Top 20 Most Underrated Open World Video Games
#20: “Need for Speed: Most Wanted” (2012)
Top 10 Underrated Open World Games
When racing games began to move into the open world space, players gained a new sense of freedom we’re sure they’re grateful for. While “Most Wanted” wasn’t the first open world entry in the “Need For Speed” series, it did a lot of things right that we wish it got a bit more credit for. Developer Criterion Games blended what fans loved about the series with that of its other racer, “Burnout,” to create a great concoction. “Most Wanted” controlled like a dream, it had neat social features, and, most importantly, its open world map was a joy to explore and race through. More recent entries and other franchises have since surpassed it, but it certainly deserves recognition.
#19: “Days Gone” (2019)
By the time “Days Gone” released, we’d seen an absurd amount of open world action games, and even more games that had you battle the undead. Despite it being pretty late to the party, and only garnering mixed reviews, there was still a lot to love. Riding our motorcycles was a fun way to navigate the dangerous landscape. The signature horde mechanic made for nice challenges, forcing you to use your environment to outsmart swarms of enemies. Although the plot and writing wasn’t the strongest, it was still carried by an engaging protagonist thanks to Sam Witwer’s great performance. Although it sold well, it seems the mediocre reviews were enough for Sony to not consider a sequel.
#18: “Two Worlds II” (2011)
10 Video Game Franchises That Should NOT Have Gone Open World
Even more crowded than the open world action market is that of the open world fantasy RPG. And while “Two Worlds II” can’t contend with the likes of “Skyrim” or “The Witcher 3,” it still has plenty to offer and was a significant improvement on the first game. Though its plot could be generic, it had engaging characters and a nice comedic style. Its crafting and spellcasting systems made it so players were sucked in for hours, and several story-driven DLCs kept them coming back for more. Sadly, its technical issues have probably become more noticeable and its controls grown more clunky over the years. A sequel was announced in 2016, but we’ve yet to see anything about it.
#17: “The Godfather” (2006)
Top 10 Hardest Open World Video Games
“The Godfather” films are undeniable classics that will likely be discussed until the end of time. However, the game based on the first movie has grown more obscure than we think it should be. While it is a movie tie-in, it followed an original character’s story of vengeance that crossed over with the tale of the Corleone family. The way it had players weave in and out of the movie’s events was really creative, and some of the actors even reprised their roles. Released across a slew of platforms, some were definitely stronger than others. Unfortunately, its sequel didn’t do nearly as well critically or financially, and so the series died before it could finish.
#16: “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl” (2007)
The 10 BEST Open World Switch Games
Set in an alternate history, “Shadow of Chernobyl” follows a second disaster at the famous nuclear power plant. You awake with amnesia and must piece together your past while navigating an incredibly dangerous world with mutated creatures and increasingly stranger occurrences. The FPS had terrific scares and was backed by a clever premise that made you want to keep digging. Although it has received a couple of sequels, with another on the way, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R.” never became the household name it deserved to be. Perhaps that was due to it being a PC-only series. Regardless, it’s certainly worth seeking out for horror shooter fans.
#15: “Ultimate Spider-Man” (2005)
Breaking Down The Deaths in Smash Ultimate 'World of Light'!
Released the year after the beloved tie-in game for “Spider-Man 2,” “Ultimate Spider-Man” didn’t make quite as big a splash. Looking back, it definitely should have. The cel-shaded art style combined with its panel-layout cutscenes made it look more like a comic book than most other superhero games. And just like the previous Spider-Man adventure, it was an absolute blast to web-swing through the open world New York City. One thing this game had over most Spidey adventures was the ability to play as Venom, which changed up the gameplay. While many older Spider-Man games can be hit or miss, “Ultimate Spider-Man” stands tall as one of the best.
#14: “The Getaway” (2002)
The 20 WORST Open World Video Games
This Sony franchise seemingly died with its canceled third game. Considering it began with a solid foundation on the PlayStation 2, that’s a real shame. Taking inspiration from British crime films, it follows an ex-bank robber forced back into a life of crime to save his kidnapped son. Its open world was not only giant, but a fantastic recreation of London for the time. While the story definitely took a darker tone, most couldn’t help but notice similarities to “Grand Theft Auto III,” which was released the previous year. While “The Getaway” was the inferior game, it was still worth the time of players. However, lackluster reactions to the sequel and the canceled third entry ensured “The Getaway” would be mostly forgotten.
