Open-world games are defined by the freedom they give players, and few things enhance that freedom more than a diverse arsenal. A large weapon selection allows for varied combat styles, experimentation, and replayability, regardless of whether the player is fighting up close with swords or shooting from afar with a rifle.
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Weapon variety is also a key part of what makes open-world experiences engaging and memorable, and many games go above and beyond, allowing players to build out a set of armaments that feels near-endless at times.
Far Cry 6
Unique Weapons - 91
Far Cry 6
- Released
- October 6, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mild Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Far Cry 6 boasts a modest list of weapons, including assault rifles, shotguns, pistols, bows, melee weapons, and explosives. The open-world environment encourages creative use of each weapon type, whether in stealth or open combat, lending it a unique feeling of adaptability that is tailored to each player's style.
Players can upgrade and modify many weapons, tailoring their arsenal for specific scenarios, and the diversity in named weapons provides enough variety to keep combat interesting throughout the game’s vast world.
Cyberpunk 2077
Unique Weapons - 101
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Cyberpunk 2077 offers players plenty of choice both in skills and actual weapon choices. There are pistols and rifles, melee weapons and tech-based armaments, each with its own strengths and weaknesses that can be used at various points throughout the campaign.
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This arsenal supports multiple combat approaches, from stealthy hacking and sniping to all-out gunfights, and players can customize each weapon for their preferred style, making the combat both personal and highly rewarding.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Unique Weapons - 184
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
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt takes the concept of medieval weaponry and pushes the boundaries in terms of numbers. There are so many unique weapons to be found throughout quests and the main world, and each adds depth and encourages players to search a little further to find their next favorite sword.
The combination of melee and ranged combat, along with the option to upgrade and craft equipment, allows players to adapt to different enemy types on the fly. This thoughtful design ensures that each weapon has a purpose in the journey and that no class feels worthless at any point.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Unique Weapons - 252
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- 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
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Skyrim has a huge number of weapons to complement its equally large skill tree and customization options. It really feels like an RPG that lends all the power to the player, granting them opportunities to try out a diverse array of armaments to suit different combat styles and approaches.
It also includes weapon crafting and enhancement, allowing players to further customize their arsenal with buffs and elements. Combined with the number of classes and weapon types, and players have a virtually endless amount of weapons to try out and take to the fight against Alduin.
Fallout: New Vegas
Unique Weapons - 259
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Fallout: New Vegas offers over 250 distinct weapons, including melee, firearms, energy weapons, and explosives. The base game’s arsenal is already extensive, and the DLC adds additional unique items to keep things even more diverse than they already are.
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From basic pistols to unique legendary variants, the game allows players to craft different combat strategies, and this variety supports a range of approaches with equal levels of power, giving players flexibility in how they tackle the post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Borderlands 3
Unique Weapons - 322
Borderlands 3
- Released
- September 13, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
The Borderlands franchise is known for its claims of having millions and even billions of different weapons in the games, and while this may technically be true, in terms of base versions that don't include the dozens of different attachments, the actual number is still pretty striking.
The looter shooter genre has always been about giving players interesting and unique treasures to find and unlock, so having well over 300 weapons to choose from, each with its own variations, lends the game an absurd level of uniqueness that keeps players coming back playthrough after playthrough.
Elden Ring
Unique Weapons - 411
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Elden Ring continues the FromSoftware tradition of allowing players to choose between a huge range of weapons and class types, each viable in its own way. But with an even larger world comes even more weapons, giving players so many more options, no matter if they want to cast spells or swing a giant sword.
What makes the game so cool is how creative players can be with their weapons. Having a friend drop an identical copy allows players to dual-wield legendary armaments, and certain combinations turn them into immovable objects, which makes the game feel more like a sandbox that indulges every power fantasy imaginable.
Terraria
Unique Weapons - 566
Terraria
- Released
- May 16, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Cartoon Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Re-Logic
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Vita, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, 3DS, Stadia, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Terraria destroys every other game in the genre, gifting players with over 500 weapons to play with. Unlike other games, the weapons are not locked to a specific genre, meaning that players can wield things like plasma guns and mythical swords in the same loadout.
The procedural nature of the world and the level of depth that it offers mean that new choices are hidden around every corner, regardless of whether the player spends hours grinding for materials to forge their next godlike tool or if they find it in a secret chest at the bottom of the world.
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