Some open-world games are intense and demand players to keep playing to understand what’s going on, or combat could demand the focus of players. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an example of a game with action-packed gameplay and some of the best in open-world games.
10 Open-World Games Where Exploration Is More Rewarding Than Combat
In the captivating worlds of these open-world games, exploration takes center stage and surpasses the visceral thrill of combat.
Even something like Grand Theft Auto 5 cannot be played casually, except for the online mode, but the following examples can be. With better pacing, different gameplay types, and more, these open-world games are more inviting to a casual crowd. That doesn’t mean they are not some of the best 10/10 experiences out there, because they are all memorable in their own way.
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 no objectives or story whatsoever, meaning that players can jump into it with whatever goals they want. They can decide to dig deep into the ground or in mountains to see what treasures they can find, or they can just clear land and build a farm.
Building a structure is relatively simple, and building cities is much more time-consuming, but players can go at it with their own pacing. The game is an amazing playground for creativity and even more fun with other players online to get some help in the construction.
Palworld
Pokemon With Crafts
Palworld
- Released
- January 19, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter, Survival
Palworld is part Pokemon game, part Minecraft game, and all about fun. Players can create their character and then go through some objectives to help learn the ropes and build their character a little quicker. Like Minecraft, there is no story, so the missions are more like guidelines and a way to unlock blueprints to craft cooler stuff.
Players can build and manage their compound themselves, or they can task their caught monsters, called Pals, to help out. Combat is action-based, with players having the ability to manually attack monsters or to have their Pals aid. Whether they want to play Palworld more like an action game or a life sim is up to players.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Picking Up Packages
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Released
- June 26, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
There is a story in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and a compelling one at that, but if players want to focus on the delivery and crafting systems, then they certainly can. At the various bunkers, players will reconnect to the network, they will get delivery orders, and the more they deliver to other facilities, the better their ranking will become.
The better the ranking, the more they can build from new weapons to vehicles to gear that will keep packages safer. There are also structures in the post-apocalyptic version of Australia to rebuild, which can be a collaborative effort between players and the asynchronous multiplayer that connects others randomly online.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
Be Your Own Hero
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
- Released
- May 21, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has a smaller open-world than most, but it’s hard to argue against the passive options this game can provide. If players wish to play it like an action game, there are classes, called Lives, that can help with that, along with dungeon diving with friends online.
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They may not look it, but these games have great gameplay options that make them feel absolutely massive.
For players looking to make a home for themselves and to level up through gathering materials and crafting, there are ways to play Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time this way as well. Players are never locked into a Life either, so they are free to go at their own pace and switch it up.
Mario Kart World
The Switch 2’s Life Game
Mario Kart World
- Released
- June 5, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- Racing, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch 2
Mario Kart World is the first Mario Kart game with an open-world structure, allowing players to pick from a huge roster of characters and costumes. They can explore the world at their leisure to play in various mini-games or to find food vendors that will reward players with these aforementioned costumes.
There are even ways to take control of bigger vehicles, and only in the open-world like a big truck or a UFO. It’s not the richest open-world game ever made, but the racing is top-notch, giving players a reason to occasionally pop back in after updates.
No Man’s Sky
There’s A Planet For Everyone
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Hello Games
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
No Man’s Sky is like a larger-scale Minecraft with more wondrous graphics and deeper gameplay options. Players can take their first ship and cruise around the galaxy, stopping on planets to gather resources, scan lifeforms, and then head on out for the next planet. There is no story beyond a vague goal to reach the center of the universe by hopping from one random planet to another.
While this could lead players to follow this goal, it isn’t necessary. Players can instead go at their own pace and explore these randomized planets more thoroughly, scanning everything in sight or perhaps even building bases to make homes around the galaxy.
Fallout 76
An Adaptable Apocalypse
Fallout 76
- Released
- November 14, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Fallout 76 is basically an MMO with a large-scale world to explore in the post-apocalypse. It’s the Fallout game players should try if they prefer less of a centralized plot and more crafting and customization options.
At launch, there was very little guidance, story, or quests, but the game is richer now if fans want to play it like a typical Fallout game. They can blast enemies, explore ruined areas, or go deeper into building a new life for themselves. With updates and expansions still coming out, this game can be a good one to check in on occasionally.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & The Envisioned Land
The People’s Alchemist
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land
- Released
- March 21, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Gust
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Crafting, Action
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land has a story to follow and smaller open-world biomes to explore. The goal ultimately is to help people in these districts by completing their requests, which can help restore order.
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In these open-world games, you're not just exploring - you're invading! From alien attacks to pirate raids, play as the invader causing chaos.
The titular Yumia is a budding alchemist who is as gifted at brewing potions or building furniture as she is at fighting monsters. Combat can be toned down if players wish to play Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land more casually, focusing on creating the best items they can and helping out the people in these damaged lands.
Cat Quest 3
A Purr-fect Pirate
Cat Quest III
- Released
- August 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- The Gentlebros
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
Cat Quest 3 is one of the few open-world games that opens up right away. Players don’t have to work hard to get their ship, as they will be handed one and invited to sail anywhere in the relatively small world. Players can attack enemies on the world map, or they can dive into dungeons to do the same.
There’s also ship combat, if players want to go full pirate. Combat, in any scenario, is rarely challenging, and the game overall is more open to younger audiences or casual crowds. Beyond missions, there’s not much of a story to be had to compel players forward beyond their own goals to be the best cat pirate ever.
Infinity Nikki
A Fashion Forward Platformer
Infinity Nikki
- Released
- December 5, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Papergames, Infold Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World, Dress-Up, RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Mobile, Android, iOS
Infinity Nikki is a free-to-play game with a delightful story about the titular Nikki going into another world to become a fashionista. When players craft new clothing options, they can get new powers with the initial dresses, allowing players to attack with basic strikes and to glide.
Overall, it’s a game more interested in platforming challenges, exploration, and gathering materials to craft those new dresses. Combat is a very small part of the game, and as a free experience, it’s one of the more accessible games for players to test and see if it is a good fit.
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