The 12 best open-world games 2022

In our guide to the 12 best open-world games, we tell you:

  • Which open-world games give you the best feeling of freedom
  • What the huge game worlds offer you

Open-world games have now found their way into every genre, whether it's shooters(The best shooters), role-playinggames(Thebest role-playing games) or racing simulations(The best racing and sports games): The games presented here will fuel your thirst for adventure. We've put together a colorful mix of the best open-world games that will finally let you experience a true sense of freedom again.

Elden Ring

The latest game from Dark Souls developers From Software offers a huge and freely explorable open world for the first time for a game from the studio. In typical Souls fashion, you'll meet wondrous NPCs who give you cryptic quests and explore dungeons full of traps and nasty boss enemies.

Elden Ring (), however, is the most beginner-friendly Soulslike game to date due to its open game design. If an area or enemy is too difficult for you, you simply explore another part of the open world - for the most part, there isn't just one right way.

  • Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • Genre: action role-playing game
  • Expansions: None
  • Game modes: single player and multiplayer (co-op and PvP)
  • Game world: Fantasy world "In-between"

Ghost of Tsushima

The PlayStation-exclusiveGhost ofTsushima takes you to historical Japan, more specifically the island of Tsushima, which is being infested by raiding Mongols. As the samurai Jin Sakai, it's up to you to protect your people and face the Mongols with your sword and some mystical abilities.

The open world of Ghost of Tsushima () is especially convincing due to its beautiful visuals - huge red flower fields, sunbeams that make the golden foliage in forests glow or snow-capped mountains - an impressive view awaits you at almost every corner of the game world.

  • Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Expansions: Director's Cut with Island Iki expansion
  • Game modes: Single and multiplayer
  • Game world: Japanese island of Tsushima in the year 1,274

Red Dead Redemption 2

One of the most popular open-world games of all time is without a doubt Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption 2. You play the outlaw Arthur Morgan in the Wild West of 1899. Together with your gang, you'll flee east to escape the lawmen. The scenery and climate in Red Dead Redemption 2 () range from warm, humid swamp regions to harsh, cold mountain regions.

Each animal & NPC provides interaction opportunities: Animals can be hunted and utilized, fish can be fished, plants can be collected, and people can be greeted or attacked. In multiplayer mode, you'll go hunting with up to seven players, commit raids, or simply roam the landscape.

  • Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Google Stadia
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Expansions: None
  • Game modes: Single and multiplayer
  • Game world: Wild West of 1899

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

In the world of Hyrule our protagonist awakens Link from his hundred-year sleep. You'll explore a world that can be freely explored, inhabited by fantastic creatures and ancient puzzles. All the while, you'll have one objective in mind: to rescue the daughter of the last king of Hyrule.

A special feature in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild () is cooking. Almost anything you collect or hunt in the lush fantasy world can be cooked and made into delicious dishes or medicine to replenish your hearts.

  • Platform: WiiU, Nintendo Switch
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Expansions: The Legendary Trials, The Ballad of the Recken
  • Game modes: Single player
  • Game world: Colorful fantasy world with comic book look

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

After the one-hour prologue,The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim takes you into the wilderness of Himmelsrand - a region in the north of Tamriel that is partly barren and partly densely forested. Your actions alone determine how your character develops. Several hundred weapons and spells can be found or crafted.

The lively fantasy world of Skyrim () is strongly oriented towards medieval architecture and thus achieves a high level of credibility. Thanks to dragons or trolls, the fantasy content also remains high at all times.

  • Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
  • Genre: medieval, fantasy role-playing game
  • Expansions: Dawnguard, Hearthfire, Dragonborn
  • Game modes: Single player
  • Game world: Himmelsrand - mountainous regions alternate with tundra and steppe landscapes, plus lots of coniferous forest.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

As Geralt von Riva, you set out in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt () in search of your foster daughter Ciri. She seems to be on the run from the Wild Hunt, a horde of evil spirits. On this emotional journey, you'll earn an existence as a monster slayer, make new friends and enemies, and get caught between the political fronts.

