EN

Open-world games that still hold up

Pick a point on the horizon and go

261 games · page 2 of 6

Pokémon Blue Version 1996 Why it still holds upThe loop of catching, training and battling is simple enough to pick up now, and the version differences make trading with friends part of the design.
Gothic 2001 Why it still holds upExploring without markers, in a world of rival camps, is the reason to play it now.
Demon's Souls 2009 Why it still holds upLarge, distinct and believably connected areas, and careful stamina based fights with gradual improvement as the core loop, are the reason to play it now.
Pokémon Red Version 1996 Why it still holds upA journey past eight gyms with a collection to complete along the way is still the reason to play it today.
Far Cry 3 2012 Why it still holds upFive core systems, sneaking, shooting, driving, exploring and hunting, all feed the same leveling system, so the same encounter plays out differently depending on stealth, firepower and wildlife, and that is the reason to play it now.
South Park: The Stick of Truth 2014 Why it still holds upIt is built as a playable episode of the show, with the town explored as a real map and every fight framed as the kids' fantasy game, and that is the reason to play it now.
Metroid: Zero Mission 2004 Why it still holds upIts map still reads clearly: areas linked by doors and elevators and opened by power ups, with statues pointing the way.
Baldur's Gate 1998 Why it still holds upDeep tabletop rules that run themselves let you make tactical decisions rather than handle the math, and that is why it is still worth playing.
Cyberpunk 2077 2020 Why it still holds upA dense city of side jobs, taken on in whichever way you built your character, is still the draw in its updated form.
Shadow of the Colossus 2018 Why it still holds upAn empty world with a single task each time, where every colossus is its own climbing puzzle, keeps it worth playing now.
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood 2010 Why it still holds upRecruits to call in, a city you invest in and kills you can chain still make Rome a place you build up as you fight today.
Fable 2004 Why it still holds upA character whose look and reputation follow good and evil acts still makes those choices visible today.
Final Fantasy XII 2006 Why it still holds upGambits, which let you program how each character fights, still make combat a matter of setup as much as input today.
Divinity: Original Sin 2014 Why it still holds upProblems with several solutions, in fights and out of them, still make it worth playing today.
Golden Sun: The Lost Age 2002 Why it still holds upPsynergy puzzles that open new areas, and Djinn that tie exploration to battle stats, still link finding things to fighting today.
Subnautica 2018 Why it still holds upAs you go deeper the sea grows more dangerous, and upgrades such as a submarine give you a reason to keep exploring, which still drives the descent today.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2010 Why it still holds upClear roles for the AI party and rewards for exploring still make both fights and wandering worth the time today.
Vintage Story 2016 Why it still holds upCrafting built on real material processes, in a world set up as you like, still gives it a pace of its own today.
L.A. Noire 2011 Why it still holds upWith interrogation as the core loop, reading faces and backing accusations with evidence, the detective work still rests on the cases rather than on shooting today.
Forza Horizon 3 2016 Why it still holds upEvents that mix road, dirt and water, and racing built on driving precision instead of power ups, still keep the open world worth driving through today.
Chrono Cross 1999 Why it still holds upGrowth that comes from bosses instead of grinding, and a stamina bar for each action, still keep every battle worth thinking about today.
Final Fantasy VIII 1999 Why it still holds upJunction and Draw give deep, customizable character building, and Triple Triad ties into progression, which still makes each build your own today.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2020 Why it still holds upAn island that follows the real seasons and takes the shape you give it is still the reason to come back a little every day.
Secret of Mana 1993 Why it still holds upA party that fights beside you, alone or with friends, and a menu that pauses the action still keep fights simple to manage today.
Forza Horizon 2012 Why it still holds upA road map where the next race is always close still makes it easy to pick up today.

Browse every genre and decade