Everyone has a reason why they game, but one of the more popular ones is chasing escapism and a power fantasy. Being able to tell the kind of story you want and pushing the limits of a sandbox is exciting, as we all want to have our unique playthroughs we can brag about. Not every game allows for that kind of freedom, but there are a couple out there that are perfect for you if you're very much about carving your own path as whoever you want to be.
The Greatest Open-World Survival RPGs Of All Time, Ranked
The wombo-combo of open-world, survival gameplay, and RPG elements is a tough one to get right, but these games succeed in it.
There are a few different types of games here. Some introduce more limitations than others, and might even feature an overarching main plot. Others are essentially sandbox simulators, where you can freely go around doing almost whatever you wish. I'll take into account the variety of options in character customization, as well as the options you have in your gameplay when it comes to determining your path in the world you're dropped into.
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
Be The Medieval Warrior You Want To Be
If you've always dreamed of having a second life in medieval times, then you need to acquaint yourself with Mount & Blade: Bannerlord 2. This game has quests and some storyline to involve yourself in, but beyond that, you're absolutely free to go around the world doing whatever you want. There's a very satisfying progression here because you start from pretty much nothing and can go as far as you can imagine, from beggar to king.
It's genuinely fun to see the different paths that players take, from becoming the ruler of everything their eyes can see to never settling down to rule anything at all and just keeping up the rule of law by helping any locals in need. Bonus points for the epic real-time battles you get to witness as your men take on their enemies. Truly a perfect game for history buffs, but be ready to learn a lot about the combat and skill systems if you want to be successful.
Kenshi
Build Your Own Story In A Cruel World
I'll preface this part by saying that Kenshi is not for the faint of heart, and while I sing praises to the freedom it provides gameplay-wise, it does take a resilient and stubborn mind to survive through the cruelty of its world. There are no quest markers to guide you on your Kenshi journey. You simply spawn in, and the rest is in your hands. It's truly your story to tell.
Who do you want to be in this grueling, tough fantasy world? Whatever you decide, from a slave who frees all the rest to an evil looter who kills everyone on sight, be prepared to work for it, because nothing in the game is handed for free, and it involves some strategic gameplay and grinding before you can hope to stand your own in even the simplest of fights.
The Sims 4
Create Whoever, Do Whatever
Of course, a franchise like The Sims would find its way to this list. Let's talk about its latest entry, The Sims 4, which is undoubtedly the one with the most DLC. The game is a life simulation, which means you can create an infinite number of Sims that look, sound, and behave somewhat differently, in its many pre-made worlds. Those worlds can also be customized to better suit your needs, as you build and add more families to your neighborhood.
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Each DLC expands the experience a little further, adding cool features like active jobs where you get to join your Sims on their career journey, high school gameplay, and even paranormal stuff. Throw in mods and custom content into the mix, and there's very little you can't do or can't be in The Sims 4. Call me unhinged, but one of my favorite ways to play is to download Extreme Violence and personally find and end anyone who dares to fine me for not respecting the Neighborhood Action Plans.
Everything
Every Object And Being Is The Main Character
Everything is probably one of the more unique games on this list, but it more than deserves its spot because the premise is perfect. It's a game where you truly can be anything and everything in the world. Want to be an animal? You can. Want to take control of a plant or a rock, or just a blob at the beginning of the universe? All of that is possible in Everything.
Sure, in terms of gameplay, you're a bit more limited with what you can do, but to be able to embody all these different things in the universe while listening to the narration is quite relaxing and almost meditative. It's not an experience for everyone, but I highly recommend giving this strange, trippy, and oddly thought-provoking game a chance if you're truly stumped about what to play next.
Fallout: New Vegas
Immensely Vast RPG Options
I'm always harping on and on about Fallout: New Vegas, but I truly believe Obsidian Entertainment captured something that we won't be able to see in the realm of RPGs for a long time, save for successes like Baldur's Gate 3. Like the other Fallout games, you're dropped into a radiation-riddled wasteland, but you've got a purpose. You're the Courier, and someone took something from you before leaving you to die.
Despite this starting premise that somewhat limits who you can be, I wanted to include this game because of how much leeway it allows in terms of what kind of Courier you choose to be. This is one of the finest RPGs because of the deep choices affected directly by your skills and your stats. Nothing you do ever happens in a vacuum, and the world is actively watching you, tracking your karma. Want to walk the evil path and siddle up to the Powder Gangers? Do it. Or perhaps you're just a good guy and wish to help everyone with your impeccable charisma, avoiding death and conflict at each turn. Maybe your character has an abnormally low intelligence, and you can barely babble out words? The options are staggering in a game that's showing its age. Here's to hoping it gets a banging remaster.
InZOI
Create Anyone, In Highly Realistic Style
KRAFTON's inZOI is one of the more promising challengers to The Sims franchise's monopoly on life sims, and I'm all for it. Even if nothing comes out of this game, it'll be interesting to see the kind of competition it creates in the genre overall. It's a hard one to nail, but inZOI in Early Access has already proven itself to be highly promising. It has one of the deepest character creation systems, so much so that it can take hours to create your perfect Zoi with all the sliders and color wheels available.
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Add to that the early mods that include more hairstyles, and this game will suck you right in. There's also a lot of nuance with the different personality and trait options with Zois, so you truly can become anyone you envision. Sure, the gameplay is a bit limited in terms of where to live and what jobs you can do, still, but with the way things are going now, I highly recommend keeping an eye on inZOI in 2026.
Elden Ring
The Tarnished Is Whoever And Whatever You Want Them To Be
Elden Ring is another game that introduces some degree of limitation to who you are. No matter what kind of character you make with its pretty in-depth slider systems and no matter what starting stats or class you choose, you're still the Tarnished. But don't worry, with the staggering abundance of weapons, gear, Ashes of War, spells, and such available, especially now with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, you have a ton of buildcrafting options to choose from.
You can essentially build your character around whatever spell or weapon you find in the game, and that's the real beauty of Elden Ring's freedom. On top of that, there are a few set paths and choices that lead to specific endings, but the rich buildcrafting and specialization options are, in my opinion, what really let you choose the kind of Tarnished you are.
Baldur's Gate 3
One Of The Deepest And Diverse RPG Experiences
The game that captured lightning in a bottle, Baldur's Gate 3 is also sets you on a specific quest as you're infected with a Mindlfayer tadpole. That said, there are plenty of side quests, choices, and roleplaying options based on your race, class, skills, and more that let you directly affect the path your story takes. There are entire bosses that can be turned to allies or outwitted with a few smart lines, and you can even ally yourself with a few of the game's baddies if that's more your speed.
On the other hand, you can choose to help everyone, complete every quest, destroy every nay-sayer on your path, all the while you have one of the finest multiclassing systems available to you in a video game to date. It's the ultimate D&D simulator, and you can't tell me otherwise.
Longest Open-World Games
Even the most sophisticated gamer will be bewildered by the sheer scale of these games. These are the open-world games that take the longest to beat.