A detailed open world in a game is something totally special. Being able to run around and see everything at your own leisure is incredibly important for immersion and building a world that feels like it could actually exist. One of the most heralded open worlds is in the game Skyrim, where the vast plains and mountains between the towns and kingdoms create a living breathing world.
Some games attempt to create gigantic open worlds that could rival Skyrim, and some of these games are free to play. A fabulous feat in its own right, and while most of these games may not be technically bigger than Skyrim, the immersion that they provide more than makes up for the difference.
10 Genshin Impact
A new release as of 2020, Genshin Impact is a free to play action RPG that has taken the world by storm. Taking place in the magical world of Teyvat, players will explore massive spaces and build their characters to take on greater challenges. The game has been compared to Breath of the Wild in a lot of ways, but its open world is no joke. Despite the free to play nature, the game has broken many records for biggest profit in a mainly mobile game, and the game is only bound to get bigger.
9 Albion Online
While starting out as a free to play game, Albion Online released in 2015 and removed that model until 2019, where it became free again. With the size of its detailed open world, Albion Online certainly was justified to charge. Players can see more of the gorgeous world at once, because of its top-down view that is reminiscent of the Diablo series. The game is not only huge, but its world is extremely varied and exciting to explore.
8 Rift
Dating back all the way to 2011, Rift has went through many different iterations and company ownership, but it has made its impact known in the near decade that it has been around. One of the most well-praised aspects of Rift is, despite its dated graphics, the open world.
The world of Telera is absolutely brimming with life and detail, and its size has become astounding over the years. Fantasy worlds are difficult to make stand out from the crowd, but Rift has the advantage of experience on its side.
7 Star Trek Online
Captain’s Log #2020: Star Trek Online is a massive MMORPG that shares a license with one of the most legendary space-travelling series of all time. With the regions of space as a backdrop, this open world game is more of an open galaxy. Being able to travel to multiple open worlds via spacecraft, Star Trek Online proves itself to be absolutely massive and immersive. Space is certainly the final frontier when it comes to Star Trek Online.
6 Atlantica Online
This open world MMORPG may have flown under the radar for a lot of gamers, but Atlantica Online is not to be missed. Having been active since 2008, the game blends world exploration with a turn-based combat system that feels very unique and independent. Players spend their time trying to find their homeland of Atlantis, and the game blends fantasy with history and culture to create something special. The world is absolutely massive and such a beautiful thing to behold.
5 Planetside 2
Taking place on the planet Auraxis, Planetside 2 is an MMO open world shooter that puts players into a raging conflict between three factions. The entire world is explorable, and it feels significantly more grandiose when you see the impact that this conflict has on the world.
First Person Shooter MMOs are not very common, so with an open world this huge, Planetside 2 shouldn’t be missed. It is something totally special and feels alive and prospering.
4 Creativerse
This game is without a doubt inspired by Minecraft, and both its mechanics and its open world reflect that. Creativerse is an open world survival game that sees players walking around blocky environments to try and stay alive for as long as possible. Although the world in this game is not designed beforehand, the procedurally generated nature of the game makes the open world huge but also unexpected and different every time you play. If you’re looking for Minecraft but not willing to drop the dough, Creativerse may scratch that itch.
3 Destiny 2
This high profile Bungie shooter didn’t start out this way, but Destiny 2 became free to play after a while and fans welcomes this change. Although players have to pay for expansions, the base game already includes massive worlds to freely run around in and shoot intense enemies. The gameplay is addictive, the story is vastly improved from the first Destiny, and the open worlds feel lived in and detailed. Hopefully the free to play base model continues to allow more players to discover the world of Destiny 2.
2 Defiance 2050
Being two games in with the Defiance series, many fans have been made happy with Defiance 2050: a sequel that builds on the original and makes everything and better, especially the open world. The unique futuristic open world is a main selling point, and the shooter gameplay that is present here is incredibly addictive. Teaming up with friends to scour this massive world is very fun, especially because its free and easy to get started.
1 Star Wars: The Old Republic
One of the most well-known licenses of all time, Star Wars: The Old Republic allows players to explore the massive planets within the Star Wars universe. A dream for many, this long-lasting MMORPG has largely expanded since release and has let millions of players wield lightsabers and master the ways of the Force in multiple different planets. Missions can sometimes be linear experiences, but the general gist of the game revolves around seeing the massive worlds open up to you.
NEXT: MMORPG: 5 Reasons To Play Guild Wars 2 (& 5 Reasons To Play FFXIV)
