The most popular 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.
Most popular open world applications
Open world applications
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Windows XP/98/9519974.2/5 MicroProse SoftwareMagic: The Gathering (sometimes also referred as Shandalar) is an abandoned strategy game based on the popular collectible card game Magic: The Gathering, developed and released by MicroProse Software for Windows in 1997. MTG is set on the fictional plane of Shandalar. You can play a single-player campaign or simply play duels against computer oppo...
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DOSWindows XP/98/9519974.1/5 DMA DesignIn Grand Theft Auto the player takes the role of a criminal who can freely roam around the city (Liberty City) completing tasks for the local mobs: stealing cars, killing pedestrians, all of it while avoiding the police and the army. The freedom of gameplay and the "I'm the bad guy" appeal of the game made the Grand Theft Auto series very popular.
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Windows XP/98/9520024.2/5 SegaCrazy 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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DOS1996freeware4.3/5 Bethesda SoftworksThe 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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Windows XP/98/9519994.2/5 DMA DesignGrand 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 Windows. In GTA 2 you are a wannabe criminal roaming the streets of a fictional city, stealing and driving vehicles while escapin...
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DOSWindows XP/98/9519954.3/5 Blue Byte SoftwareAlbion 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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DOS19924.3/5 Origin SystemsUltima 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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DOS1994freeware4.2/5 Bethesda SoftworksThe 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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Windows XP/98/952002protected4.5/5 Bethesda SoftworksThe 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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DOS1985freeware4.1/5 Origin SystemsUltima 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".
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DOS19884.1/5 subLOGIC -
Windows XP/98/9519974.2/5 LucasArts -
DOS19874.1/5 Origin SystemsThis 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.
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DOSWindows XP/98/951997protected4.1/5 Interplay Productions -
Windows XP/98/951999protected4/5 Origin Systems -
DOS2001protected4.2/5 Troika Games -
Windows XP/98/951999protected4.3/5 Appeal -
DOS19954.2/5 KOEIUncharted 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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Windows 3.xMac19964.1/5 LucasArts -
DOS19834/5 Origin SystemsThe 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.
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DOS19884.2/5 Origin Systems -
DOS1990protected4.2/5 Origin Systems -
Windows XP/98/951997protected4.2/5 Activision -
Windows XP/98/95LinuxDOS1992protected4.3/5 Sir-tech SoftwareWizardry 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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DOS19864.2/5 Binary SystemsStarflight 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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DOS19854.1/5 Origin Systems -
DOS19934.1/5 Origin SystemsAfter the well received Ultima 7 The Black Gate, Origin decided that their Ultima engine could be used for one more game. Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle begins right after The Black Gate ends. This time the Avatar travels to a whole new land, far away from the usual Britannia. Serpent Isle brings its own charm to the series; exploring new lands...
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DOSWindows 3.xMac1993protectedremake4/5 MicroProse SoftwarePirates! Gold is an open world game designed by Paul Murphy, developed and released by MicroProse Software in 1993 for DOS, Windows 3.x, Mac and also Sega Genesis and Amiga CD32. Pirates! Gold is a remake of the game Pirates, created by Sid Meier in 1987. Pirates! Gold gameplay is a unique mix of action, strategy, pirate life simulation, ...
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DOS1999protected4.3/5 New World ComputingMight 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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DOS19933.9/5 Stone Interactive Media