Top 25 Open World Games for 2026
Which games let you go anywhere?
A single continuous map you cross at your own pace, in your own order.
732 catalogued, top 25 ranked below
The open world games on a map
Compare the whole catalogueThe same 25 games, plotted rather than listed. The two axes below are the ones the ranking is built from, so a game sitting high and right is a game the formula placed near the top. Change either axis to see the field a different way. Where we hold a publisher wordmark, the game is drawn as its mark rather than a dot.
25 games have both
Axes are fitted to these 25 games rather than the full 0 to 100 scale, because a filtered list shares a narrow band and would otherwise sit in one corner. End values are marked. A point on the left edge is the lowest of thesegames, not a low score.
Players. The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.
Popularity. A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.
- Mobile
- Multi-platform
- Nintendo
- PC
Every point links to that game's entry. The value map and the reception map are fixed views of the same data.
How positions are decided
No paid placement, no favouritism, live third-party data
- Placed by the published method, not by us. Every coordinate is computed from the axis definitions and weights printed on this site. Nobody moves a point. See the axes.
- Nothing here is paid for. No sponsored placements, no promoted slots, no arrangement of any kind affects a position. If that ever changes it will be labelled and sit outside the ranking.
- No favouritism, including our own. The 16 games we have written full reviews of are scored by exactly the same formula as the other 1,510, from the same third-party inputs, and they land where it puts them. Our own opinion of a game does not enter its coordinates.
- A position is not an endorsement. It says how a game was received and what it costs, not that we recommend it. Where we do recommend something, it carries a written review with a name on it.
- Fetched from live third-party data. Player sentiment from Steam, critic aggregates as published on store pages, prices checked hourly, attention from Wikipedia. Each figure carries its source and the date it was read, and we do not adjust any of them.
How to choose between these
25 entries, six things that separate them
The ranking answers "which is best received". It cannot answer "which is best for you", because that depends on things no formula knows. Here is what actually separates these 25 open world games, in the order worth thinking about it.
Check the sample size before the score
A score is only as good as the evidence under it. 25 of these have more than 50,000 player reviews, which makes their number very hard to move.
Look at where critics and players disagree
The widest gap here is Euro Truck Simulator 2, where players sit above critics by 18 points. A gap that size usually means the game changed after launch, or that it does something critics undervalue. It is worth reading why before deciding which number you trust. The disagreement map plots this across the catalogue.
Decide what you are actually willing to spend
The median here is $19.99, and the cheapest paid entry is Garry's Mod at $9.99. Prices move constantly, so a game a place or two down the list is often the better buy this week. Filter by price below rather than assuming the top pick is the right purchase.
Match it to the hardware you own
16 of these are Steam Deck Verified by Valve's own testing, and install sizes vary by more than an order of magnitude. If you are choosing for a handheld or a drive that is nearly full, that narrows the field faster than any score.
Check it supports how you want to play
Solo, with a friend online, or two people on one sofa are different requirements, and a well-reviewed game that does not support yours is the wrong game. The filters below answer this directly.
Look for the things a score hides
8 declare six or more accessibility features, and 0 carry in-game purchases. Neither shows up in a review score, and both change the experience substantially. Each entry lists its own.
Choose one if…
Tick what matters to you. This filters the ranking above rather than reordering it, so the order you see is still the order the formula produced, minus the games that do not fit. Every filter reads a field from the game's own store listing.
Nothing selected, so all 25 open world games are shown below. Pick one or more above to narrow it.
Still to come
6 unreleased open world games are on the way. They carry no score, because nothing has been received yet, only a note of how many people have wishlisted them.
open world games by the numbers
The figures below describe all 25 entries on this page together, not the top pick. They are recomputed on every build, most recently on 2 September 2026, from 9,979,358 player reviews.
What the pricing looks like
24 of the 25 carry a listed US price, with a median of $19.99 and a mean of $28.62. The mean sitting above the median tells you the field is pulled up by a few expensive outliers. The cheapest is Garry's Mod at $9.99, the most expensive Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition at $59.99. Prices are read hourly from the US Steam storefront and move constantly.
How much this field agrees with itself
Player sentiment spans 7 points across these 25 entries. That is a narrow band, which means the ranking is separating good from good, and the entries below the top few are not meaningfully worse. 15 carry a critic aggregate, averaging 88 out of 100. Players rate this field 8 points higher than critics on average, which is worth knowing before you weigh either number. See where the two diverge.
Who makes them, and what they overlap with
The studios appearing most often here are 505 Games (1), Amistech Games (1), Bethesda Game Studios (1), CAPCOM Co., Ltd. (1) and CarX Technologies, LLC (1). The genres these entries also sit in are simulation (11), rpg (7), strategy (4), open-world (3), racing (3) and action-adventure (1), which is a fair map of what you are actually choosing between.
Which way attention is moving
We track Wikipedia pageviews over 28 days for 5 of these. 1 are gaining attention and 2 are losing it, with the rest flat. Attention is not quality, and we do not feed it into the ranking. The full monitor shows the movements across the catalogue.
Update history 1
- First published with 25 entries ranked.
Common questions
What is the best open world game in 2026?
Schedule I ranks first, with a GamingPickz Score of 9.5 out of 10. That score is computed from player sentiment adjusted for sample size, critic reception and popularity, using the weights published on this page.
How many open world games are there?
We track 732 open world games. Games with fewer than 50 player reviews are excluded from the ranking, because a percentage with no sample behind it is not a measurement.
How is this list ranked?
By a published formula, not by editorial preference. Player sentiment is pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it, then weighted against critic scores and popularity. Nothing on this page is paid for and no placement can be bought.
How often is this updated?
Recomputed on every build from data read on a stated date. Player review counts move daily, so positions in the middle of the list shift more than the top or bottom.
Reader comments
Comments are not switched on yet. When they are, they will be moderated before they appear: an unmoderated thread on a page carrying advertising is a policy problem as well as a reading problem.
25 best open world games, ranked
Ordered by GamingPickz Score. Every figure links back to the source that produced it.
- 1

