Video games offer an outlet, a place devoid of the stresses of daily life, where you can delve into the stories they have to tell. But none does this better than the open-world genre, where the possibilities are endless, and the scope is unimaginable. Whether you're a fantasy geek keen to become a dragonslayer in Dragon Age or a sci-fi lover wanting to explore the galaxy, you certainly won't get bored so easily.
From Valheim to the post-apocalyptic Dying Light 2, there are a vast array of open-world games available on Steam that bring no end to exciting adventures and captivating storylines. And with special promotions and weekend deals circulating frequently, there's always a golden opportunity to snatch one of these games at half the price.
Updated on February 06, 2023, by Sanyam Jain: Steam has stayed the HUB for open-world games since new games are being released on the platform regularly. Apart from new games being added constantly, there are a few evergreen games that will never lose their popularity.
25 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Skyrim has long-established itself as a fantasy juggernaut, with a lifelong legacy that is unmatched. Playing as The Dragonborn traversing the rough, yet beautiful, world of Skyrim, you are faced with fulfilling a god-like destiny. From preventing a bloodthirsty Vampire Lord from blotting out the sun to tackling the hardest quests in the land, The Dragonborn never rests.
Having received numerous awards including the 'PC Game of the Year' award, Skyrim continues to be a fan favorite over a decade after its launch. With its in-depth lore and unparalleled storytelling, Skyrim is an open-world game that you'll never get tired of.
24 Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world game set in the futuristic dystopian world of Night City, where violence is part and parcel of everyday life. You play as a gun-toting mercenary named V, who tries to make a name for himself/herself, only to fight for survival after a mission gone wrong. Aside from the main quest, there are various other activities V can look into. Night City is a Blade Runner-esque metropolis that offers tons of side quests to boost your street cred and earn some eddies.
Despite initial complaints of bugs and unfinished storylines, the game has gone through numerous fixes, with modders even pitching in. All in all, Cyberpunk 2077 is definitely an open-world game you should look into if you're into futuristic, high-tech worlds.
23 Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin's Creed has been one of the most famous franchises for open-world RPG games, and Odyssey is one of the best games in it with Overwhelmingly Positive reviews on Steam. The game is set in a medieval environment where you play as one of the Spartans fighting against Athens.
While the game has progression based on the story, you also have a giant world to explore with many side quests. These quests are completely optional, but they reveal many secrets about the world and the people in it. The game revolves around combat, and you'll find enemies all around the world, waiting for a single chance to defeat you.
22 Risen
Talking about games set in the medieval era, Risen is a fantastic game where you play as a random character who washed ashore on a strange island after their ship crashed. There is a deadly storm engulfing the world outside, but it goes around this island and never touches it. The game perfectly blends the open-world and decision-making genres.
The entire world is open for you to explore as soon as you start controlling the character, but the enemies in some places might be too powerful for you. As you choose a side and progress in the game, you'll get many armors and weapons that will make you stronger. The game even lets you use magic and control fire or ice.
21 Ark: Survival Evolved
Going from a game with futuristic details to one that is based on the dinosaur era. Ark: Survival Evolved leaves the players stranded on a mysterious island where they need to survive on their own. As you explore the world, you'll find many dinosaurs that can be tamed using a detailed procedure.
Roam around on your dragon's back, or attack other dragons and players to your heart's content. In Ark, you'll share the world with multiple players opening doors for role-playing and PvP as well. If you've ever dreamed of having a dinosaur as a pet, this game is perfect for you.
20 Rust
There's no talking about open-world PvP games without the mention of Rust. In this unique world, you spawn with nothing but a rock and a torch in hand. You have to find different items and craft your own weapon while working on building your base of operations. Once you have good gear, you can also go out and steal from other players.
The game has a perfect amalgamation of PvP and PvE since you can attack real players or raid different sites and fight Scientists to get good loot. You can also raid another player's base, or defend your own using different traps and airlocks.
19 Subnautica
Subnautica is an open-world game that takes things to a whole new level. Set in a future where mankind has the technology to colonize other planets, you play as Ryley Robinson. Stuck on a beautiful - but treacherous - ocean planet, Ryley must find a cure for the disease ravaging the planet, all while trying to find a way home. In a survival game that takes place in the deepest depths of an uncharted sea, Ryley is confronted with new and terrifying creatures.
From aggressive leviathans to adorable cuddlefishes, the game puts your resourcefulness to the test. So if you're keen on underwater survival games, Subnautica is not one to miss.
18 Marvel's Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a famous fantasy hero even among people who don't watch Marvel. Initially released on PlayStation, Marvel's Spider-Man is set in a fantasy world filled with criminals, and your job is to get to the root of the problem by finding different villains that are pulling the strings from the shadows.
The best part about this game is that it allows you to go anywhere you want from the very beginning. As far as your current quest isn't time-based, you can roam around the world using the beautifully-designed spiderweb mechanic as much as you want.
17 Horizon Zero Dawn
Another futuristic number in the open-world genre, Horizon Zero Dawn sees the world filled with high-tech machines in various animal forms. Set in the year 3020, mankind has been dealt a huge setback and divided into tribal factions. Playing as Nora outcast Aloy, who is on a mission to discover her origins, while saving the world from HADES' rogue machines.
Horizon Zero Dawn gives you a post-apocalyptic look into a world where nature has taken over the reins. With top-notch, immersive graphics and amazing atmospheres, slip into the shoes of Aloy and experience a world like never before.
