10 Best Semi Open World Games of 2025

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As a gamer, I’m always blown away when a truly massive open-world game comes out. It’s easy to see why these games are so popular, even though sometimes you hear people talking about getting tired of the same open-world stuff. Honestly, there’s just something really fun about getting lost in a huge world and finding all sorts of things to do, especially when the developers do something fresh and new with it.

It’s true that a game doesn’t need to be enormous to be great. Games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Like a Dragon have been praised for offering a lot to do within relatively smaller areas, leading people to call this style “semi-open world.” This can mean different things – perhaps several distinct areas that aren’t fully connected – but it’s resulted in some truly memorable games in recent years.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the best semi-open world games from 2025.

Hell is Us

This year, Hell is Us stands out for its challenging, non-guided gameplay and cleverly designed environments. Each area is built to fit the story, ranging from the relatively simple Senedra Forest, which includes a dungeon and tower, to the expansive Acasa Marshes with a town, tunnels, and hidden secrets. Some locations, like Lake Cynon, are entirely focused on a single, large dungeon that expands as you progress. Despite varying sizes, every area feels distinct and full of discoveries, including the dark realities of the ongoing civil war.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Capcom took a unique approach with the newest Monster Hunter game. While you still use fast travel to move between areas, you can now go straight from one hunt to the next without returning to base. Instead of fixed camps, you can now place temporary camps anywhere you like, making everything feel more fluid. It blends open-world ideas with the classic Monster Hunter experience. Updates after the game’s release have made it even better, adding harder quests and more loot, including random Talismans. The Master Rank content is what really sets it apart from previous games, but even now, exploring the Forbidden Lands is well worth your time.

Mafia: The Old Country

As a fan, I really appreciated that Hangar 13 set out to deliver a focused story with Mafia: The Old Country. They wanted a linear experience, but still gave you some freedom in how you tackled missions – basically, you could choose to be stealthy or go in guns blazing, and it worked great! I loved that I could explore the beautiful Sicilian countryside on horseback and browse the shops for items if I wanted to. Okay, the world isn’t huge with tons of things to do, but honestly, that’s fine with me. The game clearly prioritizes the story and characters, and for the price, I think it’s a fantastic experience.

Atomfall

In Atomfall, your character isn’t driven by typical quests. Instead, you follow leads, and the story unfolds based on where those leads take you. In a world ravaged by the Windscale disaster, you’ll uncover mysteries like the identity of the Voice behind the mutated creatures, the nature of Oberon (and why you’re meant to eliminate it), and the true goals of groups like Protocol. The constant search for answers is what makes the game so captivating, and even small discoveries can have huge consequences. However, you’re also free to ignore the mysteries and simply cause chaos – the choice, and its repercussions, are entirely up to you.

Sniper Elite: Resistance

The Sniper Elite series has consistently excelled at its core gameplay: carefully positioning yourself to eliminate targets from extreme distances, avoiding detection, and then escaping. Sniper Elite: Resistance continues this tradition with large, open-ended maps that offer plenty of objectives, different ways to approach each mission, and hidden collectibles. Players can also take on optional Kill List targets for extra rewards, or try the new Propaganda Mode where you play as a resistance fighter completing special challenges. Ultimately, Resistance refines the elements that already make the series enjoyable.

Clair Obscur: Expedition

We’ve already covered how good Clair Obscur: Expedition is, but let’s talk about its world design. It features a classic RPG-style world map where you’ll find all sorts of things – dangerous Chromatic Nevrons that can wipe out your team, and fun locations like Gestral Beaches with silly mini-games, including a challenging platforming section reminiscent of Only Up!. You can also explore a tower to learn about Lune’s family history or find new pathways back to the Manor. The game is packed with variety, and everything is genuinely enjoyable, especially because it lets you build your team into an incredibly powerful force.

The Outer Worlds 2

Unlike Starfield, which featured a vast number of randomly created planets with limited handcrafted areas, The Outer Worlds 2 concentrates on a smaller, carefully designed selection of locations. These locations connect seamlessly with the game’s branching storylines and choices, where a single mistake can damage relationships with companions and entire groups. While following the main story is a good idea, the game is packed with optional areas, side quests, and secret paths that encourage exploration. Of course, you can always choose to simply fight your way through everything, and The Outer Worlds 2 even offers Perks specifically for players who prefer a direct, action-oriented approach.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Retro Studios has once again found ways to evolve its classic Metroid Prime gameplay, though some changes might not appeal to longtime fans. Setting aside the new supporting characters (and it’s best not to dwell on Myles!), the world of Viewros is genuinely special – a sprawling location with large, complex areas, tricky puzzles, unique challenges, and epic boss battles. You’ll also spend time exploring the open desert on a vehicle, fighting enemies and collecting materials. While some were hesitant about this new approach, it’s a compelling blend of familiar Metroid elements and fresh ideas.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Despite being overlooked by many, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a surprisingly content-rich action RPG, and that’s especially clear in how its world is designed. The developers at Leenzee clearly drew inspiration from Dark Souls when connecting different areas, and while the game’s overall size isn’t massive, there’s plenty to find if you venture off the main path. You’ll discover optional bosses, side quests from interesting characters, and new weapons, among other things. Plus, if you’re curious, you can delve into the cursed history of the Land of Shu. While it doesn’t reinvent the Soulslike genre, Wuchang’s* world is genuinely engaging.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

In this game, Majima Goro wakes up with amnesia and decides to become a pirate, captaining his own ship and battling other pirates – even facing off against Raymond Law, portrayed by Samoa Joe! The game truly shines with its world design, featuring lots of islands to discover. When you need a break from naval combat and collecting Briefcases in Madlantis, you can visit Honolulu, which is directly imported from Infinite Wealth, complete with plenty of activities and quests.

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2025-12-31 22:42