Total freedom and limitless horizons: the open world invites you to explore vast worlds at your own pace. RomWize re-ranks the best games in the genre by its re-evaluated scores, each with its current score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"Still the benchmark open-world on Switch. Climbing anything and gliding wherever you want feels liberating, and the physics-driven systems reward experimentation. Weapon durability remains divisive, yet exploring Hyrule keeps its quiet magic."
"The sequel dares to rebuild everything around Fuse and Ultrahand. Cobbling together absurd contraptions becomes an endless playground, and the sky and depths genuinely expand Hyrule. A bit overwhelming at first, but wildly creative."
"Grand Theft Auto V is one of the best-selling games in history. Gigantic Los Santos, three playable protagonists, perfect spiral narrative, pharaonic GTA Online. A total masterpiece, absolute reference of open gaming."
"Vice City immerses in a sunny, criminal 1980s Miami of exceptional cultural and musical richness. The neon atmosphere, iconic soundtrack and cinematic storytelling come together perfectly. An open world masterpiece, among PS2's finest achievements."
"Red Dead Redemption is one of the most important games ever created. John Marston, the twilight of the Wild West, a narrative of rare maturity. Living and poetic open world, total freedom in sublime nature. An absolute monument."
"Red Dead Redemption is one of the most important games ever created. John Marston, the twilight of the Wild West, a narrative of rare maturity. Living and poetic open world, total freedom in sublime nature. An absolute monument."
"Grand Theft Auto IV is a masterpiece of mature storytelling. Niko Bellic and the broken American dream in Liberty City. Ultra-dense and living world, cynical and human writing, total freedom. One of the best games of the generation."
"A remarkable feat of porting on Switch. The image inevitably loses sharpness, yet this dense world and its carefully written side quests hold up just as well. Roaming Velen on the go remains a small technical miracle."
"Bethesda's behemoth, now portable. Wandering Skyrim anywhere you like is still seductive, and the freedom of approach hasn't lost its charm. The engine shows its age and bugs persist, yet the sheer volume of content remains colossal."
"Rockstar's absolute masterpiece. San Andreas redefines open world with a massive map spanning three cities, RPG mechanics, culturally rich storytelling and total freedom of action. One of the greatest games ever created, essential on PS2."
"The founder: GTA III revolutionised gaming by inventing the modern 3D open world. Liberty City, varied missions and absolute freedom of play defined a new paradigm. A historic title whose cultural reach remains unmatched on PS2."
"GTA IV and Episodes from Liberty City compiles GTA IV with its two DLC The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony. The complete Liberty City package, one of the richest narrative experiences on PS3."
"Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare is the standalone DLC plunging the Wild West into a zombie invasion. Savoury western/horror humour, Marston vs the undead, legendary mounts. The most fun expansion of the generation."
"GTA Episodes from Liberty City groups The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, two GTA IV DLC as standalone. Two excellent and complementary Liberty City stories without needing GTA IV."
"A Rockstar open world set in a school. The satirical tone, sharp humour and freedom of action replicate GTA DNA in a school setting. An original and memorable experience, unjustly less celebrated than other Rockstar titles of the era."
"PAL version of Rockstar's Bully, a school open world with sharp satirical tone. Freedom of action, humour and social commentary replicate GTA DNA in a boarding school setting. An original and memorable experience, unjustly less celebrated than contemporaneous Rockstar titles."
"Grand Theft Auto 2 modernizes the concept with a futuristic city split into three districts, a gang reputation system and more elaborate missions. Deeper than its predecessor, it refines the criminal sandbox formula while keeping the series' iconic isometric view."
"An open-world adventure inspired by New Caledonia where you glide, swim, and possess any object or animal. The freedom of movement and cultural flavor are its real draw. Content runs light, but the journey feels genuinely refreshing."
"Saints Row The Third Full Package is the complete version with all DLC. The ideal way to experience Steelport's anarchy with all available additional content. The definitive and most fun SR The Third."
"Saints Row The Third is the saga's turning point toward total absurd humour with Steelport. Gang vs gang with improbable weapons, fun co-op, unapologetic trash humour. The SR recipe at its peak, pure anarchic entertainment."
