Everyone has days where they stare out the window and long for a vacation. Sometimes life gets in the way of those dreams, but luckily video games are here to help! Here’s a countdown of the top five games to play when you just want to get lost in a huge, beautiful, open world.
5. Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima follows the main character Jin Sakai across the stunning countryside of 13th-century Japan in this critically acclaimed title from 2020. Without any modern-day distractions to pull you away from the screen, one can quickly lose track of time exploring all of the different vistas and points of interest. Not to mention the incredible soundtrack that helps set the game’s tone and makes you feel like you just traveled back in time. The re-release on the PlayStation 5 with an improved resolution and framerate made an already great-looking game even sharper and smoother.
4. Red Dead Redemption 2
It’s hard to say anything about Red Dead Redemption 2 that hasn’t already been said. With dry sandy deserts, snowy mountain peaks, deep luscious forests, and vibrantly clear fresh water, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Oh, and did I mention that it all looks amazing? With so many activities scattered throughout the world, an engaging story, and characters you’ll never forget, this is a game to help you escape the real world. Unfortunately, there isn’t a next-gen version (Rockstar, please!), so if you want to experience the best graphics that Red Dead Redemption 2 has to offer, a gaming PC is your best option.
3. Hogwarts Legacy
A new addition to this list, Hogwarts Legacy takes everything people love about the wizarding world and complements it with a beautiful backdrop. I didn’t expect Avalanche Software to pull off the tough task of creating the Hogwarts castle itself and surrounding it with such a magical environment. Whether you’re exploring the old ghostly castle or roaming the adjacent area, you’ll always find yourself stopping to take in what’s around you.
2. Horizon Forbidden West
A world set 1000 years in the future, where civilizations have decayed, and machine-beasts roam the lands might not sound like the most appealing setting for an open-world game, but let me tell you just how wrong you are. The sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn takes an already awe-inspiring post-apocalyptic world and makes it even better. Traversing across the west coast of the United States means you’ll get to explore the Las Vegas strip, San Francisco, Yellowstone, and much more, each with their own unique twist. It takes full advantage of the PlayStation 5’s raw horsepower, which means you’ll be left with some truly jaw-dropping moments.
1. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Set in ancient Greece, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is in some rare company. Most games don’t have the opportunity to flesh out old worlds fully, but Ubisoft did all of that (and then some). They sent scout teams to Greece to study the old world and help recreate the many cities and places in the game, which led to truly breathtaking environments. It’s filled with vibrant colors, all types of wildlife, lively cities, and water all around. There really aren’t any unattractive places to find. Every time you play is like going on a little tropical vacation right in your own living room.
There are so many open-world games that keeping the list to only five was hard! Let us know in the comments below what games you use to escape!
1 Response
I’ve been playing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey for a month now, and it does indeed offer a beautiful open world that offers a gorgeous environment that makes you feel like you are on a time-traveler’s vacation in ancient Greece. I have played Horizon Zero Dawn on my PC, and believe that both games are equal in this regard. If Forbidden West on my PC is even better, then I look forward to playing it. A gamer’s life is very good these days.