Best Open World Games for Exploration Lovers: Discover Your Next Adventure!
Overview
For gamers who thrive on exploration and adventure, open world games provide a unique opportunity to dive into vast, immersive environments. These games allow players to forge their own paths, embark on epic quests, and encounter unforgettable characters along the way. With a plethora of titles available, from fantasy realms to post-apocalyptic landscapes, finding the right game can be a bit overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate through some of the top choices, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, so you can discover your next adventure.
Whether you prefer slaying dragons in Skyrim or scavenging through the wasteland in Fallout, there’s something for every exploration enthusiast. With detailed storytelling and expansive worlds, these games promise hours of engaging gameplay. Let’s explore some of the best options available and what you can expect from each.
Products Featured in This Article
![Far Cry 4 - PS3 [Digital Code] image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91a3ukgbuCL._SL1500_.jpg)
Skyrim VR - PlayStation 4
👥 What customers said: Skyrim has received mixed reviews from customers, with many praising its immersive world and gameplay mechanics, while others express frustration over bugs and performance issues, especially on the PS3. The game offers extensive customization and replayability, but technical problems hinder the experience for some players.
- "The world is vast and feels alive with random events."
- "You can play the game in dozens of character configurations."
- "Skyrim will draw you in and keep you there!"
- Save your progress often to avoid losing hours of gameplay.
- Use the Steam bypass trick for quicker installation.
- Be cautious with quest items to prevent bugs.
- Immersive open-world environment with vast exploration opportunities.
- Extensive character customization and skill development options.
- Engaging storylines and quests that keep players hooked.
- Significant performance issues, particularly on PS3 with frame rate drops.
- Game-breaking bugs that can hinder quest completion and gameplay.
- Requires Steam activation, which some users find frustrating.
Fallout 4 - Xbox One
👥 What customers said: Fallout 4 has garnered a mix of enthusiastic praise and critical feedback from players. While many appreciate the immersive world and gameplay mechanics, others express frustration with bugs and the handling of its GOTY edition.
- "The crafting is crazy deep... you can spend hours making Fallout dollhouses."
- "The graphics... are definitely acceptable. The environments are beautiful."
- "This is the most fun I've had with a game in a long time."
- Quicksave frequently to avoid losing progress.
- Explore the main quest for a more immersive experience.
- Collect everything for crafting; very few items are truly worthless.
- Deep crafting and settlement-building systems enhance gameplay.
- Improved combat mechanics make shooting feel satisfying.
- Vast open world with numerous quests and exploration opportunities.
- Numerous bugs and glitches can hinder the experience.
- Dialogue options are considered limited compared to previous titles.
- Many players disappointed by the lack of DLC on disc in the GOTY edition.
Far Cry 4 - PS3 [Digital Code]
👥 What customers said: Far Cry 4 is a visually stunning game that builds on the mechanics of its predecessor, Far Cry 3, though some players feel it lacks innovation. While many enjoy the expansive open world and new features, technical issues and repetitive gameplay detract from the experience for others.
- "The game looks absolutely gorgeous on PS4."
- "I love using the animal bait to distract enemies."
- "Far Cry 4 is the perfect blend of shooter and RPG elements."
- Use the autocrafting feature for health syringes to save time.
- Watch out for honey badgers; they can be very aggressive.
- Explore the map for collectibles and side missions to enhance gameplay.
- Gorgeous graphics and expansive open world.
- Improved inventory and crafting systems.
- Fun new gameplay mechanics like animal bait and gyrocopters.
- Feels like a reskin of Far Cry 3.
- Technical issues and bugs reported by many players.
- Story and character development criticized as shallow.
The Last of Us - PlayStation 3
👥 What customers said: The Last of Us has garnered a mix of praise and criticism from players, with many highlighting its emotional storytelling and immersive gameplay, while others express frustration with its linearity and gameplay mechanics.
- "The Last of Us is simply one of the best games I have ever played."
- "The story was funny. It was scary. It was heartbreaking."
- "It will touch you in a way that perhaps no game has before."
- Play on higher difficulties for a more intense experience.
- Explore every nook for supplies to enhance survival.
- Utilize stealth to conserve resources and manage combat effectively.
- Powerful storytelling and emotional depth throughout the game.
- Stunning graphics and immersive environments enhance the experience.
