Some people might claim there are too manyopen-world games, and honestly, I get the argument. These types of projects not only seem to be constantly on the horizon, but they also attract a lot of attention since they are usually big releases. Genre fatigue is very much a real thing, and after playing through a dozen similar adventures, it can be tempting to start dismissing games for being just one more open-world romp.
The sheer volume of options also means that some titles will naturally slip through the cracks, be it due to a lack of exposure or underwhelming reviews that make them a hard sell. While these overlooked orunderrated open-world gamesare not masterpieces, they can offer something relatively novel. Alternatively, they are just a lot of fun.
OK, “open-world games that deserve more love” is quite vague, so let’s go through some criteria:
If you are looking for a fast-paced andsmooth-as-heck indie FPS game, check outSevered Steel. Consisting of short, time-based stages, the game is all about killing with style, speed, and accuracy, crafting a gameplay loop that is straight-up addictive. The same developer worked onEcho Point Nova, which essentially takesSevered Steel’s core mechanics and drops them into an abstract sandbox environment.
Despite being set on an open planet, the game world is still as tightly-crafted asSevered Steel’s levels, albeit providing far more freedom on how to tackle scenarios and approach the overall campaign. The gameplay is close to flawless, and the combat and movement come with a learning curve that is fun to master rather than tedious. The map is also quite small by open-world standards, so you may easily complete a run in under 10 hours. People who have playedEcho Point Novado not need to be sold on its brilliance, but Greylock Studio’s game has mostly flown under the radar, especially since it is only available on PC.
Can a game become so well-known for being underrated that it becomes overrated? Pretty much since making its 2015 debut, when it garnered a mixed critical response,Mad Maxhas been the internet’s go-to example of anoverlooked open-world gem that deserves more love. For the first few years after its release, I constantly sang praise for its amazing vehicular combat, lore-accurate world,car customization, and solid-enough story. Nowadays, though, the game’s legacy is relatively concrete, and it does not really feel all that underrated anymore. Like, describingMad Maxas underrated is a cliché at this point.
However, after revisiting Avalanche’s game recently, I realized that it might never quite get enough respect. Even after all these years,Mad Maxstill has the best car-based combat in the open-world genre. Frankly, it is far and away better than nearly any of its competitors.
Ah, 2018 was a simpler time. Sure, “Soulslike” was already part of the gaming vocabulary by then, but new takes were not so common that they threatened to trigger player exhaustion. In 2025, every developer under the sun seems to take inspiration fromDark Souls; however, that was not the case when A44 droppedAshen.
One of the earliest examples of an AA or even indie Soulslike,Ashenstood out from the crowd by going fully open-world, which was new for the genre. TheSoulslike concepthas historically lent itself well to exploration-based adventures and Metroidvania level design, but this 2018 game marked the first attempt to transfer Soulslike combat to a sandbox. More importantly,Ashenproved that this marriage could not only work but also flourish. While showing its age nowadays, this game does not get the love it deserves for its part in the Soulslike genre’s history.
Spider-Man has the best video game resume out of any superhero, bar none. No other Marvel or DC character comes close in terms of quality AND quantity. If focusing solely on open-world projects, Spidey has still had it better than most.Spider-Man 2is a classic,Ultimate Spider-Manis superb, and Insomniac’s recent trilogy is a must-play for anybody remotely interested in superheroes (or just good games). Even the “mediocre” games, likeSpider-Man 3andThe Amazing Spider-Man, are enjoyable distractions and extensions of their source material. OK,The Amazing Spider-Man 2is pretty bad, but that is nevertheless an impressive track record.
Then, there isWeb of Shadows, a game that nowadays seems to be mostly remembered as filler betweenUltimate Spider-ManandShattered Dimensions. However, before 2018’sMarvel’s Spider-Man, I would argue thatWeb of Shadowswas the wall-crawler’s best open-world game. In 2008, this adventure was about as close to the full package as the IP ever got, delivering an impressive map, solid pre-Arkhamcombat, pretty great movement and web-swinging, and a story that balanced fanservice and strong writing well. GiveWeb of Shadowa go if you have never played it.
