The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Red Dead Redemption 2, and so many open-world games get applauded for being huge thanks to the size of their areas. While this is true, as they are huge open-world games and they offer players plenty to do, that doesn’t mean size is always important. Sometimes a game can feel expansive because of what it offers.
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This can include open areas to explore, but it can also include a wealth of options in terms of gameplay elements. This could include exploring, combat, gardening, mini-games of all kinds, and so on. While these games may not seem like they are big at first, once players get started, they will start to see that there is more underneath the surface.
Baldur's Gate 3
Tell Your Story
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
Baldur's Gate 3 is segmented into chapter zones that are almost always fully explorable from the start. They may not be big, but players have plenty of options when it comes to telling their story.
They can customize their character, choose class upgrades, and choose dialogue options when talking to party members and NPCs. Combat is tactical, giving players the option to strategize with their party as they see fit. Overall, Baldur's Gate 3 is the type of game that promotes replay value, and each playthrough will be different.
Stardew Valley
Pick Your Dream Home
Stardew Valley
- Released
- February 26, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Stardew Valley is a farming simulator at its heart, but for this small indie game, players are given a lot of choices upfront. They can choose their avatar and their farm location from a classic example to one stationed on the beach. No matter what, there will be an adjoining town and area to explore beyond the farm.
There’s no real goal, just quests to keep players on task if they want. The daily gameplay loop will be simple, involving clearing out land to cultivate for the farm. There are more exciting opportunities too, like cave exploring, dating, fishing, and more, with each new day possibly containing something new and exciting.
Minecraft
If You Build It, They Will Come
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Minecraft has absolutely no goals other than what players want to do. Players can create a world and then fully explore it to find materials useful for crafting and building purposes. It’s easy to pick up and hard to put down, just like getting into a bucket of LEGO bricks.
Since the beta in 2009, players have built amazing structures from original creations to homages to other games like Pokemon. Alone or with friends, players have a wealth of creative options at their fingertips and on most consoles.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Minecraft With A Story
Dragon Quest Builders 2
- Released
- July 12, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix, Omega Force
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure
Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a bit like Minecraft, but one with a purpose as a spinoff to Dragon Quest. Players can create their character from a few options, and then in each chapter, they will be tasked with rebuilding certain areas.
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Monsters are destroying villages, which is why the need for a builder arises. The combat is basic for a hack-and-slash RPG, but the crafting abilities are endless. Beyond the campaign, there is also a separate island that players can cultivate with friends.
The Outer Worlds 2
Exploring The Galaxy
The Outer Worlds 2
- Released
- October 29, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
The Outer Worlds 2 lets players explore various planets, stations, and moons, but each area isn’t that massive. Players have a wide range in how they create their character, from looks to background to traits. Later on, players can even get Flaws, which are negative effects that have some positive outcomes.
How players build their character will allow them to tackle missions differently, from how they approach NPCs to how they open doors, which makes every build worthwhile and exciting to test out.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Before Cyberpunk 2077, There Was…
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Released
- August 23, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, PC
Deus Ex: Human Revolution takes place in a cyberpunk future wherein people enhance their bodies through cybernetics, which does factor into the gameplay. Players can level up their hero, Adam, in several ways, like gaining extra-strong lungs to resist poisonous gases.
Players can tackle most missions in one of several ways, from going in loud to sneaking into back alleys. The city isn’t that big, but players can open more of it up as they progress in the story and expand what Adam’s cybernetic body can do.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Throw A Punch, Make A House
Donkey Kong Bananza
- Released
- July 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Donkey Kong Bananza gives players control of the world as they can shape it to their liking, literally. As the titular Donkey Kong, players can explore various biomes from thunder-soaked areas to big beaches to mountainous regions, all with plenty to see and destroy.
With a simple punch or object, players can smash through most things in the environment, including big rock walls, pillars, and even shops. As players get deeper, things get stranger, including unlocking new transformation powers to help DK gain new traversal and destructive powers.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Building A Better Soldier
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is a stealth game by nature, and players get several areas to explore. Even on strict missions, players can explore at their leisure just so long as they finish within restrictions.
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In the environment, players can recruit soldiers and gather materials for Mother Base, the game’s HUB world. With the right soldiers and materials, players can build new gadgets to take into missions, from lethal guns to new types of boxes players can hide under. As players are building an army and a base to house them, they can start to feel like they are part of a bigger picture.
Monster Hunter Wilds
On The Hunt
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Monster Hunter Wilds is the first game with a fully open-world environment, but each segment unlocks slowly with the story. That said, it’s one of the more thriving open-world games out there as monsters attack others and behave in natural ways. As for players, they can create their character, their Palico cat partner, their armor and weapons, and there is even transmog fur further customization.
They can also build tents as fast travel points, fish for cooking, and travel by mounts called Seikrets. While it is fun to play alone, the main draw is co-op with three others online.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
Two Leaders Unite
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
- Released
- March 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is an old-school RPG of sorts with a world map to explore in-between dungeon and town locations. Players can engage in action combat when monsters are found, switching between party members as they please.
The coolest element is the town builder mechanic, as one of the major characters, Evan, is a prince trying to rebuild his kingdom. By creating a new town, players can gain various bonuses and attack other settlements on the world map to expand their reach.
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