Everyone has a different definition of what they find fun, and that's fair. Some enjoy the challenge of Soulsborne games, of being beaten down over and over again by a boss three times their size (at minimum), only to try again and eventually succeed. Others prefer to quickly become so powerful and so god-like that the game feels almost trivial. There's no right or wrong.
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Since the definition of 'fun' is so difficult to pin down, we're going to focus on open-world RPGs that give you a ton of content and are fairly immersive. It's fair to say these are the minimum expectations people have for this genre of games. Not every game here will appeal to everyone, but one thing's for sure: you'll find your niche here if you're at all into RPGs and enjoy exploring massive worlds jampacked with quests and secrets.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
The Perfect Bethesda Games For Chasing Power Fantasies
If you're in team I-wan't-to-be-OP-ASAP, Skyrim is the game you'll have the most fun with, hands down. Yes, there's a leveling system, but if you jump into the Anniversary Edition, you'll have access to some pretty powerful weapons and gear right from the start. From there on, the world is your oyster. There are very few restrictions in the game regarding what you can do, which is great for players who might not want to start multiple playthroughs.
Want to join the Dark Brotherhood and also become a member of the Thieves Guild? Well, you can. And you can also be the Archmage of the College of Winterhold, Thane of every Hold... You get the idea. Skyrim doesn't demand you live with your choices, which can feel a bit shallow for many, and I totally understand that. However, there's a ton of amusement to be found in making the most busted build known to the people of Tamriel and conquering the whole province, as well as the DLC content. Alternatively, if you want a bit more consequence and RPG flavor to your Bethesda RPG, I recommend booting up either Morrowind or the Oblivion Remaster.
Kingdom: Come Deliverance 2
A More Grounded Medieval Game To Dethrone Skyrim
A lot of fans have described Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 as their new Skyrim, and that's absolutely accurate if you're okay with dropping all things magical from your game. Realistic swordplay is the main quirk of this game. You'll either hate it or love it, but I genuinely believe there's a niche of players out there who will find this twist on combat highly enjoyable. If you'd like to be challenged and you're hoping for a semi-simulation type of game that still has all the charms of a classic RPG and more, this is your next game to play.
10 Open-World Games Where Exploration Feels Personal
For these characters, the journey of exploring every nook and cranny of their world means everything.
What makes this game so excellent is the immersion. Beyond the combat, the world is begging to be explored, every nook and cranny hiding something intriguing. Its quests are nuanced, and some of the features are kind of unique: Henry has to bathe, drinking too much will have NPCs comment on it, and you have to maintain a sort of reputation system when interacting with the world. It also helps that the game just looks absolutely gorgeous.
Fallout: New Vegas
Darkly Whimsical Fallout Game With Character
Look, if you're brand-new to the Fallout franchise and you prefer your graphics to be up-to-date, for sure start with Fallout 4. Otherwise, Fallout: New Vegas is the way to go a thousand times over for fun. Its main charm is the depth it has with roleplaying, choices, and consequence, karma, and interactions with the world and its factions. No other Fallout game has quite managed to replicate this quirk and the sheer amount of detail that goes into every twist and turn, depending on what kind of character you end up making.
If you're a discerning player who takes roleplaying freedom very seriously, New Vegas is a no-brainer, and you'll have a ton of fun wreaking havoc between the NCR, the Legion, and the other factions roaming the Mojave Wasteland. Your skills don't just determine what you can do, but they actually open up additional dialogue options and new ways to solve quests. It's a masterclass in roleplaying, and the punchy writing that's both dark and humorous is a classic that will have you snorting in amusement.
Cyberpunk 2077
A Story To Remember, With Unforgettable Combat
Based on Mike Pondsmith's TTRPG, Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since its rocky release. The Phantom Liberty DLC is absolutely a must-have if you're looking to start this game next, as it goes ever deeper into the themes already explored during the main quest. And speaking of the main quest, it's one of the most heart-wrenching experiences you'll be put through. For story-loving RPG fans, this is a treat and a half, all wrapped up in a gorgeously twisted cyberpunk world full of neon lights and violence. The writing is brilliant, the quests and the characters you meet from Johnny to Panam will stick with you way after the credits roll.
As for combat, you have so much variety: become a stealthy hacker, a strong melee-only character, an agile ninja with a katana as their weapon, or just rely on smart guns that can target enemies behind walls. With cybernetic enhancements, character builds are quite literally next-level in this game, and you won't ever find yourself without stuff to do. There's always a fight around a corner, or a cyberpsycho to kill, or one of your lovers to call up for a hangout at your apartments. Buy cars, clothes, or visit Joytoys... Night City is an experience.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A World That's So Packed It Feels Endless
Many describe The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt as the gold standard for open-world RPGs. It's a fair assertion, given how it ticks so many boxes. It has a massive world begging to be explored. It's not uncommon for you to stumble upon enemies guarding a chest, a monster in the wild, or a random NPC that will hail you over for a quest. That sense of discovery and adventure is very much present as you travel across the lands of Novigrad and Velen to Skellige, Toussaint, and beyond.
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The combat is pretty varied, too, and you can build Geralt just the way you like. You also get to experience the game at times from Ciri's perspective, and she's got her own combat style that's a bit speedier. Both characters have their own stories as well, and going back and forth between them is incredibly satisfying. All your choices have consequences, too, so those who really don't enjoy being given everything on a silver platter, but instead want their actions to mean something, will strike gold in this game.
Elden Ring
A Soulslike Without Parallel
If all the games listed here still haven't captured your attention for fun because they lack challenge, I present you: Elden Ring. FromSoftware's latest darling (if you ignore Nightreign, which is a thing of its own) expands the Souls format into an open-world setting, where the strange world of the Lands Between opens up to you in all of its mysterious, dark, and weirdly gorgeous glory. There's barely any direction in this game, as is tradition with such games. You carve your own path, and if a boss like Margit or the Tree Sentinel keeps beating you down, you either come back when you're ready or try again.
Those two are just the tip of the iceberg, too. The game has countless optional and non-optional bosses that feel distinct (the non-optionals have some repeats, granted), and with a bunch of different dungeons with their own aesthetic and theme, you always feel a sense of awe as you walk into the next area. The game also feels endless, akin to The Witcher 3, and if you have the DLC, you're in for an even bigger treat with an expanded sub-location that comes with a ton of verticality and new, strange, and, of course, highly challenging bosses and enemies. The abundance of weapons and armor sets also means that you have an immense variety in buildcrafting. Even the silliest of ideas, from magic to classic double bonk, can work effectively.
9 Open-World Games That Encourage You to Slow Down
Take it easy and slow down, because these open-world games want you to appreciate the journey rather than rush to the finish line.