There are plenty of amazing immersive open-world games that truly draw the player into their detailed worlds, fromCyberpunk 2077toKingdom Come: Deliverance. Of course, finding ones that aren’t just massive or densely packed but really feel like living and breathing spaces can be incredibly hard, especially when so few developers focus on the immersive aspects of their games. Luckily, all hope is not lost, as there are a handful worth checking out.
While many of these immersive open-world games fit into thebest open-world FPS category, there are a few that can be enjoyed in third-person too, for those who prefer it. Ultimately,all of these games focus on making the player’s journey as lifelike and believable as possible, whether that’s through incredible dialogue, realistic life sim mechanics, or beautiful visuals and soundscapes. While not every open-world game can nail all of the above, some do, and they stand out as the best of the best.
10Morrowind (Bethesda Game Studios)
Platforms: PC, Xbox
Many players may have expectedSkyrimto grace a list of the most immersive open worlds, but Bethesda’s earlier effort in theElder Scrollsfranchise,Morrowind, is just far superior, at least when it comes to immersion.There’s something about its fully-realized world that simply hits differently, whether it’s from the gorgeous atmosphere, brilliant writing, or plethora of memorable questlines that really stick with the player.
While many - although not all - of Bethesda’s other titles would also likely deserve a spot on this list,Morrowindtruly rises above the rest as the most immersive. Many also considerMorrowindto be the bestElder Scrollsgame, even beatingSkyrimfor the top spot in Bethesda’s impressive library of titles.Its world is gorgeous, detailed, and full of life, serving as the last remnant of the best of Bethesda’s game design.
9Shadows Of Doubt (ColePowered Games)
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Shadows of Doubtfeels like a game that could only be made now, largely thanks toits vast open-world city full of hundreds of unique NPCs all with their own names, jobs, personalities, daily routines, and more. This is a fully living and breathing world that moves independently of the player’s actions. It’s astounding to see in trailers, but even more impressive in action, as the player will truly feel like they’re living within this dystopian 1980s-esque crime-ridden city.
Shadows of Doubtis an immersive sandbox detective gamein which players will need to solve procedurally-generated crimes using all the evidence they can find. Every location is fully accessible, meaning players can approach each case however they best see fit.Shadows of Doubteasily trumps many of thebest indie games of 2024, largely thanks to its ridiculously immersive and well-designed open world that never ceases to amaze.
8Yakuza 0 (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Yakuza 0’sopen world may be small, but it’s definitely mighty, offering one of the most immersive video game locations ever. Set across two distinct areas, each filled to the brim with engaging and oftentimes hilarious content,Yakuza 0’sopen world feels utterly alive. From its densely packed streets full of drunk salarymen stumbling into Kiryu’s way or bar owners attempting to usher him inside, it’s hard not to feel sucked intoYakuza 0’sneon-lit world.
There’s also just so much to do inYakuza 0, whether it’s the engaging main narrative, fighting rival gangs on the street, engaging in some illegal gambling, or collecting car parts for one of the most enjoyable side activities in any game ever. There are so many reasons why people loveYakuza 0, and its immersive, gorgeously detailed world is one of them.
7Shenmue (D3T)
Shenmueis the parent of theYakuzafranchise, doing much of what it did years before.It has a small open world with NPCs, each with its own routine, with which players need to familiarize themselves in order to complete quests in a timely manner. It’s also chock-full of unique minigames, an arcade full of playable machines, and a cast of hilarious characters.
There’s a poignant story at the heart ofShenmueand its sequels continue in great fashion. However,it’s the immersive world and its inhabitants that makeShenmuesuch a beloved experience. For those who want to see the origins of theYakuzaseries, or for those who just want to fully immerse themselves in a small Japanese town,Shenmueis the perfect game.
6S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Call Of Pripyat (GSC Game World)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
TheS.T.A.L.K.E.Rseries isn’t traditionally open-world, with the first entry being a far more linear affair. However,Call of Pripyat, the third game in the franchise, offers players three small open worlds to explore and incredibly advanced AI that patrols them.There’s a real sense of life inCall of Pripyatdespite the fact that the zone players are exploring is so desolate and abandoned.
WhileCall of Pripyatis the first traditionally open-worldS.T.A.L.K.E.Rgame, players should really experience the first two games in order for it to make sense. Fortunately, all three games, includingCall of Pripyat, have been bundled together for modern consoles.
From the camps full of fellow Stalkers playing the guitar to finding a group of soldiers patrolling outside,the worlds ofCall of Pripyatfeel tremendously immersive. There’s also such a foreboding atmosphere permeating through the entire thing, which helps to build the incredibly tense atmosphere. Luckily, all of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R games are on Nintendo Switch, so players can take the many immersive open-worlds ofCall of Pripyaton the go.
