As far as single-player games go, few genres are as reliable as fantasy open-world RPGs. They consistently reach a broad audience of players and are hits with both critics and gamers alike. Some of the most successful and beloved games of the last few generations belong to this genre, and some of the most anticipated upcoming games do too.
10 Best Western RPGs Of All Time, Ranked
Step into the hall of fame of Western RPGs that masterfully delivered in all aspects, from gameplay to visuals and writing.
To do this genre credit, we're going to rank the best fantasy open-world RPGs of all time. These games hail from a variety of console generations, developers, and franchises, but all of them were foundational in developing the reputation this genre has today. From flashy action RPGs to epic adventures across massive worlds, these games offer something for every fantasy fan.
10 Avowed
Count On Obsidian For Top-Tier Writing
Avowed
- Released
- February 18, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
There aren't many game developers working right now that are known more for their writing prowess than anything else, but Obsidian Entertainment is the exception to that rule. While the studio is best known for its work on The Outer Worlds and Grounded series (as well as Fallout: New Vegas), its latest open-world fantasy creation, Avowed, is something special.
Obsidian's games are almost always story-first, and there's plenty of that here, but Avowed also presents some fantastic first-person combat right from the outset. Swords hit with impact, hammer clobber foes to the ground, guns provide some potent damage at range, and spells are both tricky to use and visually spectacular to behold. Magic can also be used to manipulate the environment for some really satisfying environmental puzzle-solving, which does wonders for grounding you in the world.
9 Gothic
There's Nothing Better Than A Classic
Gothic
- Released
- November 23, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Piranha Bytes
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Gothic is one of those unsung classics of the open-world RPG genre, one that doesn't quite get the credit it deserves, but those who have played it will sing its praises for all time. It's set at the tail end of a war that humans are losing to an orc army. The king, out of desperation, constructs a prison colony to mine for magical ore and locks it behind a magic barrier maintained by 12 wizards. The barrier grows out of control, traps the wizards within, and the convicts take over. You play a convict within this colony.
Knowing that lore, and all the other lore that comes up, is important because Gothic offers very little guidance; you don't even have a map to start with. Those little hindrances, like having to find a specific teacher to spend skill points on a particular skill, force you to pay close attention to the environment and the world overall, including the names of locations and the people within them. It has aged, but there's a remake on the way that will hopefully improve some of the outdated combat and control elements. Beyond those, Gothic remains a fascinating and engrossing fantasy experience even 25 years on.
8 Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
A Light Tone And A Grand Adventure
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
- Released
- September 4, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Simulated Gambling, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The Dragon Quest series is one of those names that lots of players know, but not as many (especially out West) have actually played. It is one of the most popular JRPG series of all time, but its massive levels, sprawling runtimes, and much lighter fantasy tone have understandably pushed some players in a different direction.
Every Mainline Dragon Quest Game, Ranked
There have been many mainline titles in the Dragon Quest series throughout the years though some stand out above the rest.
However, for those who want to see what all the fuss is about, Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age is the ideal starting point. It doesn't bear the same interconnected narrative as some of the other games in the franchise, but it still maintains a lot of what fans love about Dragon Quest, including turn-based combat, recruiting companions, and exploring a large overworld. There's plenty of debate to be had about which Dragon Quest game is the best, but from an open-world and modern-day perspective, the best place to start is almost unanimously Dragon Quest 11.
7 Dragon's Dogma 2
Underrated, Overlooked, And A Classic Just Like Its Predecessor
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Much like its predecessor, Dragon's Dogma 2 was overlooked at launch, criticized for its restrictive fast travel system and obtuse microtransactions. While these things dominated the narrative, what was buried beneath them was how fantastic it is to explore this game's world. There is always something new to find, and wandering off the beaten path is consistently rewarded with interesting discoveries, not just copy-paste crafting materials. This appeal is counteracted by a day-night cycle in the vein of Dying Light: exploring in the day is safer, while enemies become more dangerous but offer greater rewards when venturing out at night.
Exploration wouldn't be any fun without great gameplay backing it up, but Dragon's Dogma 2 has that covered as well. Combat is constantly exciting, with a series of excellent combos and abilities unique to each class, and a fantastic sense of impact behind each swing and spell. Enemies carry an impressive sense of scale, and you can climb them to deal damage to specific areas. The class progression is also well-done, encouraging you to try out every class during a single playthrough and rewarding those who do. There really isn't another game like Dragon's Dogma 2 (other than the first one), and while it has some stumbles (like its narrative) this is one of the best RPGs you could invest your time into.
6 Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning
Some Of The Best Combat In The Genre
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
- Released
- February 7, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- 38 Studios, Big Huge Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Speaking of games with great combat, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning stands proudly in that category. It's another game that leans more into the action side of combat than on something more build-craft focused. Each weapon has a flashy moveset and tons of new skills to learn that enhance its abilities. Combat is heavily focused on mastering those moves, along with blocks, dodges, and potentially even parries, to clear out enemies.
