Most people assume that all open-world games come packed with weapons and center around a combat loop, using enemies and conflict as the backbone of exploration. While this statement is true for the majority of sandboxes, certain open-world games go in the opposite direction and remove swords, guns, and staves entirely. By eliminating weapons, these titles shift the focus toward discovery, traversal, puzzles, and storytelling.
Whether you’re piecing together environmental mysteries, helping characters in need, or simply wandering through beautifully designed landscapes, these open-world games create tension and satisfaction through curiosity rather than combat. For anybody looking to explore at their own pace without ever picking up a weapon, the following games deliver rich, immersive worlds built around non-violent gameplay.
The focus is on games without weapons, not games without combat. Although you don't use it traditionally, Disco Elysium has weapons. Also, I left out Donkey Kong Banaza, as I struggled to decide whether it qualifies or not. Technically, DK can pick up a piece of the ground and use it as a weapon.
Outer Wilds
A Self-Contained Galaxy Where Players Can Go Wherever They Want
Outer Wilds
- Released
- May 28, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Outer Wilds is an open-world game that players should not sleep on, as it is a rare example of a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Knowledge is the resource you gather as you explore an intimate galaxy and its various planets. Based on the information they uncover, players will understand how to progress further and gradually piece together the central mystery, which involves a sun going supernova and a 22-minute timeloop.
8 Best Open-World Games That Everyone Should Play, Ranked
There's a reason that open-world games are so popular, and while there are countless choices available, these genre entries are must-play experiences.
Player choice makes Outer Wilds a must-play. Given very little direction, you have to decide where to go, what to do, and what to learn, crafting a journey that is your own. Combat and weapons are never part of the equation, and they would feel out of place if they were.
Eastshade
Focuses On Simple Exploration And Helping People Out
Eastshade
- Released
- February 13, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World
Players who want a simple, feel-good game where they control a painter will find Eastshade to be right up their alley. The world is full of anthropomorphic animals that players can help out of the goodness of their hearts. Dropped into a fantasy setting that is quite gorgeous, players are allowed to simply exist, live, and discover, with no threat of violence or a ticking clock. The game isn't a walking simulator either, as there are things for you to find and mysteries to solve.
Eastshade is an acquired taste that might be a bit too slow for some people, but it is also a pure adventure open-world game that knows what it wants to be. Sometimes, you just want to enjoy the scenery and do a bit of painting.
Sable
A Relaxing Sandbox Game With A Focus On Exploration
Sable
- Released
- September 23, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Sable's simple gameplay lets players explore a fairly massive desert on a hoverbike as they're tasked with helping the protagonist complete a ritual. As one would expect, this involves a fair bit of traversal as players try to find the mask that will help the eponymous protagonist prove herself to her clan.
Solving puzzles and engaging in platforming challenges is a huge part of what makes this title so special, along with the coming-of-age story. Although not completely devoid of a sense of urgency, Sable mostly maintains a calm and tranquil tone defined by self-reflection.
A Short Hike
A Small, Simple Open-World Game About Climbing A Mountain
A Short Hike
- Released
- April 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
If you want a smaller-scale open-world game that tells a personal story that does not involve saving the world or fighting thousands of enemies, you might love what A Short Hike brings to the table. Claire has just been dropped off at a park, and her goal is to reach the summit to get a signal for her phone. That might sound shallow, but there is a good reason that drives her forward. In the meantime, she has to live in the moment and enjoy her surroundings.
Best Open‑World Games for Casual Players, Ranked
Not every open-world game has to be intense and complex. These titles are perfect for casual players who just want to relax.
All players need to do is find golden feathers to improve the protagonist's ability to climb, fly, and jump. This is a necessity, since players need to acquire cellphone reception at the top of a mountain. The short runtime and cozy setting help A Short Hike feel like a warm hug, making it one of the most peaceful open-world games players can get their hands on.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Grow Home (And Grow Up)
An Ubisoft Open-World Game Without Any Weapons Whatsoever
Grow Home
- Released
- February 4, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Ubisoft's open-world games tend to be stuffed with guns or blades, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, Ubisoft Reflections produced two titles in close succession that opted to revolve around traversal rather than combat, and they were both fantastic. I personally prefer Grow Home, but Grow Up is largely of similar quality. The whole point is to climb, glide, and even fall, as you try to make your way from floating island to floating island.
Grow Home is fully open, too, as it forces players to decide the route they are going to take. Exploration guided by curiosity leads to a memorable open-world experience, and a sense of progression comes through the protagonist's evolving abilities, mobility tools, and growth of the main plant.
The Witness
Explore The World And Find Puzzles To Solve
The Witness
- Released
- January 26, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Alcohol Reference
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
From the same team behind Braid, The Witness is a puzzle fan's dream game, one that drops them onto an island filled with brainteasers that will test their deductive reasoning and patience. Although divided into relatively self-contained regions, the game is still open-world, even if it guides players a bit more than some other entries in the genre.
This makes The Witness perfect for people who want an element of exploration with their puzzles, especially if they don't want any combat whatsoever. The sandbox is full of unique puzzles that can be downright frustrating at times, only for the solution to arrive out of nowhere and help players enjoy an immense sense of satisfaction.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
A Zen Open-World Game About Saving A Nature Reserve
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
- Released
- December 11, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Despite introducing stakes for the protagonist, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure feels like a slice-of-life open-world game, and it is exactly as relaxing as that description suggests. Players explore a charming island, only for it to be revealed that the nature reserve in this humble location will be razed to make way for a luxury hotel.
Best Open-World Games More Beautiful Than Real Life
With this selection of open-world games, players are going to be immersed in worlds that are far more beautiful than real life.
As one would expect, the main character takes a pro-environment stance and decides to round up the support of as many residents as possible. This makes for a laid-back and charming experience as players enjoy the game's warm visuals, interacting with several charming personalities in the process.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
A Fun Adventure Where Players Capture Sprites To Clear The Murk
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
- Released
- July 18, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Life Simulation
After becoming trapped on the island of Gemea, the protagonist of Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles finds it to be covered in a dark substance called the Murk. Thankfully, all they need to do is collect enough Sprites to clear the corruption plaguing this island.
This simple setup sets the stage for a spellbinding adventure as players do everything in their power to save this island from being overwhelmed by the Murk. In a sea of open-world games full of dark settings and brutal combat, Yonder stands out as a weapons-free experience that is perfect for all ages.
7 Open-World Games With The Best Blacksmith Systems, Ranked
Rewarding or simply realistic, these open-world games boast robust blacksmith systems that allow for the crafting and upgrading of weapons.