30. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

Don’t Nod’s second major action RPG, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden was released early last year, and it turned out to be a way better experience than Vampyr. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden was an excellent action role playing game with plenty to do with story being its main focus. Throughout the game’s narrative, players would have to make tough decisions which can result in any of the five endings.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

It’s safe to say that Nintendo knocked it out of the park with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, knitting together a complex web of intertwining systems with mechanics that let you express your creativity to the fullest resulting in an experience like no other. It takes everything that worked in the original, and amps it up to eleven – be it Link’s powers, the size of the open world, or the many options for tackling a dungeon or boss fight. Despite a few technical hiccups owing to the hardware limitations, Tears of the Kingdom is easily one of the best games that you can experience on Nintendo’s hybrid handheld.

MONSTER HUNTER WORLD

We could have gone with any one of the Monster Hunter games, but are going with World for obvious reasons. Up to this point, it’s the best iteration of the series’ excellent formula. Large and seamless maps, an impressive roster of incredibly designed monsters that are as magnificent to behold as they’re a joy to fight, and an insanely addictive gameplay loop revolving around killing progressively stronger monsters so you can use their part to make progressively stronger gear, which will help you kill progressively stronger monsters, and on and on and on. Especially with its Iceborne expansion included, this is a game that can keep you occupied for a startling amount of time.

THE VILLAGE – RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE

As the game’s name suggests, the Village is a massive part of the experience in Resident Evil Village. Blanketed in snow and deathly silent, it instantly sets your teeth on edge the moment you enter it early on in the game, and prompt encounters against terrifying, vicious enemies do an excellent job of setting the tone for the rest of the game. Throughout the experience, you return time and again to the Village, and it never loses its nightmarish charms. Exploration always feels rewarding, new threats keep presenting themselves at surprising times, and each time you come back, new areas – including optional ones – open up, allowing you to get ever more familiar with the Village and everything in it.

THE MOTHERLOBE – PSYCHONAUTS 2

Just like Raz, we all dreamed for years about setting foot in the headquarters of the legendary Psychonauts, and boy was it everything we had hoped it would be when we finally got to do it in Psychonauts 2. It doesn’t take long for the game to let players lose in the Motherlobe, and from the get-go, it’s a wonderful environment to traverse, full of charm, whimsy, and personality, and a unique aesthetic that only Psychonauts can capture. More and more of the Motherlobe also becomes available for players to explore throughout the length of the game, and it always remains a delightful experience.

MANTIS – STAR WARS JEDI: SURVIVOR

Stars Was Jedi’s Mantis takes its fair share of cues from Mass Effect’s Normandy- a ship that you and your crew frequently return to during your swashbuckling adventures throughout the galaxy. Sure, it’s not as large, as layered, or even as populated as Commander Shepard’s ship was, but the Mantis has a lot of the same strengths. One of Jedi: Survivor’s biggest strengths is its core cast of characters, and having quieter moments where you can just talk to them about something important or nothing at all really makes the Mantis feel like a cozy home sailing through space.

UNION – THE EVIL WITHIN 2

Many were skeptical about The Evil Within 2’s semi-open world approach, but it’s fair to say that that actually turned out to be one of the game’s biggest strengths. The world’s saddest dad Sebastian Castellanos enters the virtual town of Union early on in the game, and though the more linear, guided sections within the town are obviously among the game’s most memorable, the town itself is also a highlight. From the risk/reward feel of its exploration to the excellent side quests and optional content on offer, Union is an excellent location that probably deserves more recognition than it gets- much like all of The Evil Within 2, actually.

THE HIDEAWAY – FINAL FANTASY 16

We’re going to cheat a little bit here and include both Hideaways. Final Fantasy 16 has its detractors, and yes, the game has its issues, but when you’re in the Hideaway, it’s hard not to be impressed with how lived in the game and its world feel. Not only is the Hideaway a place where you find some of the game’s best side quests, or a place where you can go to Clive’s room and peruse his wall of memories, it’s also where you spend a great deal of time with the game’s excellent cast of side characters. The second Hideaway in particular really does feel like a home for Clive and his band of outlaws.

