Here is the ranking of best open world role playing games of all times. These huge open world RPG games will blow your mind and pull you in for hundreds of hours.
For now this list consists of 35 big open world RPGs. However, I might update this later with the upcoming open world games. Such as Starfield, The Day Before, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon, etc.
Open world games are much more fun to play because of the freedom.
Of course you need to have the time to invest for such games. So, be prepared!
Okay, let us no longer delay, here is my list of top 35 open world role playing games:
1. The Elder Scrolls of Skyrim Special Edition
The winner is the Skyrim of course. It is my all time favorite open world role playing game.
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Technically its map is not the biggest. However, it is filled with content, dungeons, houses, tunnels, etc. to explore. I am not even mentioning the mods. Therefore in my opinion all these elements makes Skyrim the biggest open world RPG.
It has huge replayability and its mob level scaling system offers you the true open world experience from level one.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
Delve into the dark future of Night City… A dangerous corrupt megalopolis with all kinds of futuristic elements.
Cyberpunk 2077 was the most popular open world RPG of 2020 – 2021. So, if you haven’t played it yet, you should play it ASAP.
On its launch, Cyberpunk 2077 was super buggy and almost unplayable. However, almost all of these problems are fixed now. The game runs smoothly.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Third game in our list is the winner of over 800 awards. 2015 game of the year, the golden joystick, best story telling, best RPG, etc. After all it is a masterpiece.
The Witcher 3 has probably the best story and the characters ever seen in the history of open world role playing gaming.
Before or after playing it, you can enjoy the tv series, books, and other content created with the amazing Witcher world.
Do not delay any longer and dive into it. Also don’t forget the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine DLCs. They are the expansions that must be played.
4. Elden Ring
Latest souls like game is the Elden Ring. It is the best and most popular RPG of the year 2022.
Vast open world, epic story, drama, and its unique combat mechanics makes this game a masterpiece.
Elden Ring is a souls like, hence it is a really hard game. So, don’t expect a casual gaming experience and be patient until you get grip. You are warned!
5. Baldur’s Gate 3
Gather your party and venture forth! Baldur’s Gate 3 is an open world party based RPG based on the D&D 5e. Dungeons & Dragons lovers should not miss it.
Besides if you enjoyed the Divinity Original Sin series, you should definitely play this. Because the game mechanics and the developers are exactly the same.
Baldur’s Gate 3 has one big downside though. It is an early access game and only the Act 1 is available to the players. Thereupon, either wait for the full release or delve into the early access just like I did. But remember, the waiting is extremely painful.
6. Ghostwire: Tokyo
Tokyo’s population is vanished and its new inhabitants are deadly supernatural forces. Can you defeat the evil spirits and figure out the truth behind the disappearance?
Ghostwire: Tokyo is a next gen open world RPG, released in 2022. This game offers you beautifully designed Tokyo, Japanese supernatural folklore, evil spirits, and elemental powers.
I recommend you to play this game if you ever get the chance. Because it is unique and highly enjoyable.
7. Kingdom Come Deliverance
Ready for an epic adventure in the Holy Roman Empire?
It offers the most realistic medieval experience in gaming. No superpowers, no heroes, nothing out of the ordinary. Just you trying to avenge your parents’ death in the medieval Bohemia.
The massive realistic world of Kingdom Come Deliverance offers majestic castles, vast fields, villages, chapels and army camps. Exploring the history has never been this fun before.
8. Fallout 4
Ah, another open world Bethesda game appears. Fallout series have the title of best post-apocalyptic open world RPG in my book.
There is one more Fallout game on this list but I want to include Fallout 4 first. Because it is the latest Fallout game. Therefore it has the best graphics and the game engine. Its story might not be the best one on the franchise, however it is the most enjoyable one in the year 2022.
If you are a lover of open world RPG genre, make sure to give Fallout 4 a chance.
9. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Go from rags to riches, peasant to lord, misery to glory! Calradia Empire is torn by civil war. Choose your side and make a name for yourself.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers true sandbox open world. You can raise your army, go anywhere on the Calradia, and side with any faction you want. It is possible to both command and fight alongside your army. Will you be a tactical mastermind or undefeatable fighter brute? It is all up to you.
Huge open world, decisions, realistic economy, NPC relationships, and chaotic combat awaits you.
