Best Open-World PC Games

Contrary to popular belief, open-world games are not a genre but rather a game mechanic. Open-world games are characterized by vast landmasses without loading screens. The freedom of exploration provides an uncanny feeling like you are immersed in the game. Open-world games can be RPGs (role-playing games), third-person adventures, or even racing games.

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As a gaming platform, PC has always stood out for its customization and ease of upgrading. The ability to upgrade a computer with the latest specifications for unparalleled power is a liberating feeling. The PC scene has the biggest library of any platform on the market, but which are the best open-world games available through Steam, Epic Store, and other stores?

Updated November 5, 2024, by Hamza Haq: The feeling of immersing oneself in a living, breathing world where the player is free to roam as they please, stumble upon new areas, and uncover hidden secrets is only truly possible in an open-world setting. And since PC as a gaming platform has literally no barrier to entry for developers, both old and new, the selection of games in any genre is bigger on PC than on any console. Naturally, deciding which open-world PC games deserve the title of 'best' is not an easy decision to make, considering the sheer number of games on offer. The list has been updated to include the best open-world PC games to play in 2024.

17 Far Cry 5

Fight Fanatics In The American Wilderness

Any of the last three main Far Cry games could have taken this spot, but the fifth entry gets the nod due to its recency and setting. Hope Country, which is inspired by Montana, is gorgeous but persistently deadly. It seems like barely a step can be taken in the game before stumbling on a group of Joseph Seed's fanatics who will not hesitate to riddle the player with bullets.

Even though Far Cry 6 is out, it pales in comparison to the older title in almost every way. The FPS gameplay is satisfying, the open-world is fun to explore, and the characters are delightfully over-the-top.

16 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Venom Snake’s Tactical Sandbox

Kojima Productions took a different approach with the fifth main Metal Gear Solid game, opting for a large open-world that places a heavy emphasis on stealth. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain features the best gameplay in the franchise, presenting Venom Snake with a wide plethora of tactics and tools that he can use to infiltrate camps. The world impresses in terms of scale, even if it is not especially packed with content. Conversely, the isolation and barren landscape complement the story and almost give the game a Western feel.

The Phantom Pain is quite different from its predecessors in the series, mainly due to the story taking a backseat to the gameplay; however, viewed on its own, this is one of the best open-world games on PC.

15 Genshin Impact

Explore The Fantasy Wonderland Of Teyvat

What started out as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild but with waifus has grown into an absolute phenomenon. With each new update, Genshin Impact proves that it deserves every ounce of recognition thrown its way, and the game is far from complete. Teyvat is a beautiful world soaked in lore, mysticism, and personality; there is just so much to do and see in this universe.

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Be it the mesmerizing Guyun Stone Forest or the picturesque Wangshu Inn, Genshin Impact offers variety in its (gorgeous) locations, all of which combine to create a world that demands to be experienced.

14 Assassin's Creed Odyssey

War, Family, And Destiny In The Heart Of Greece

There are few adventure games as visually appealing as Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Around every nook and corner is eye candy that manifests in the game's breathtaking open-world. The game takes place in the years 431–422 BCE during an ongoing battle between Sparta and Athens.

Players choose between playing as protagonists Alexios or Kassandra. Whoever someone picks, they will wind up engaging on both sides of the conflict as they struggle to bring their family together.

13 Death Stranding

A Cinematic Journey Across A Broken World

The best open-world games are some of the most cinematic in history. Director Hideo Kojima ensured that realism was a factor of the utmost importance when creating Death Stranding. There was a near-perfect recreation of Norman Reedus, who played Sam Porter Bridge in the game.

This story-intensive adventure proves that a game as expansive as Death Stranding can be engaging throughout. This game provides a unique experience, and it's available on PC and PlayStation systems.

12 Cyberpunk 2077

Explore The Neon Lit Depths Of Night City

Credits: CD Projekt Red

While a controversial release on consoles, CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 fared much better on PC, although it still launched with its share of issues. Focusing solely on the positives, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a dense and exciting sandbox to explore, with Night City containing so many little touches that give it a sense of substance and realism. The story is strong, interesting, and expertly acted; it might not reach the heights of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt but few games do.

From Deus Ex to The Ascent, cyberpunk worlds are not unheard of in gaming, but Cyberpunk 2077 presents this setting at an unprecedented scale for the medium. Unsurprisingly for CD Projekt Red, the side quests are generally great, helping to breathe life into every corner and building in Night City.

11 Valheim

A Survival Sandbox Brimming With Mysteries

In early access, Valheim took the world by storm during the first few months of 2021. A sandbox game set in various biomes, Iron Gate Studio's title challenges Vikings to survive and earn the right to enter Valhalla.

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A freeing game with very little in the way of narrative, at least presently, Valheim provides the tools to build shelter, hunt animals, and defeat enemies. There is also the option to team up with other Vikings. Valheim is certainly a work in progress, but the game has a lot to offer in its current state.

10 Fallout: New Vegas

Welcome To The Wasteland’s Wild Side

It doesn't contain the most beautiful open-world, yet Fallout: New Vegas proves that graphics aren't everything. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, shortly after the events of Fallout 3. Set in a region formerly known as Las Vegas, this game is situated in New Vegas.

The RPG elements are masterful. As a game that is backward compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, Fallout: New Vegas is one game nobody should miss. Fans of The Outer Worlds should make sure to check out Obsidian's Fallout: New Vegas as it might just be the studio's crowning achievement.

9 Horizon Series

Where Nature Meets Machine

Developer Guerilla Games ensured that significant detail was packed into Horizon Zero Dawn. The game is acclaimed for its open-world that is made up of different biomes. Horizon: Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is the game's only DLC, and it brings players to the Cut, a snowy region in the game north of Grave-Hoard.

Horizon Forbidden West continues the story directly after the events of Zero Dawn, introducing new threats, new machines, and a whole new area to explore far to the west of Nora lands Aloy calls home. Both Zero Dawn and Forbidden West started out as PlayStation exclusives and were ported to PC two years post-release. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is also available on PC, released on October 31, 2024.

8 Marvel's Spider-Man

New York Awaits Its Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Sony's Marvel's Spider-Man is what sparked the steady stream of PlayStation exclusives to PC, giving PC gamers a chance to experience one of the best PS5 games in recent memory. Luckily, it didn't disappoint. Nixxes Software's ability to deliver quality PC ports continues to impress.

Marvel's Spider-Man follows a Peter Parker who has already come into his own as Spider-Man and is ready and able to save the residents of New York City from threats both supernatural and mundane. The map is entirely open-world, with stellar implementation of ray tracing, a solid storyline, and fast-paced punchy action that delivers on all fronts.