Dwarf Fortress


Released: 2006 | Developer: Bay 12 Games

The best game ever made, if you can learn how to play it. Like Minecraft, Dwarf Fortress can generate a planet in moments. It goes further than using erosion patterns to plot realistic river routes, or using geology to weave skeins of ore into the crust in believable patterns. Its models builds whole societies—heroes, battles, wars and religious beliefs included. Sometimes a society won’t even survive the world creation process. Instead you come across their abandoned halls as you manage your fortress, or encounter their ruins in DF’s roleplaying mode. The ASCII interface is offputting to some, and it’s best played with some aids, but this is the most advanced open world generators available, and it’s still being updated with new features and behavioural tweaks.

Sunless Sea


Released: 2015 | Developer: Failbetter Games

It’s easy to equate open world games with absolute freedom and carefree fun—an assumption that Sunless Sea leaves shipwrecked on the jagged rocks surrounding its oppressive eponymous ocean. An intriguing narrative and difficult (sometimes cruel) gameplay result in a lesson in humility and character building not often seen in the other games in this list. More eldritch than escapist, it’s an acquired taste and not for those who don’t like (lots of) reading—but with an undersea expansion pack there’s always something tugging you back to its darkly humorous, moodily scintillating seascape.

Far Cry 4


Released: 2014 | Developer: Ubisoft

Since Far Cry 2, the series has encouraged gunfights across sprawling open world locations, from Africa, to the tropics, and the Himalayas. Far Cry 2’s setting, systems-driven approach to action sequences, and the interesting buddy system made it a critic’s darling. It’s still great, but Far Cry’s stealth systems have improved since then, and the addition of co-op and some spectacular mountainous terrain in Far Cry 4 earns it a place on this list.

The series has become more refined with each entry, and 3 and 4 have wisely focused on giving players a generous scattering of outposts to conquer. These open-ended challenges give you license to improvise with a varied armoury or chain together stealth kills in close combat. Like its predecessors, Far Cry 4 has some of the best dynamic fire in any game as well. That only adds to the carnage when things inevitably go wrong.

Minecraft


Released: 2011 | Developer: Mojang

What if an open world wasn’t just a challenge to be survived, but a bedrock on which to build a world of your own? Many games have tried to emulate Minecraft over the years. Some, like Terraria and Starbound, have done a great job, but the original is a generation-defining work that’s still growing with every update. As a survival game it’s relatively crude, but it’s an incredible building game, and players have used Minecraft’s creator tools to build extraordinary things. Minecraft isn’t just a great open world game, it’s a cultural phenomenon.

Mount & Blade: Warband


Released: 2010 | Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment

It may not be the prettiest world, but the sheer amount of freedom in Mount & Blade: Warband makes up for the lack of production value. Crisscross a map dotted with medieval villages, towns, and castles, and assemble armies of allies (or go it alone) as you do battle on foot or horseback. The combat is some of the most enjoyable and intense on PC, and you can truly choose your own path. Complete quests, side with any faction you want, and become ruler of one and acquire vassals—or just romp around looking for trouble. A healthy and creative mod community means you can expand your adventures into the world of The Game of Thrones, the Star Wars universe, and plenty more.