Open-world games are about more than exploration. Sometimes their inventory management is a game within itself, especially when it’s tied to story progression, crafting and survival. For some players, the most interesting and exciting part of a game is the ability to collect all their loot, organize their gear, and juggle it all in one big backpack they hope has enough room for their next expedition.
The games in the list are ranked based on their depth in inventory management features, satisfaction, and creativity in how these features are implemented. Here's the perfect rundown for players looking to get a thrill from managing all their virtual hauls.
8 Ways To Shake Up A Second Playthrough Of Death Stranding
Death Stranding fans looking for something to do while waiting for the sequel should try these second playthrough ideas.
10 No Man’s Sky
A Multi-Layered Inventory
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood
- Developer(s)
- Hello Games
- A balancing act of space and upgrades.
- Base building expands the player's inventory.
No Man’s Sky’s explorations involve lots of time managing suit slots, ship storage, and multi-tool upgrades, perfect for players looking to be engrossed by their inventory. Whether players are juggling what to keep and what to remove, there is so much to learn about space in this game, they will be a veteran of the organization by the end of their time in the game. With the ability to expand trees and build bases, players will find No Man’s Sky a playground for their item organization.
9 Horizon: Zero Dawn
Crafting & Material Limits
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
- Features strategic crafting and material prioritization.
- Balances resource collection with upgrades.
Horizon: Zero Dawn allows players to become a part of Aloy’s world, which is full of collectible parts and crafting components ready to be picked up and managed. Players must adopt a strategic approach when it comes to upgrades in the game, as resources and gathering them must be done with progression in mind. They have a limited number of spaces in the pouch that they must use for inventory, which encourages players to focus on the upgrades they really need, and prioritize inventory goals.
8 Days Gone
Crafting & Ammo Scavenging
Days Gone
- Released
- April 26, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Bend Studio
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action, Adventure
- Emphasizes survival through scavenging.
- Weight and resource limitations make inventory choices critical.
Days Gone’s inventory system supports a player’s need to be resourceful in the name of survival. Whether players are looking to scavenge ammo or upgrade their crafting materials, this zombie world needs a creative mind for players to keep up with the environment.
12 Mistakes Everyone Makes While Playing Days Gone
Few games punish mistakes quite as harshly as Bend Studio's Days Gone. As a result, players will want to avoid these potential pitfalls at all costs.
Whether players are crafting Molotov cocktails or carrying scarps and fuel that they need to get through to the next day, everything has a weight, urgency and a consequence. Planning for every possibility matters in a game like this.
7 Cyberpunk 2077
Upgrade Systems & Dumping
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Weight-based system.
- Frequent strategic decisions and selective looting.
Cyberpunk 2077’s inventory management is weight-based, and loot is around every corner for players. The carry system can be restrictive at times, so players can’t just hoard. Instead, inventory plans must be a strategic dance. Choosing between mods, weapons, and clothing to keep becomes essential in making sure players can continue collecting more items in the future. Players who take inventory and other systems seriously will appreciate the system Cyberpunk has, and will take time to make sure they keep only the best items.
6 Valheim
Base Inventory Design
Valheim
- Released
- February 2, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- r
- Developer(s)
- Iron Gate AB
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- Weight management and chest organization are critical.
- Choices impact the player's stamina.
Valheim’s Viking survival gameplay means that players have to make meaningful storage choices in order to be at their best. Weight, Encumbrance, and Bases all make differences for the player, and the choices on what to keep will get harder as they progress through the game.
If players want to carry more weight for their items, they must be willing to upgrade their stamina, or choose alternative storage options when it comes to crafting and exploring. Chest organization is almost an art in Valheim, and players will appreciate the complexity of it.
5 Subnautica
Crafting With Limited Tools
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Limited storage demands efficiency.
- Inventory management is linked to survival.
Subnautica’s inventory management is the perfect balance of base building and survival hoarding. With limited space and tools, players must be smart with their storage, and gather resources that allow them to survive and thrive in this underwater environment.
Subnautica: Best Ways To Fight A Reaper
Subnautica gives players several ways to tackle the giant reaper leviathan creatures, but it can be difficult and dangerous to go after them.
Players need to explore, and this is tied to managing their oxygen, materials, and crafting recipes. To make sure that every expedition is a successful one, players need to keep an eye on their space and what they can do to make it more efficient.
4 Red Dead Redemption 2
Horse Storage & Limited Loadouts
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Inventory decisions are deeply tied to realism.
- Loadout management is vital.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s storage system is close to realism in many ways, and makes the world feel more lived in. With the ability to use satchels and horses, storage is about planning expeditions wisely. Arthur cannot bring an entire weapons vault with him every time. Instead, players must pick carefully what they can rely on, and what they can leave behind. Every piece of extra gear could have consequences for progression. Overall, the management system feels grounded in the story and immersive for players.
3 Death Stranding
Balancing Cargo Weight
Death Stranding
- Released
- November 8, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Inventory management directly affects balance.
- Stacking and load planning are essential.
Death Stranding’s inventory system is a physical challenge to players, with the feature that the more they carry and where they carry it affecting Sam Bridges' balance. Stacking becomes a game in itself, and every delivery requires strategy and forethought. Players need to be able to manage their load well, as their entire traversal mechanic hinges on it. While some players may want something a little more traditional for their inventory systems, this new way of looking at cargo could be a fresh perspective they have not seen yet.
2 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Hoarding Has Consequences
Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Over-encumbrance penalties.
- Hoarding can negatively affect gameplay.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim’s inventory management is iconic and a staple for players looking to have a system that is in depth and complex. Every piece of loot hoarded can have real consequences for players, making it harder to run, or stopping players from being able to run at all.
If players are looking to run across worlds and fight dragons and enemies, being over-encumbered is not ideal. Players will need to halt their compulsive desire to pick up everything, and instead focus on what they truly need.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Deep Gear Systems
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Complex gear systems make inventory management complex.
- Inventory prioritization and strategic prep are essential.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s inventory system had to make it to the top of the list because managing Geralt and his many things is almost a task on its own. Items that players may be choosing between keeping and throwing could be from monster trophies to oils and bombs. With weight limits, potions, and an overall tactical thought process, players will need to do prep work and stockpile in a smart way to be ready for those tough encounters.
The Witcher 3: Best Ways To Get Dimeritium
Here are the best ways to get dimeritium in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.