Summary
- Two Worlds had bugs, but charmed fans with open-world exploration and eurojank allure.
- Prince of Persia (2008) reboot combined cinematic combat with unique platforming.
- Gothic is a tough open-world RPG with compelling worldbuilding and challenging progression.
Open-world games with fantasy settings are quite prevalent in modern times, but this genre amalgamation took a while to get going. After all, sandbox games still had a long way to go before becoming mainstream in the early 2000s, with studios like Rockstar and Bethesda showing the promise of a well-developed open-world game.
5 Best Fantasy Indie Games With An Open World
Indie open-world games offer unique design constraints that allow for deep creativity. These are the best indie fantasy open-world games out there.
Sandbox games with predominantly fantasy settings were somewhat rare in the 2000s, but there are enough titles for players to try out the open-world fantasy games from this genre. Some of these titles may be acquired tastes, but fans will love what these games have to offer once they manage to get them running on modern systems.
6 Two Worlds
The Definition Of Charming Eurojank
Two Worlds
- Released
- May 9, 2007
Two Worlds promised to capture the same hype as games like Morrowind and Oblivion. While bugs and some heavy eurojank prevented players from liking this title back when it came out, fan reception has waned since then.
Players loved the charms of this fantasy world and how players could be distracted by endless sidequests. The eurojank of this title has added to its allure in the eyes of many, letting fans witness what a competent open-world fantasy game from the 2000s would look like.
5 Prince Of Persia
The Game's Beautiful Chaos Is Oddly Compelling
Prince Of Persia
- Released
- December 2, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Alcohol Reference, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Action-Adventure
Prince of Persia's 2008 reboot mixed fan opinions down the middle, who just wanted the formula from The Sands of Time trilogy to be improved on. Instead, what fans got was an easy yet stylish open-world action game with cinematic combat and unique platforming mechanics.
Despite being a bit too accessible at times, 2008's Prince of Persia brought a ton of new ideas to the table that fans have grown fond of over time. Trying to unleash cinematic combo enders in battles became surprisingly riveting after a point, while the bond between the Prince and Elika was surprisingly riveting.
4 Gothic
A Tough Yet Rewarding Fantasy Open-World RPG
Gothic
- Released
- November 23, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- RPG
One of the most brutal open-world games that fans can get their hands on, Gothic is not a title for impatient players. After some compelling worldbuilding that introduces players to the elaborate prison system of Gothic, players control a disgraced criminal who is chucked into a hostile world where anything can kill them in a few hits.
This forces players to ally with a camp and learn techniques as soon as possible to deal with the dangers of the open world without being smashed to pieces. This early-game difficulty is a huge part of what makes Gothic's progression so riveting, turning this into a riveting open-world fantasy game that fans will love.
3 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
Cyrodil Is A Beautiful World To Explore
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Released
- March 20, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Oblivion is one of the best fantasy open-world games of all time, and fans were glad to get their hands on Oblivion Remastered to enjoy what Cyrodil would look like with a modern graphical touch-up. The 2006 classic obviously holds up even now, with fans loving everything from its amazing sense of freedom to the bizarre nature of its dynamic elements.
Hearing people have inane conversations in a simulated world full of dangers is a huge part of what makes Oblivion so special. The 2006 version of this game has a greater selection of mods to choose from than the remaster, giving players an excuse to check out the original title if they haven't already.
2 Gothic 2
Perfected The Formula From The First Game
Gothic 2
- Released
- October 28, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Barring the story, Gothic 2 was a massive improvement over its predecessor. The sense of wondrous exploration was enhanced in the sequel, and it helped that the side quests featured way better writing. This meant that players were encouraged to explore the world of Gothic 2 and slowly but surely overcome its challenges.
The combat is tough yet rewarding, which is the biggest draw of the game, and it does a great job of rewarding the player's progress. Even if fans feel like the main story isn't as riveting as the first Gothic game, this sequel makes up for it in other departments and is hailed by many as the best Pirahna Bytes game ever made.
1 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Vvardenfell Will Leave A Lasting Impression On Players
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Released
- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
To this day, there's something about Morrowind's magical exploration that keeps fans coming back for more. Since this game lacks a ton of streamlining that makes modern open-world games feel a bit too similar, players can enjoy a genuinely unique experience once they get off the boat and enter Seyda Neen.
It refreshing to follow directions given by other people instead of following markers on a map, which enhances this game's immersion. Combat may be dated, but this is made up for with the best writing to feature in an Elder Scrolls game, getting players invested in the Nerevarine's adventures as they become strong enough to defeat gods. This is especially refreshing given that players struggled against lowly bandits early on in the game.
8 Best Open-World Games Set In Low Fantasy Worlds
Low fantasy takes a more gritty and realistic approach to the swords and sorcery genre, and these open-world games are fine examples of it.