While the combat may not be quite on par with Dragon's Dogma 2, the story is leagues better, which is what earns it a slightly higher spot on this list. Penned by the fantasy legend R.A. Salvatore, Kingdoms of Amalur is pure, wonderful high fantasy. There are gnomes, fae, immortals, and ancient sources of magic, and you're on a journey to rewrite the fate of the world. It's not quite as gritty as some of the later entries on this list, but if you love The Lord of the Rings or anything from the Forgotten Realms, this game is right up your alley.
5 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
No Need To Worry About Running Out Of Things To Do
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Released
- February 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
It's hard to think of an open-world game offering more to do than Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The second part of this remake trilogy continues the story from the first game, so odds are you'll get more out of it if you play Final Fantasy 7 Remake beforehand, but if you just want to track down and play the nearly 30 minigames found throughout the open world, it's still worth the triple-A price tag.
One Year Ago, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Rewrote the Rules of What a Remake Can Be
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's anniversary makes it worth recognizing what it did to redefine the way remakes are done in its bold, risk-taking approach.
Most people spend at least 100 hours playing through Rebirth, but between the story, build-crafting, combat, exploration, the Queen's Blood card game, and the aforementioned minigames, 200 hours can fly by in no time. It's also visually gorgeous, keeping you glued to the screen during those rare moments when you're between events. For sheer entertainment value, nothing comes close. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is one of the best games of the current generation, and an easy recommendation for anyone who wants to get the most bang for their buck.
4 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Pure Role-Playing, No Hand-Holding
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Released
- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Before Oblivion and Skyrim, which streamlined much of the exploration elements of the series, The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind set the standard for what a fantasy open-world RPG could be. Its world is strange, often surreal, and very dangerous. Your actions are your own, from how you interact with NPC to how you want to build your character. Also, much like Gothic, there are no waypoints or quest markers to follow. Instead, you need to identify landmarks, learn the names of people and locations, and then determine your route based on the information you have available.
What sets it apart from Gothic is that one, you get a map (it's not great, but it's there), and two, the world is much bigger. That means there's a lot more to keep track of when you're exploring. Also, while NPCs will give you context clues for where to go and what to look for to complete their quest, their information isn't always reliable. Sometimes they misremember a location, and other times all they can give you is a vague description of a landmark. This pushes you to learn the world inside and out, just like a real adventurer, and by the time you're done, you'll feel like a true resident of Vvardenfell and could likely give detailed directions to any new players who get lost.
3 Elden Ring
If Exploration Is Your Jam, There's Nothing Better
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
When it comes to exploration, nothing holds a candle to Elden Ring. The Lands Between feel perfectly empty, just like the fallen kingdom they are meant to represent, and yet there are countless things to find, seemingly around every corner. New weapons, spells, armor, consumables, and more are just the tip of the iceberg.
Elden Ring: 15 Best Female Characters
Elden Ring places many incredible female characters into the spotlight when it comes to the Tarnished's journey in the Lands Between.
There are over 50 optional dungeons to discover in the world, each of which ends with a boss fight, and some that lead to entirely new areas. This is all without mentioning the massive legacy dungeons and their twisting pathways, culminating in the game's toughest boss battles. There are so many rewards for exploring in Elden Ring that it puts virtually any other open-world game to shame. There's a reason it's considered a modern classic.
2 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
There Is Such A Thing As A No-Doubter
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
In terms of providing a sense of pure fantasy adventuring, nothing comes close to The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. This open-world map is iconic for many reasons, but chief among them is the ability to wander off in any direction and consistently find something new to do. Most players don't even play the main quest; they just pick a direction and see what there is to find.
Between the three DLC expansions and the massive modding community, there is literally never a lack of new content to experience in Skyrim. While it is just starting to show its age (there are mods to fix that, too), it remains a foundational open-world RPG not for its combat or its narrative, but for capturing a feeling of adventure unlike any other game in the genre.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Set The Bar A Decade Ago And Hasn't Been Toppled Since
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
Skyrim may offer the greatest sense of adventure, but when it comes to the complete package, the one and only open-world fantasy RPG to meet that standard is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. There is exploration to be done here, and plenty of side content to uncover; some of it is even more engaging than the main story. That's not to drag the narrative, though. The Witcher 3 remains one of the best RPG campaigns of all time, even 10 years after its launch, and the meaningful ways its story shifts depending on your choices, big and small, is what keeps people singing its praises.
Combat is robust and detailed, enhanced by a small selection of upgradeable spells and a variety of potions that Geralt can brew and drink to give himself an advantage over his next target. There are new armor sets to find, swords to craft, and puzzles to solve, as well as dozens of monsters to hunt down and slay. You can even take a trophy from some of them and display it on your horse. It really is the ultimate fantasy RPG. It features everything you could want from an entry in the genre, and it gives you so much of it that few other games will scratch that itch the same way.
Big Upcoming Games All About Magic
Hocus, pocus, and focus on these upcoming games that are all about their creative magic systems, be it in co-op or single-player.