Open-world gamesare insanely fun. They explore the player’s creativity more than linear-level games and also immerse players in a living breathing world to play in. The only thing that would make a singleplayer open-world experience better is if this world can be shared with others. This creates a fun hub where players can get lost together in everything the world has to offer.
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Heists inGTA Onlineare definitely more fun with friends than doing them solo in the singleplayer campaign, slaying dragons is more fulfilling with a party inElder Scrolls Onlinethan sieging them solo inSkyrim,and taking down enemy hordes is simply just more fun with a team dynamic than a lone wolf run.
10Elder Scrolls Online (Metascore: 71; User Score: 5.8)
Elder Scrolls Onlineis an onlineRPGwith a rich beautiful world that players may share. Gamers who have playedSkyrimand loved the creativity it allows will surely get hooked into the shared-world experience ofElder Scrolls Online.It’s a lot likeSkyrimbut multiplayer.
Instead of doing quests with computer-controlled NPCs, players embark on quests with their real-life friends and other players. There’s much to do in the world of Tamriel and much fun to have. Sure, bugs are here and there; after all, it’s a Bethesda game. But these can be completely ignored as they don’t ruin the trueSkyrimexperience.
9Far Cry 5 (Metascore 82; User Score: 6.7)
On top of a compelling story and intimidating villain,Far Cry 5has a beautiful countryside world riddled with open roads, wild animals, and thick jungles. An entire open world that can be explored headfirst into danger.Far Cry 5allows players to experience this world and story together throughco-op.
ThoughFar Cry 3is arguably the best game in the franchise, it is nowhere near the shared-world experience thatFar Cry 5brings to the table. Unlike the previousFar Crygames, the entire story and open-world ofFar Cry 5are open to two players without limits.
8Destiny 2 (Metascore: 87; User Score: 4.4)
Ever since going free-to-play,Destiny 2has dominated the looter-shooter RPG genre. But, every MMORPG comes with a huge shared-world full of events and activities for players to sink their teeth in.Destiny 2doesn’t fail in the open-world aspect of things. It has a great class system, action-packed combat mechanics, and trueRPG customization.
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Along with this,Destiny 2takes place across different planets, each being a unique landscape of their own with different areas, enemies, and biomes. Hoverbiking alone across the wide-open spaces is already a ton of fun inDestiny 2.
7Monster Hunter: World (Metascore 90; User Score 7.1)
The world ofMonster Hunter: Worldis riddled with huge beasts and monstrosities. Each quest inMonster Hunteris a task to take downgigantic behemoths. Players can harvest parts from fallen foes to make bigger weapons; allowing them to take even bigger monsters.
The world ofMonster Hunteris full of surprises and can be experienced with other players as well. A player may take on a foeGod Of War-style, or he may team up with up to three other players to slay the goliath together.
6Borderlands 2 (Metascore: 91; User Score: 8.2)
Borderlandshas ushered in its own unique art style and feel into the gaming industry. The scrap punk world ofBorderlands 2’sPandora,along with its psychotic enemies and torn-down architecture makes it a perfect funhouse for carnage and mayhem. As fun as it is for one player,Borderlands 2quadruples the chaos by allowing a party of up to four engage in story missions.
With six classes to choose from,Borderlandsis insanely replayable and dynamic. Weaponized vehicles are present in the game to add to the horde-plowing arsenal. The game also has quirky characters and over-the-top storylines, crafting an experience that can only be described as– ‘Borderlands.’
5Forza Horizon 4 (Metascore: 92; User Score: 8.1)
Forza Horizon 4is set in a fictionalized Great Britain made even more realistic with the game’s stunningly optimized graphics.Forza Horizon 4is a blend between a racing simulator and an arcade over-the-topaction-packed racing game.
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The open world ofForza Horizon 4serves as a hub for players to drive and speed across with other players. With the game’s many biomes and weather system, it feels like going on virtual road trips with the boys. Just like how they do it inFast & Furiousmovies.
4World Of Warcraft (Metascore: 93; User Score: 7.4)
World Of Warcraftis one of the greatestpioneers of the MMORPGgenre and stands as the prominent figure of that area. Along with one of the best RPGs comes also the best shared-world experience in any game. In the mystical world of Azeroth, players can embark on journeys and take on quests and raids with other players.
With 12 different classes to choose from, the party dynamic ofWOWis unparalleled. However, thoughWOWremains as geek culture’s hottest topics, the game’s appeal leans more towards quests and the ever-flourishing community and culture of the game than the world itself.
3Minecraft (Metascore: 93; User Score: 7.9)
The world ofMinecraftis what players make it to be. The Wizarding School of Hogwarts, the gates of Hades, medieval England, one big mansion, the list goes on.Minecraftbrings out the creativity in players by being a fullysandbox worldwhere players can craft structures and landscapes as they wish.
They can also craft weapons, create a fully functioning underground mine, plant crops with seamless irrigation, and so much more. The best part is that up to 30 players can take part in this constantly shifting sandbox so that every in-game day is a different experience. However, given the many tools under players' belts such as TNT, toxic griefers may ruin a perfect world a group of friends has spent years on. So, that’s something to consider.
2GTA V (Metascore: 97; User Score: 7.8)
GTA V’sonline mode is an urban landscape for in-game gangsters.GTA Onlineis a world where everyone can do what they can’t do in real life. Including but not limited to stealing a car, speeding down the highway, robbing banks, punching pedestrians, and blowing up traffic.
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What’s amazing aboutGTA Onlineis that all this can be done in the fictionalized San Andreas together with other players. Wreaking havoc in a modern-day cityscape is a kind of freedom everyone deep down wants. But since it’s set in a virtual world, there’s absolutely zero guilt and compromise.
The only developer that could beat theopen-worldking is the open-world king themselves– Rockstar. LikeGTA Onlinetakes place in modern-day America,Red Dead Redemption 2’sonline mode takes place more than a century before that. In 1898 Wild West America. Players head into a world well after the industrial era. In this shared-world experience, players are outlaws taking bounties and making moonshine.
Red Dead Onlinefully captures the look and feel of the wild west from the small towns with only one saloon to the bustling city with a factory. Since cars haven’t been mass-produced for the public yet, people still get around on horses and wagons in this open-world.Red Dead Onlinestands to this day as one of the most prominentwild west games, and also one of the best open-world games.
