A lot of games follow a straight path, where you move from one mission to the next just to see the story play out or unlock achievements. That works fine if all you want is progression. But some games offer something more, a chance to step into a life you’ve always imagined and shape it your way. Whether it’s hunting treasures in a fantasy world, rising as a feared gangster, or creating a peaceful daily routine, these games let you live life on your terms.
10 Best RPGs To Escape Reality, Ranked
Need a break from everyday life? These RPGs offer rich stories, emotional journeys, and the freedom to disappear for hours.
Alongside life sims, this list includes RPGs and action-adventure games that allow players to settle into a specific universe, make their own choices, and carve out a path that feels personal.
The Sims 4
For The Love Of Building Lives
The Sims 4
- Released
- September 2, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
The Sims 4 is undoubtedly one of those sandboxes that give players plenty of creative freedom. Instead of being stuck with a single character, you can create as many in-game people as you like, commonly called Sims, and decide everything for them (whether it’s their demographics, personality traits, careers, or routines). In short, you can control several lives at once in this game.
For more fun, players can also form relationships with other Sims, letting their characters marry and start families just as they want. The game really shines with its distinctive build mode, where you can design anything from simple homes to huge villas, decked out with tons of furniture and customization options.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Befriend Your Favorite Disney & Pixar Heroes and Villains
Disney Dreamlight Valley
- Released
- December 5, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation, Casual
If you're a die-hard fan of Disney and Pixar movies, then Gameloft's Disney Dreamlight Valley might be your most unforgettable choice, since this adventure sim gives you a pass to a virtual Disney World where you can interact with all the available princes, princesses, and iconic characters, as well as decorate their homes when they first arrive in the valley.
Fans can hang out and increase friendship levels with them. Just imagine going fishing with Goofy, cooking delicious meals for Remy, or taking pictures with Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, or Elsa. You can even set up your home and give your main character a makeover with everything from modern outfits to legendary Disney costumes and accessories.
Stardew Valley
Satisfying Pixel Art-Style Farming Sim
Stardew Valley
- Released
- February 26, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
Players who are into cozy games and love the slow-life experience might enjoy trying out Stardew Valley, though time management can be one of the biggest challenges, since your day ends in about 14 real-world minutes; but with a bit of planning, you can handle it nicely. Players can peacefully clean their farm, plant seeds, harvest crops, and watch the calendar change as the seasons pass.
There are a bunch of other activities too, such as mining, fishing, combat, and pursuing relationships with numerous romanceable NPCs. Any single activity, like exploring different regions, finding artifacts for the museum, or preparing food, can keep you busy all day if that’s all you want to do.
GTA Online
Become the Biggest Criminal Tycoon
GTA Online
- Released
- October 1, 2013
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Shooter, Action-Adventure
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto Online (commonly known as GTA Online) drops you into San Andreas, where you take on the life of a gangster. Juggling between committing crimes while evading the police, starting businesses, and pulling off major heists, this open-world game delivers action-packed experiences similar to what you might see in a crime series.
If you’ve ever wanted to live the rich life, GTA Online makes it possible. You can buy mansions on the hills, fly helicopters, own jets, and cruise around in luxury cars to show off your wealth.
8 Best Survival Games That Let You Play Your Own Way
Survival games come in all shapes and sizes, but the best examples of the genre are often the ones that offer players the most freedom of choice.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Enter the Medieval Times
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
- Released
- February 13, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
While still an RPG with a strong storyline, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a game you won’t regret launching on your PC if you’re into the Middle Ages and crave freedom within it. You start as Henry and can complete both main and side quests, but the fun part is that there’s no single way to do so; you can carry out your plans however it feels most natural.
Beyond that, you can explore the world on horseback, learn medieval skills like archery, swordsmanship, herbalism, and alchemy, and brew potions and poison others. If combat isn’t your thing, you can abandon the usual life and choose to become a monk instead.
No Man’s Sky
Lost in Infinity
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky is perfect for players who dream of going to space and discovering life beyond Earth. The game literally teleports you into infinity, with around 256 galaxies and 18 quintillion procedural planets to inspect; an insane number to wrap your head around. Each planet has its own atmosphere, a set of flora and fauna you can scan, and materials to collect.
If you desire, you can stop by multiple space stations and interact with aliens, though for casual interactions, you’ll first need to learn their language. Fans can spend time taming exotic creatures, building incredible bases, farming natural resources, collecting starships, and earning units.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
A Top Game for Chilling Out
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Released
- March 20, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
Much like Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a relaxing game, though it follows a different agenda and art medium. In this one, you move to an island that you then start curating along with your home. Fans can change the position of the rivers and cliffs there, design marketplaces, streets, gardens, and do a lot more. There's a bunch of furniture to throw in your house as well.
Thankfully, the game doesn’t push you to stress or rush; you spend your daily life at your own pace, gathering materials for crafting, catching bugs, and sea creatures.
Elden Ring
Your Combat-Heavy Open World Adventure
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
On the Lands Between, a massive continent full of mystery that keeps getting stranger as you reach new areas, Elden Ring allows you to do both: roam freely across its vastness or take on quests leading to the endgame. As a fan of action RPGs that are also open-world and don’t box you in, you’ll appreciate this masterpiece from FromSoftware as you set out on your own journey.
The map is packed with secrets, including numerous dungeons and caves popping up in the most unexpected places that you can enter and loot items from. You can see monsters and multiple enemies along the way that you can fight freely. Also, for a chill and fun experience, hunt animals like deer, boars, and birds.
Best Games That Let You Be The Hero Or The Villain
Whether they want to be the world-saving hero, or tear the world apart ass the terrifying villain, these games give players the option to do both.
Red Dead Redemption 2
A World Built for Outlaws
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
If you wish to exist as an anti-hero and an outlaw, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an easy pick. You’ll find a good deal of exciting things to do as a cowboy in the Old West, like riding your horse across the land, robbing a nearby general store or stagecoach, or jumping onto trains for bigger heists.
In addition to that, you may run into rival gangs, get into shootouts, break prisoners out while taking down guards, kill random people, and settle the bodies of the dead. Beyond the chaos, RDR2 also lets you enjoy everyday outlaw life. You can sip coffee while chatting with townsfolk, take on bounty missions, and target wildlife for food or cash.
Minecraft
Turn Your Ideas Into Reality
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Mojang Studios’ widely celebrated 3D sandbox, Minecraft, is a sweet heaven for anyone super into creativity and innovation. In its blocky world, you can gather items and build anything your mind can imagine. If village life appeals to you, you can set up livestock and crop farms around your home, grow trees and flowers, and pet animals.
If city life is more your style, you can create buildings, penthouses, factories, and working gadgets. For anyone into medieval life, you can craft pirate ships, castles, and whole civilizations; there’s really no end to what you can create.
7 Open-World Games That Mastered The Art Of Slow Exploration
There have been some truly breathtaking open-world games over the years, and these titles let you explore at your own pace.