Open world games sorted by release date
An open-world video game is a genre of video game where the player is given a large, expansive virtual world (or universe) to explore and interact with. In contrast to linear games that follow a predetermined path or level-based progression, open-world games typically offer freedom and non-linearity, allowing players to roam and engage with the game world at their own pace.
Open-world games often feature vast landscapes or cities that can be freely traversed, and they often include a variety of activities, missions, or quests for players to undertake. These games commonly provide a range of gameplay options, such as exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, character development, and interacting with non-player characters (NPCs).
Popular examples of open-world games include The Elder Scrolls series (e.g., Morrowind), the Grand Theft Auto series, Ultima 7, Darklands, and Star Control 2, among many others.
Most popular open world games
action-adventureWindows XP/98/95
action-adventureDOS, Windows XP/98/95
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Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress
DOS19834/5 Origin Systems
The second chapter of the Ultima saga is much similar to the first one (same top down visual, same dungeon 3d visual, same gameplay), although there are many small improvements. The series begins to take the shape of the detailed, deep, rpg saga that gamers will always remember.
Lords of Midnight
DOS1984remake3.8/5 Beyond Software
Autoduel
DOS19853.8/5 Origin Systems
Autoduel is an abandoned top-down open world post apocalyptic RPG/driving game hybrid designed by Chuck Bueche and Richard Garriott of Ultima fame. Autoduel was developed by Origin Systems and was released in 1985 for DOS, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, C64, Apple II, Macintosh, Amiga. Autoduel is based on a board game designed by Steve Jackson himself.
Doomdark's Revenge
DOS19853.9/5 Beyond Software
Doomdark's Revenge is a strategy and role-playing video game developed by Mike Singleton and originally released in 1985 for DOS and various home computer systems, including the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Commodore 64. It is the sequel to the earlier game Lords of Midnight and is known for its unique combination of strategy, adventure, and story...
Ultima 3: Exodus
DOSMac19854.2/5 Origin Systems
Ultima III: Exodus is a role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and published by Origin Systems. It was released in 1983 for the Apple II and later ported to various other platforms such as the Commodore 64, MS-DOS, and NES.The game is set in the fantasy world of Sosaria, where the player controls a party of adventurers on a quest to ...
Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar
DOS1985freeware4.1/5 Origin Systems
Ultima IV is remembered as one of the best Ultima games ever released, designed as usual by Richard Garriott. Garriott took the Ultima series to a whole new level by introducing the eight virtues: honesty, compassion, valor, justice, sacrifice, honor, spirituality, humility. Ultima IV started the trilogy known as "Age of Enlightenment".
Psi 5 Trading Company
DOS1986protected4.1/5 Distinctive Software
Starflight
DOS19864.1/5 Binary Systems
Starflight is a classic space exploration and role-playing video game released in 1986 by Binary Systems and published by Electronic Arts. It is known for its innovative gameplay, as well as its open-ended approach to space exploration and storytelling.The game is set in a massive, procedurally generated universe with thousands of star systems to e...
Arctic Fox
DOS19873.9/5 Dynamix
Elite
DOS1987freeware4.1/5 Firebird
Sid Meier's Pirates!
DOS1987protected4.1/5 MicroProse Software
Starlord
DOS19873.6/5
Tau Ceti
DOS19874.1/5
The Faery Tale Adventure: Book I
DOS19873.8/5 MicroIllusions
Ultima 1: The First Age of Darkness
DOS19874/5 Origin Systems
This is the first of the very popular RPG saga Ultima. The setting is the land of Sosaria, the enemy to defeat is Mondain. It's a classic cRPG. The wilderness and cities are represented from a top down perspective, while dungeons can be explored in a first person 3d view.
Captain Blood
DOSMac19883.8/5 ERE Informatique
Captain Blood is a space exploration video game released in 1988. It was developed by the French company ERE Informatique, and it was designed by Philippe Ulrich and Didier Bouchon.The game is set in a futuristic universe, where players take on the role of Captain Blood, a human abducted by an alien race known as the Thiiny. The gameplay revolves a...
Galdregon's Domain
DOS19883.8/5 Pandora
Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny
DOS19884.2/5 Origin Systems
Wasteland
DOS1988protected3.9/5 Interplay Productions
Demon's Winter
DOS1989protected3.8/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Don't Go Alone
DOS19893.9/5 Sterling Silver Software
Dungeons of Kairn
DOS19893.6/5
Knights of Legend
DOS19894.1/5 Origin Systems
Legacy of the Ancients
DOS19893.7/5 Quest Software
Miami Vice
DOS19893.4/5 Capstone
Space Rogue
DOS19894/5 Origin Systems
Space Rogue is a science fiction RPG developed by Richard Garriott's Origin and desined by Paul Neurath. Space Rogue combines a 3D space simulation with a top down view RPG gameplay. As a space pilot you can hunt bounties, buy and sell goods, land on starbases or outposts and talk to NPCs, do quests, etc.
Starflight 2: Trade routes of the Cloud Nebula
DOS19894.2/5 Binary Systems
Tangled Tales
DOS19893.5/5 Origin Systems
The Magic Candle
DOS19894/5 Mindcraft Software
The Magic Candle: Volume 1 is the first chapter of a series of fantasy old school RPGs. The Magic Candle was developed and released by Mindcraft Software in 1989 for DOS but was also published for Apple II and Commodore 64. The whole Magic Candle series is very similar to some of the early Ultima games in every aspect: turn-based combat, top-down v...
Times of Lore
DOS19894.1/5 Origin Systems
Times of Lore is an abandoned action RPG designed by Chris Roberts, developed and released by Origin Systems in 1989 for DOS and many more 8 bit and 16 bit platforms. Compared to Ultima (the much more popular franchise also by Origin) Times of Lore is a washed down RPG, more similar to a NES game. In fact, Roberts was inspired by The Legend of Zelda.