Summary
- Sunset Overdrive delivers chaotic, creative gunplay in a mutant-infested city obsessed with punk rock energy.
- Just Cause 4 takes gun combat to explosive levels with dynamic weather and over-the-top chaos.
- Ghost Recon: Wildlands offers tactical gunplay in a vast open world with diverse landscapes and flexible approaches.
There’s something undeniably satisfying about traversing sprawling open worlds while packing enough firepower to start a small war. Whether it’s chaotic shootouts in futuristic dystopias or high-octane battles in lush jungles, these games deliver unforgettable gunplay moments wrapped in massive, immersive worlds.
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From chaotic free-roaming mayhem to tactical skirmishes, these titles bring out the best of both open-world exploration and gun combat. Here are the seven best open-world games that masterfully combine the thrill of shooting with the freedom to explore.
7 Sunset Overdrive
When Style And Gunplay Collide
Sunset Overdrive
- Released
- October 28, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Publisher(s)
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A post-apocalyptic playground where mayhem is just part of the charm, Sunset Overdrive is a loud, vibrant, and utterly wild experience. Set in the sprawling, mutant-infested Sunset City, this Insomniac Games title ditches realism in favor of sheer chaotic fun. Gun combat here isn’t just an afterthought — it’s essential to surviving the hordes of mutated humans known as OD’d.
What makes the gunplay truly stand out is the game’s obsession with creativity. Weapons range from exploding teddy bears to vinyl-shooting guns, each designed to mow down enemies in spectacular fashion. Combining shooting with acrobatic traversal, players grind on power lines and bounce off cars while unleashing ridiculous firepower.
The world itself is a blend of cartoonish violence and punk rock energy, with every mission pushing players to embrace the chaos rather than hide behind cover. It’s not about precision; it’s about making every shot look cool. And for those who stick around long enough, Sunset City rewards with more insane weapons and even more elaborate ways to destroy everything in sight.
6 Just Cause 4
When Explosions Are An Art Form
Just Cause 4
- Released
- December 4, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Gunfights that could make Michael Bay blush? Check. A physics engine that lets you strap rockets to anything and anyone? Absolutely. Just Cause 4 lives up to its reputation as a playground for chaos, with the fictional South American country of Solis begging to be blown apart. Rico Rodriguez’s arsenal isn’t just limited to traditional firearms — players can wield grenade launchers, miniguns, and experimental gadgets that can send entire enemy squads into orbit.
The gunplay doesn’t just feel like a chore to reach the next explosion; it’s part of the spectacle. Whether it’s storming a military base or taking down a convoy, every skirmish is an opportunity to experiment. The game’s dynamic weather, including tornadoes and lightning storms, only heightens the insanity. Pairing machine-gun fire with grappling hook stunts or wingsuit strafing makes for moments that feel ripped straight from an action movie. There’s no need to worry about subtlety here — Just Cause 4 is all about cranking the chaos to eleven.
5 Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Tactical Warfare With A Sandbox Twist
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands
- Released
- March 7, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
In the vast, diverse landscapes of Bolivia, Ghost Recon: Wildlands offers a more tactical take on open-world gunplay. Instead of charging in, guns blazing, players are encouraged to plan their assaults, scout enemy positions, and coordinate with AI or friends for synchronized shots. The sense of freedom here is striking, with the map stretching across deserts, jungles, and mountains, each teeming with enemy factions and hidden caches.
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Gun combat is satisfyingly weighty, with a wide variety of customizable weapons and attachments to suit any playstyle. Whether sniping from a hilltop or infiltrating a compound with suppressed pistols, every encounter feels like it could go south at any moment. The real charm lies in the flexibility to approach objectives however players see fit — sometimes the best firefight is the one that never happens. But when things inevitably go wrong, the sheer firepower available ensures that players can still shoot their way out of trouble.
4 Rage 2
Anarchy With A Shotgun
Rage 2
- Released
- May 19, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Studios, id Software
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
If pure, unrestrained carnage is the goal, Rage 2 delivers. This collaboration between id Software and Avalanche Studios leans heavily into its punk rock aesthetic, creating a wasteland where every gunfight feels like a festival of destruction. Players roam the post-apocalyptic world as Walker, a ranger with an arsenal ranging from trusty shotguns to energy weapons that obliterate enemies in bursts of neon chaos.
The gunplay is pure id Software: fast, punchy, and brutally satisfying. Enemies don’t just die — they explode into a mess of limbs and sparks. Layered on top of this is the game's kinetic movement system, encouraging players to dash, double jump, and unleash powers while keeping the bullets flying. The world itself is a twisted mix of neon-lit outposts and ruined landscapes, and it never stays quiet for long. When it’s time to start shooting, it’s best to go all in and never stop moving.
3 Fallout: New Vegas
Surviving The Mojave With A Gun In Hand
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
Practically no list of open-world gunplay is complete without Fallout: New Vegas. The Mojave Wasteland is brutal, unpredictable, and filled with people who will shoot first and loot your corpse later. The combat here is defined by choice — whether to take the diplomatic route, sneak around, or just blow everything to pieces.
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Weapons are as varied as the factions that inhabit the desert, from makeshift pipe guns to high-tech laser rifles. Gunplay may not be as fluid as in modern shooters, but the V.A.T.S. System makes every encounter feel strategic. Instead of just aiming down sights, players can target specific body parts, blowing limbs off raiders or crippling Deathclaws before they rip you apart. The world itself is packed with stories to uncover, and while the gun combat may be slower-paced, it feels perfectly at home in the lawless wasteland.
2 Cyberpunk 2077
When Style Meets Firepower
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Night City is a chaotic, bustling beast that never sleeps. Gun combat in Cyberpunk 2077 is surprisingly varied, with everything from pistols to smart weapons that track targets. The real fun comes from combining firearms with cyberware, creating a lethal blend of technology and brute force.
Players can approach encounters stealthily or go in guns blazing, each with its own rewards. The AI might not always be the smartest, but the sheer amount of customization and weapon variety keeps combat interesting. There’s also something inherently cool about hacking a turret mid-fight or using Mantis Blades to close the gap when bullets just aren’t enough. Night City’s underworld doesn’t take prisoners, so it’s a good thing V can become the ultimate gunslinger with enough upgrades.
1 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Tactical Espionage At Its Finest
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Konami
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Hideo Kojima’s magnum opus blends stealth, strategy, and gun combat like no other. In Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, players can sneak through outposts undetected or light up the entire area with machine-gun fire. The open world is meticulously crafted, with every outpost offering unique challenges and rewards.
Gunplay feels tight and responsive, with realistic weapon handling and a range of gear that can be customized to suit any mission. The choice between non-lethal and lethal force adds another layer, with consequences depending on who lives and dies. The ability to switch tactics on the fly keeps each encounter dynamic and keeps players thinking on their feet. It’s a playground for those who value both precision and power.
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