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Open-world games that still hold up

Pick a point on the horizon and go

261 games · page 1 of 6

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 2015 Why it still holds upOn every road the world offers something to choose or find, from contracts to buried treasure, and that keeps it worth playing today.
Red Dead Redemption 2 2018 Why it still holds upA world that answers what you do, from the weather to the law, still keeps it worth playing today.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2017 Why it still holds upAny direction is still worth taking today, because the world runs on systems and physics and even a simple environmental puzzle can have three or four solutions.
Chrono Trigger 1995 Why it still holds upAreas hardly overstay their welcome and the puzzles are challenging without being frustrating, which is why the pacing holds up today.
Bloodborne 2015 Why it still holds upCome to it today for the combat: everything pushes you to step in and hit rather than wait behind a guard.
Grand Theft Auto V 2013 Why it still holds upToday the reward for your time is the detail: conversations while driving change if you repeat a mission, and the story takes about 30 hours.
Metroid Prime 2002 Why it still holds upExploring is still the draw today, with a story you find by scanning and locked areas that pull you back later.
NieR: Automata 2017 Why it still holds upIts tone and its music carry it today: the world is heavy and unusual, and its environments are lush.
Super Mario Odyssey 2017 Why it still holds upToday it works because you choose what to do toward the moon count, and capturing drives much of the level design.
Shadow of the Colossus 2005 Why it still holds upEach colossus is its own puzzle in scale, with only a quiet land between them, which is why it holds up today.
Super Mario 64 1996 Why it still holds upMario still controls crisply today, and each painting lets you pick which star to chase, so the game feels open.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 2002 Why it still holds upA whole city built on one decade and its music still makes every drive part of the same setting, which is the reason to play it now.
Horizon Zero Dawn 2017 Why it still holds upFighting each machine is a small puzzle of weak points, in a seamless world with tribes at different technology levels, which keeps it worth playing now.
Ghost of Tsushima 2020 Why it still holds upIts sword fights still make it worth playing: each one asks you to read the enemy, pick the stance for it and break its guard.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2018 Why it still holds upCrossing the city by web is still fun before you do anything else in it, which is the reason to play it now.
Final Fantasy IX 2000 Why it still holds upA party in which every member fights differently still gives each battle its own shape.
Assassin's Creed II 2009 Why it still holds upFree running and a choice of how to handle each situation, with several ways past the guards, are the draw today, in a Renaissance Italy with an orchestral score.
Dragon Age: Origins 2009 Why it still holds upMany of its dilemmas have no clear good or evil side, so the decisions are still yours to weigh today, and that keeps the world worth returning to.
Mafia 2002 Why it still holds upThe period setting is why it is worth playing now: Lost Heaven is modelled on 1930s American cities, and the missions move between chases, races and shootouts.
Planescape: Torment 1999 Why it still holds upThe writing and the companions are still the reason to play it today, since your stats and what you say keep opening options in conversation.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 2000 Why it still holds upThe three day cycle keeps it worth playing today: you plan your days around what people need, and the world changes with the clock, with the music growing more menacing toward the end.
Minecraft: Java Edition 2011 Why it still holds upBecause nothing is required of you, a new world is whatever you decide to make of it, and that is what keeps it worth starting now.
Death Stranding 2019 Why it still holds upA route planned, built and shared with strangers still makes the long walks worth doing today.
Gothic II 2002 Why it still holds upA compact, hand placed world where exploring pays off is still the reason to play it today.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2004 Why it still holds upThe clan you choose changes what you can do and say, so a second run in the same city plays differently, and that is why it is still worth playing today.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess 2006 Why it still holds upNine dungeons with distinct themes and tools, joined by a large overworld, and two ways of moving and fighting in one adventure, are why it is worth playing now.
Grand Theft Auto III 2001 Why it still holds upA city built as a place rather than a level, where what you do is your choice and the world carries on around you, is still worth playing today.

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