THE NEXUS – DEMON’S SOULS

Being the very first game of its kind, Demon’s Souls hub location, the Nexus, was obviously notably less elaborate than the hub locations in a lot of other FromSoftware Soulslikes, but even now, it stands as one of the most memorable hubs in a game. In addition to being one of few places in the entire game where you can let your guard down, it also excels in other areas, from the captivating lore attached to it to some of the eccentric characters you meet there, to how strikingly beautiful it looks, especially in Bluepoint Games’ remake.

THE FORBIDDEN LANDS – SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS

Shadow of the Colossus is a singular experience that hits you in a way that no other game has ever managed to, and though the list of things that contribute to that is obviously long, the vast plains of the Forgotten Lands are surely high on that list. It’s hard not to be struck by the desolate beauty of the environments each time you return to the game’s central hub after felling a Colossus. There aren’t a lot of games that can legitimately make being “empty” an actual strength, but Shadow of the Colossus is spectacularly good at exactly that, and nothing examplifies that better than the Forgotten Lands.

THE THEATER – THE LAST OF US PART 2

We’re admittedly stretching the definition of a hub location here, because the Theater that serves as Ellie and Dina’s base of operations for the bulk of their time in Seattle isn’t really a hub as far as the game’s design and structure are concerned. It is, however, a scripted, narrative hub, and an excellent one at that. After each of Ellie’s harrowing excursions, returning to the relative calm and safety of the theater feels like a genuine relief each time. Some of the game’s most memorable scenes also take place here, while players also always have the option of taking the time to unwind by having Ellie sit down and strum away at the strings of a guitar.

JUBILIFE VILLAGE – POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS

Jubilife Village probably could have been a much more impactful hub location if Pokemon Legends: Arceus wasn’t as technically hamstrung as it was, but even in its current state, it’s a genuinely well-designed base. For starters, having an actual ranch where you can physically see all of your stored Pokemon is a genius move. That in and of itself ensures that Jubilife Village lives long in the memory, but additional things like Galaxy Team’s HQ, the training arena, the beach, the farm, and more ensure that there’s more to the location than just being able to look at your Pokemon from across a fence.

KAMURA VILLAGE – MONSTER HUNTER RISE

Monster Hunter has often been known for its charming hub locations, and Monster Hunter Rise surely continues that tradition. Even from a purely visual standpoint, Kamura Village has a very distinct look to it that ensures that it sticks out in memory, from its art style to the architecture and interiors of the buildings to all of the smaller flourishes you can spot all over the village. On top of that, it also obviously serves as the place where you prepare for and select your next hunts, rendezvous with your friends in co-op, speak with NPCs, and most importantly, craft and upgrade gear.

Join us as we look at the top 30 best action RPGs as of 2023 and what makes them worth playing.

30. Fallout 3

Much like Skyrim, Fallout 3’s combat hasn’t exactly aged well. However, at the time, it was pretty revolutionary, representing the formerly overhead 2D RPG in a fully 3D world with third and first-person perspectives.

The shooting felt more immersive, and V.A.T.S. was more of a slow-mo targeting system for damaging specific limbs (or exploding heads in over-the-top fashion). Aside from that, the world is well-developed, channeling the isolation of a post-nuclear fallout, while your choices had a notable impact on quests to create memorable moments.

29. Dying Light 2 Stay Human

When going from Dying Light 1 to 2, several things were lost. Fortunately, Techland has been doing a good job restoring some of these, while adding some new features to expand on and improve the combat. Legendary weapons, new enemy types, more dangerous Infected, Legend Levels, dismemberment and much more have been added in post-launch updates, resulting in a more visceral and engaging experience.

28. Bastion

Supergiant Games’ first title, Bastion, mixed isometric combat with some light building mechanics to create a compelling adventure. The world is a mess, and it’s the player’s job to put things back together, with the different structures conferring unique upgrades and facilities. Combat is fairly solid and responsive throughout, with melee and ranged options available, but it’s the story and its mysteries that immerse you, thanks, especially to the Narrator who follows your journey.

27. X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse

It’s a shame there haven’t been many action RPG titles in the vein of X-Men Legends, especially with how good Rise of Apocalypse turned out. The story was simple enough as Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants teamed with Xavier’s X-Men to defeat Apocalypse, which allowed for squads from an extensive roster.