- Engaging character development that resonates with players.
- Gameplay can feel linear and lacks meaningful player agency.
- Combat mechanics are often criticized as cumbersome and unresponsive.
- Some players experienced technical issues, including bugs and long load times.
Fallout: New Vegas - Xbox 360 Ultimate Edition
👥 What customers said: "Fallout: New Vegas" is a post-apocalyptic RPG that offers a vast open-world experience, similar to its predecessor, "Fallout 3." While many players appreciate the depth of gameplay and story, numerous technical glitches and bugs have marred the experience for some users.
- "The intricate storyline and interesting quests are captivating."
- "It's super addicting as my number of logged hours prove."
- "The game is a great RPG in the Fallout arsenal."
- Keep multiple save files to avoid losing progress.
- Avoid playing in Hardcore mode if you dislike micromanagement.
- Be prepared for frequent crashes; save often.
- Engaging storyline with complex faction dynamics.
- Vast world with numerous side quests and exploration opportunities.
- Improved character customization and crafting systems.
- Frequent glitches, crashes, and freezing issues.
- Similar graphics and mechanics to "Fallout 3," lacking innovation.
- Requires Steam activation, limiting resale options.
Halo Reach - Legendary Edition
👥 What customers said: Halo: Reach has garnered mixed reviews, with players praising its campaign and multiplayer elements while criticizing its length and gameplay mechanics. Many fans of the Halo franchise appreciate the graphics and character customization options, but some feel the game falls short in innovation and balance.
- "The campaign is epic and entertaining, featuring a wide array of enemies."
- "The graphics are astonishing; the new engine truly outdoes itself."
- "Multiplayer is awesome, providing many new changes while maintaining classic Halo gameplay."
- Consider playing on different difficulty levels for a longer campaign experience.
- Customization options appear in both campaign and multiplayer modes.
- Utilize the Forge mode for creative map-making with friends.
- Engaging campaign with a strong storyline and character development.
- Enhanced graphics and sound effects improve the overall experience.
- Customizable characters add a personal touch to gameplay.
- Campaign is short, typically completed in around 5 hours.
- Multiplayer matchmaking can be slow and lacks variety.
- Some gameplay mechanics, like armor abilities, are seen as unbalanced.
- **What Customers Loved**
- "The campaign is epic and entertaining, featuring a wide array of enemies."
- "The graphics are astonishing; the new engine truly outdoes itself."
- "Multiplayer is awesome, providing many new changes while maintaining classic Halo gameplay."
- **Tips from Users**
- Consider playing on different difficulty levels for a longer campaign experience.
- Customization options appear in both campaign and multiplayer modes.
- Utilize the Forge mode for creative map-making with friends.
NBA 2K17 Standard Edition - PlayStation 4
👥 What customers said: Customer reviews for NBA 2K17 reflect a mix of appreciation for its graphics and gameplay improvements, alongside frustration over gameplay mechanics and monetization practices. While some players enjoy the online features and character customization, others criticize the game's reliance on microtransactions and persistent gameplay issues.
- "The mechanics of the game feel more realistic than ever."
- "Graphics and presentation are amazing."
- "Great gameplay, awesome myplayer mode, and the parks look awesome."
- Adapt your strategy to avoid constant charge whistles.
- Skip cut scenes to reduce waiting time before gameplay.
- Be prepared to invest time to overcome the learning curve.
- Improved graphics and realistic gameplay mechanics.
- Engaging online multiplayer features and character customization.
- Faster loading times compared to previous versions.
- Heavy emphasis on microtransactions for character upgrades.
- Gameplay issues like poor AI and player movement.
- Lengthy loading and cut scenes detract from playtime.
- **What Customers Loved**
- "The mechanics of the game feel more realistic than ever."
- "Graphics and presentation are amazing."
- "Great gameplay, awesome myplayer mode, and the parks look awesome."
- **Tips from Users**
- Adapt your strategy to avoid constant charge whistles.
- Skip cut scenes to reduce waiting time before gameplay.
- Be prepared to invest time to overcome the learning curve.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Playstation 3
👥 What customers said: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its intense gameplay and graphics while others criticize its short campaign and lack of dedicated servers for PC. The multiplayer experience is a significant point of contention, particularly regarding matchmaking and the absence of mod support.