#13: “Dragon’s Dogma” (2012)
The 10 BEST Dragon Ball Z Video Games
In this action RPG, you play as the Arisen, destined to defeat an evil dragon…known only as the dragon. Not the most original plot, but it didn’t need to be. Combat was excellent and quite varied due to the unique class options. Its world was in constant flux due to it always operating regardless of the player, as well as having a dynamic weather system and day-and-night cycles. Its pawn system was also praised; your NPC companions had genuinely great AI and provided a plethora of helpful features. Although it debuted strongly, it doesn’t seem to be brought up as much as it deserves. Hopefully with the upcoming sequel, the love for “Dragon’s Dogma” will continue to grow.
#12: “Gothic” (2001)
When we consider how open world video games have evolved over time, it’s remarkable to look back on something as innovative as “Gothic.” In the midst of a war with Orcs, the kingdom’s ruler orders all criminals to gather magical ore from the mines. You play as one of the criminals following an uprising that saw the mining colony overthrown. “Gothic’s” writing was strong and its characters were surprisingly complex for 2001. Although it wasn’t as free or non-linear as later open world games would be, it was a solid precursor. While it spawned a franchise, several entries released close to those in “The Elder Scrolls,” which consistently reinvented the open world fantasy RPG.
#11: “Retro City Rampage” (2012)
Top 10 Awesome Retro Style Video Games
If you ever want to revisit the top-down days of “Grand Theft Auto,” we highly recommend Vblank Entertainment’s pop culture infused “Retro City Rampage.” Set in the city of Theftropolis, players control a criminal accidentally transported to the future. Just like “GTA,” you can wreak as much havoc in the open city as you want, using a variety of weapons and vehicles. It’s a ton of fun being let loose in the retro city, but the game also has a great sense of humor and is packed with great parodies and references. It’s rare to see an open world built in an old school style, but that’s partially what makes “Retro City Rampage” exceptional.
#10: “Brütal Legend” (2009)
Double Fine is a studio that specializes in underrated games, so it should come as no surprise that its open world game didn’t get enough love. “Brutal Legend” follows a heavy metal roadie transported to a fantastical open world, where he must aid citizens against supernatural forces. It blended action adventure gameplay with RTS mechanics for its battles, which certainly wasn’t for everyone. Still, its humor was incredible thanks to the heavy metal inspired world and Jack Black’s performance in the lead role. Additionally, with more than 100 metal songs in its soundtrack, it truly rocked in every sense of the word. You’d be hard-pressed to find another game like it.
#9: “Driver: San Francisco” (2011)
With a few mediocre entries leading up to it, the “Driver” series was already on the way out by the time “San Francisco” was released. That’s truly unfortunate, because it may actually be the best installment. It follows a comatose police detective in a dream world of San Francisco, trying to piece together the plan of the real-world criminal who put him there. That silly premise is really to set up the game’s main mechanic; you can “shift” your consciousness between various NPCs, able to seamlessly jump from one vehicle to another. This mechanic added another fun layer to exploring the game’s world. Since this entry was delisted in 2016 for licensing issues, it seems it will only grow more unknown.
#8: “The Saboteur” (2009)
The 10 BEST Open World PS5 Games
Following the death of his best friend at the hands of the Nazis, “The Saboteur” follows Sean Devlin, a new member of the French Resistance. Players are tasked with working their way through war-torn Paris, liberating various areas from German forces. Not only was the gunplay extremely solid, thanks to developer Pandemic’s expertise in the action genre, but exploring the city was a genuine treat. Scaling buildings with parkour mechanics allowed us to approach conflicts a different way, and the graphics were gorgeous by 2009 standards. It was unfortunately criticized for being similar to a lot of games at the time, and Pandemic sadly closed soon after its release.
#7: “Mafia II” (2010)
Top 10 Mafia & Gangster Games
“Grand Theft Auto” will likely remain the uncontested king of open world crime games. But that means a lot of other wonderful games have been overshadowed over the years. One of those is “Mafia II.” Released 8 years after the first, it follows Vito Scaletta, a Sicilian immigrant, and the conflicts between three crime families within the fictional Empire Bay. Rather than give players the freedom of mayhem like “GTA,” “Mafia II” places immense focus on immersion without a lot to distract from the stellar story. It also subscribes to realism, forcing the player to stay under the radar with their criminal dealings; you even have to obey the speed limit.