Each character gained XP to upgrade their abilities and could even execute combos and Super Combos. With a central hub for viewing comic book covers and biographies, a Danger Room for additional missions and updated visuals over the original, X-Men Legends 2 was an upgrade in almost every way (except maybe the voice acting).

26. Weird West

An immersive sim from WolfEye Studios, Weird West is still an action RPG with open-ended objectives and fairly responsive combat. The various playable characters and unique abilities add some flavor to the supernatural adventure, and you can either go in guns-blazing or utilize stealth to take down foes. While some choices may not be that impactful, the combat is on point, the art style sharp, and the world brimming with things to do.

25. Transistor

Weird as it sounds, Supergiant Games’ Transistor qualifies as an action RPG, though it also has a sort of real-time with pause system. Protagonist Red wields the Transistor, a powerful sword, as the Cloudbank faces an attack at the hands of the Process.

During combat, players can go around whacking enemies or pause and plan actions as long as the Action Bar remains. After unpausing, those actions are immediately executed. With a surprising amount of depth to its encounters and Functions, Transistor is a different take on the genre, but one that presents an incredible art style and music to go with its emotional story.

24. Diablo 4

Despite a problematic launch for its first season, Diablo 4 has improved by leaps and bounds since then. Classes have received more items and Uniques to enable distinct builds and many more viable play styles.

The world has received several changes that make leveling up smoother and the end game more enjoyable (teleporting directly to a Nightmare Dungeon from its Sigil being one such change). Even the horse feels much better to control. Though things could always change, Diablo 4 is in a pretty good spot right now and worth checking out for fans of action RPG looters.

23. Ys 9: Monstrum Nox

Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana starts slow and often repels those who aren’t into its “stranded on a deserted island” plot or the basic survival tasks. Granted, it opens up and offers an incredible journey, but it takes some time. Ys 9: Monstrum Nox, on the other hand, is full throttle from the get-go.

The city of Balduq is seamless to explore and brimming with things to collect as players use Adol’s new traversal abilities in exciting ways. Each Monstrum’s story is interesting; the combat is as fluid as ever and the bosses fun to fight; and the new activities integrate seamlessly into the game. The Ys series may not be for everyone, but Ys 9 is simply phenomenal.

22. Borderlands 2

The pinnacle of the franchise, Borderlands 2 featured an unforgettable villain, some crazy loot and class synergies, and a decent story. Sure, the end-game devolved into utter chaos, especially in Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode, but with heaps of content and significant improvements over the original, it remains the definitive looter shooter. Yes, even over Borderlands 3.

21. System Shock 2

After the first game’s success, System Shock 2 leaned more into the action aspect while still emphasizing strategy over twitch aiming. Though there were different services of UNN to choose from, each specializing in different branches like weapons, hacking and psionics, the gameplay was still open-ended, encouraging experimentation. Of course, between all the different enemy types and weapons, it’s easy to forget that System Shock 2 is a horror game, with the insanity of SHODAN and the sound design still unmatched.

20. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

It may not have aged all that well, but one can’t discount the impact of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim’s combat on the genre. Being able to dual-wield and use different kinds of magic while having more agency on the development of your character was incredible, not to mention all of the different Dragon Shouts. The threats it offered, from dragons and giants, also felt fresh and challenging. Melee combat can be hit or miss, but Skyrim made up for it with the quality of its world and exploration.

19. Starfield

You could levy many criticisms against Starfield, but the combat has marked a step up from anything Bethesda has released thus far. The overall feel of shooting is crisp, and seeing the effects of certain weapons, like ballistic weapons pushing you around in Zero-G settings, is pretty cool. Throw in everything else, from compelling ship design and space combat to fun side missions, and Starfield does offer enough reason to lock and load.

18. Dead Island 2

No one expected anything from Dead Island 2 after it spent nearly a decade in limbo. So when it launched as a straightforward, zombie-killing hack-and-slash title with surprisingly deep combat, it was surprising.

Using the environment to damage zombies, unique weapons that all affected the undead in different ways, the Skill Deck for leaning into certain play styles, and the FLESH system, which took gore and dismemberment to a new level, all added to the experience. Even if the missions and story weren’t anything exceptional (the latter did have some fun revelations, though), Dead Island 2 gave you plenty of reason to run around and slay zombies in creative ways. And really, what more could you ask?