16 Dying Light 2
Dying Light 2 sees you in the shoes of a new protagonist, Aiden Caldwell, whose main objective is to find and reunite with his sister Mia. Set over two decades after the events of the first game, the journey of battling Volatiles and other spooktastic monsters means the prospect of more chase sequences.
The outbreak did not stop in Harran, spreading to the rest of the world after a few greedy scientists couldn't be bothered to tell the truth. Aside from destroying hordes of zombies, Aiden has the opportunity to do a couple of lucrative side jobs and glide about a post-apocalyptic city on the brink of instability.
15 The Forest
The Forest is another open-world game where your true enemies are human-like monsters. The game starts with your flight crashing on a mysterious island, and you wake up to find out that there are cannibals living there who want your blood. Not only do you have to get your own food, water, and shelter, but also find weapons to defend yourself.
This game has a story that you can finish at your own pace. You'll be looking for your son the entire time you're on the island, but dealing with the cannibals will take up a lot of your time. The best part is that you can play this game in multiplayer and invite some of your friends to fight the deadly beasts.
14 7 Days To Die
It's already difficult to deal with zombies in any post-apocalyptic open-world game, but it gets even harder when you have to do it in seven days. As the name suggests, 7 Days To Die leaves you in a world where you have to make yourself a shelter with good defensive capabilities for the zombie raids that'll come at night on every seven days.
On these days, the moon will turn red, and you'll only see zombies surrounding you. You have to be prepared to fight off this horde while finding enough food and water to keep you alive, leading to a stressful and fast-paced experience.
13 Dragon Age: Inquisition
The third installment in the Dragon Age series, Dragon Age: Inquisition felt like a breath of fresh air. Set in the fantastical realm of Thedas, you have the option of roaming expansive lands in both Orlais and Ferelden, even delving deep into The Deep Roads.
With a selection of different races to choose from, set out as the determined Inquisitor, on a quest to vanquish Corypheus. From the elegant and gilded Val Royeaux to the barren wasteland of the Hissing Wastes, BioWare certainly spared no expense. Alongside the complex storylines, every character in the Inquisitor's party is very well fleshed out.
12 Valheim
Valheim takes the Nordic afterlife to a whole new level in this survival extravaganza. Placed in the shoes of a deceased Viking, this warrior must put in the work in order to reach Valhalla, the resting place fit for the mightiest warriors. But of course, this all won't be accomplished in the span of a day.
With various biomes for you to explore, there are bosses within for you to defeat in order to obtain their powers. The game also offers other activities for you to explore, from building your own boat to navigating the Ocean Biome to attempting to finish your house. Indeed, it seems reaching Valhalla takes an entire lifetime to do.
11 Sons Of The Forest
After exploring the cannibal world of The Forest, people eagerly waited for its sequel, which came with the name Sons of the Forest. Much like the first game, you'll be stranded on an unknown island while you're trying to find someone. You'll also be fighting against plenty of cannibals in the land.
The second game also features some new mechanics like an NPC who can be assigned any task. Apart from the Survival Horror aspect, Sons of the Forest has plenty of goofy settings that can make the experience a lot more fun with friends.
10 Sail Forth
Coming from an Indie Developer called Festive Vector, Sail Forth is probably one of the best open-sea games on Steam. Although, the main character in the game is behind the scene controlling a fleet of ships. You'll start your journey as a sailor on a small ship, but you'll slowly progress to finally save the world from the dark.
There is a strange energy manifesting all around the sea, and it's your job to find the source of this phenomenon and get rid of it. The world slowly unlocks as you get different Map Fragments scattered, and you can go back to any island once you've unlocked it with the instant teleport mechanic.
9 Sherlock Holmes Chapter One
Sherlock Holmes takes both a modern twist and a blast into the past. The past games in the Sherlock Holmes franchise by Frogwares have amounted to Sherlock Holmes Chapter One, an open-world spectacle set in fictional Cordona. Sherlock is a young, budding detective, but a rising star in the detective world.
While solving the mystery of his mother's death, Sherlock takes on the trials and tribulations of the residents of Cordona. From kidnapping to outright murder, there's always a mystery at hand for Sherlock to solve.
8 Sea Of Thieves
Sea of Thieves brings your pirate fantasies to life in this swashbuckling adventure. Channel your inner Blackbeard or Jack Sparrow by taking the helm of your very own pirate vessel, roaming the seas, and looting other ships for treasure. With new seasons jam-packed with a boatload of new updates and additions, there's always something novel to look forward to.
Whether you're keen to raid a Sea Fort or simply would like to earn a heck of a lot of money, Sea of Thieves is definitely one of the best pirate games to ever grace our computer screens.
7 The Elder Scrolls Online
If you're looking for a fantasy MMORPG of vast proportions, The Elder Scrolls Online is the perfect open-world game for you to indulge in while waiting for The Elder Scrolls 6. With other regions to travel to in the sprawling lands of Tamriel, you can even go back to Skyrim and immerse yourself in the nostalgia.
From the magical island of Summerset Isle to the sweltering heat of Alik'r Desert, The Elder Scrolls Online offers an adventure like no other, with The Elder Scrolls lore explored in a more in-depth manner than ever before. Whether you choose to be a Necromancer or a Templar warrior, you're in for one hell of a fantasy ride.
6 Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is one of the few open-world games that stayed popular even after years of its initial release. When you start playing the game, you can choose between one of the three classes: Titan, Warlock, and Hunter. Each class has its benefits and play style, but it's recommended to have all class users if you're playing with friends.
You'll be referred to as a Guardian in the game, and the task to defend the last city of humanity will be on you. You can have an immersive FPS open-world experience in the game with tons of PvP and PvE modes.