Schedule I
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
9.5GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceSchedule I at a glance Released 2025 Studio TVGS Player sentiment 98% positive of 314,499 Critics No aggregate Price $19.99 Steam Deck playable Install size 8 GB Accessibility 6 declared features Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 314,499 reviews, giving 9.5. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- 98% positive across 314,499 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Small install at 8 GB.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 2

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist
9.4GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at a glance Released 2015 Studio CD Projekt RED Player sentiment 97% positive of 885,535 Critics 93/100 Price $49.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 50 GB Accessibility 9 declared features Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 885,535 reviews, then blends with the 93 critic aggregate, giving 9.4.
What the data supports- 97% positive across 885,535 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Declares 9 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
PCPlayStation 4PlayStation 5Xbox OneXbox Series X and Series SNintendo Switch
- 3

Garry's Mod
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
9.3GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceGarry's Mod at a glance Released 2006 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 97% positive of 1,261,793 Critics No aggregate Price $9.99 Steam Deck playable Install size 10 GB Accessibility 6 declared features Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 1,261,793 reviews, giving 9.3. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- 97% positive across 1,261,793 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Cloud saves and cross-platform play, so progress follows you between machines.
- Small install at 10 GB.
- 4

Stardew Valley
Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified
9.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceStardew Valley at a glance Released 2016 Studio ConcernedApe LLC Player sentiment 98% positive of 1,035,189 Critics 89/100 Price $14.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 0.49 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 1,035,189 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 9.3.
What the data supports- 98% positive across 1,035,189 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Small install at 0.49 GB.
- 5

Hollow Knight
Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified
9.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceHollow Knight at a glance Released 2017 Studio Team Cherry Player sentiment 97% positive of 559,290 Critics 87/100 Price $14.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 9 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 559,290 reviews, then blends with the 87 critic aggregate, giving 9.3.
What the data supports- 97% positive across 559,290 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Small install at 9 GB.
- 6

Project Zomboid
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
9.3GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceProject Zomboid at a glance Released 2013 Studio The Indie Stone Player sentiment 94% positive of 476,732 Critics No aggregate Price $24.99 Steam Deck verified Install size Not stated Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 94% shrinks to 94.0 on 476,732 reviews, giving 9.3. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- 94% positive across 476,732 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 7

