For open-world fans who are also into dynamic quests, one of the finest examples is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. There is never a dull moment in that game because every fetch quest will turn into an epic, from saving children from forest monsters to returning a pot to an old lady.
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There are other examples out there, too, but not everyone likes to get bogged down by side quests. They may like open-world games simply because they are more fun to explore and discover things naturally, rather than stick to a side quest’s directions. For those who love making small discoveries more impressive than what side quests can offer, it’s time to check out these examples.
Fit the 9 games into the grid.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Breath Of Fire
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim opens up very quickly in the game, giving players a long leash as to what they should do next after escaping death. They could choose to go to town and take on various fetch quests, but the game is more enjoyable to explore and find things randomly.
One cave may produce normal results while another could hold a cool secret like a new Dragon Shout power. The randomness of discovery can be a lot of fun, along with encountering dragons in the overworld or other terrors like giants.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Remembering 1997
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Released
- February 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s best feature is that it recreates locations from the PS1 original version of Final Fantasy 7. Quests are mostly a new feature over the original, and while they can lead to some cool NPCs, just moving on with the story is better to see what new wonders have been reimagined for a new generation.
For example, the area outside of Junon now looks more war-torn, Costa del Sol looks even more like a tropical paradise, and players can really immerse themselves in the maze of Cosmo Canyon.
Elden Ring
All About Characters
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Elden Ring doesn’t have much of a quest system, which is all for the better. Without much in line of tutorials, players are free to explore as they wish, and chances are, there are bosses, mini-bosses, treasures, and mysterious NPCs hiding around every nook and cranny.
As this is a FromSoftware game, players will probably be a bit apprehensive about helping these NPCs, as past titles have shown that NPCs can turn on players in several ways. That’s part of the fun, though, along with facing challenges too great alone that are easier with friends in co-op. The really satisfying discoveries are the warp zones, which can transport players to locations far out of their league at the time.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Under Rocks
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild does have some quests from NPCs in towns and around the world map. They can lead to fun discoveries, but the best part of the game is uncovering lost Koroks under rocks or the various Shrines that promote the game’s great physics engine.
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By completing Shrines, players can earn currency to upgrade Link’s health or stamina, and the Koroks can upgrade inventory limits. Besides that, uncovering rare monsters or mini-bosses can be both terrifying and exciting, like the Lynels.
Donkey Kong Bananza
Getting Banandium
Donkey Kong Bananza
- Released
- July 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Donkey Kong Bananza is another fun Nintendo exclusive, this time for the Switch 2, and this game is all about digging and smashing. As Donkey Kong, players can punch through hillsides or the ground and look for various treasures like Banandium, which can lead to upgrading DK’s various skills.
Players may also find disposable items, chests, and fossils. Some skills can even help players detect where items are located in the environment via sonar or actual map locations. It’s more rewarding to discover things accidentally instead of relying on skills or tools.
Ghost Of Yotei
Animal Crossing
Ghost of Yotei
- Released
- October 2, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
Ghost of Yotei has a lot of quests to complete from varying vendors and random NPCs across the Yotei region of ancient Japan. However, the game has an interesting system to point players in the direction of collectible-like side quests, such as finding hot springs to upgrade health or bamboo alters to improve skill energy.
Little golden birds can lead players to any of the major upgrade spots, while foxes will lead players to their dens, which is an inventive natural way to point players in the right direction. Even better are the Easter Eggs, which Ghost of Yotei is filled with, paying homage to many past Insomniac Games titles, like inFAMOUS. They don’t reward players with anything physical besides a fun photo opportunity, but the discovery is rewarding enough.
Fallout 4
Post-Apocalyptic History
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The novelty of Fallout games is getting to explore real or semi-real places in a post-apocalyptic setting. For example, the Boston area of Fallout 4 is not a 1:1 representation of the real world, but there are locations inspired by reality.
For example, Diamond City is based on the famous ball field, Fenway Park, while The Institute is based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For Massachusetts or Boston residents, playing Fallout 4 was probably like a trip through memory lane, and no quest can top nostalgia. For non-residents, discovering historical locations in the game is cheaper than a vacation.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Helping Your Fellow Man
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Released
- June 26, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s coolest feature is the asynchronous online gameplay. Players cannot directly interact with others online, but they will share their world. If players lose a package, it may end up in someone else’s world who can find and deliver it for them, which benefits both parties.
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Though these open-world games are good, the lack of traversal options makes them somewhat hard to navigate.
Then there are the old infrastructures, like the railway or road systems, that players can rebuild with others. Exploring Australia and discovering player-created architecture, or lost packages, will make the journey special for all players, making Death Stranding 2: On the Beach unique as an open-world game largely about delivering packages.
Hogwarts Legacy
Bewitched
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Hogwarts Legacy is a fun action RPG filled with cool spells to learn, but that’s not the big reason why players are going to buy it. Harry Potter fans wanted to get it for the sheer novelty of being able to explore Hogwarts at their leisure.
Harry Potter games existed within Hogwarts before this, but not on this scale, and certainly most did not take place in an open-world that incorporated the surrounding area of the famous magic academy. Looking for book and movie references will be the greatest thrill fans will get out of the game, more so than any quest reward or storyline.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Making Friends With A Whole City
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released
- January 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
The best part about any Yakuza game is the side quests called Substories, as they feature weird NPCs from feisty chickens to mob men who like dressing up as babies. The latest mainline entry, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, is no exception, but that doesn’t mean it is the only reason to explore Honolulu.
There are plenty of mini-games hiding around corners, or equally weird NPCs not tied specifically to Substories, who players can befriend. Just being able to explore the beaches of Honolulu may be rewarding enough for some, as they are beautifully rendered.
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