17. Remnant 2

The first Remnant is the very definition of a dark horse. With little hype, it cemented itself as a compelling, challenging game that blended third-person shooting with Souls-like mechanics. So to have Remnant 2, a bigger, bolder version with overhauled mechanics, more loot and customization is a dream come true.

From the bleak landscape of N’erud to the crazed streets of Losomn, the sequel offers a strong variety of enemies, fun boss fights and more complex procedural generation for entirely different questlines and challenges in each run. Even the build variety is significantly crazier since you can effectively mix skills from two classes together.

16. Pokémon Legends: Arceus

As perhaps the biggest shift to the Pokemon formula in a long time, Pokemon Legends: Arceus allowed the player to run around and capture Pokemon in real time. You can be attacked and knocked out during battles, which means deploying Pokemon to fight back. It was a big twist utilized in several unique ways throughout the story. Of course, on top of this, Arceus also featured a massive world to explore, tons of Pokemon to collect and an enthralling story that encouraged catching them all.

15. Lords of the Fallen

Like Dead Island 2, Lords of the Fallen is a long time coming, and it delivers on almost every single front. The dark fantasy setting, with the dual world motif playing a major role in the gameplay and story; the three magic schools, each with unique play styles; and the combat, which mimics Dark Souls in the best way possible – Hexworks delivered all this and more, along with some genuinely stunning visuals.

14. Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 has seen so many changes since its launch that it’s hard to keep track. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the best looter shooters available, with new Exotics and Gear Sets leading to a diverse range of playstyles. Combat itself feels very good, with new Signature Weapons adding some exceptional wrinkles without feeling like bog-standard “Ultimates.” With how much The Division 2 has expanded in content, from The Summit to Countdown, it’s easy to get lost in the gear grind.

13. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne

Many appreciate Monster Hunter Rise and its mechanics and the new monsters it delivers, but there’s just something else to Monster Hunter World. Its combat is an altogether different kind of polish, and you’re not bound to Wirebugs to unleash some of the strongest attacks.

The sheer range of monsters, old and new, is fun to fight, while Iceborne ups the difficulty significantly while layering on new Skills, mechanics and match-ups. If the Siege activities aren’t your thing, then maybe you’d like to take on the vast range of optional quests, including collaboration with Resident Evil and The Witcher 3. While it could be frustrating in its own right, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne is a stunning achievement for the franchise.

12. Hogwarts Legacy

Between capturing the essence of the Wizarding World’s locations and atmosphere and creating a fun open world, Hogwarts Legacy had its work cut out for it. Thankfully, even with average loot, it has stellar combat. There’s nothing quite like unleashing a bevy of spells against opponents while dashing around and using Avada Kedavra to wipe them out.

11. Lies of P

If there’s any title that could come close to feeling Bloodborne-like, it’s Lies of P. The Belle Epoque era epic also tosses in aspects of Dark Souls and Sekiro as you look to break an opponent’s stance and follow up with devastating blows.

Along with extensive weapon customization and Puppet Arms for different abilities, there are also unique weapons with powerful skills, adding even more nuance to the combat. Its pacing and boss design may not be on par with FromSoftware’s best, but the fact that it invites such comparisons while delivering stunning environments and ample enemy variety is already an achievement in itself.

10. Demon’s Souls

The original Demon’s Souls is something special. It kick-started the Souls-like genre as we know it, with FromSoftware going on to create the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne and Elden Ring. While it’s impressive, Bluepoint Games took the essence of the action RPG and polished it to a stunning degree on PS5.

You could argue that the graphical upgrade alone shouldn’t make it worth considering, but so much work has gone into enhancing the atmosphere and revamping locations to create a new feeling without taking away from the difficulty.

9. Nioh 2

Team Ninja had a lot to live up to after Nioh. With Nioh 2, it delved even more into what made the series so great – unrelenting but fair difficulty, combined with new aggressive Burst mechanics to overcome enemies.

That’s on top of all the new skills, weapon types, and Yokai Skills, further deepening the combat, while new bosses and mission parameters – including the dreaded Dark Realm. With even more potential for broken builds and extensive end-game activities to test them, Nioh 2 is a meaty experience, even if its difficulty isn’t for everyone.

8. Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 is when the series fully embraced the action RPG genre, becoming a third-person shooter where Shepard could issue commands to his teammates and combo effects together. It was seamless for such a massive leap in gameplay, delivering stellar gunplay while expanding on classes and weapons to offer more options. It’s backed by an amazing story, incredible companions, memorable side quests and one of the best final missions of any game, resulting in an unforgettable experience.

7. Cyberpunk 2077

When Cyberpunk 2077 first launched, its combat was good. Not spectacular, but good. Following numerous updates, it’s evolved into something truly spectacular. Between the bloody finishers, improved melee combat and solid gunplay is a toolset for more different builds.

Become a powerful hacker, spreading viruses and destroying opponents by driving cars into them. Leap around with Mantis Blades or toss bodies around. There are so many possibilities now, and it all feels good to control. Of course, the rest of the game being far better than before doesn’t hurt either.

6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Widely considered one of the greatest games ever made, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has it all: A compelling story, excellent side quests, a vast world brimming with activities and secrets, and, of course, some strong combat. Refined over the years, especially with the Complete Edition adding quick casting for Signs, the combat has the right amount of feedback as you dance around and demolish enemies.

5. Dark Souls 3

Some may love the first game, while others choose the second game to be different, but Dark Souls 3 is arguably the series’ peak. It strikes a balance with Bloodborne’s fast pace and the classic dodge-rolling gameplay, offers some incredible levels with striking details and delivers an incredible range of boss fights. Combine this with a healthy selection of spells and weapons for replay value, and you have one of the best action RPGs. Even after all these years, few games can match the brilliance of Dark Souls 3.

4. Final Fantasy 16

Yes, the role-playing game mechanics – specifically the loot – are fairly light. Yes, the dungeons weren’t packed with crazy mechanics. However, when it comes to embodying everything that makes the series so worthwhile, Final Fantasy 16 is superb. The combat offers a different take on Break mechanics and constantly adds new abilities and combos to try out as you progress.

The story is an enthralling odyssey with betrayal, revelations and its fair share of grimness. The characters are all portrayed excellently, even if some could have used more time to shine. Above all, the presentation with its visuals and music, especially the Eikon fights, has to be seen first-hand. It may not be everyone’s favorite Final Fantasy, but Final Fantasy 16 is still an accomplished action RPG.

3. Horizon Forbidden West

Video game sequels are meant to improve on their predecessors, and Guerrilla Games took this to heart with Horizon Forbidden West. Every aspect, from the Skill Trees and upgrade system to Armor Skills and open-world activities, is better than the first game. With so many unique movement options like the Shieldwing and Pullcaster, Aloy would have even tougher Machines to deal with, including the Tremortusk, Slaughterspine and Tideripper. It made for an enthralling adventure, as the secrets of the Forbidden West were laid bare.

2. Elden Ring

FromSoftware’s magnum opus, its take on the open-world genre, is nothing short of masterful. The Lands Between is brimming with secrets and challenges, and even with some repeated content and cheap bosses, it’s an epic journey.

If seeing what’s around the next corner is a big motivator, then combat is perhaps the second biggest, mixing the best of Dark Souls with the most customization in a Souls-like title yet. Whether you’re a samurai specializing in Bleed builds, a Warrior jump-attacking everything with dual greatswords or slinging spells, there are so many ways to play, to say nothing of the wide variety of Spirit Ashes that serve as companions.

1. Bloodborne

It’s only fitting that one of the few games that can match FromSoftware’s best works is what many consider its best work to date. Bloodborne isn’t the most technically accomplished action RPG on this list due to being stuck on the PS4 for all these years.

Nevertheless, it delivers a gothic Victorian setting and a sense of all-encompassing dread. The combat is still enthralling, engaging and involving, introducing weapon transformations and firearms for new ways to topple enemies. Throw in some excellent bosses and engrossing lore, and Bloodborne still towers over its competitors.

It still has some way to go before catching up with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, which is currently at 6.46 million units sold. Bayonetta 3 has sold 1.07 million since launching in October 2022, while Splatoon 3 is at 10.67 million in sales. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 has sold 1.86 million and Pokemon Legends: Arceus has sold 14.83 million.

