Open world games
A game structure without separate levels, explored seamlessly, where the player chooses the order.
What is the open world genre?
Open world is really a design decision rather than a genre: Instead of leading you through corridors, the game drops you into a wide, continuous space and lets you decide where to go and when. That is why you see the open world label on very different games, from shooters and role-playing games to racing and survival.
The real challenge is not size but density. A large map only works if there are things worth discovering in it; otherwise the trip between two points turns into repetition. The best open-world games of recent years therefore prioritize the player's ability to create their own stories over the size of the map.
What defines it?
The order of quests and regions is largely left to the player.
Moving between regions tries not to be broken up by loading screens.
Straying from the path is not punished; quite the opposite, it is rewarded.
Quests and activities outside the main story build the texture of the world.
Landmark games
Well-known examples often used to explain the genre. For the list on our site, see the games section below.
At a glance
Open world games (61)
Windrose TR
State of Decay 3 TR
Fable TR
StarRupture TR
HumanitZ TR
Sword of Justice TR
Samson TR
My Summer Car TR
My Winter Car TR
Sons Of The Forest TR
The Forest TR
Rust Mobile TR
Where Winds Meet Mobile TR
Witchspire TR
Brightfall TR
Red Dead Redemption Mobile TR
Satisfactory TR
Winter Survival TR
Pax Dei TR
Outward 2 TR
Outward TR
Red Dead Redemption 2 TR
Light No Fire TR
Neverness to Everness TR
Frequently asked questions
Is open world the same as sandbox?
No, although they are often confused. Open world is about being able to roam the map freely. Sandbox is about the player being able to change the world, to build and tear down. A game can be both, or just one of them.
Why are open-world games so long?
Because layers of exploration, side quests and collectibles are added next to the main story. In most of them you can finish much sooner by following the main story.