Summary

  • Open world games continue to dominate the gaming landscape in 2025 with richer environments and deeper gameplay systems.
  • From feudal Japan to cyberpunk cities, today’s open worlds offer unprecedented freedom and immersion.
  • These five standout titles represent the pinnacle of open world design, offering hundreds of hours of exploration and adventure.

More and more open world games have been coming out in the gaming scene. Yet, some titles remain on top for their vast playground filled with varying contents that provide entertainment to players. Now, these are the 5 best open world games 2025 to dive into and have fun. 

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Their compliance with fan requests resulted in an outstanding result. Many players have tuned in to Assassin’s Creed Shadows as it brings them to feudal Japan. This March 2025 release allows players to choose between their two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, to take part in the adventure. They have to track the shadowy Shinbakufu organization across the nine stunning Japanese regions.

The seasonal system used for AC Shadows makes the game stand out. More than the visual landscape change, they also alter some gameplay elements based on environmental conditions to meet reality. They meticulously craft each region incorporating history in the story and designs. So, players can explore ancient temples, bustling villages and serene forests alongside the parkour and stealth mechanics.

Because of this, it is highly acknowledged that AC Shadows is one of the best  games for 2025. Yet, it still has room for improvements that should come in its future updates.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Up next for best open world games in 2025 would be none other than Dragon’s Dogma 2. It is Capcom’s sequel that builds on the ordinal cult classic beloved that dramatically expanded its scope. It features a reactive world filled with NPCs that follow their own schedules and are affected by your actions. Sometimes, they are killed by roaming monsters or natural disasters in the game. 

It enables an enhanced signature Pawn system which allows players to recruit AI companions. They’ll learn from your adventures while providing contextual advice from time to time. Its combat mechanics remain incredibly satisfying by letting players climb larger enemies. Yet, the game’s physics system creates impressive moments like luring cyclopes to hop off cliffs.

While it intentionally limits fast travel, Dragon’s Dogma 2 encourages exploration across their well-designed fantasy world. The journey definitely assures a promising immersive RPG that players can indulge.

Elden Ring

Definitely, the Elden Ring sits among the best open world games for 2025 after the integration of Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. It remains among the top contenders for open world games after successfully adding challenging combat and atmospheric storytelling.

Players have freedom on their ways to explore The Lands Between including the order of the objectives they need to complete. Every corner of the map leaves players with something to discover like hidden underground cities or floating celestial structures. Plus, it offers powerful weapons, challenging boss encounters, and lores to keep you hooked in the game.

Basically, the core gameplay lies in the curiosity and observation of the players throughout the game.

Red Dead Redemption 2

This Wild West simulation joins the best open world games you should play this 2025. Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most immersive worlds ever created under the genre. This has an outstanding attention to detail from realistic wildlife to NPCs that remember your actions and react accordingly.

The game spans diverse landscapes including murky swamps, dusty plains, to even snowy mountains. There are plenty of memorable characters to meet and countless activities to do such as hunting legendary animals to enjoy. The game’s protagonist, Arthur Morgan, makes the game extra interesting for telling the story of the death of the Wild West era. 

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is also considerably one of the best open world games this 2025. It offers a captivating experience given the multiple major updates and expansions it integrated. Cyberpunk 2077 fully lives out its promise of a cyberpunk metropolis. 

Each of the six districts has its own architectural style, cultural identity, and even controlling factions. It perfectly captured the division between the corporate towers in the City Center and the impoverished streets of Pacifica. It employs a system of power, commerce, and crime, enacting a dystopian world. 

You’ll uncover small stories with every inch of detail that makes the exploration rewarding in Cyberpunk 2077. It convincingly takes you to an urban dystopia where cyberware is just another risen enemy. 

Conclusion

Now, you know which are the best open world games for 2025 that you should try getting into as early as now. These games boast impressive systems and mechanics alongside the expansive worldbuilding and lore it has. It is definitely easy to get lost in playing these games due to the varying content and challenges it provides.