10. Assassin’s Creed Origins
Assassin’s Creed Origins is one of my all time favorite open world game. Because it takes you to Ancient Egypt filled with pyramids, sphinx, intriguing secrets, dark factions, and the beautiful landscapes.
You will fall in love with its world, instantly, believe it or not!
Thank you Ubisoft Montreal for creating this amazing masterpiece.
11. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Start as an outcast and become a living legend, write your own odyssey.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey uses the same mechanics and engine with Assassin’s Creed Origins. That is why Ubisoft faced huge criticism. However, the game turn out to be great. Amazing story combined with beautiful Ancient Greece design easily made this game one of the best in the franchise.
12. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Latest game of the Assassin’s Creed series takes you to the cold lands of ancient north.
This big open world Viking RPG is so much fun, I can’t even describe it with words. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is the best Viking game ever created.
Lead the epic Viking raids against Saxon troops, fortresses, villages, and churches. Make Ragnar’s dream come true, create and grow your clan’s new settlement in the green lands England.
13. Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
This open world Middle Earth RPG is a blessing for us, Tolkien lovers.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is purely faithful to the Tolkien’s legacy. Game play is also awesome! Besides you get to meet many characters from the Tolkien books, such as ring wraiths, Shelob, Gollum and even the Sauron himself.
It’s actually the sequel of Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. So, if you don’t mind the slightly worse graphics, start with Shadow of Mordor. It’s equally good in terms of gameplay, action, and story.
14. The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds is an award-winning open world Sci-Fİ RPG, from the creators of Fallout: New Vegas. Obsidian Entertainment is one of the best game studio of our age and this is one of their best works.
Player-driven story combined with the space colony exploration is delightful. Your choices matter in this game, so think carefully before making important decisions.
15. Dragon Age Inquisition
2014 game of the year, Dragon Age Inquisition happens to be the number 15 our huge open world RPG list.
This BioWare game offers huge open world, choice-driven narrative, character customization, and intense combat. Moreover, you can play Dragon Age Inquisition with your friends thanks to the co-op option. There is something captivating about the co-op role playing games.
Of course it can’t beat the old Dragon Age Origins, however, graphical and mechanical improvements makes this more playable.
16. Medieval Dynasty
Let’s continue with a highly innovative game, the Medieval Dynasty.
In this game, you take a role of young man who lives in the middle age – Europe. You start alone but it is possible to found a legendary dynasty.
Develop your skills, build your village, find a spouse and raise your heir. So that he can take over your lands when you pass away. Of course you will play as your heir.
17. Horizon Zero Dawn
Go on a journey to the future earth, ruled by machines… Aloy’s legendary quest is highly satisfying.
I am personally not fan of games with giant sentient machine monsters. However, this game is pretty popular and you might really like it.
Hunt giant monsters and explore this post apocalyptic world to reveal mysteries.
18. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen
This 2016 release is the remake version of Dragon’s Dogma 2013. In this version, the game has been ported to PC and graphically remastered.
Let me start by saying this, usually role playing games have bad combat mechanics. However, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is an exception to that argument. Beautiful combat animations, spells, vast lands, and various monsters are waiting for you.
It might be an old game but it was already ahead of its time. So, remastered version Dark Arisen is must be played any RPG lovers.
19. The Forgotten City
Do you remember the Skyrim mod The Forgotten City? That award winning Skyrim mod become so popular, mod creators eventually ended up making it a standalone game. It can be bought from steam and its steam reviews are %96 positive. Which is HUGE.
It’s main genre is RPG and time-travel. Yet still, you will find yourself in an immersive world of adventure, mystery, and exploration.
Travel 2,000 years into the past and save the people of ancient Roman city.
20. Stardew Valley
Hey, you have just inherited your grandfather’s old farm in the Stardew Valley. What are you going to do? You will renovate and farm it of course!
You can raise animals, grow crops, start an orchard, craft, mine, build, explore, cook, and have relationship with NPCs. Stardew Valley was single player only at the beginning but now it is updated and have the co-op support.
21. Wartales
Are you ready to lead your group of mercenaries in this huge open world medieval Europe?
You can explore, take contracts, recruit companions, and discover secrets. It is quite similar to Kenshi in my opinion. Of course Wartales is a realistic version of it.
Be ready to make hard choices in this game.
