Role-playing games and open-world games go well together. They work well together to create fun and interesting gameplay and stories that people will love and remember for a long time. Many games that involve pretending to be someone else are considered to be in this group, but there are also other kinds of games where players can freely explore a large world that have become just as well-known.
Because most of these games are not role-playing games, you might be surprised by a few of them. We can understand the story from their perspective because of the interesting main characters and bad guys who make us feel like we are in their shoes. However, open-world games that are not role-playing games have a different approach. They allow you to explore a big world and interact with a story that has complex characters.
Subnautica
A really one-of-a-kind adventure awaits you as you go through Subnautica’s vast and gorgeous underwater world. You assume the role of a lone survivor on an underwater world alien have colonized. Subnautica is not a scary game, but the stress of trying to stay alive is constant.
If survival isn’t your thing, however, Subnautica also has four other game types. You may play this game any way you choose, with options ranging from traditional survival to a creative mode. In Minecraft, you’ll be able to create your own weapons and bases while interacting with the world’s inhabitants.
Batman: Arkham City
Perhaps the best Batman video game series is the Batman: Arkham series. There were some typical action-adventure aspects, but the second film in the series mostly concentrated on Batman’s stealth and investigative ability. Some of the best reviews ever written about an Arkham game were written for this one.
Arkham City’s substantial content is bolstered by both the main story and optional side quests. Arkham City, like its predecessors, presents a more sinister side of Batman’s exploits. This gives gamers a real feel for the perilous nature of Batman’s nights out. Horrible, murderous bad guys and everything.
Ghost Of Tsushima
When it comes to action-adventure games, Ghost of Tsushima stands head and shoulders above the competition because of its innovative combat system and impressive open environment. With 25-61 hours of playtime, there’s never a boring moment in this game.
Ghost of Tsushima’s hard difficulty demands a lot of time and practice to master. To defeat even the most formidable foes, you must master the art of parrying and evading. This samurai game is aesthetically pleasing and refined, making it a pleasure to play at the end of a hard day.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Kojima’s last effort at Konami, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, is a legendary stealth game. As Punished “Venom” Snake, you traverse the open world in search of vengeance against those who assaulted his soldiers and almost eliminated him.
Snake’s storied saga concluded in Metal Gear Solid V. And, of course, such a legendary hero deserved a fitting farewell. The game’s narrative and its ability to keep players engaged until the very end were both significant achievements. The narrative style is unique in that it allows you to piece the plot together as you go along. Here, even the most seemingly little detail may have a major impact on the outcome.
Shadow Of The Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus, while being almost a decade old, is still widely regarded as one of the most stunning video games of all time. The general style and color palette do a great job of depicting a desolate planet.
The protagonist, Wander, is a young man on a mission to rescue the sacrificed girl, Mono, by tracking down and killing sixteen colossi. The effective marketing for Shadow of the Colossus ensured that the game will be remembered. The PS4 remaster naturally attracted a new audience.
Minecraft
Simply said, anybody, can have a blast playing the game Minecraft. It challenges you to create tools and one-of-a-kind structures from scratch, making you feel proud of your accomplishments. Without a doubt, an amazing open-world adventure would also be one of the most popular video games of all time.
Strangely, Minecraft lacks both a narrative and a sense of direction and gives players complete creative freedom over the structures they choose to construct. Throughout the years, this sandbox has grown in a variety of ways. Players now have the chance to create entire masterpieces with brand-new materials and equipment, having progressed beyond just building blocky dwellings out of wood.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Breath of the Wild’s launch on the Nintendo Switch was a watershed moment for the gaming industry. Those who have been waiting for a fresh adventure with their beloved masked hero, Link, finally got their chance.
To say that Breath of the Wild is an adventure game is an understatement. The game immediately gives you your destination and lets you find out how to complete the enormous journey on your own. With the game’s large open environment, players may feel both overwhelmed and energized by its potential infinity.
Marvel’s Spider-Man
With the first release of Marvel’s Spider-Man, Insomniac Games scored a home run. It was a very original and imaginative take on the Spider-Man video game genre. There is a tonne of Spider-Man video games, but this one really sticks out.
The city of New York, and the globe beyond it, is full of life and meaningful tales, and they are all within Peter Parker’s reach. With the same open-world gameplay as previous Spider-Man games and a wide selection of stylish costumes, this game does justice to Sony’s fan-favorite superhero. In other words, he’s the Spider-Man everyone can trust.
Grand Theft Auto V
If the most famous game in the Grand Theft Auto series didn’t exist, the franchise wouldn’t be the same. Fans of the franchise continue to play Grand Theft Auto V to this day, immersing themselves in the expansive and free-roaming world of Los Santos. There’s no telling when the next game in the series will be released. Fortunately, Grand Theft Auto V, despite being almost a decade old, still looks and plays wonderfully.
