The best open world games
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.
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Windows XP/98/952002protected4.4/5 ASCARON Entertainment
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Windows XP/98/952002protected4.3/5 Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is a critically acclaimed open-world action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. It was released in 2002 and is the third installment in the Elder Scrolls series. The game is set in the fantasy world of Tamriel, on the island of Vvardenfell in the province of Morrowind.The game offers a vast a...
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DOS19924.3/5 Origin Systems
Ultima VII: The Black Gate is a top-down RPG where you, the Avatar, have to find out what's happening in Britannia by solving quests, meeting interesting NPCs and fight hordes of headleass monsters. The land of Britannia is shaken by mysterious earthquakes, a new religion (the Fellowship) is spreading and is replacing the old virtues, and who is th...
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DOS1999protected4.3/5 New World Computing
Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor is a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) developed by New World Computing and released in 1999. It is the seventh installment in the long-running Might and Magic series. The game is set in the fictional world of Enroth and takes place in the same universe as the previous Might and Magic games. Might and Mag...
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Windows XP/98/95LinuxDOS1992protected4.3/5 Sir-tech Software
Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant is a first-person perspective party-based RPG developed and released by Sir-tech Software in 1992 for Windows, Linux and DOS. Wizardry 7 is the seventh chapter in the Wizardry series and it's part of the Dark Savant trilogy, set in a world where sci-fi themes (space travel, androids) are mixed with fantasy...
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DOS1996freeware4.3/5 Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall is an old school first-person 3D RPG developed by Bethesda Softworks and released in 1996 for DOS. Daggerfall is the second chapter in popular The Elder Scrolls series. The open world gameplay, the procedural generation of dungeons and the freedom of exploring and taking on the quests at your own pace are some of the...
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DOSWindows XP/98/9519954.3/5 Blue Byte Software
Albion is a role-playing video game that was released in 1996. Developed by Blue Byte Software and published by Blue Byte in Europe and by Ubisoft in North America, the game is notable for its unique combination of science fiction and fantasy elements.Albion features a first-person perspective for exploration and turn-based combat. Players navigate...
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Windows XP/98/95Linux2003freeware4.3/5
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Windows XP/98/951999protected4.2/5 Appeal
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DOS1990protected4.2/5 Origin Systems
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DOS1994freeware4.2/5 Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls: Arena is the first installment in the highly acclaimed Elder Scrolls series of fantasy ARPG (action role-playing games), developed and published by Bethesda Softworks. It was initially released in 1994. Arena is set in the continent of Tamriel, which later becomes the central location for all the Elder Scrolls games (Skyrim,...
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DOS19904.2/5 New World Computing
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Windows XP/98/951997protected4.2/5 Activision
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DOS19954.2/5 KOEI
Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons is an abandoned simulation game, sequel of Uncharted Waters, developed and released by KOEI in 1995. The Uncharted Waters series is set in the Age of Discovery and gives the player the freedom to set sail with their ship and go wherever you want exploring, fighting, trading, privateering, etc.
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DOSMac1994protected4.2/5 Origin Systems
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DOS1992protected4.2/5 Toys for Bob
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DOS19864.2/5 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...
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Windows XP/98/9520024.2/5 Sega
Crazy Taxi is an abandoned driving / racing game developed by Sega and released by Activision in 2002 for Windows and other platforms (it's an arcade conversion). Crazy Taxi is set in a city full of potential passengers: get them on your taxi and drive them to various destinations in time.
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DOS19894.2/5 Binary Systems
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DOS2001protected4.2/5 Troika Games
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Windows XP/98/9519994.2/5 DMA Design
Grand Theft Auto 2 is the second chapter in the successful Grand Theft Auto series. GTA 2 is an abandoned top-down action-adventure / driving hybrid game developed by DMA Design and released by Rockstar Games in 1999 for various platforms, including PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, and Game Boy Color. GTA2 is set in a fictional city called "Any...
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DOS19924.2/5 Syntetic Dimensions
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DOS19904.2/5 Origin Systems
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DOS19954.2/5 Catware, Inc.
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DOS19884.2/5 Origin Systems
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DOS19874.2/5
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DOS19904.1/5 KOEI
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Windows XP/98/951998protected4.1/5 Black Isle Studios
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Windows XP/98/952001protected4.1/5 Ion Storm
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DOS1996freeware4.1/5