Open-world games have become so ubiquitous in the gaming industry that a simple sandbox won't cut it anymore. AAA developers need to really justify the inclusion of a sandbox in their titles, with players having high expectations from these games.
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Open-world games are often thought of in terms of RPGs, but these horror games make excellent use of the open-world format.
This is why players prefer sandbox titles with living, breathing worlds that are as immersive as they come. Seeing how alive these worlds feel goes a long way in heightening a player's immersion considerably.
Red Dead Redemption 2
The Embodiment Of A True Living, Breathing Open World
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Red Dead Redemption 2 blew everyone's minds when it came out. Sure, the game's focus on realism could be a bit annoying for fans to handle at times, but the sheer immersion and beauty of this open world more than made up for it.
Random events ensured that exploring the open world would make for a blast every single time, with the game's intricate flora and fauna ensuring that simple acts like gathering herbs and hunting felt amazing. The cities and towns were also brimming with life, allowing players to have a great time as they got immersed in the numerous side activities this title presented to them.
The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
For A Post-Apocalyptic World, It's Surprisingly Full Of Life
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
Breath of the Wild was already impressive when it came to letting players explore a world that was surprisingly brimming with life despite its post-apocalyptic nature. Tears of the Kingdom takes this to a whole new level, something that can be seen from the very moment players leave Sky Island and see a Bokoblin foraging for food.
The towns are brimming with life, and the open world is full of wildlife and monsters that feel like natural parts of this amazing world. To this day, it's hard to believe that the living, breathing world of Tears of the Kingdom could run on a console as underpowered as the Switch.
Yakuza 0
The Yakuza Games Are Known For Injecting Their Districts With Life
Yakuza 0
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
From the very first Yakuza game, Toshihiro Nagoshi's ambitions to craft a living, breathing open world that focused on quality instead of quantity were clear as day. Despite the hardware limitations of the PS2, Kamurucho was a district packed with life, and this design approach has been a stalwart part of the series ever since.
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Since Yakuza 0 is going to be everyone's introduction to the series, it's easy to see why players will be wowed by the amazing detail and the sheer liveliness of both Kamurocho and Sotenbori. People won't even care that these districts are very small, since this breeds a sense of familiarity to the point where players will start recognizing districts and traversing the world without having to look at the map hundreds of times.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Players Will Be Surprised By How Lively This Medieval World Is
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Released
- February 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a AA game with the scope and feel of a AAA title, which speaks volumes when it comes to Warhorse Studios' expertise. The game is a direct improvement over the first game in many departments, and the open world is no exception.
This medieval landscape is brimming with life as players explore the world, interact with townsfolk, hunt animals, fight bandits, and make progress in a compelling story. The immersive qualities of this open-world ensure that players will have a blast with what this critically acclaimed sequel has to offer.
Horizon Forbidden West
The Machines In The World Create The Illusion Of An Ecosystem
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Just like Zero Dawn, Forbidden West ensures that its open world is as lively and engaging as can be. It helps that the robot creatures in this game exhibit the behavior of real-life animals, hammering in its immersive nature.
Herd animals like Grazers exhibit pack mentality and munch on grass like deer, while Snapmaws stay near water bodies and made the crocodile comparisons clear as day. These are just a few of the many machines in the game that exhibit realistic behavior and ensure that exploring Forbidden West's world is a treat for the ages.
Grand Theft Auto 5
The Urban Trappings Of Los Santos And Its Immersive Open World Is Tantalizing
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of the greatest video games ever made, with an unmatched urban simulation that is on a whole different level. NPCs are more than just lines of code and react organically to the player's erratic behavior.
They all have different reactions based on whether players are stalking or carjacking them, and that's just a small part of what enhances this open-world game's immersion. The side activities, Stranger missions, random encounters, and everything else along the same lines ensure that players will love exploring Los Santos and its surroundings.
Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Is Brimming With Life And Is A Joy To Explore Every Single Time
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Hogwarts Legacy had to nail the atmosphere of the magical school to keep fans invested, and it did so in spades. The School of Witchcraft & Wizardry is as interactive as they come, harboring secrets in every corner and students who help the school feel lived-in and immersive.
The Scottish Highlands may seem empty at first, but it also harbors an interesting ecosystem of its own, full of magical creatures and enemies that help the open-world environment feel like a living, breathing extension of the game. Hopefully, the sequel will make its open world more immersive than ever before to let players enjoy the newest candidate for the best Harry Potter game ever made.
Cyberpunk 2077
Despite Early Issues, There's No Denying That Night City Is Brimming With Life
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
The broken state Cyberpunk 2077 launched in led many fans to believe that the open world wasn't immersive and seemed hastily constructed. This criticism was vastly overblown, and fans who checked out Cyberpunk 2077 after all its issues were ironed out loved the vibes of Night City and its surroundings.
The world is packed with NPCs, the neon-soaked streets are dripping in atmosphere, and each district boasts a unique flavor of its own. All of this combines to ensure that Night City is easily one of the most lived-in and engrossing locations players can explore in a video game.
The 20 Best Open-World Horror Games
Open-world games are often thought of in terms of RPGs, but these horror games make excellent use of the open-world format.