As someone who’s spent countless hours exploring digital landscapes, I can confidently say that these games offer some of the most immersive and engaging open world experiences out there. From the tranquil beauty of Lightyear Frontier to the dynamic combat of Dragon’s Dogma 2, each game offers a unique slice of virtual reality that caters to different tastes.
The concept of an expansive video game universe requiring substantial time commitment from the player can be intimidating, given the multitude of games vying for your focus. Yet, the lure of such an offering is hard to resist. This year, numerous games have provided just that – immersive experiences ranging from open-world adventures to those with unique structures yet boasting vast realms for players to traverse. Here, we’ll discuss some exceptional games that left a lasting impression on us.
FINAL FANTASY 7 REBIRTH
In a stunning transformation, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has embraced an expansive open-world format, leaving no stone unturned. This grand journey takes you across a myriad of destinations scattered across the planet, which translates into numerous vast open world maps to discover, each one unique from the others in terms of biomes, layout, and more. An array of optional activities, side quests, distinct traversal methods for each zone, and other elements ensure that every area maintains its individuality, culminating in a game that is not only massive but also incredibly impressive, standing out as one of the most remarkable titles of 2024.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL
As S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl prepares for its launch, GSC Game World made a big promise – one of the largest open worlds ever created. And they’ve certainly delivered! This game’s Exclusion Zone spans over 60 square kilometers, making it an incredibly expansive playground teeming with sights to behold. The map is divided into more than 20 unique areas, offering a blend of new locations and nostalgic favorites from previous games (many of which have been expanded or revamped). To say it’s massive is an understatement.
DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD
In contrast to the struggles BioWare faced in delivering an engaging open-world experience with Dragon Age: Inquisition and Mass Effect: Andromeda, the developer opted for a semi-linear mission-based structure with Dragon Age: The Veilguard this year. However, size doesn’t define this game; although the story missions follow a linear path, there are numerous opportunities to explore expansive semi-open world maps filled with optional content and hidden treasures between those missions. In essence, while The Veilguard may not be an open-world game, it offers the most expansive version of Thedas experienced in any game to date.
ONCE HUMAN
In contrast to the games we’ve previously discussed, the open-world design in the post-apocalyptic survival game “Once Human” stands out mainly because it is primarily focused on multiplayer experiences. Despite this unique focus, it is one of the largest games released this year, with a map that spans 16 kilometers by 16 kilometers. This vast area is divided into four distinct zones, each offering a unique biome, ensuring a blend of size and diversity that is hard to match in gaming worlds.
ELDEN RING: SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE
In its 2022 release, Elden Ring unveiled a breathtakingly expansive world that left players in awe. While the new Shadow of the Erdtree expansion didn’t match the original’s size, it was still significantly larger than many anticipated from an expansion. Completely delving into the depths and discovering all the Land of Shadow has to offer will require a considerable amount of time due to its vastness. However, the exceptional level design that permeates throughout guarantees a thrilling adventure as you delve into every hidden corner.
LIKE A DRAGON: INFINITE WEALTH
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but be captivated by the endless enjoyment that Like a Dragon games consistently provide. While they may not boast the largest game worlds out there, they certainly make up for it with their depth. This trait is evident in Infinite Wealth, the latest addition to the series, which invites players on an adventure to the beautiful island of Hawaii. The map size is undeniably generous (definitely bigger than any we’ve seen from the series before), but it doesn’t quite match up to some of the colossal open worlds we’ve explored so far. Nevertheless, the game does a stellar job of enticing you to delve into every nook and cranny, not just because of the idyllic atmosphere, but also due to the wealth of engaging content it offers (most of which is an absolute blast).
STAR WARS OUTLAWS
Despite its flaws, Star Wars Outlaws is often praised for having one of Ubisoft’s finest open worlds in recent years. Unlike many open-world games we’ve seen lately, it steers clear of the problem of excessive size by keeping its maps manageable and exploration feel natural. This results in a captivating open world adventure that maximizes its expansive setting effectively.
BLACK MYTH: WUKONG
In contrast to many other games on this list, this one effectively conveys a feeling of vastness despite being a level-based game without an open world. Although it’s not as expansive as most, it combines linear stages with larger, more flexible areas, thereby creating a substantial game environment. With more than 50 hours of gameplay (depending on how deeply you delve into the additional content), it’s evident that there’s a wealth of places to discover within this game.
SONS OF THE FOREST
Following a year in pre-release, Endnight Games’ eagerly awaited open world survival title, “Sons of the Forest”, officially launched this February, and it didn’t take long for players to become enamored with it, which was hardly unexpected given its successful early access phase. The game offers plenty to appreciate, and a major selling point is its expansive, terrifying world. Remarkably, this map surpasses the one in its predecessor both in size and detail, and the thrill of exploration never wanes. The game manages to make exploration consistently exciting while maintaining an atmosphere that is both frightening and rewarding.
SATISFACTORY
Following a span of about five and a half years in early access, “Satisfactory” was officially released in full this September. While a large map might not be commonplace in factory management simulation games, “Satisfactory” manages to provide it effectively, and moreover, utilizes the feature skillfully. The exploration of its expansive and perilous world consistently ranks among the game’s most enjoyable aspects, significantly enhancing its captivating core gameplay loop.
DRAGON’S DOGMA 2
In simpler terms, “Dragon’s Dogma 2” offers an extraordinary gaming experience unlike any other, characterized by its emergent open world. The game’s distinctive feature lies in its hands-off approach and systems-driven sandbox design, but the expansiveness of its world significantly contributes to its popularity. Roaming through the colossal fantasy universe of “Dragon’s Dogma 2” is consistently thrilling, whether you’re traversing the verdant landscapes of Vermund or the challenging desert terrains of Battahl. While a greater variety of environments would have been welcome, there’s still plenty to discover, and engaging combat sequences keep things exciting throughout your journey.
DRAGON QUEST 3 HD-2D REMAKE
As a devoted fan, I must say that diving into Dragon Quest 2 HD-2D Remake feels like stepping back in time to the golden age of RPGs. With its captivating overworld exploration, town-hopping journey, intriguing dungeon crawls, and more, it’s a delightful throwback experience that sets it apart from most other games today. Despite being an updated version of an older game, it offers a rich and expansive adventure – one that promises to satisfy even the most daring adventurers among us. Its world may not be colossal in size, but it certainly feels vast, and every exploration is rewarding.
RISE OF THE RONIN
Indeed, among some less polished games we’ve discussed, Rise of the Ronin undeniably holds its ground. This is Team Ninja’s debut in the open-world genre, although it faced criticism for its repetitive design and generic open-world elements. Yet, it’s not without merit.
LIGHTYEAR FRONTIER
Ever since its early access debut in March, “Lightyear Frontier” has been highly lauded by many who’ve experienced it. The serene open-world map has caught the attention of numerous players. In this game, peaceful exploration and relaxed traversal are key aspects, making “Lightyear Frontier” an ideal match for the delightful, scenic locales you often encounter during your journey through its world.
MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024
2024’s Microsoft Flight Simulator carries on the tradition set by its 2020 version by offering a detailed, expansive open-world map that surpasses expectations. Just like in 2020, exploration is a significant aspect of the game, and there’s no scarcity of sights to behold or activities to engage in. The world has been meticulously crafted with an increased level of detail and authenticity, making Flight Simulator 2024 an immersive experience for armchair travelers everywhere.
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2024-12-26 22:11