Open-world games come in two major forms. There are fantasy open-world games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, involving swordplay and magic. Then there are more realistic open-world games, or sci-fi games, with gunplay like Red Dead Redemption 2. These two examples are among the finest games ever made, open-world or otherwise, but they don’t have wildly unique gameplay compared to other titles in the genre.
The following open-world games took some bold chances with their gameplay to create something more interesting. While the risks aren't always worth it, it’s great to see developers still trying to come up with new gameplay hooks to keep things fresh and interesting. These are some of the best examples.
8 Open-World Games That Hook You In The First 5 Minutes
From getting straight to the gameplay to having intriguing premises, these games get players hooked fast.
Donkey Kong Bananza
The First Smash And Sing
Donkey Kong Bananza
- Released
- July 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Destroying the environment in any game, open-world or otherwise, isn't that common. This makes Donkey Kong Bananza unique, as the titular DK can use his fists to break up the land. He can even use terrain to surf on land or water. In co-op, the second player can use Pauline to sing and damage the environment and enemies, too.
On top of all this, DK has Bananza forms in Donkey Kong Bananza, like an elephant that can suck up terrain. It is useful, but it's a bit unsettling to see an ape become an elephant.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom
Rod Or Die
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Released
- September 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom put Zelda in the hot seat for her own open-world adventure, albeit from a top-down perspective. Instead of a sword, she gets a magical staff to copy objects and living beings. With enough energy, she can summon creatures to attack others or even hitch a ride to glide. Mattresses can be stacked in the world to be used like ladders, which is not a normal puzzle-solving mechanic in a Zelda game, but that’s what made it so much fun to experiment with.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Amazon, Pay Attention
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Released
- June 26, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach can be played like the first game, wherein players can load up Sam’s backpack with packages for delivery on foot. But in the sequel, players get more interesting ways to be the best apocalyptic courier they can be the further they get in the game.
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From innovative ideas to literal creation mechanics, these open-world games never cease to amaze.
There are various vehicles, including a rideable coffin. There are cannons to launch packages, and a railway system complete with giant shipping containers. The world is brimming with creative ways to get around Mexico and Australia, and players are free to choose whatever the best option is for them.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii
Shiver Me Yakuza
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
- Released
- February 21, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a sequel to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, both of which take place in Hawaii. The biggest difference with this spinoff is that Goro Majima has lost his memory and has gone full-blown pirate to try and get it back.
Players sail around the Hawaiian islands to look for treasure and fight fellow pirates on the ground or in epic ship battles. Combat is brutal and weird, as players will learn to summon creatures like sharks to assist them. Plus, there are mini-games which are absolutely bonkers, but fit right at home with the over-the-top nature of the Yakuza series.
Palworld
Say Hello To My Little Friend
Palworld
- Released
- January 19, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter, Survival
Palworld is like many monster-catching games, and it’s also very different. How many other games allow players to catch humans to use as servants? How many allow players to shoot monsters with guns? How many let players turn the monsters into guns like flamethrowers? The answer, besides Palworld, is zero. And it’s still in Early Access on all systems, meaning the game has potential to get even zanier.
Just Cause 2
Rico Means Business
Just Cause 2
- Released
- March 23, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Third-Person Shooter, Action
Just Cause 2 is still the series at its chaotic peak, offering players a big, open-ended island to explore and explode. As an agent aiming to take down a tyrannical government, Rico can shoot enemies, plant explosives, and use his grappling hook to take down his enemies.
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Even though these fictional open-world cities are dangerous, you know you want to visit them for the bragging rights alone. And maybe a postcard.
The grappling hook in particular is a lot of fun to experiment with, as players can even tie two enemies together and watch them ignite upon impact if players also set an explosive trap. Just Cause 2’s subtitle should have been “Big Dumb Fun” to get the point across.
Sunset Overdrive
Hi-C Zombies
Sunset Overdrive
- Released
- October 28, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
Sunset Overdrive is an open-world game set in a city overrun by zombies that were turned because of an energy drink. They’re fast, so players cannot simply tear through them on the ground with minimal movement. They constantly have to be on the move, and the game's mechanics offer vastly entertaining ways to do that, like going between buildings using car hoods to bounce around. It's an almost Tony Hawk-like way of traversal, except with 100% more combat. Weapons are also non-conventional; for example, there's one that shoots explosive teddy bears and another that launches vinyls.
The Good Life
It’s Raining Cats And Dogs
The Good Life
- Released
- October 15, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Life Simulation
The Good Life takes place in a cozy cottage town in the country, where reports of odd activity have arisen. That’s why players, as ace reporter Naomi, go there. What they find is a murder, followed by a strange case of people turning into dogs and cats, including Naomi herself. Sneak around as a dog or cat, take photos, and talk to NPCs to search for clues. It’s a slow-building mystery game, but one with a bizarre conclusion worth seeing through to the end.
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