Of course, for those looking for something a little faster-paced,Red Dead Redemption 2manages to be not just one of the best immersive open-worlds, but also one of thebest action games of all time. Whileplayers can relax in the wilderness, go hunting, or simply explore, they can also take on rival gangs, get involved in some seriously questionable quests, and immerse themselves in the generally action-packed narrative. There’s so much going on inRed Dead Redemption 2’sworld that all kinds of players will find something to enjoy.
How Arthur Morgan (SPOILER) In Red Dead Redemption 2
There’s one particular mission in Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption 2 which changes the course of protagonist Arthur Morgan’s life forever.
While Rockstar’s other most popular title,GTA 5, also features plenty of immersive elements,Red Dead Redemption 2really goes that extra step beyond. From the shriveling horse genitalia whenever it gets cold to using hair tonics to grow Arthur’s balding head,there’s a ridiculous amount of emphasis on role-playing inRed Dead Redemption 2. It truly offers the cowboy fantasy so many players seem to want, offering one of the most immersive worlds ever created.
4Kingdom Come: Deliverance (Warhorse Studios)
Much likeRed Dead Redemption 2,Kingdom Come: Deliveranceis all about delivering a fantasy. However, whereasRed Dead 2made players feel like a cowboy,Kingdom Comemakes them feel like a peasant. That may not sound particularly enticing, butthere is something very compelling about not only experiencing life in medieval Europe but also rising through the ranks to become a prosperous knight.Kingdom Come: Deliveranceabsolutely deliverson that fantasy while also offering fans an engaging story to enjoy.
There are plenty of very immersive elements inKingdom Come: Deliverance, from needing to bathe before talking to nobles to hunting and NPC routines. Each village and town feels truly alive, with people drinking raucously in the tavern, town guards requiring you to use a torch while wandering around late at night, and dogs howling in the distance.Kingdom Come: Deliverancemay have some issues - namely with combat - but its world is so beautiful and so immersive, it’s worth suffering through them.
3Dragon’s Dogma 2 (Capcom)
One of thereasonsDragon’s Dogma 2reviewed so wellwas because its vast open world is so immersive and so lifelike that players can get completely lost within it. Wandering around with the game’s surprisingly adept Pawns is a treat, as too are the emergent moments, such as being stomped on by a cyclops in the middle of the game’s busiest city.It really feels like absolutely anything can happen inDragon’s Dogma 2, and that’s a uniquely special feeling.
Dragon’s Dogma 2is a reboot of sorts, taking place in a parallel universe to the first game. As a result, players don’t need to worry about having played the first game to enjoy the second.
It helps thatDragon’s Dogma 2is a beautiful game, with the gorgeous lighting making every town, forest, and cave feel staggeringly realistic. For those who want a medieval fantasy game with a dynamic open world,Dragon’s Dogma 2is the perfect game. Just be careful not to send a custom-made Pawn to too many strangers as it may come back with a deadly disease.
2Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Massive Entertainment)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandorais by no means a great game, as its story is fairly lackluster, its villain one note and its gameplay a collection of past Ubisoft ideas crammed into one experience. However, Massive Entertainment has pulled off not onlyone of the most beautiful looking video games of all time but easily one of, if not the most, immersive games ever made. Pandora is a treat to see in action in the movies, but exploring its dense forests packed with wildlife and its vast plains on the back of a Direhorse is wonderful.
8 Tips for Beginners in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
The beautiful open-world presented in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora can be intimidating for beginners. Here’s a few tips to help start your journey.
What makesAvatar: Frontiers of Pandoraso immersive is the immense amount of effort that went into the game’s sound design. From the fluttering of bugs as they pass the player to the distant sounds of animal cries,it’s hard not to feel swept up in the majesty of Pandora’s diverse biomes.Avatar: Frontiers of Pandoraalso gives players a slew ofhidden options to make it more immersive, including removing the HUD entirely and forcing the player to rely on nearby sounds in order to locate and hunt certain animals.
1Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt Red)
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Of course, no list of immersive games would be complete without a mention of the comeback kid,Cyberpunk 2077. At launch, there is no wayCyberpunk 2077would have made an immersive open-world games list thanks to its plethora of bugs and underbaked ideas. However, since the impressive slew of updates has fixed the majority of issues and reinvented many of its systems,Cyberpunk 2077is now easily one of the best immersive open-world games of all time.
Night City is a truly breathtaking location, from its varied districts to its waves of NPCs wandering the streets performing all kinds of fun actions with one another. Players can encounter rival gangs chasing each other, have gangs chase them, enrage the police and get MaxTac after them, and so much more.Cyberpunk 2077has a lot to offer those who are willing to surrender themselves to Night City’s neon-lit streets, and it’s a trip absolutely worth taking.
