GamingPickz
Theme · ranked

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.

747 catalogued, top 25 ranked below

The open world games on a map

Compare the whole catalogue

The 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

8310062100Players →Popularity →

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
  • PlayStation

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.

25 best open world games, ranked

Ordered by GamingPickz Score. Every figure links back to the source that produced it.

Sort by
  1. 1The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt logo

    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.9GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at a glance
    Released2015StudioCD Projekt RED
    Player sentiment97% positive of 885,535Critics93/100
    Price$49.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size50 GBAccessibility9 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 885,535 reviews, then blends with the 93 critic aggregate, giving 8.9.

    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

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  2. 2Hollow Knight logo

    Hollow Knight

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.9GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Hollow Knight at a glance
    Released2017StudioTeam Cherry
    Player sentiment97% positive of 559,290Critics87/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size9 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 559,290 reviews, then blends with the 87 critic aggregate, giving 8.9.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  3. 3Schedule I logo

    Schedule I

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.9GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Schedule I at a glance
    Released2025StudioTVGS
    Player sentiment98% positive of 314,499CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$19.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size8 GBAccessibility6 declared features

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 314,499 reviews, giving 8.9. 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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  4. 4Stardew Valley logo

    Stardew Valley

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Stardew Valley at a glance
    Released2016StudioConcernedApe LLC
    Player sentiment98% positive of 1,035,189Critics89/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size0.49 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 1,035,189 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    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.

    iOSAndroidiPadAndroid TabletPlayStation VitaPC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  5. 5Euro Truck Simulator 2 logo

    Euro Truck Simulator 2

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Euro Truck Simulator 2 at a glance
    Released2012StudioSCS Software
    Player sentiment97% positive of 940,049Critics79/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckverified
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility9 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 940,049 reviews, then blends with the 79 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  6. 6The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim logo

    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim at a glance
    Released2011StudioBethesda Game Studios
    Player sentiment95% positive of 317,769Critics94/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 317,769 reviews, then blends with the 94 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  7. 7Satisfactory logo

    Satisfactory

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.8GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Satisfactory at a glance
    Released2024StudioCoffee Stain Studios
    Player sentiment97% positive of 278,668Critics91/100
    Price$39.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size20 GBAccessibility9 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 278,668 reviews, then blends with the 91 critic aggregate, giving 8.8.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  8. 8Terraria logo

    Terraria

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.7GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Terraria at a glance
    Released2011Studio505 Games
    Player sentiment97% positive of 1,550,032Critics83/100
    Price$9.99Steam Deckverified
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 1,550,032 reviews, then blends with the 83 critic aggregate, giving 8.7.

    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.

    Nintendo 3DSiOSAndroidiPadAndroid TabletPlayStation Vita

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  9. 9Red Dead Redemption 2 logo

    Red Dead Redemption 2

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.7GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Red Dead Redemption 2 at a glance
    Released2018StudioNot recorded
    Player sentiment92% positive of 911,659Critics93/100
    Price$14.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size150 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 92% shrinks to 92.0 on 911,659 reviews, then blends with the 93 critic aggregate, giving 8.7.

    What the data supports
    • 92% positive across 911,659 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
    Worth checking first
    • Carries in-game purchases. Check what they cost before committing.
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PCPlayStation 4Xbox OneSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  10. 10Project Zomboid logo

    Project Zomboid

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.7GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Project Zomboid at a glance
    Released2013StudioThe Indie Stone
    Player sentiment94% positive of 476,732CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 94% shrinks to 94.0 on 476,732 reviews, giving 8.7. 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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  11. 11Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition logo

    Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.7GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition at a glance
    Released2019StudioFromSoftware, Inc.
    Player sentiment95% positive of 354,898Critics88/100
    Price$59.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size25 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 95% shrinks to 95.0 on 354,898 reviews, then blends with the 88 critic aggregate, giving 8.7.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  12. 12Garry's Mod logo

    Garry's Mod

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.6GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Garry's Mod at a glance
    Released2006StudioNot recorded
    Player sentiment97% positive of 1,261,793CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$9.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size10 GBAccessibility6 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 1,261,793 reviews, giving 8.6. 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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisModsStore page

  13. 13Factorio logo

    Factorio

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Factorio at a glance
    Released2016StudioWube software
    Player sentiment98% positive of 233,978Critics90/100
    Price$35.00Steam Deckverified
    Install size5 GBAccessibility7 declared features

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 233,978 reviews, then blends with the 90 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    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.

