Open-world games are a huge category. We haven't yet reached full fatigue when it comes to exploring big worlds, whether those games are sandboxes, RPGs, or survival games. There's a huge appeal in being able to drop into a world and go wherever you want immediately, instead of being limited by loading screens or a linear plot, though perhaps we're at the crux of seeing this change, soon.
8 Open-World Games With Overwhelmingly Positive Steam Reviews
These great open-world video games all have overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews; gamers can rest assured these games are well worth playing.
Steam's open-world category is full of iconic video game bangers that have wowed people all over the world. Between incredible stories and smaller games that can be enjoyed in co-op on almost any kind of PC, low-end or high-end, there's a pretty decent diversity of titles depending on what you're looking for. Note that we're only discussing true open-world titles here, so games that might have the tag but still impose restrictions on certain zones, like Stardew Valley, won't qualify this time.
These are the ten true open-world games that appear in Steam's open-world gaming category when Top Rated is selected. Here, they are organized by their user review score percentages.
Find all 10 pairs
Find all 10 pairs
Rust
86% - Very Positive
Rust is a staple in the survival game genre, so it's no surprise to see it rank so high. Even if you've never played the game, chances are you've seen clips of it floating in the depths of the Internet, with people tricking their way inside an enemy's base or a fresh player getting spawn camped by more advanced ones. It has a pretty grueling PVP side that has solidified it as a spot in the hall of fame of video games. You spawn naked, with nothing to your name, and have to build yourself up to something.
It goes a bit further than some other survival games, too, with vehicles thrown into the mix, and of course, plenty of weapons. Raiding is a common occurrence that can demolish unprepared player factions and destroy months of hard work. If you want your heart broken but love to live on the edge, Rust is a non-negotiable part of your gaming library.
Cyberpunk 2077
88% - Very Positive
Cyberpunk 2077 has improved a lot since its release, but its Steam ratings are forever marred by the horrendous dip it experienced back in December 2020 when it released in a non-finished state. After countless hotfixes and massive patches, as well as a brilliant DLC, Phantom Liberty, it seems the game's image is finally on the mend.
Just looking at recent reviews shows that players are falling in love with V's story and Night City's lush, dystopian, neonlit world. It's far from being a perfect game, but with the many changes to loot systems, build balance, and even extra content tossed in, it's undoubtedly another show of CD Projekt RED's impeccable design and writing prowess. If you're wondering whether now's the best time to get into the game, the answer is: yes, absolutely. Do it before we get more news of Project Orion!
Red Dead Redemption 2
91% - Very Positive
Red Dead Redemption 2 is considered by many to be one of the finest video games ever made, which is why it might be odd not to see it rank much higher. The main reason for its lower score is the fact that its Steam version was a rocky introduction to PC players. The game, while absolutely perfect on console, was not very well optimized.
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There were complaints about the Rockstar launcher, but looking at the latest reviews, it's clear that the game has come a long way and Rockstar Games has managed to iron out some of the bigger issues. Arthur and the gang's unforgettable story wowed PC players in the end, just as much as it first impressed those on the PlayStation, and it's an emotional ride into a fictional, dying Old West.
Elden Ring
94% - Very Positive
Elden Ring dominated the gaming scene in 2022, earning the GOTY award for delivering peak-perfection open-world RPG content wrapped up in a recognizable FromSoftware. This was the first time that gamers who had never played a Soulslike or a Soulsborne game stepped into a FromSoftware title, and there were few who weren't blown away by the incredible world design, the unique yet challenging bosses, the enchanting and obscure lore, as well as the epic soundtrack.
With little handholding and total freedom to go anywhere you wanted, Elden Ring challenged what open-world RPGs could be. I know for me, it was the first FromSoftware game ever, and it was a gateway to the studio's other titles that had previously seemed too intimidating to attempt. On Steam, it ranks quite high for these reasons alone, and its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, only increased the challenge by introducing more new enemies and bosses to conquer.
The Forest
95% - Overwhelmingly Positive
A survival game that leaves players stranded after a plane crash, The Forest is one of the finest examples of what it means to masterfully combine great survival mechanics and survival horror into a tight package. After seeing your son get taken away by the not-so-friendly locals, it's up to you to find him and survive against the tribes that dominate the hostile wilderness, while managing your hunger and thirst.
