 is Rockstar Games' modern Magnum Opus, and its worldbuilding is a big part of the reason why.

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10 Images

Red Dead Redemption 2

Played from afirst-orthird-personperspective, the game is set in anopen-worldenvironment featuring a fictionalized version ofthe United States in 1899.

Action

Adventure

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:96/100 Critics Recommend:94%

Franchise

Red Dead Redemption

Platform(s)

PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Stadia

Released

October 26, 2018

Developer(s)

Rockstar Games

Publisher(s)

Rockstar Games

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

RAGE

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

How Long To Beat

50 Hours

X|S Enhanced

yes

Metascore

97

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

Steam Deck Compatibility

yes

Cross Save

N/A

Cross-Platform Play

N/A

3 Yakuza Kiwami 2 is Gaming's Most Vibrant Crime Drama

Remakes and remasters are quite common in gaming these days, and they are occasionally some of the best games released in any given year. From Resident Evil 4 to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the gaming industry has excelled at recreating some of gaming's most classic titles. Sega is no stranger to this concept, as the Yakuza series, and particularly the remake of Yakuza 2 (Yakuza Kiwami 2) is one of the best remakes in gaming history because of its stellar worldbuilding.

Picking up where Yakuza Kiwami left off, Yakuza Kiwami 2 tells the story of Kazama Kiryu as he tries to help rebuild the Tojo Clan after he left it and avoid war with the Omi Alliance. The game shines during its action segments, but the small details in its world and character backstories are the most enjoyable parts of the game. Every small shop feels vibrant and like a place one would walk into regularly in real life, while each leisure activity is enjoyable and adds character to Kiryu's sometimes stern personality. Furthermore, antagonists like Ryuji Goda and Toranosuke Sengoku balance out Kiryu with their brash and co*cky attitudes. The variety of characters adds to the realism of the world, making Yakuza Kiwami 2 the best worldbuilding of any crime drama in gaming history.

Yakuza Kiwami 2

Action

Adventure

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:86/100 Critics Recommend:93%

Franchise

Yakuza

Platform(s)

PS4 , Xbox One , PC

Released

August 28, 2018

Developer(s)

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Publisher(s)

Sega

Engine

Dragon Engine

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol

How Long To Beat

19 Hours

2 Cyberpunk 2077 Features a Futuristic and Fantastic World

Recent sci-fi titles in gaming have often been relegated to the likes of Star Wars adaptations of mixed quality, or surprisingly stellar puzzle/action platformers like the Ghostrunner duology. When Cyberpunk 2077 was released in 2020, it was marred by terrible bugs that made the game unplayable for fans who did not have higher-end hardware. Despite this, fans still adored the game because of its characters and intriguing futuristic world.

At the beginning of the game, players can select to be a member of one of three factions, each of which completely changes the story and the way that specific moments play out. Furthermore, Cyberpunk 2077's world is full of NPC with endearing dialogue that fills the player in on the world's deeper secrets while also making players care about them. Overall, Cyberpunk 2077 grew to be one of the best sci-fi gaming experiences in recent memory, and its astonishing world is a big part of the reason why.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077is anaction role-playing gameplayed from afirst-personperspective as V,a mercenary whose voice,face, hairstyle, body type andmodifications, background, and clothing are customisable.

RPG

Action

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:76/100 Critics Recommend:65%

Franchise

Cyberpunk

Platform(s)

PC , Xbox One , Stadia , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X

Released

December 10, 2020

Developer(s)

CD Projekt Red

Developer

Publisher(s)

CD Projekt Red

Publisher

Engine

REDengine 4

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

How Long To Beat

25 Hours

X|S Enhanced

Xbox Series X|S players can also download Update 2.1 and enjoy all the new content available in the game

Metascore

75

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Steam Deck Compatibility

yes

Cross Save

yes

Cross-Platform Play

ps, xbox, pc

1 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Features the Franchise's Best World

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not only one of 2024's best games so far, but it also features some of the best worldbuilding in gaming history. Unlike the first game in the trilogy (Final Fantasy VII Remake), which takes place entirely in Midgar, the sequel has players explore a vast array of different environments. From Mount Corel to the Gold Saucer, each of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's locals features vastly different terrain and a completely different visual aesthetic, while also showing off many unique and intriguing NPCs.

The best parts of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's worldbuilding are shown through its characters. Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockhart form the game's more streamlined core, while Aerith Gainsborough and Barret Wallace give the game its emotional center. Character moments help show off each character's motivation for taking on Sephiroth, and crucial flashbacks bring fans to tears while also enriching the game's vast world. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth already features fantastic gameplay, but its worldbuilding is some of the richest in gaming history.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

9

10

Cloud and his comrades escape the city of Midgar in pursuit of the fallen hero, Sephiroth. As they travel across the world, they find themselves on a journey that will decide the fate of the planet

RPG

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:93/100 Critics Recommend:99%

Franchise

Final Fantasy

Platform(s)

PlayStation 5

Released

February 29, 2024

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Developer

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

ESRB

T for Teen