5 Greatest Open-World Games of the Last 5 Years, Ranked

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Video games are now more visually stunning and immersive than ever before. Thanks to new technology, developers can build incredibly realistic and vibrant worlds that feel truly alive.

Open-world games have become incredibly popular recently, with many new titles being released. However, a few stand out as truly exceptional, showcasing the best qualities of the genre and potentially becoming some of the most highly-regarded games of the 2020s.

Horizon Forbidden West Is One of the Most Beautiful Open-World Games Ever

Horizon Forbidden West is a stunning game, arguably the best-looking of its generation. From its vibrant colors to the intricate details of the plants and environments, everything combines to create a beautiful experience. Even four years after it came out, no other game has matched its visual quality.

Horizon Forbidden West isn’t just visually stunning; it’s also incredibly fun to play. Exploring the game’s world is a real pleasure, and the hunting aspect keeps things thrilling. You’ll need to carefully plan how to take down the huge machines, which makes winning feel truly rewarding.

Because Horizon West continues the story directly from Horizon Zero Dawn, it’s probably best for players who are already familiar with the first game. New players might miss some of the story’s context. However, Horizon West is definitely worth playing. Both games show what makes open-world games so enjoyable.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Is the Ultimate Spider-Man Experience

I was SO hyped for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and it totally lived up to the expectations! What I really loved was being able to play as both Peter and Miles – they both felt unique, and neither one felt like they were stealing the show from the other. Plus, thanks to the PS5, there were practically no loading screens when switching between them, which made everything feel incredibly smooth and immersive.

Getting around the city is super fast, but it’s almost more fun to swing through New York now! They’ve made the web-slinging even better, and the new web wings give you a fantastic feeling of speed. These new ways to move work great with the added symbiote powers, which make fighting even more exciting.

Completing challenges and unlocking achievements in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is consistently fun, making a full playthrough feel rewarding without being overly long. The game perfectly captures the feeling of being Spider-Man, and even if you’re not a fan of the character, you’re likely to be captivated by this amazing experience.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Is an Open-World Game With Real Roleplaying

Starting Kingdom Come: Deliverance II feels a lot like being Henry himself – you begin as a poor, struggling newcomer in Bohemia, where everything seems difficult. But as you play, things start to fall into place, and exploring the world becomes truly satisfying. The game guides you just enough to make exploration feel meaningful, without being confusing or overwhelming.

Sometimes, a small event in the game can unexpectedly grow into a detailed side quest that’s just as interesting as the main story. The game keeps you involved by making your progress depend on your actions. The more you practice a skill – like fighting with one-handed weapons – the better you’ll become at it.

The game’s design makes the initially challenging hours feel rewarding, because hard work consistently pays off. Once you get comfortable and start exploring on your own, it’s easy to see why Kingdom Come: Deliverance II was considered one of the best open-world and role-playing games of last year.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Did the Impossible

Creating a follow-up to a game widely considered a masterpiece is incredibly difficult. Luckily for Nintendo, Tears of the Kingdom didn’t just meet expectations set by Breath of the Wild—many players believe it’s even better. Looking back, Breath of the Wild now feels like a preparation for something even grander, with the new features and expanded exploration of Hyrule exceeding all predictions.

The trailers for Tears of the Kingdom highlighted Link’s ability to fly and discover floating islands, but players were surprised to find a massive underground world called the Depths. This game offered three huge areas to explore and unlock, providing a much larger experience than previous installments.

The new building mechanics in Link’s game really let players experiment and be creative, and the game always makes you feel good for exploring. It might not surpass Breath of the Wild, but Tears of the Kingdom is definitely one of the best open-world games you can play.

Elden Ring Is the Best Game FromSoftware Has Ever Made

Elden Ring feels like the peak of everything FromSoftware has created so far. You can see elements from all their previous games woven throughout the experience. The very first time you enter Limgrave is unforgettable, immediately establishing the game’s vast scope and atmosphere.

Despite being a challenging game, Elden Ring manages to avoid feeling overwhelming, even with its many enemies and difficult bosses. The combat is exciting even at its hardest, and overcoming those challenges makes winning feel truly rewarding.

Players can tackle the challenges in Elden Ring in many different ways, thanks to its flexible character builds. While the game can be quite difficult, those who persevere will find its world incredibly rewarding to explore. Its exceptional world-building and depth make it the best open-world game released in the last five years.

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2026-01-20 04:39