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
9.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim at a glance Released 2011 Studio Bethesda Game Studios Player sentiment 95% positive of 317,769 Critics 94/100 Price $19.99 Steam Deck playable Install size Not stated Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 317,769 reviews, then blends with the 94 critic aggregate, giving 9.3.
What the data supports- 95% positive across 317,769 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 8

Satisfactory
Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist
9.3GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceSatisfactory at a glance Released 2024 Studio Coffee Stain Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 278,668 Critics 91/100 Price $39.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 20 GB Accessibility 9 declared features Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 278,668 reviews, then blends with the 91 critic aggregate, giving 9.3.
What the data supports- 97% positive across 278,668 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Declares 9 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
- 9

Terraria
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
9.2GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceTerraria at a glance Released 2011 Studio 505 Games Player sentiment 97% positive of 1,550,032 Critics 83/100 Price $9.99 Steam Deck verified Install size Not stated Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 1,550,032 reviews, then blends with the 83 critic aggregate, giving 9.2.
What the data supports- 97% positive across 1,550,032 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
Worth checking first- Players rate it well above critics, 97 against 83. Usually a sign it improved after launch, or that it delivers something reviewers undervalued.
- 10

Euro Truck Simulator 2
Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist
9.2GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceEuro Truck Simulator 2 at a glance Released 2012 Studio SCS Software Player sentiment 97% positive of 940,049 Critics 79/100 Price $19.99 Steam Deck verified Install size Not stated Accessibility 9 declared features Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 940,049 reviews, then blends with the 79 critic aggregate, giving 9.2.
What the data supports- 97% positive across 940,049 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Declares 9 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
Worth checking first- Players rate it well above critics, 97 against 79. Usually a sign it improved after launch, or that it delivers something reviewers undervalued.
- 11

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
9.2GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceSekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition at a glance Released 2019 Studio FromSoftware, Inc. Player sentiment 95% positive of 354,898 Critics 88/100 Price $59.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 25 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 354,898 reviews, then blends with the 88 critic aggregate, giving 9.2.
What the data supports- 95% positive across 354,898 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 12

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist
9.2GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceMarvel’s Spider-Man Remastered at a glance Released 2022 Studio Insomniac Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 142,256 Critics No aggregate Price $59.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 75 GB Accessibility 10 declared features Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 142,256 reviews, giving 9.2. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- 96% positive across 142,256 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Declares 10 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
- 13

Factorio
Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified
9.1GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceFactorio at a glance Released 2016 Studio Wube software Player sentiment 98% positive of 233,978 Critics 90/100 Price $35.00 Steam Deck verified Install size 5 GB Accessibility 7 declared features Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 233,978 reviews, then blends with the 90 critic aggregate, giving 9.1.
What the data supports- 98% positive across 233,978 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Declares 7 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
- 14

Disco Elysium - The Final Cut
Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified
9.1GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceDisco Elysium - The Final Cut at a glance Released 2019 Studio ZA/UM Player sentiment 93% positive of 130,598 Critics 97/100 Price $39.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 20 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 93% shrinks to 93.0 on 130,598 reviews, then blends with the 97 critic aggregate, giving 9.1.
What the data supports- 93% positive across 130,598 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 15

Dyson Sphere Program
Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category
9.1GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceDyson Sphere Program at a glance Released 2021 Studio Youthcat Studio Player sentiment 97% positive of 91,586 Critics No aggregate Price $19.99 Steam Deck playable Install size 5 GB Accessibility 0 declared features Raw 97% shrinks to 96.9 on 91,586 reviews, giving 9.1. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- Small install at 5 GB.
- 16

Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition
Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category
9.1GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceBatman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition at a glance Released 2010 Studio Rocksteady Studios Player sentiment 96% positive of 87,230 Critics 91/100 Price $19.99 Steam Deck unsupported Install size Not stated Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 96% shrinks to 95.9 on 87,230 reviews, then blends with the 91 critic aggregate, giving 9.1.
Worth checking first- Valve rates it Unsupported on the Steam Deck.
- 17

South Park: The Stick of Truth
Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified
9.1GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceSouth Park: The Stick of Truth at a glance Released 2014 Studio Obsidian Entertainment Player sentiment 98% positive of 73,376 Critics No aggregate Price $29.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 6 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 98% shrinks to 97.9 on 73,376 reviews, giving 9.1. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Small install at 6 GB.
- 18

