While Breath of the Wild is my favorite, it might not be yours. But if you’re looking for something with a similar open world vibe, read on!
15. Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn gameplay
Like Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn has a beautiful new world for you to explore, and you’ll even be fighting against animal- like machines. HZD, though, has a more serious feel and realistic art style. Playing as the witty Aloy, a fierce huntress of these mechanical beasts, generates a feeling of badassery that is quite different from the shy Link. If you want to play a game that relies more on the story and less on the side missions, get out your bow and arrow and play Horizon Zero Dawn.
Doesn’t it almost feel like you should see a dinosaur in the distance? The landscapes of Horizon Zero Dawn put you in this ancient-like setting, enhancing your feeling of survival.
Horizon Zero Dawn blends past and future to create a fantastical new world. Who ever thought you could strike down a mechanical beast with a bow and arrow?
14. Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Gameplay
If you’re in the mood to face the world with fearless optimism, take a walk in the shoes of Rex in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Evil forces want Rex’s Blade, so no time for a defeatist attitude! Taking a dip in this world is almost like being in an anime, but don’t let its cartoonish art style fool you. This game will challenge you, and you’ll have to invest serious time if you want to complete it. That being said, you will want to finish this game, because who doesn’t want the best for go-getter Rex?
The Xenoblade Chronicles 2 world is not only like an anime in the story line, but in the graphics as well. This art style is perfect for the creatures and characters created in this game.
While it might seem like there is a lot going on in this gameplay screenshot, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 does a great job at teaching you to battle like a pro.
13. Tales of Zestiria
Tales of Zestiria gameplay
After you played Breath of the Wild, you thought “hm, I could really use some more drama in my video games,” right? Of course you did, so the inevitable next step is to play Tales of Zestiria. The characters you meet in this journey are certainly entertaining, reminiscent of Rune Factory 4 or a classic anime. However, this game takes it up a notch by adding the open world element. Highlights of the game are the customization and the variety of enemies you encounter, both of which will want to make you keep playing.
In classic Japanese RPG fashion, you must have a bathing suit option!
Check on the status of different characters in Tales of Zestiria with this really helpful menu. I wish more games had the ability to do this.
12. Tales of Berseria™
Tales of Berseria gameplay
Because of the storyline, Tales of Berseria is regarded as the best Tales game. Unlike some others on this list, this game does tend to focus more on the story rather than world exploration. Oftentimes, that is what I am exactly in the mood for anyways! While you may not be running all over the map looking for secrets and side quests as often, you will be engaging in meaningful combat. If you want to play a comfortable classic of a jRPG, but you’re looking for a story that is emotionally riveting, give Tales of Berseria a try.
Tales of Berseria does not stray from the general Tales combat style, which in my opinion is a satisfying combat style.
It wouldn’t be a Tales game without a little fashion customization of course!
11. RiME
RiME gameplay.
As you can see in the gameplay, the art of RiME is absolutely stunning; somewhat reminiscent of Breath of the Wild, but certainly unique. If you loved the puzzles in Breath of the Wild, like the korok seed puzzles, then you will want to try your hand at RiME. In this game, the puzzles are actually key to solving the mystery of how you ended up stranded on an island. So if you want to take a break from battle and get down to some puzzling, immerse yourself in the visually appealing world of RiME. You will want to finish this game to learn the truth.
You can travel all over the world of RiME to discover new and mysterious places.
The ocean is one of the most beautiful aspects of this world. Who wouldn’t want to take a dip in it?
10. Ni no Kuni™ II: Revenant Kingdom
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom gameplay.
Ni no Kuni is similar to the Tales series in that is your classic jRPG, but instead of feeling like shonen anime, it feels more like a Studio Ghibli movie. Because of this, the art style and story are refreshing, making you feel like you are playing something completely new and never-been-done-before. This is a game that blends combat and politics, all in a meticulously crafted fantasy world. When you aren’t in battle, you’ll get wrapped up in government, military, and citizen relations. But this is what makes the game so addicting. Take a break from the stress of politics in the real world, and manage your own fantasy world!
The combat in Ni no Kuni II is standard for a jRPG, but look at those graphics!
The Ghibli-esque art style is perfect to immerse you in a jRPG world.
9. NieR: Automata
NieR: Automata gameplay.
If you’ve ever wanted to fight clowns in tanks, you might be a little weird, but your time has come. The dystopian future in NieR: Automata lends itself to some emotional story lines, but the real fun is the action. You could just keep pressing buttons and hack away at enemies, and you’ll actually get somewhere. It’s utterly satisfying. Believe me, you cannot predict the endless entertaining enemies you’ll stumble across in NieR: Automata.