In this beautiful, but also dangerous game world, you'll collect resources from fallen enemies, improve your equipment and develop your character. The most exciting element here are the numerous monsters, which all have different strengths & weaknesses.

  • Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
  • Genre: Action role-playing game
  • Expansions: Hearts of Stone, Blood & Wine
  • Game modes: Single player
  • Game world: Medieval fantasy world that features every climate.

Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5 ( ) once again proves that open worlds have now also found their way into racing simulations. Thanks to the high level of detail of cars and landscapes, the racing game looks very authentic. A total of over 500 cars from numerous manufacturers have made it into the game, which you can buy, paint, and tune.

  • Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • Genre: Racing game
  • Extensions: VIP membership, various car bundles, expansion bundle
  • Game modes: single player & multiplayer, online & offline
  • Game world: Virtual Mexico with changing seasons

Horizon Forbidden West

With the protagonist Aloy, you explore the events that led to the apocalypse and the downfall of the modern world in Horizon Forbidden West (). Nature and its mechanical inhabitants have a special place in this. The animal-like machine creatures are the heart of the game, as they always present you with new challenges and puzzles.

  • Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
  • Genre: Action role-playing game
  • Expansions: None
  • Game modes: Single player
  • Game world: Post-apocalyptic game world with many forests, snow-covered mountains and lush steppes

Fallout 4

After a nuclear catastrophe you wake up in Fallout 4 () comes out of cryo-sleep after 210 years. You explore an unreal, radioactively contaminated game world, collect resources and meet survivors. Thanks to the V.A.T.S. system, you can fight strategically or in classic shooter style. You can build your own bases or a cozy home out of wood, plastic and other scrap.

  • Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
  • Genre: Role-playing game
  • Expansions: Automatron, Wasteland Workshop, Far Harbor, Contraptions Workshop, Vault-Tec Workshop, Nuka-World
  • Game modes: Single player
  • Game world: Post-apocalyptic urban area and Boston environs

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Open-world games with a historical setting have become developer Ubisoft's specialty through the Assassin's Creed series. In Assassin's Creed Valhalla () you play as Eivor, a Viking or Vikingess. The game world is strongly oriented towards the real Great Britain and Norway of the 9th century AD, which results in a high immersion.

Of course, there are also numerous fictional characters and mythical figures from Nordic mythology mixed in with the historical events. Like its two predecessors - Origins and Odyssey - Valhalla once again relies on many role-playing mechanics and lets you learn new skills in a large skill tree over the course of the game, which you can then use to heat up your opponents.

  • Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Google Stadia
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Expansions: Wrath of the Druids, The Siege of Paris, and The Marks of Ragnarok
  • Game modes: Single player
  • Game world: Great Britain/Norway at the time of the Vikings

Halo Infinite

In Halo Infinite () you once again slip into the skin of the Master Chief and make the first open world of the Halo series unsafe: Halo-Ring Zeta. With the help of practical gadgets like the grappling hook or a shield wall and vehicles like the flying Banshee, you'll take over enemy bases. In addition, numerous collectibles such as audio logs or Bloodfather artifacts are waiting to be found by you.

If you prefer to take on other players, you can do so in Halo Infinite's extensive multiplayer mode. You can expect game modes like Oddball and Capture the Flag, as well as the new Big Team Battle mode.

  • Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
  • Genre: First-person shooter
  • Expansions: None
  • Game modes: Single player and multiplayer
  • Game world: Halo Ring Zeta

Kingdome Come: Deliverance

Kingdome Come: Deliverance () is a medieval simulation set in 15th century Bohemia. The intended historical fidelity ranges from living conditions, weapons & armor to lands and towns. During the Bohemian-Hungarian throne dispute, you play a simple blacksmith's son whose home falls victim to the consequences of the war. In addition to typical role-playing elements, the game features a complex clothing system and relies on realistic sword fights.

  • Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
  • Genre: medieval simulation
  • Expansions: From the Ashes, The Amorous Adventures of Bold Sir Hans Capon, Band of Bastards, A Woman's Lot
  • Game modes: Single player
  • Game world: Bohemia in the early 15th century

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