The enemy AI and their design in The Forest have been getting a lot of praise over the years, as it directly adapts and responds to the player's actions, keeping you constantly on your toes when you jump in without any prior knowledge. That kind of immersion is worth gold, and easily explains why this game still ranks so high on Steam and remains almost universally loved.
Don't Starve Together
95% - Overwhelmingly Positive
An expansion of the iconic Gothic survival game, Don't Starve Together features all the bells and whistles of the original gameplay experience, but with the added bonus of being able to play with your friends. It's a game that combines the dark whimsy you would find in a Tim Burton movie with real, tangible survival gameplay elements found in many big games of the genre. You choose between different playable characters and enter a harsh world where managing your needs and sanity is crucial, while everything wants to kill you at first sight.
Seasons are harsh, the world is unforgiving, and yet the game is somehow incredibly adorable and sweet like a page in a nostalgic children's fairytale picture book. Just... Don't be fooled. This is a survival game to rival all others (well, maybe not Green Hell, that one will really test your patience), and it's best explored with a few friends in your party.
Subnautica
96% - Overwhelmingly Positive
Another open-world survival craft on this list, Subnautica charmed players from all walks of life with its gorgeous underwater vistas, interesting premise, and deep-hidden secrets. Granted, some of us were dragged into its depths thinking this was just going to be a cozy underwater exploration game, but no. If you're even a little afraid of depths and what lurks beneath the surface, you are warned!
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It comes with a very fun story, and real progression as you end up crashlanding on an ocean world and must find your way off the planet—or, you could just stick around forever if that's more your speed. In a time when most survival games take place on the surface in the wilderness, Subnautica was and is pretty revolutionary, and its sequel, which is set to come out sometime in 2026, has a lot to live up to.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
96% - Overwhelmingly Positive
The Witcher game series really took off when CD Projekt Red released the banger that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt became. It's an immense open-world RPG that remains visually and tonally timeless. Even years after, it's pretty impressive how good it plays and how incredible it looks. Based on the book series of the same name, you play the role of Geralt, searching for his adoptive daughter Ciri, who's in grave danger.
But as always with open-world RPGs, there are side quests and activities to distract you. Namely, Gwent! This addictive card game became such a phenomenon that it now has its own game on Steam, but of course, it doesn't quite hit as hard as the Wild Hunt iteration. With how big The Witcher 3 was, it's safe to say the hype is through the roof for The Witcher 4.
Euro Truck Simulator 2
97% - Overwhelmingly Positive
Driving games are a huge deal, and Euro Truck Simulator 2 is one no fan of the genre should miss if they seek quality and total immersion. This banger of a game was released over ten years ago, and still holds up so well that it's a bit of a miracle. Highly realistic with a massive open-world environment and simulation-style gameplay, Euro Truck Simulator 2 puts you in the shoes of a trucker traveling across familiar vistas all around the European continent.
It's not just about the driving, though: you also manage a whole business, upgrade your vehicles, pimp out your rides, hire more truckers to work for you, and so on. The sheer depth in this game is staggering, and it's easily the perfect sim and driving title for relaxation when you've had a long day. Steam agrees with me here, placing it as the second-highest spot of all time for open-world games. Impressive stuff.
Terraria
97% - Overwhelmingly Positive
Ah, Terraria, the king of sandboxes, and the husband of Minecraft. This charming 2D open-world survival craft dominates the open-world section of Steam for very good reasons. It's a game that goes surprisingly deep, with tons of hidden bosses and mechanics that will have you scouring the wiki for information. Unlike Minecraft, it leans a bit more into RPG mechanics, and you get a ton of cool weapons, armor, gear, and tools to spice up your playstyle.
Build a house for yourself and the NPCs to move everyone in, or go exploring and gathering resources. What really drives this game to the next level is the modding community and the fact that it's a title that doesn't require you to have a beefy PC. Finally, it's the most affordable game on this list, and in the end, accessibility plays a big role when it comes to making a game that appeals to as wide an audience as possible.
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