Open-world games are some of the most popular in recent and past times because of their freedom and immersion. People enjoy big open-world games, so what is the biggest open-world game out there?
Minecraft has the most enormous world of any game (~1.5 billion square miles), but Minecraft is procedurally generated which means that the map isn’t set in stone beforehand, rather the map is created as you go. FUEL has the biggest map which isn’t procedurally generated, coming in at 5559 square miles.
What are some consequences of having procedurally generated maps as opposed to handcrafted maps? Which are the best open-world games out there? In this article, I will answer all of those questions and more.
What Is Considered An Open World Game?
Games with open-world do not have your typical walls to close out the map, for one. Other linear games have this to stop players from going outside of the map, but it’s also there to guide players where to go.
Open-world games also typically feature fewer loading screens because of not having to process new maps. Games with a few loading screens in between areas, such as The Witcher 3, are usually called semi-open-world, while a “true” open-world game is one with no loading screens.
Do not confuse the linearity of gameplay with the linearity of maps. They are usually connected just because of convenience, but plenty of open-world games are linear. Open-world games do, however, provide a lot of freedom when taking on assignments within a game.
One of the most prevalent themes is to mix open-world games with RPG elements. This is fitting because the accessible and big map provides a good setting for character and narrative building.
A distinction should also be made between procedurally generated open-world games and non-procedurally generated open-world games. In my and many other players’ opinions, handcrafted maps are much more personable and interesting because of all the intentional design choices that go with them.
What Game Has The Biggest Map Ever?
FUEL has the most extensive non-procedurally generated map ever. Some people don’t consider procedurally generated areas as maps, as they don’t feature an in-game function where you can look at a map with named areas for example.
The FUEL map is around 14,500 square kilometers big (approximately 5600 square miles). If procedurally generated maps are included, Minecraft is the biggest. Minecraft basically has an infinitely big map.
What Is The Number One Open World Game?
This is a decidedly subjective question, but the critically acclaimed game The Witcher 3 takes many players’ spots as the most well-crafted open-world game ever made. Let’s go over why the Witcher 3 is so appreciated among gamers.
The first thing worth pointing out is world-building. CDPR has successfully weaved narrative and visuals, which makes Witcher 3 one of the most immersive experiences in RPG gaming ever. The range and diversity of the world are also remarkable – environments range from spooky swamps to massive cities.
The music in The Witcher 3 is amazing. Generally, RPG music tends to be somewhat generic, and we’ve heard a lot of it since RPG video games started. The Witcher 3 music has a very original sound, which in my opinion makes the gaming experience more memorable.
Gameplay-wise, the Witcher 3 has a very comprehensive story and at the same time provides a lot of freedom. Many players are still playing the game, some seven years after its release, because of all the different paths and sidequests that are available in the game.
Is Sandbox The Same As Open-World?
No. The term sandbox refers to the multitude of tools and creative freedom that a game like that offers, not the size or lack of limitations that an open-world map provides. Oftentimes, sandbox games have a lot less focus on story and more on creativity.
Open-world games and sandbox games often intertwine, and they are not mutually exclusive. A good example of this is Minecraft.
To summarize: open-world refers to the physical space where you do things in a game, while sandbox refers to the things you do in a game. Fairly simple, really.
What Was The First Open World Game?
Depending on what you consider an open-world game, there are some options to consider. Jet Rocket was released in 1970. It is the first flight-simulator game ever and is completely open-world. It does not feature as much content as modern open-world games, but it is technically open-world.
Another option for the first open-world game depending on your definitions is the game Adventure from 1980. It’s an RPG, where you play as a character who must find an ancient chalice. One of the first open-world RPGs in the world, that’s for sure.
Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness is another RPG, similar to Adventure. It was released slightly later, however, and so the graphics are somewhat better-looking.
Open World Games 2022
Here I will go over upcoming games for the year 2022. As an addition to this list, I will also mention games that were released before 2022 but are still very much worth your while in 2022.
Saints Row
You have probably heard of the GTA-like game Saints Row before. It’s a wackier take on the genre than GTA, but it’s really fun. If you liked the old Saints Row games, then you will be happy to hear that Saints Row is getting revived.
Some gameplay has been released for the new Saints Row, which can be found on YouTube. I’m personally very hyped for this game since I played the old games a lot. Saints Row is set to release in August 2022 and will be available for every platform.
The Witcher 3
I’ve already mentioned The Witcher 3 in this article, but I figured I could put it on this list in good conscience. Without being repetitive, The Witcher 3 is a great game and still looks graphically impressive despite its age.
The game is available for $30 bucks on Steam and even cheaper when there are sales, so you should definitely grab it when you can.
GTA 5
GTA 5 is one of the best games ever bar none, and the game is still regularly in the top 5 played games on Steam, which is pretty insane considering it was released for PC in 2015.
GTA is a game with a vast open world, a decent story, and a lot of side activities. It’s probably one of the most popular open-world games of all time, so pick it up if you haven’t played it.
Hogwarts: Legacy
Hogwarts: Legacy is an upcoming game described as an open-world RPG. If you like Harry Potter you’ll probably love this game. I’m pretty hyped about this game because of the old Harry Potter games on the Playstation 1.
There are some gameplay trailers available online, and I think the game looks great. The game takes place 300 years before the Harry Potter books, so we’ll have an excellent chance to see how Hogwarts looked a long time ago.
The game is set to be released in December 2022 for all platforms.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring was released in February of 2022, and it was an instant smash hit among pretty much all gaming demographics. The game was made by FromSoftware, the company which brought you the Dark Souls series, and the game stays true to that concept.
Elden Ring is very challenging, with a lot of difficult bosses and dungeons. The story isn’t completely obvious in Elden Ring, and a lot of it you will have to piece together yourself. This fact is something that I and many other people love, it immerses you in a sense of adventure and discovery.
Elden Ring is one of my favorite games ever and I can’t recommend it enough.