Summary
Thejoy ofopen-world gamescomes from the variety of different gameplay experiences, usually involving exploration and travel in the vast setting of the central story. But beyond the central story, there is frequently a plethora of further work to be done, whether that means finding extra items, completing vast side-quests, or trying different game modes that highlight new dimensions of the narrative.
A key distinction should be made between the different kinds of open-world games that are described as ‘never-ending’. Some games offer infinite progression through updates that leave players with more to do every time they play, while others offer the opportunity for deeper exploration and enjoyment once the main story has been completed. All the games on this list give the player the chance for hundreds of hours of gameplay, and many have great replay value too, because at their core, they never seem to end.
InStardew Valley, players take over a farm in a rural community, where activities and goals shift with the seasons and there’s always something to do to improve the place. The most prominent mechanics include fishing, mining, foraging,farming, and forming relationships with the many inhabitants of the local area, including Pelican Town.
Stardew Valleyis a truly addictive game, one that’s easy to gain emotional investment in. A single save can provide years of entertainment with the possibility of gaining ancestral approval, winning competitions, raising animals, and starting a family.
Ina post-apocalyptic future, an event known as the Death Stranding means bizarre monsters from the afterlife are roaming the planet. Players are tasked with connecting the isolated survivors of the devastated Earth and solving the mystery of the Death Stranding.
Even after completing the main story,Death Strandingoffers lots for players to continue working on. They can continue to develop infrastructure, alongside community improvement or decay, which affects the state of the world. There are also lots of delivery missions to work on, and the huge open world offers lots of opportunities for exploration in the stunning, naturalistic environment. What’s more, the Director’s Cut edition of the game offers new opportunities and mechanics that enhance the story even further.
This Norse history-inspired iteration of theAssassin’s Creedsaga follows a Viking foray into Britain. Players take on an ambassador role in their new community, trying to make alliances within their new country while the classic Templar plot takes a back seat (but does ultimately tie into the story).
While some players have found the story ofAssassin’s Creed Valhallato be lacking,the map remains one of the most stunning and enjoyable for traveling around, with the ability to find interpretations of historical real-world locations. Post-campaign activities include searching for rare weapons, conducting river raids, hunting down hidden Templar members, and using the free DLC to expand the experience.
Here players are tasked withrebuilding civilization in a post-apocalyptic West Virginia after nuclear war has ravaged the Earth.Fallout 76is a story that focuses on multiplayer gameplay, but also allows for plenty of tasks that can be completed individually too. One standout feature is the impressive open-world version of Appalachia, now a vast wasteland, and the largest world ever created in theFalloutuniverse.
While it reviewed poorly at first,Fallout 76has consistently improved with regular updates that deliver what players really wanted. When the main quest is finished, there are dozens of side quests, and a lot of free DLC quests to take on, and players can continue to build up their base as well.
Elden Ringtakes players on a journey across the Lands Between— a place littered with mysteries and rich history — with hopes of becoming an Elden Lord, an identity which is shaped by player decisions and can determine the ending of the story. Players are tasked with collecting pieces of the Elden Ring along the way in hopes of restoring order to the land.
Players loveElden Ringfor its vast, interconnected, and stunning open world, which takes hundreds of hours to explore in depth. While the main story focus is shorter, completing every task and exploring every avenue can take a long time. The world can be explored in single-player mode or co-op, meaning the adventure can be even more fun with some friends joining in.
InBreath of the Wild, Link awakens after a hundred years to find Hyrule in ruins after a treacherous event known as The Great Calamity. Link is told by a voice that he is the chosen hero who must defeat the source of the devastation in Hyrule.
After completing the main story,players can continue to delve into the expansive kingdom of Hyrule, complete shrines, and find Korok seeds, in what fans consider one of the best, most dynamic open-world experiences available today. The world itself is ideal for exploring, with inspiring scenes that drive curiosity and dynamic movement options that mean almost everything is interactive.Breath of the Wildis the kind of game where simply traveling through Hyrule feels like time well spent.
Tears of the Kingdomis the sequel toBreath of the Wild, and manages to take what that game does well and build upon it further. Hyrule Castle is raised to the sky after Link and Zelda make a shocking discovery in the secret passages below it.
Gameplay varies between solving puzzles, rebuilding the kingdom, and fighting a resurgent enemy. After the main story is finished, players still have more to find in this expansive open world, including shrines, collectible items, and side queststhat are waiting to be completed.
This procedurally generated universe is literally never-ending. InNo Man’s Sky, players can explore to their heart’s content, witheach planet offering new resources and itemsthat are perfect for building bases or fueling a spaceship to travel further.
The joy of this game is that its universe is essentially too big to explore in its entirety, and because each planet offers a unique atmosphere, players will never run out of things to experience.No Man’s Skyhas received regular updates since its release that have continued to prolong gameplay by encouraging new adventures and loading new equipment into the game. Even seasoned players have reason to keep coming back for more.