22. Chernobylite
Open world, science-fiction, survival, and horror role playing game Chernobylite hails you.
This video game is set in ultra realistic 3D scanned wasteland of Chernobyl.
Of course all the monsters and enemy military presence is fiction. Or is it? Well, I am not going to find that out.
23. Deus EX
Before Cyberpunk 2077, there was Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. It is currently the second best cyberpunk / sci-fi RPG in my opinion.
The year is 2029 and our main character Adam Jensen is trying to unravel a vast worldwide conspiracy. Adams best helper is of course his state of the art weapons and mechanical body augmentations.
24. Disco Elysium
Disco Elysium is one of the most interesting role playing game of our time. You take the role of a detective, trying to solve a mysterious murder. You are solving all your problems and mysteries by talking, not fighting. That is why this game is totally unique.
Explore, investigate, develop a personality, make your choices and face the consequences.
25. Kenshi
Second sandbox game on our list is Kenshi. It is a free roaming, party based role playing game. Your character can be an adventurer, farmer, trader, thief, rebel, warlord, cannibal, or even a slave. Believe me when I say this, it is a harsh world…
There are no heroes in this game. Each and every character you encounter can have same stats / equipment with different specialties. That is why you should always be careful when wandering through desert.
26. Stellaris
You are looking for an open world game? How about an open galaxy game?
Stellaris is a grand strategy game that is set in a huge galaxy. Get ready to explore and eventually expand your kingdom through galaxy. Eventually you will encounter other species.
This is a role playing game and don’t let anyone tell you it is not. You will role-play as a custom race in the galaxy. It is possible to expand to all sides. Of course in this game, your choices matters a lot.
27. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Best open world isometric RPG of all times is Divinity Original Sin 2. Of course when Baldur’s Gate 3 gets a full release, this might change. However, for now DOS2 is my favorite.
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Gather your 4 character party with perfectly written companions and explore the vast world of Rivellon.
Divinity Original Sin 2 uses next gen turn based tactical combat. You might not like turn based games but this one is exceptional. So, give it a try!
28. V Rising
V Rising is released in 2022 and it is an open world vampire RPG. Do you like vampires? If so, don’t even think about it and get this game.
Awaken as vampire, raise your castle, and feed yourself in this open world full of mystery.
V Rising have single-player, multi-player PVP, and co-op options. So, pick your poison and delve into this world of darkness.
29. Outward
Welcome to the magical world of Aurai. You can explore it either with a companion (co-op) or solo.
Outward is a open world RPG game with survival elements. Also it is a souls like game, meaning: hard combat mechanics.
This game is not offering the best graphics, but the world is full of content and really enjoyable.
30. Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous
Let us review another tactical RPG like DOS2 and BG3 at the rank 30.
Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous offers a role playing game in an open world realm, overrun by demons. What will you do? Will you become a champion of light? Or turn to dark side and become a powerful necromancer? Choices matters.
31. Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 is an open world shooter RPG. It is possible to play solo or with a friend co-op. That is why I like this game so much.
You are a vault hunter that focused on looting. Lets go!
32. Yakuza 6 The Song of Life
Develop and strengthen your character in the criminal underworld of Japan.
In Yakuza 6 you will play as legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu. He is trying to unravel the truth behind his daughter’s tragic accident. One way or another…
33. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Ka-me-ha-me-haaa! Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is the latest Dragon Ball game and it is an open world RPG.
By playing this game you can re-live the story of Goku. Epic battles and other Dragon Ball characters awaits you. So, jump into this beautiful world and enjoy the nostalgia.
34. My Time at Portia
My Time at Portia is actually a life simulator. You can role-play too of course in this open world game. In this town you will encounter friends, decisions, battle, and more.
It is pretty casual. So, if you want to chill, relax, and roleplay, I say go for it. It is a great game.
35. Fallout: New Vegas
I want to end this huge best open world RPG list with the number one Fallout game.
Fallout: New Vegas is the best game of this franchise without a doubt. I know graphics are bad and gameplay is bit clunky, however it has the best story. The writing is amazing.
You will get addicted to the story telling, companions, and the story-telling in Fallout: New Vegas. If the graphics are problem for you, just get some enhancement mods. Anyway, time to wrap this up.
Thank you for checking out my list. I would like to know your favorite open world RPGs and your thoughts. Your comments are highly appreciated. Well, see you soon!