Open-world games cover an incredibly wide range of environments, and that includes incorporating natural landmarks like rivers, mountains, and lakes. While not many titles center entirely around them, quite a few games utilize rivers as throughlines that guide players and act as a hub for villages and ports. In some instances, you can fish in them; in other cases, rivers are challenges to be overcome (or crossed). Some rivers may also be important landmarks or starting points for certain missions.
8 Best Open-World Games You Can Get Lost In, Ranked
For those looking to completely immerse themselves in an open-world experience, here are some of the best games to get lost in.
Even if they aren't always the main attraction, rivers can be downright jaw-dropping, especially when they seem to go on forever and feature gorgeous scenery like waterfalls. If you want to take a trip down a sprawling body of water, these open-world games should be able to get you there.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Catch Fish To Help Arthur And The Gang Prosper
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Franchise
- Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption 2 features some of the most picturesque rivers that players can lay their eyes upon. The most notable rivers in the game include the Dakota River, the Kamassa River, the San Luis River, the Upper and Lower Montana Rivers, and the Lannahechee River. They run throughout the world, acting as borders, travel routes, and backdrops. They not only offer gameplay through things like fishing, but also are impacted by things like the weather.
These rivers allow Arthur to catch fish to either keep his cores topped up or sell them to make small profits. Additionally, some of the Legendary Fishes in the game can be found dwelling in these rivers. These Legendary Fishes can fetch Arthur bountiful rewards.
Honorable Mention to Red Dead Redemption's San Luis River.
Assassin's Creed Origins
The Nile In All Its Majesty
Assassin's Creed Origins
- Released
- October 27, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
Most of the entries on this list revolve around real-world rivers, and Assassin's Creed Origins might feature the most famous one in history. The Nile is massive, and the open-world game reflects that by structuring most of its map around the river. Serving as a navigation reference point, the Nile is omnipresent, exceeding its landmark status by being a lifeline for both the people who exist in this universe and the players striving to explore it.
Besides acting as an efficient way to travel, the Nile is a magnet for cities, farmlands, ports, and wildlife. The fact that it is so realistic is very impressive, and the game really captures its sense of scale.
Honorable mention to Assassin's Creed Shadows.
Sons Of The Forest
Rivers Are Integral For Survival In Site 2
Sons of the Forest
- Released
- February 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Endnight Games
- Publisher(s)
- Newnight
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Open-World, Survival Horror
Sons of the Forest builds upon its predecessor by incorporating rivers as a significant part of the world. They are excellent sources of water that can be used to meet the various needs of the players as they explore Site 2. Rivers are also great spots to set up bases, as tools can be created to construct dams that can allow players to preserve water.
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The wombo-combo of open-world, survival gameplay, and RPG elements is a tough one to get right, but these games succeed in it.
Additionally, fishing is a valuable asset to have as it can help players stay healthy on the island. Using the existence of rivers to a player's advantage and creating opportunities is a great way to stay strong while playing Sons of the Forest.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Tread Carefully To Complete Deliveries
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Released
- June 26, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Franchise
- Death Stranding
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
Death Stranding's world is filled with deadly traps and unfamiliar terrain that players will have to navigate through to complete deliveries. While rivers are a big part of the original game, they are even more inescapable in the sequel, with Death Stranding 2: On The Beach having over a dozen different ones. Rivers can actively hamper a player's journey if they are not careful, and their varying strength means the same strategy cannot be used for all of them.
Almost every area in the game has rivers that require players to preserve their stamina and remain patient to cross. The use of bridges is also a good way to cross the many rivers that are seamlessly woven into the world of Death Stranding 2 to provide a realistic experience.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Rivers, Rivers Everywhere
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Franchise
- The Elder Scrolls
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Skyrim truly lets players express their freedom with its massive world, which includes a host of rivers ranging from short to long. The most popular and longest river is the White River, which runs through the majority of Skyrim.
As with most things in Skyrim, some mods allow players to traverse these rivers using boats to take in the grandeur of the world. Players are also able to fish in these rivers, similar to most open-world games.
Genshin Impact
Welcome to Teyvat, The World of Wonders And Mysteries
Genshin Impact
- Released
- September 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
Genshin Impact consists of extremely beautiful and pristine rivers in every region. Fontaine, the nation of Hydro, is situated on a massive river system called the "Great Fontaine Lake", which allows players to explore underwater locations. Other important rivers include the Bishui River in Liyue, the river stretching from Port Ormos to Sumeru City, and the various small rivers in Toyac Springs located in Natlan.
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Open-world games put great emphasis on environments. These games in particular are excellent for exploring the great outdoors.
Some of these rivers offer fishing spots, which are often used to obtain materials for weapon refinement and purchasing goods from the fishing associations of each region. Players can also use their Waverider to traverse these rivers and take in the surrounding scenery of the world. Certain regional specialties needed for character ascension, such as Nilotpala Lotus, Sango Pearl, Beryl Conch, and Lumitoile can be found near or under the rivers.
Far Cry 5
Henbane River Is Sure To Give Players Nightmares
Far Cry 5
- Released
- March 27, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Toronto
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Franchise
- Far Cry
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
Henbane River is a unique region in Far Cry 5. It is arguably one of the creepiest areas in the entire Far Cry franchise, thanks to the unique properties present in the area. The Bliss flowers in this area, used for making the drug of the same name, can disorient players and potentially make them see a phantom version of Faith Seed, the person who oversees the region. It also features haunted houses and unsettling mannequins.
The region has plenty of locations for players to stumble upon and also features a bunch of missions and prepper stashes to embark on. Henbane River is an extremely well-crafted area that definitely catches players off guard during their first playthrough of Far Cry 5.
Honorable Mentions
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Pontar and Velen Riverlands, both of which reflect the world's miserable state
- Ghost of Tsushima — Various rivers are used to guide exploration
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — River of the Dead, and a big part of Zora's Domain
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance — Rivers serve a similar purpose as Assassin's Creed Origins
- Elden Ring — Sofia and Ainsel rivers; region-bound, but great in their locations.
- The Lord of the Rings Online — Plenty of rivers in Middle-earth.
- Horizon Forbidden West — Rivers carve through jungles, ruins, and lowlands
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