Mario titles have done very well, with Luigi’s Mansion 3 at 12.82 million, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury selling 11.38 million units, and Mario Party Superstars hitting 10.17 million sold. Mario Strikers: Battle League is the only exception, with 2.54 million sold thus far. Overall, Nintendo has sold a whopping 1,036.15 million Switch titles to date.

Splatoon 3 launched in September for the Nintendo Switch and continues to be a major success, with 10.13 million units sold. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is at 1.81 million units sold, while Nintendo Switch Sports has sold 8.61 million. Pokemon Legends: Arceus may not have hit the same heights as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, but it’s still at an incredible 14.63 million units sold.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe has sold 14.75 million units since coming to the Switch, while Luigi’s Mansion 3 is at 12.44 million and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is at 10.82 million. Mario Party Superstars sold 9.38 million, while Mario Strikers: Battle League managed to hit 2.47 million units sold. Finally, Kirby and the Forgotten Land has sold a respectable 6.12 million units sold.

NOTE: There are spoilers ahead for every game in this feature.

MEETING ARCEUS (POKEMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS)

Yes, it’s a bit strange that meeting and battling Arceus is an optional sequence in a game that’s named after it, but if you do invest all the time you need to in order to do so, it turns out to be worth the wait. Appropriately enough given Arceus’ stature and importance in Pokemon lore, it’s a suitably dramatic and monumental moment, as is, of course, the battle that follows. The fight against Arceus is easily the most difficult fight in the entire game- but at the end, you get to catch the Pokemon without whom the Pokemon universe wouldn’t exist. And then you get to put it in the ranch with a dozen Bidoofs.

Let’s look at the 11 hardest boss fights of 2022 and what made them so challenging.

Gna – God of War Ragnarok

The new Valkyrie Queen, Gna, is probably easier than Sigrun from God of War (2018). Underestimate her at your peril, though, as she possesses a wide variety of slashes, slices, ranged attacks (including Bifrost), unblockable attacks, and whatnot. If that weren’t enough, she can toss out two glaives in a spinning motion, afflicting you with Fire, Frost, Poison or Bifrost. Did we mention stomps and slams, each causing immense damage? You’ll need max level, fully upgraded gear and weapons, and much more to even stand a chance against Gna.

God of War Ragnarok

If it wasn’t clear already after the onslaught of media in November, God of War Ragnarok is a massive experience. The base game’s story involves exploring the Nine Realms, including new ones like Svartalfheim and Vanaheim. But even the returning locations like Midgard and Alfheim have plenty of new things to see. Each realm is packed with Favors to complete, Yggdrasil Rifts, optional bosses, armor, Runic Attacks, weapon attachments, upgrade materials, you name it. The story isn’t even close to the end as a massive new area opens up in the post-game.

Elden Ring

Mechanically, Elden Ring takes many cues from developer FromSoftware’s previous works, Dark Souls being the most prominent. Influences like Berserk are also prominent throughout the design, but nothing could quite prepare Souls fans for the sheer breadth of The Lands Between. Limgrave appears unassuming enough but contains enough horrors to keep you honest. Caelid is a nightmarish wasteland, Leyndell is a sprawling capital city…and that’s only a taste of what the entire game has to offer. Bosses, unique enemies, loot, whatever the hell is going on in Volcano Manor – there’s a lot to see, and kill.

Horizon Forbidden West

You’d think that exploring the world of Zero Dawn would prepare you for Guerrilla Games’ next. However, the sheer scale of Horizon Forbidden West is incredible to behold, even when you’re a ways off from the shores. Horizon Forbidden West expands on everything from its predecessor, whether it’s the side quests and gear variety or the number of collectibles, secrets, and Machines to hunt.

Throughout all of this, there are thick new jungles to explore, arid wastelands teeming with terrifying Slitherfangs and Thunderjaws, snow-covered mountains, and of course, the gorgeous beaches with their Tiderippers. It’s a stunning game, and being able to go just about anywhere – yes, even the ruins of the Golden Gate Bridge – is incredible.

Need For Speed Unbound

Lakeshore City, the setting for Unbound, is based on Chicago and leans even deeper into the street culture scene than previous entries with its Tags, graffiti art, and personalities. As you race through the streets, you’ll encounter a variety of locales, from the City Pier and Kennedy Test Track to the picturesque Mountain Road on Kennedy Drive. Everything looks vibrant and alive, especially at night when the cops are in pursuit, and the dozens of cars and events will keep you busy.

