Open-world games offer players the opportunity to step into the shoes of a heroic protagonist, often equipped with supernatural capabilities or powers to help them conquer entire worlds over the course of a playthrough. But sometimes, the games go above and beyond and deliver an experience that really gives the player the sense that they were destined for greatness right from the start.
8 Best Open-World Games With Dynamic Worlds
These open-world games impress with their dynamic worlds, providing players with immersive places that live and breathe without them.
The concept of a chosen hero is the perfect fit for the open-world genre, as with so many people to save and enemies to slay, the player truly feels in control of their destiny within the narrative. Many games heavily lean into this idea, giving them plenty of power to elevate them above the rest of the people in the world, and by the end, they become a ruthless and unstoppable force.
InFAMOUS Second Son
Gifted Powers Beyond Comprehension
inFAMOUS Second Son
- Released
- March 21, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
inFAMOUS Second Son thrusts players into the role of a super-charged Delsin Rowe, a conduit with the ability to wield a variety of powers from different elements in the environment. Players start out with some powerful fire skills, but quickly unlock new ones that can be absorbed from other powerful characters in the world.
The game really feeds into the power fantasy of an unconventional superhero, giving players abilities like a giant leap into the air, which gives players a devastating blow that wipes everything from the screen. There's no major help from any other characters, and the player really is the sole hero in a world that's out to get them.
Biomutant
Shaping The Future Of The Entire World
BioMutant
- Released
- May 25, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Experiment 101
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PC, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Biomutant casts the player as a mutated creature prophesied to shape the world’s future. Its unique blend of open-world exploration and customizable abilities places the player in a pivotal role within a fractured ecosystem, with the whole narrative centering on the player’s ability to influence tribal alliances and the outcome of a dying world.
The game’s dynamic world reacts vividly to player decisions, reinforcing the sensation of being the main character in a drawn-out story. The presence of a mythical Tree of Life and ancient threats positions the protagonist as an indispensable force in a landscape shaped by fate, and the player’s growing power and responsibility create a constant sense of rising importance throughout.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Saving Literal Gods From A Titanic Threat
Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Released
- December 3, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Immortals Fenyx Rising embraces the mythological hero archetype by placing the player in the shoes of Fenyx, a demigod tasked with saving the Greek gods and the world from the looming Titan threat. The narrative and gameplay reinforce the player’s divine status through godly powers, epic challenges, and heroic quests, in a vibrant world filled with mythical creatures as well as some healthy doses of humor.
8 Best Open-World Games That Offer Freedom In Playstyle
These great open-world video games offer players peerless freedom in playstyle, allowing a variety of ways to carve a path through their unique world.
The design ensures the player feels their heroic influence in every corner of the open world. Challenges grow progressively more difficult, demanding skill and creativity that only a true hero could master. The constant interaction with gods and mythic beings underlines the player's elevated status and the world's dependence on their success, providing a compelling sense of destiny and chosen purpose.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
Fulfilling The Prophecy One Step At A Time
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Tears of the Kingdom lets players take on the role of the legendary hero, Link, destined to confront the darkness threatening Hyrule. The game's expansive world and intricate lore immerse the player in an ongoing prophecy where the fate of the kingdom hinges on their actions, and the open-ended exploration and evolving abilities emphasize Link’s growing mastery and status as a protector.
The world-building supports a profound connection to Link’s role as the chosen one through environmental storytelling and dynamic challenges that continue to push the player right until the credits roll. The player's progression is tightly interwoven with the restoration of Hyrule, reinforcing the weight of their mission and the epic scale of the journey.
Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War
Infused With The Power To Overthrow Sauron
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
- Released
- October 10, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Shadow of War centers on Talion, a ranger fused with the spirit of the elf lord Celebrimbor, granting him supernatural powers vital to overthrowing Sauron’s reign. This fusion marks the player as the linchpin in a world locked in an eternal struggle between good and evil, with many systems playing into that idea that are directly tied to the gameplay.
Best Open-World Games That Gradually Open Up, Ranked
In these games, the player's world slowly expands as they progress the story and build their character.
The narrative intertwines fate and power, making the player both a weapon and a leader destined to challenge the darkness, and each conquest and alliance solidifies the player’s role as a force to be reckoned with, reinforcing a deep sense of agency in a legendary conflict. The immersive mechanics and story converge to establish the player as an essential figure whose actions redefine the world, all while giving the player the tools they need to feel powerful and impactful.
Elden Ring
The Tarnished One Driven To Claim The Ring
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Elden Ring is a very distinctive open-world game that omits traditional quests and waypoints, but still delivers an experience where the player truly feels like an immensely powerful being in a world full of evil. Players begin with nothing and as a nobody, but it quickly becomes apparent that they are more than just a lowly adventurer, and they quickly blossom into a fully-fledged hero as a Tarnished who can mend the world, or bring it to ruin.
The power curve feels rewarding and just, and there is always a new challenge on the horizon for them to conquer and to bring them one step closer to fulfilling their destiny. With so many mountainous threats to take on, the sense of accomplishment gained after every triumph continues to feed into the idea of a single warrior taking on an entire kingdom.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Humanity's Last Hope Against All Powerful Machines
Horizon Zero Dawn
- Released
- February 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
In Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy is the embodiment of a hero tied to her destiny. A young hunter with a mysterious past and a life tied to the salvation of a world overrun by machines, her story unfolds as a quest for truth and purpose, positioning Aloy as a unique savior with the knowledge and skills to challenge the various threats across the world.
The deep narrative and personal stakes reinforce the player’s feeling of singular importance in a vast, dangerous world, with every discovery and battle shaping Aloy’s legend. The player's growing command over technology and influence in tribal conflicts emphasize the transformative role Aloy occupies in this richly crafted universe, and by the end of the campaign, no machine is left standing.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Become The Dragonborn
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Skyrim offers the player the mantle of the Dragonborn, a prophesied hero with the power to absorb dragon souls and prevent an apocalyptic event. This power is woven throughout the game's vast open world and narrative, making the player the undeniable focal point of the realm’s fate. The player isn't just the chosen one as a Dragonborn, but also as a leader of pretty much every faction they manage to stumble into.
The game's expansive world-building and lore center the player within a centuries-old prophecy, constantly underscoring their singular importance. Progression through dragon shouts and major quests mirrors the growth of the chosen one archetype, from unknown traveler to legendary hero, and the player's impact on Skyrim’s political and supernatural landscape affirms the role of a world-defining figure in an epic saga.
10 Best Open-World Games For Beginners, Ranked
These beginner-friendly open-world games offer smooth tutorials, intuitive systems, and fun exploration across massive maps.