Forza Horizon 4
Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence
9.0GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceForza Horizon 4 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Playground Games Player sentiment 91% positive of 303,167 Critics No aggregate Price Not listed Steam Deck playable Install size 80 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 91% shrinks to 91.0 on 303,167 reviews, giving 9.0. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- 91% positive across 303,167 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Cloud saves and cross-platform play, so progress follows you between machines.
- 19

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Best for: Sinking a long time into one world
9.0GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceKingdom Come: Deliverance II at a glance Released 2025 Studio Warhorse Studios Player sentiment 94% positive of 194,008 Critics 89/100 Price $59.99 Steam Deck playable Install size 100 GB Accessibility 5 declared features Raw 94% shrinks to 94.0 on 194,008 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 9.0.
What the data supports- 94% positive across 194,008 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
Slime Rancher at a glance Released 2017 Studio Monomi Park Player sentiment 98% positive of 156,780 Critics 81/100 Price $19.99 Steam Deck playable Install size 1 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 156,780 reviews, then blends with the 81 critic aggregate, giving 9.0.
What the data supports- 98% positive across 156,780 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Small install at 1 GB.
Worth checking first- Players rate it well above critics, 98 against 81. Usually a sign it improved after launch, or that it delivers something reviewers undervalued.
- 21

Resident Evil Village
Best for: Sinking a long time into one world
9.0GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceResident Evil Village at a glance Released 2021 Studio CAPCOM Co., Ltd. Player sentiment 96% positive of 153,329 Critics 83/100 Price $39.99 Steam Deck verified Install size Not stated Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 153,329 reviews, then blends with the 83 critic aggregate, giving 9.0.
What the data supports- 96% positive across 153,329 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
Worth checking first- Players rate it well above critics, 96 against 83. Usually a sign it improved after launch, or that it delivers something reviewers undervalued.
- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 22

Oxygen Not Included
Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified
9.0GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceOxygen Not Included at a glance Released 2019 Studio Klei Entertainment Player sentiment 97% positive of 143,589 Critics 85/100 Price $24.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 3 GB Accessibility 0 declared features Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 143,589 reviews, then blends with the 85 critic aggregate, giving 9.0.
What the data supports- 97% positive across 143,589 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Small install at 3 GB.
- 23

My Summer Car
Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category
9.0GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceMy Summer Car at a glance Released 2025 Studio Amistech Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 117,158 Critics No aggregate Price $14.99 Steam Deck playable Install size 1 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 117,158 reviews, giving 9.0. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- 95% positive across 117,158 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
- Small install at 1 GB.
Worth checking first- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 24

CarX Drift Racing Online
Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified
9.0GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceCarX Drift Racing Online at a glance Released 2017 Studio CarX Technologies, LLC Player sentiment 95% positive of 89,251 Critics No aggregate Price $16.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 8 GB Accessibility 8 declared features Raw 95% shrinks to 94.9 on 89,251 reviews, giving 9.0. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Declares 8 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
- Cloud saves and cross-platform play, so progress follows you between machines.
- 25

Noita
Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified
9.0GamingPickz Scoremedium confidenceNoita at a glance Released 2020 Studio Nolla Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 88,598 Critics No aggregate Price $19.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 1.56 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 95% shrinks to 94.9 on 88,598 reviews, giving 9.0. No critics data, so that weight was redistributed across the rest rather than counted as zero.
What the data supports- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
- Small install at 1.56 GB.
Also catalogued
707 more open world games, not yet reviewedNone of these carry a review yet. The rest are catalogue records: title, year, studio and platforms, sourced from Wikidata. They are not indexed by search engines, because a record is not a review.
- Cyberpunk 2077source
- Mafiasource
- Far Cry 3source
- Sporesource
- Need for Speed: Most Wantedsource
- Mafia IIsource
- Far Crysource
- RuneScapesource
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flagsource
- Assassin's Creed IIsource
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivionsource
- Far Cry 5source
- Far Cry 4source
- Battlefield 3source
- Final Fantasy VIIIsource
- The Witchersource
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhoodsource
- Crysissource
- Assassin's Creed: Revelationssource
- Far Cry 2source
- Battlefield 4source
- Assassin's Creed IIIsource
- Battlefield 1source
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicsource
- Watch Dogssource