This game has a complex narrative and great character growth, much like any other classic GTA. And when you’re not immersed in the tale, you may go out and see the sights that make Los Santos so special. Last thought: Grand Theft Auto V has a tonne of stuff to do.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is essentially the pinnacle accomplishment of Rockstar. It was unlike anything seen in cowboy-themed video games previously to its release, despite the fact that their previous games are notable.
Red Dead Redemption is an enduring classic, but its sequel rapidly dethroned it. Arthur is a wonderful protagonist in an action-adventure story. His narrative is well-written and engaging. Red Dead Redemption 2 is well worth your time if you take the time to converse with various characters and receive a look into the life of the Wild West.
Batman: Arkham Knight
Another uncommon case of a licensed material that transitioned very successfully into video game form was the Batman: Arkham series. The landscapes in these games aren’t nearly as big or open-ended as those in other games of the same kind. Batman: Arkham Knight brought leading the Dark Knight through evil side tales and stunning neo-gothic architecture to a whole new level. Long-time fans of the hero will enjoy the novel’s innovative narrative concepts. Newbies will still find the game’s tight gameplay loop and superb hand-to-hand fighting to be captivating.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Guerrilla Games’ new series, released simultaneously with Breath of the Wild, offers a vastly different but no less engaging adventure. Aloy, a young lady in a weird universe populated by artificial animals, is the protagonist you control. Horizon Zero Dawn, a visually spectacular and adrenaline-pumping adventure game, introduced a brave new perspective on the open world genre. Now is the perfect moment to dive into Aloy’s universe, since production on the sequel has progressed significantly.
Red Dead Redemption
The first Red Dead Redemption, which came out more than a decade ago, was a significant departure from the series norm. The vast western open world was ahead of its time, with plenty of unexpected happenings and hidden information. Red Dead Redemption, predominantly experienced as a third-person shooter, had a significant impact on the ongoing movement toward more open-ended game design. The trip taken by fan-favorite John Marston has become one of the most iconic freeform adventures of the 21st century.
L.A. Noire
L.A. Noire was a divisive game that many loved and others hated. The story of Officer Cole Phelps’ ascent through the ranks of a midcentury Los Angeles Police Department lets players investigate brutal crimes and question suspects. Has been praised for its narrative and aesthetics while being mocked for some of its more confusing gaming elements. if the setting is only window decoration, the excellent story, and swingin’ jazz score make this game well worth playing.
Watch Dogs Legion
You have total power over the technological puppets that populate Watch Dogs Legion’s environment, and boy, can you make them dance. Recruiting additional members for your clandestine hacking organization. DedSec is just as crucial as it is in real life since more members mean more influence for your group. You may play as any local Londoner, enlist friends, and combat the criminals that make life so unpleasant in the British metropolis.
Just Cause 4
The open-world sandbox mechanics in the Just Cause series are what makes the games so popular. Just Cause 4 takes use of newer technologies to further motivate players to blow up enemy strongholds in unique ways. Even if some of the game’s organized objectives fall short of the standards established by its free-roaming activities. The newest installment in the series equips players with a plethora of damaging tools. A utility belt stocked with unique grappling cords and booster rockets.
Sleeping Dogs
When I find myself regretting the dearth of significant entrants into the martial arts video game subgenre, I know I can take solace in the fact that Sleeping Dogs is still available to play.
As compared to other open-world games, Sleeping Dog’s action stands out as especially noteworthy. It has unbelievable fistfights and furious gunfights, and the plot is surprisingly good. All of the game’s elements pay homage to their respective sources with care and precision. Although not the largest open-world game, it may have the heart of any open-world game.
Borderlands 2
Perhaps unexpectedly, looter shooters may be difficult to get properly, but Borderlands 2 nailed it. The game’s vast, cel-shaded environment is brimming with desirable items. The rooms are all interconnected, and around every corner comes either a new quest, a new monster, or something completely unexpected, like a talking shotgun. It’s exciting to find new stuff, but the game’s interesting characters are what really make it come to life. When the repetitive nature of killing bad men for pleasure and profit becomes tiresome, players may easily form alliances to take on more difficult missions and reap greater rewards.
Borderlands 2 not only delivered one of the funniest video game screenplays ever written, but it also set the bar for subsequent looter shooters.
Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins is a prequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City that contains a larger version of Gotham City and a brand-new plot that takes place years before the events of both games.
Several pivotal characters will make their first appearances in this game, which takes place before the emergence of Gotham City’s most notorious crooks, villains, and assassins.
Batman’s early career as a crime fighter is highlighted in the game as he encounters a pivotal occasion that would determine his eventual road to becoming the Dark Knight. See how characters come into their own and how pivotal bonds are established as the tale progresses.
Final Verdict
These are the best open-world games that are not role-playing games. This list will be changed and added to when more games are released that fit the requirements. In the meantime, also check out our guide: Enter the Tactical Arena: A New Era of Turn-Based Strategy Games in 2023