I am just talking about the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions ofWeb of Shadows, and not the handheld or PS2 iterations. While they have the same title, they are very different games.
BeforeSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,Batman: Arkham Originswas theArkhamfranchise’s black sheep, at least when it came to major releases (as the series has plenty of forgettable spin-offs). While Rocksteady worked onArkham Knightand fell in love with the Batmobile, Warner Bros charged WB Games Montreal with developing a prequel that covered Bruce’s rookie days in Gotham, resulting in a somewhat forgettable entry that seemed like a rethread ofArkham City.
Honestly, that criticism is valid.Arkham OriginsisArkham Citywith a snowy coat of paint. The prequel mostly takes its predecessor’s map and adds a Christmas theme, while the combat is expanded slightly but ultimately not all that different. Even the story kind of fizzles out after introducing a tired and unnecessary surprise villain.
Here is the thing:Arkham Cityis one of the greatest open-world games of all time, and its blueprint has rarely been repeated. So, in the year 2025, I am grateful to haveArkham Originsas an alternative. Removed from its big brother’s shadow, the 2013 game has impressive visuals (for the era), a beautiful city, fun-as-hell combat, and fantastic boss fights that compare favorably with any other entry in the series.
2011’sRageused to be an underappreciated gem in its own right, but id Software’s original has grown into a cult classic. The belated sequel transitioned into an open-world setting and was primarily handled by Avalanche Studios, due to the developer’s work onMad Max. That said, Id Software lent a helping hand by seemingly shaping the gunplay to be almost identical to 2016’sDoom, a decision that proved to beRage 2’s saving grace.
Look,Rage 2is not perfect. The post-apocalyptic world is empty in a way that is boring rather than atmospheric. Despite crafting perfection withMad Max, Avalanche kind of missed the mark withRage 2’s driving and vehicular combat, both of which are slow and unsatisfying. The story is barely noteworthy and comes across asBorderlandsbut worse.
Yet, I still loved my time withRage 2. Why? Well, the on-foot gameplay is just so much fun. While slightly more common nowadays, in 2019,open-world games with top-notch first-person gunplaywere rare, andRage 2was comfortably among the best in its class. Even half a decade later, the guns still feel great, and the combat improves quite a bit once you unlock all your abilities.
Unlock all your Nanotrite abilities as soon as possible. They elevate the gameplay considerably.
I miss Pandemic Studios so much. Everyone knowsBattlefrontand its sequel, but nearly all the developer’s games were great.Mercenaries: Playground of Destructionis one of themost fun open-world gamesof the 2000s, and its sequel is decent, too.Destroy All Humansis magic, and evenThe Lord of the Rings: Conquesthas its moments. Unfortunately, EA closed Pandemic’s doors in 2009, a month before the release ofThe Saboteur, the company’s final game.
Set in Paris during World War 2, you step into the role of a race car driver who becomes part of the French Resistance. You go around the city, liberating areas from Nazi control. In a really neat stylistic choice, the world is mostly black and white, only for a zone to gain color when you free it. While the controls are a bit clunky at times,The Saboteuroozes personality, charm, and “cool” out of every single frame. Paris is a treat to explore, and the gameplay blends driving, stealth, and third-person shooting well.
Is this one of the greatest open-world games ever? Honestly, probably not, but I would recommendThe Saboteurto pretty much anybody who likes this genre and wants something a bit different.
You might not loveWay of the Samurai 4. Heck, you might hate it. Conversely, there is a small chance you might end up finding your favorite game of all time.WoTSis just weird that way, and there is nothing else quite like it. The fourth entry is the only one that could be classified as open-world, and even then, it takes place in a smallish village that consists of a few different areas. However, the port town’s ecosystem is well-realized, and the game does a stellar job of immersing you within the setting. You are also challenged to make a lot of choices that directly impact the story’s progression and ending, resulting in a journey that feels unique rather than on-rails.
Way of the Samurai 4is not the greatest game on this list, but it is the one that deserves more attention. While overwhelming at first, the sword combat is generally fantastic and gets progressively better as you grow more confident. The three-faction system combines well with both the gameplay and story, and the writing manages to blend realism and silliness.