    PCNintendo SwitchSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  14. 14Kingdom Come: Deliverance II logo

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

    Best for: Sinking a long time into one world

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II at a glance
    Released2025StudioWarhorse Studios
    Player sentiment94% positive of 194,008Critics89/100
    Price$59.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size100 GBAccessibility5 declared features

    Raw 94% shrinks to 94.0 on 194,008 reviews, then blends with the 89 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  15. 15God of War logo

    God of War

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    God of War at a glance
    Released2005StudioSanta Monica Studio
    Player sentiment96% positive of 184,172Critics93/100
    Price$49.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size70 GBAccessibility12 declared features

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 184,172 reviews, then blends with the 93 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    What the data supports
    • 96% positive across 184,172 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 12 accessibility features, well above the catalogue norm.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PlayStation VitaPlayStation 2PlayStation 3PlayStation 4Steam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  16. 16Slime Rancher logo

    Slime Rancher

    Best for: Sinking a long time into one world

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Slime Rancher at a glance
    Released2017StudioMonomi Park
    Player sentiment98% positive of 156,780Critics81/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size1 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 98% shrinks to 98.0 on 156,780 reviews, then blends with the 81 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  17. 17Oxygen Not Included logo

    Oxygen Not Included

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Oxygen Not Included at a glance
    Released2019StudioKlei Entertainment
    Player sentiment97% positive of 143,589Critics85/100
    Price$24.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size3 GBAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 97.0 on 143,589 reviews, then blends with the 85 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  18. 18Disco Elysium - The Final Cut logo

    Disco Elysium - The Final Cut

    Best for: Handheld play, small install and Deck verified

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Disco Elysium - The Final Cut at a glance
    Released2019StudioZA/UM
    Player sentiment93% positive of 130,598Critics97/100
    Price$39.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size20 GBAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 93% shrinks to 93.0 on 130,598 reviews, then blends with the 97 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  19. 19Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition logo

    Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition at a glance
    Released2010StudioRocksteady Studios
    Player sentiment96% positive of 87,230Critics91/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckunsupported
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 96% shrinks to 95.9 on 87,230 reviews, then blends with the 91 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    Worth checking first
    • Valve rates it Unsupported on the Steam Deck.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  20. 20Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition logo

    Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.6GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Batman: Arkham City - Game of the Year Edition at a glance
    Released2012StudioRocksteady Studios
    Player sentiment96% positive of 77,991Critics91/100
    Price$19.99Steam Deckverified
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 96% shrinks to 95.9 on 77,991 reviews, then blends with the 91 critic aggregate, giving 8.6.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  21. 21Monster Hunter: World logo

    Monster Hunter: World

    Best for: The safest bet on this list, by weight of evidence

    8.5GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Monster Hunter: World at a glance
    Released2018StudioCAPCOM Co., Ltd.
    Player sentiment89% positive of 516,159Critics88/100
    Price$29.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size52 GBAccessibility6 declared features

    Raw 89% shrinks to 89.0 on 516,159 reviews, then blends with the 88 critic aggregate, giving 8.5.

    What the data supports
    • 89% positive across 516,159 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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  22. 22Resident Evil Village logo

    Resident Evil Village

    Best for: Sinking a long time into one world

    8.5GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Resident Evil Village at a glance
    Released2021StudioCAPCOM Co., Ltd.
    Player sentiment96% positive of 153,329Critics83/100
    Price$39.99Steam Deckverified
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility1 declared feature

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 153,329 reviews, then blends with the 83 critic aggregate, giving 8.5.