- "The graphics are out of this world, and the battles are wild."
- "Spec-Ops is truly the most fun, yet challenging thing I've ever had."
- "Modern Warfare 2 is a must for FPS fans."
- Rent the game if primarily interested in single-player.
- Play online multiplayer to fully enjoy the game’s features.
- Experiment with different difficulty settings for a better experience.
- Intense and immersive campaign with stunning graphics.
- Engaging multiplayer with improved weapon and perk systems.
- Special Ops mode offers challenging co-op gameplay.
- Campaign is very short, lasting less than 6 hours.
- No dedicated servers for PC, leading to lag and matchmaking issues.
- Many features from previous titles were removed or downgraded.
- **What Customers Loved**
- "The graphics are out of this world, and the battles are wild."
- "Spec-Ops is truly the most fun, yet challenging thing I've ever had."
- "Modern Warfare 2 is a must for FPS fans."
- **Tips from Users**
- Rent the game if primarily interested in single-player.
- Play online multiplayer to fully enjoy the game’s features.
- Experiment with different difficulty settings for a better experience.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Xbox 360 5th Anniversary Edition
👥 What customers said: Customer reviews for Oblivion highlight a mix of admiration for its expansive gameplay and criticism for its technical issues and lack of post-launch support. While many players appreciate the depth and freedom of the RPG, some express frustration over bugs and the absence of downloadable content on the PS3 version.
- "The game is absolutely huge; I can't see how you could really 'finish' it."
- "Creating your own spells is fun and done well."
- "This game has entertained me for hundreds of hours."
- Use fast travel to save time when exploring.
- Save often, especially before combat encounters.
- Consider using guides for complex quests and character builds.
- Immersive and expansive world with rich storytelling.
- Extensive character customization and spell creation options.
- Engaging side quests and guild storylines enhance gameplay.
- Technical issues and game-breaking bugs persist.
- Lack of downloadable content and trophy support on PS3.
- Enemies level with the player, reducing challenge and satisfaction.
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition - PC
👥 What customers said: The reviews for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt highlight a mix of praise for its immersive world and criticism for its user interface and gameplay mechanics. Many players appreciate the depth of the story and graphics, while others find the controls and inventory management frustrating.
- "The world is beautiful, and it doesn't feel like copied textures."
- "The dialog options can entirely change the outcome of situations."
- "Witcher 3 is a potentially huge game with beautiful music and places to see."
- Use the GOG client for easier game installation and updates.
- Save often to avoid losing progress due to glitches.
- Familiarize yourself with controls during the tutorial for better gameplay.
- Stunning graphics and immersive open world.
- Engaging storyline with rich character development.
- Extensive content with numerous quests and side activities.
- Clunky and frustrating user interface.
- Combat mechanics can feel unresponsive and awkward.
- Occasional visual bugs and glitches reported.
Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition - Xbox One
👥 What customers said: Dark Souls 3 receives mixed feedback from players, with many praising its challenging gameplay and stunning visuals, while others criticize its difficulty and mechanics. The game is noted for its rich atmosphere and intricate world design, but some players feel it lacks accessibility for casual gamers. Overall, it appeals primarily to those who appreciate a high level of challenge and exploration.
- "The world is so much more beautiful."
- "If you like dying in a video game, get this."
- "Amazing artwork, great levels, and plenty of spooky elements."
- Take time to learn enemy patterns and explore thoroughly.
- Level up wisely and consider starting class carefully.
- Save often, as dying incurs significant penalties.
- Stunning graphics and immersive world design.
- Deep gameplay mechanics with rewarding exploration.
- Engaging combat system and diverse character builds.
- Extremely high difficulty can frustrate new players.
- Inconsistent mechanics and control issues reported.
- Lack of tutorials and guidance for beginners.
Buyer’s Guide
- Key Features: Focus on build quality, warranty, and ease of use.
- Price vs. Value: Don’t overpay for minor upgrades; compare core specs.
- Real-World Fit: Check size/weight, comfort, and noise in everyday use.
FAQ
Q: How do I choose among similar models?
A: Match features to your use-case and check return/warranty terms.
Conclusion
If you need a quick recommendation: pick the “Best Overall” for balance, “Best Budget” for price, and “Best Premium” for top performance.