Reality can get pretty disappointing. And rough. Everyone needs some time to engage in a bit of escapism, whether it's through books, movies, or even video games. If the latter form of media is your go-to, I have good news for you: we're quite literally spoiled for choice nowadays thanks to the abundance of immersive game worlds, both indie and AAA.
Here, I've selected some of the best of the bunch for you to lose yourself in. These are worlds that have great environmental storytelling, loads of quests sprinkled in every nook and cranny, and, of course, they just look amazing. Most of them have distinct biomes and areas that set them apart, with their own aesthetic, so you'll never be visually bored. Let's put on our backpacks and take a virtual hike.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Ride Into The Sunset Through This Massive World
The Witcher 3's world is split into a few regions, and each of them is absolutely full of little details and cool quests. From Velen and Novigrad to Skellige, they also have their distinct vibes and aesthetic that, even several years after the game's release, is translated to perfection thanks to the game's near-flawless graphics.
The world feels alive and breathing, it's vibrant and cruel, and around every corner, there's an unexpected surprise or quest to suck you as Geralt into another rabbit hole. If you enjoyed worlds like Skyrim, then this is easily the next best step to take into a medieval fantasy universe. It also helps that the story and its main characters are thoroughly riveting, even if you're not familiar with the books.
Elden Ring
Dangerous But Beautiful, And Full Of Secrets
Perfectly combining beauty, gore, and the bizarre, FromSoftware delivered again when they gave us Elden Ring. The world is breathtakingly beautiful, but also full of harrowing sights and massive, hulking ruins and formations that speak of events long past. As you travel through the Lands Between using the guidance of Grace, you'll also realize it's incredibly dangerous, with some biomes being much more demanding than others (ahem, Caelid).
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And that's just scratching the surface. Elden Ring also has a few more secret locations, such as the underground world of Siofra River, the high towers of the Crumbling Farum Azula, and even the DLC location, which goes ever deeper into strange new vistas. It's staggering how much there is to find and look at, but be careful, because bosses roam even the wilderness.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
A Nordic Open World That Still Holds Up Perfectly
Despite all the justified criticism you could give to Skyrim, you have to admit the world is special. This northern province of Tamriel has its own distinct feel from the locations in Oblivion and Morrowind, with autumnal biomes seen around Riften to the cold, ice fields north of Winterhold. NPCs have their own schedules, so the world will simply keep on chugging even as you go about your day as the Last Dragonborn.
It's also a very special world due to all the passive, downright simulation-like activities available in its most recent release. You can go fishing, start farming, and, since the base game, you've been able to get married, buy a home, and settle down if that's more your speed. It's the open world that wowed everyone on release, and even if it's old, if you've never stepped into its cold embrace, it's time you do now, because it's the finest example of Bethesda's impeccable environmental storytelling.
Cyberpunk 2077
Neonlit Future In Sprawling Night City
Cyberpunk 2077 had a rough start, but I assure you the game's come a long way to deliver something absolutely incredible in its latest package. The world has seen many improvements, and continues to be one of the densest city experiences in the open-world RPG genre. Night City has plenty of side alleys, tunnels, and verticality you can access once you unlock double-jumping cyberware and more.
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You have the industrial areas of Northside, the rich suburbs of North Oak, and the boojie vibes of Downtown and Corpo Plaza, and so much more. Granted, the outside of Night City when you head into the Badlands is a bit more deserted, but even there, you might find some unexpected secrets if you drive back to a dump you previously visited during the main quest (against your will, I might add).
Fallout 4
A Gorgeous, Irradiated Wasteland Welcomes You
I'm aware that Fallout 4 isn't necessarily a favorite among franchise fans, but just hear me out. For anyone who hasn't jumped into a Fallout game previously, I would argue this is absolutely the place to start for those awe-inspiring vistas and a world that just sucks you right in. Bethesda really flexes its environmental storytelling muscles here, much like in Skyrim. You have a ton of unmarked locations in the Commonwealth, and it's easy to stumble upon iconic spots like Carhenge, an abandoned house with a tragic final voice log of a girl, and more.
Boston itself is a sight to behold: dense and sprawling, with danger lurking around every corner. And then you have the Glowing Sea. Make sure you're well-prepared before you step in there. With Nuka-World and Far Harbor, you get two additional areas that have very distinct aesthetics and vibes, with Nuka-World being my personal favorite for its callbacks to New Vegas' aesthetics in some parts. Plus, who doesn't love an abandoned (or, mostly abandoned) amusement park?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Almost Like A Medieval Simulation
If you're really looking for immersion that isn't just a beautiful world to look at, but also a world where you have plenty of activities that are handled realistically, give Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 a try. An absolutely gorgeous game with a more grounded (and I should add, magic-free) approach to a medieval world, it puts you in the shoes of Henry.
You'll probably struggle at first with its rather demanding combat system, but its excellent quest design, the interactions and details with the world, its well-crafted NPCs, and the beautiful environments will all make up for a little bit of learning and suffering in the beginning. The devil is in the details in KCD2, and you'll be easily blown away by the sheer amount of love and dedication that was put into it. While you're at it, try the first game as well.
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