The landscapes in NieR: Automata make me feel like I’m looking into the future of our very own world, which makes it all the more fascinating to play.
Look at this boss. Tell me this isn’t one of the coolest enemies you’ll ever fight in a game.
8. Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV gameplay.
In many of these open-world fantasies, you’re running around by yourself, just trying to survive and fight evil. But in Final Fantasy XV, the bonds of friendship will be what get you through the game. You’ll exchange banter with them, but most importantly, you will fight monsters with them. The combat is great, but Final Fantasy XV is a perfectly balanced open world. You can explore just as much as you can fight, so you choose how you want to play this game.
The game is just as visually stunning when you’re fighting as it is when you’re exploring.
Brotherhood is certainly a theme in this game. Here’s a photoshoot with your boys!
7. The Surge 2
The Surge 2 gameplay.
The Surge 2 won’t be out until later in 2019, but that makes it all the more alluring right now. This science fiction-y story takes place in a broken-down city. The purpose in The Surge series is to fight enemies, both human and non-human, with robotic exoskeletons. The Surge 2 is supposed to have more weapons and abilities than the first game. We’ll have to give this a try to see if it lives up to the hype.
We see here that the city the game takes place in could be abandoned, and it looks like there’s a storm in the distance. I wonder what this will mean for the story.
The mechanical exoskeletons are truly something to behold. Rather than appearing messy, the detailed graphics make the armor quite beautiful!
6. Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen gameplay.
Oh, who doesn’t love a challenge? Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is not the type of comforting, familiar RPG you would coast through. The combat is the core of this game, and while it might give you a run for your money, it will be rewarding. But while combat is at the forefront, you will still want to explore. Walk around, take time to smell the flowers, but just know that you will run into trouble.
Dragon’s Dogma places you in a medieval-esque world, perfect for adventuring.
A Dark Souls-looking battle against an oversized monster. Look at how intense!
5. The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 gameplay.
If you haven’t already played The Witcher 3, you’ve certainly heard of it. This is a wildly popular game with excellent reviews. It’s a game you may want to play over and over again just to do things you didn’t the first time around. Much like Breath of the Wild, to get the full effect of this game you must explore more than just the main plot. Also like Breath of the Wild, you’re a pony-tail wearing sword slinging baddie. What more is there to say?
You aren’t hunting down normal animals in this game. And look at those graphics!
Gorgeous views in high detail are practically begging to be explored.
4. Middle-earth™: Shadow of Mordor™
Middle-earth™: Shadow of Mordor™ gameplay.
Lord of the Rings fans would love this game. Someone who’s never heard of Lord of the Rings would love this game. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is a great balance of story, combat, and exploration. Unlike Breath of the Wild, it’s much darker. If you’d like a more serious tone with fantasy lore, you should try this out.
Hack away at these guys like it’s nothing! I did say this was a dark game.
We’ve all wanted to see a fire-breathing dragon. And this one you can use to your advantage!
3. Assassin's Creed Odyssey
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey gameplay.
Instead of exploring a fantasy world, you could take time to explore ancient Greece. Even though the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is set in a real place, you can explore as it was a made-up world. Also, you can pick your character in this game! Do you want to be a girl or a boy? Do you want to woo a girl or a boy? These character choices add to the autonomy you feel when playing this game, as if you’re truly immersed.
So many topless men. This must be Greece, huh?
Sure you can fight and explore, but you can also build relationships.
2. Assassin's Creed Origins
Assassin’s Creed Origins gameplay.
You aren’t in Greece in Origins, you’re in Egypt. It’s endlessly fun to explore a world and feel like you’re touring history. At the same time, the story keeps you just as entertained as the roaming. That being said, you will have to grind if you want the game to go smoothly. But sometimes I like a bit of grinding because I can see the progress I’m making.
We wouldn’t believe we were in Egypt until we saw the pyramids, right?
Use strategy to fight your enemies. Some take a stealthier approach.
1.Skyrim
Skyrim gameplay.
Skyrim is perhaps the most renowned open world games. And it’s true, while you’re playing Skyrim you feel free and adventurous. People are still talking about this game and it came out years ago. You combine magic and fighting to make your way, and not only that, but there’s dragons. But you will have to slay these dragons, so don’t get too attached.
The art style Is impeccable. Sometimes you play a game because you just can’t stop looking at it.
Play the game through your own point of view. It feels like you’re really there!
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