#6: “Yakuza 0” (2015)
The 10 BEST Yakuza Side Quests
We’re extremely grateful that more and more players seem to be discovering this Sega series. But it still isn’t at the level of recognition it deserves. As a prequel to the series, “Yakuza 0” is a great place to jump in. Set in late 80s Tokyo, it follows various factions of the crime group fighting over a certain piece of land. While the central story is pretty straightforward, there are a plethora of side activities ranging from silly to downright absurd. Whether you want to sing karaoke, race slot cars, go bowling, or just visit your local arcade, there’s a surprising amount of range in how you can spend your time.
#5: “Red Faction: Guerilla” (2009)
The 10 BIGGEST Open World Video Game Maps
It isn’t often we’re given the chance to explore Mars in video games, let alone an open world game. But that’s just part of what made “Red Faction: Guerilla” such a special release. The other part was giving players plenty of weaponry to destroy essentially every physical structure they came across. Set in 2125, players aided the titular Red Faction in overthrowing the domineering Earth Defense Force. Broken up into six sections, it was tremendous fun traversing the planet and blowing up everything the enemy had worked so hard to build. Strangely, “Guerilla’s” sequel did away with the open world format and sold poorly, causing the series to come to an end.
#4: “Mad Max” (2015)
Every Open World in Lego Games RANKED
Although “Mad Max” released the same year as the multiple Oscar-winning “Fury Road,” the IP didn’t fare nearly as well on the video game front. However, releasing the same day as “Metal Gear Solid V” certainly didn’t help its chances. Disconnected from the movies, it followed Max as he contended with a violent gang of raiders. The post apocalyptic landscape more than captured the tone of the movies. Although its story wasn’t anything remarkable, gameplay was exactly what we expected from a “Mad Max’ tie-in. A focus on enhancing Max’s ride and vehicular combat made it honestly thrilling to journey through the wasteland. And if you’re looking for something in a similar vein, 2003’s “RoadKill” is also an excellent choice.
#3: “Dying Light” (2015)
Another in the long line of zombie survival horror games, “Dying Light” has a few noteworthy aspects that set it apart. Set in the fictional Harran, ravaged by a virus, it tells the story of Kyle Crane, an undercover agent sent to uncover data that could lead to a cure. With a focus on crafting, melee combat, and parkour, “Dying Light” is a delight to play. But that feeling of delight may quickly vanish; it’s also a survival game through and through. You’ll definitely regret venturing into the city without proper preparation, especially at night when the undead are far more aggressive. Although it sold well, it didn’t reach the critical heights it so clearly deserved.
#2: “Sleeping Dogs” (2012)
Sleeping Dogs: Everything You Should Know
What originally began as an entry in Activision’s “True Crime” series was canceled by the publisher partially out of fear it couldn’t compete with “Grand Theft Auto.” Although the comparisons were still there after it was saved by Square Enix, “Sleeping Dogs” is much more than a “GTA” clone. Players controlled Wei Shan, an undercover cop infiltrating the Triad in Hong Kong. The focus on hand-to-hand combat in addition to gunplay made gameplay more varied, and the characterization of its main character was much stronger than most other crime-centric stories. Sadly, both a sequel and multiplayer spin-off were canceled, and developer United Front Games closed in 2016, causing “Sleeping Dogs” to fall further into underrated territory.
#1: “Sunset Overdrive” (2014)
Insomniac Games has given us a treasure trove of PlayStation exclusives, from the “Ratchet & Clank” series to “Marvel’s Spider-Man.” However, in 2014 the studio partnered with Microsoft to release what would be one of its most underappreciated games. Set in the not-so-distant future, players navigate a city overrun by mutated humans, made so by drinking FizzCo’s energy drink. The humorous writing had us chuckling along constantly while the traversal mechanics made navigating Sunset City one of the most joyous experiences in any open world game. Being an Xbox One exclusive during a low point for Microsoft meant it didn’t get as many eyes on it as it warranted. But we’ll always champion its greatness.