    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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  23. 23Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered logo

    Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

    Best for: Players who need accessibility options that actually exist

    8.5GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered at a glance
    Released2022StudioInsomniac Games
    Player sentiment96% positive of 142,256CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$59.99Steam Deckverified
    Install size75 GBAccessibility10 declared features

    Raw 96% shrinks to 96.0 on 142,256 reviews, giving 8.5. 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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  24. 24Dyson Sphere Program logo

    Dyson Sphere Program

    Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category

    8.5GamingPickz Scoremedium confidence
    Dyson Sphere Program at a glance
    Released2021StudioYouthcat Studio
    Player sentiment97% positive of 91,586CriticsNo aggregate
    Price$19.99Steam Deckplayable
    Install size5 GBAccessibility0 declared features

    Raw 97% shrinks to 96.9 on 91,586 reviews, giving 8.5. 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.

    PC

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

  25. 25Dishonored logo

    Dishonored

    Best for: Sinking a long time into one world

    8.5GamingPickz Scorehigh confidence
    Dishonored at a glance
    Released2012StudioArkane Studios
    Player sentiment98% positive of 88,064Critics91/100
    Price$9.99Steam Deckverified
    Install sizeNot statedAccessibility6 declared features

    Raw 98% shrinks to 97.9 on 88,064 reviews, then blends with the 91 critic aggregate, giving 8.5.

    What the data supports
    • Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
    Worth checking first
    • Flagged for mature content on its store page.

    PCPlayStation 3PlayStation 4Xbox 360Xbox OneSteam Deck

    Full entryGames like thisStore page

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Decide what you are actually willing to spend

    The median here is $19.99, and the cheapest paid entry is Terraria 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.

  4. Match it to the hardware you own

    17 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Look for the things a score hides

    10 declare six or more accessibility features, and 1 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

7 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.

Upcoming open world games

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 19 October 2026, from 11,085,853 player reviews.

$19.99Median price$9.99 to $59.99
97%Median player sentiment13 pts above the catalogue average
9 ptsSpread, best to worst24 at 90% or better · 0 under 70%
2017Median release year4 from the last five years · oldest 2005
1Discounted right nowaveraging 75% off list
17Steam Deck Verified35 GB average install

What the pricing looks like

25 of the 25 carry a listed US price, with a median of $19.99 and a mean of $29.19. The mean sitting above the median tells you the field is pulled up by a few expensive outliers. The cheapest is Terraria at $9.99, the most expensive Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition at $59.99. 1 carry in-game purchases on top of whatever they cost. Prices are read hourly from the US Steam storefront and move constantly.

How much this field agrees with itself

Player sentiment spans 9 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. 20 carry a critic aggregate, averaging 89 out of 100. Players rate this field 7 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 CAPCOM Co., Ltd. (2), Rocksteady Studios (2), 505 Games (1), Arkane Studios (1) and Bethesda Game Studios (1). The genres these entries also sit in are open-world (25), sandbox (13), rpg (11), simulation (10), action-adventure (9) and fps (6), 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 8 of these. 2 are gaining attention and 4 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
  1. First published with 25 entries ranked.

Common questions

What is the best open world game in 2026?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ranks first, with a GamingPickz Score of 8.9 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 747 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.

Get the weekly rundown

One email a week: what moved in the rankings, what launched, and what dropped in price. No more than that, and unsubscribing takes one click.

We send the weekly email and nothing else. Your address is never sold, shared or used to build a profile, and it is not readable by anyone visiting this site. See our privacy policy.

Also catalogued

722 more open world games, not yet reviewed

None 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.

697 not shown

Other themes

See all
Zombie gamesWhich games are about the undead?Post-apocalyptic gamesWhich games are set after the end of the world?Survival gamesWhich games are about staying alive?Horror gamesWhich games are actually frightening?Psychological gamesWhich games get inside your head?Stealth gamesWhich games reward not being seen?Western gamesWhich games are set in the Old West?Crime gamesWhich games put you on the wrong side of the law?