4 Best Open World Games That Aren’t Made by Rockstar

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Open-world games have a long history, dating back to 1970, and the genre has evolved significantly since then. Many fantastic titles exist, like Morrowind, and Rockstar Games is a particularly well-known developer with popular franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, as well as games like L.A. Noire, Bully, and Max Payne. However, this isn’t about Rockstar’s games. Instead, we’ve focused on highlighting excellent campaign-based open-world titles from a variety of different developers, choosing one standout game from each of the best-selling franchises. That’s why you won’t find Minecraft on this list – it’s a different type of open-world experience.

1) Elden Ring

Released in 2022, Elden Ring quickly became a huge hit. Created with contributions from renowned author George R.R. Martin, the game boasts a richly detailed world. Players create their own character and embark on a quest to restore the Elden Ring and become the ruler of the Lands Between. Experienced from a third-person perspective, Elden Ring offers a beautiful and vast world to explore, filled with dangers, secret areas, and much more. Winning Game of the Year and selling over 30 million copies, it’s considered one of the greatest games of all time. The game has also been expanded with downloadable content like Elden Ring Nightreign, which introduces new bosses and characters to play as.

2) Fallout: New Vegas

The Fallout series is known for its incredible open-world role-playing games, and many fans consider Fallout: New Vegas to be the very best. Bethesda Softworks has contributed fantastic content to the franchise, with New Vegas consistently ranking as a top title. Set in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Las Vegas, 204 years after a nuclear war, the game puts you in the shoes of a courier who survives an assassination attempt. Driven by revenge, you become caught up in the complex conflicts of the region. Even more than 15 years after its release, New Vegas is still considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time, and players continue to enjoy it.

3) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher series has many great games, but The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is widely considered the best. It’s a beautifully detailed game with a deep, immersive world based on the novels. Players truly feel like they’re stepping into the boots of Geralt of Rivia, tracking down monsters and embarking on an epic story that greatly expands the Witcher universe. The game features a huge open world packed with danger, stunning scenery, and countless side quests that offer hours of gameplay. Wild Hunt has become a massive success, selling over 60 million copies. With a sequel, The Witcher IV, expected in 2027 or later, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy this incredible game before the next installment arrives.

4) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

It’s clear that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a landmark game for the series. It brought The Legend of Zelda to a new audience with its huge and beautiful open world. Now, Tears of the Kingdom builds on that success, taking everything to the next level. While set in the same world, Tears of the Kingdom is massively expanded, with new areas both above and below ground effectively tripling the game’s size. It also adds new ways to explore these spaces. Essentially, Tears of the Kingdom is an improved version of Breath of the Wild, and it’s a strong contender for one of the best games of all time.

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2025-12-23 17:46