Ghostwire Tokyo

Unlike its previous efforts, Ghostwire Tokyo by Tango Gameworks is a completely open-world game. Set in Tokyo, facing a constant downpour in the wake of the Visitors’ abduction of most residents, it’s a stunning game teeming with gorgeous lighting and reflections. But there are also tasks to complete, Torii Gates to cleanse and visit, spirits to assist, cat merchants to buy from, and rooftops to grapple on. The mix of grounded and ethereal presents enough to keep you busy.

Sonic Frontiers

The “open-zone” format in Sonic Frontiers is most decidedly not open world. But each region is incredibly huge, teeming with puzzles, Koco to rescue, time trials, roaming enemies, and much more, whether you’re gathering Memory Tokens or the Chaos Emeralds. There are also various Cyber Space Stages, fishing with Big the Cat, and massive Titans to battle. It’s expansive but still well-paced and fits Sonic’s overall sense of speed. Except for that grass-cutting mini-game, probably.

Dakar Desert Rally

Is this a great racing game? No, and the controls aren’t exactly going to satisfy rally enthusiasts. But the open world is fun to explore, with weather effects like blizzards and sandstorms mixing up the vistas in unique ways. It’s gorgeous to drive through, as long as you ignore some of the more lacklustre gameplay elements.

Gotham Knights

The Gotham City in Gotham Knights may not live up to that in Arkham Knight, but the fidelity is impressive enough. Even if you stick to one hero, enough is going on in each district, from crimes in progress to challenges, to keep them occupied. If nothing else, it’s still nice to perch up high and gaze upon the city’s lights, soaking up the atmosphere.

Saints Row

Saints Row may falter in several aspects, but Santo Ileso is still a worthwhile playground for some mayhem. From the bustling lights of El Dorado to the deserts of the Gehenna Badlands and skyscrapers of Lakeshore, there’s a good variety of environments as you wingsuit or recklessly drive through them. The amount of activities and Criminal Ventures is also pretty healthy, and thanks to a recent patch, they should be less grindy and more palatable.

Sniper Elite 5

Sniper Elite 4’s levels were already embracing larger, more sandbox-like scenarios, but Sniper Elite 5 is on another level. Karl Fairburne is again battling the Nazis in various missions set in WW2 France, but the scale and the overall number of opportunities are much higher as you search for that perfect sniping spot. The visuals and attention to detail are stunning, and aspects like deeper weapon customization, shortcuts for future kills, and Invasion Mode, where another player enters your game as a rival sniper keeps things interesting.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Though technically not an open-world title, instead employing giant regions that are connected, Pokemon Legends: Arceus still offers a massive, captivating world to explore. Hisui is based on Hokkaido, Japan in the early times and offers a variety of incredible vistas to explore. They’re also teeming with danger from regular Pokemon to Alpha and Noble Pokemon, and being directly involved in the battle makes each experience more visceral. Despite having “only” 242 Pokemon, the journey to capture all of the same, through various story and side quests, and post-game activities, is still incredibly fun.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Say what you will about the performance and fidelity, but Paldea in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is a pretty massive place. Whether you’re pursuing the Path of Legends, fighting Titan Pokemon or facing down Team Star, there is a wealth of content available, from the four main Provinces to the mysterious Great Crater. You’ll discover hundreds of Pokemon, and maybe a few Legendaries if you’re intuitive enough. Also, unlike Pokemon Legends: Arceus, the entire world is seamlessly explorable in co-op with up to three other players.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

The sheer number of delays for this game is due to its massive size. Covering all nine mainline films in the series, from Episode 1: The Phantom Menace to the Rise of Skywalker, it also features hundreds of characters, upgrades, secrets, collectibles, side quests, space battles, and more. It’s a lot to take in, and while it may not offer as much freedom as other games on this list, The Skywalker Saga is still a huge experience.

Dying Light 2 Stay Human

The City is a big step up from Harran in terms of size and scale, with numerous detailed buildings to enter – some teeming with Infected Nests – and characters to interact with. Even with some aspects being stripped back, there are several side quests to undertake, and the sheer expanse lends itself well to challenges, time trials and so on. The improved controls and parkour mechanics make it much more seamless to explore.