Some Great Open World Games Like Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was launched in 2011 to huge acclaim. It continued the rich RPG storytelling of earlier Elder Scrolls games and brought it into the mainstream. I have over 300 hours in Skyrim and I still go back to it occasionally. With the huge number of addons available for it, replayability really isn’t an issue. If you’re looking for other open world games like Skyrim, this post is for you.

Not only did Skyrim satisfy a hunger for open world games, it created more of one. Fortunately, after seeing the success Bethesda had with Skyrim, lots of other studios wanted a piece of that action. Some developed new games to fill that need while other studios continued other games to compete with Skyrim. Here are just a few of them.

I concentrate on the open world side of Skyrim as opposed to the RPG. I covered that last year in ‘Fantastic RPG Game Alternatives To Skyrim’. Although there are a couple of repeat mentions of games in both pieces, this one is more interested in open world gaming.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was very flawed when it was released way back in 2003. Despite its shortcomings, it was widely regarded as the best Star Wars RPG out there and still is by many. Not only is this game an excellent open world, it portrays Force use in probably the best way until Star Wars Battlefront came out last year.

The game obviously looks dated and the graphics don’t have the quality of modern games but for RPG elements, open worlds and gameplay, it is definitely a game to try. It is still available on Steam too.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4 is another candidate for an open world game like Skyrim. It should be as it was also created by Bethesda. The storytelling, characters, the game world and overall look and feel of the game is very comfortable to immerse yourself in. There is a good sense of humor in this game too which adds some levity to your journey.

Fallout 4, in my opinion at least, is the best Fallout game so far and with the potential of addons, there is a lot to recommend playing this game. I would say, if you like Skyrim and aren’t fixed on the fantasy setting, Fallout 4 is a must-try.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt surpasses Skyrim in many ways. The graphics, sound design, storytelling and characters are all better in my opinion. Released in 2015 by CD Projekt Red, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is still rated as one of the best open world RPGs of all time. The story is rich and detailed, the characters engaging and the dialog interesting throughout.

The RPG elements are also nicely balanced, providing a challenge without being too hard or too easy. I still play this on occasion.

Red Dead Redemption

With rumors of a sequel on the cards it might be a good time to revisit Red Dead Redemption. It is an open world game based in the old west and has a definite Magnificent Seven vibe about it. While the settings are very different, it shares the same linear story as Skyrim with lots of branching arcs and side missions. Characters and the world are believable too which just adds to the immersion.

Originally published in 2010 by Rockstar Games and still available at a reasonable price, this is definitely worth checking out.

Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl

Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl is another open world game like Skyrim but with a very different setting. The strength of this game is the world and the characters. Set after a nuclear event, that open world fights against you all the time. The world is irradiated and full of mutants, ammo is scarce and you don’t know who to trust. There is a lot of atmosphere in this game.

Released in 2007, the game still holds up well and is another I dip into every now and again.

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

Say what you like about Assassin’s Creed games but Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is awesome. What other game allows you to be a pirate and battle on the high seas in such an immersive way? That piracy element was so successful that it is apparently spawning its own spinoff game. Aside from piracy and the usual icon collecting that Ubisoft does so well, the game is amazingly colorful and details and contains life aplenty.

There is a lot to do and see and as usual, the plot is dire but the game offers so much fun that you can forgive it almost anything!

Grand Theft Auto 5

Even four years after release, Grand Theft Auto 5 still tops the best-seller charts. A fantastic sense of humor, excellent observational character building, fun and challenging missions and RPG elements throughout. What’s not to love? The game is still actively being supported too although we have no idea if there is a Grand Theft Auto 6 in the works yet.

GTA 5 continues the mayhem caused by guns and cars and weaves in a three character storyline that has depth and immersion aplenty.

Metal Gear Solid 5

Metal Gear Solid 5 was my first MGS game and what a start that was. Released in 2015 by Konami, this game was an instant hit. With definite RPG elements, a huge open world and a mix of believable and absurd enemies, the games depth and imagination makes it a must-try. Ride horses, drive cars, run, explore, shoot or whatever, the open world really is yours to explore.

Add some excellent voice acting, great level design and a variety of challenging missions and you have a candidate for one of the best open world games out there.

Ghost Recon Wildlands

This final entry in this list of open world games like Skyrim is going to be controversial. Ghost Recon Wildlands is another Ubisoft game released this year and has a huge world to explore. Not quite as absurd as MGS5 or as immersive as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt but it has hundreds of guns to play with.

It does take itself a little too seriously at times but provides a good challenge in a huge open world version of Bolivia set in the modern day. I have over 150 hours in this game and think it is well worth checking out.

What have I missed? What do you think is a good open world game like Skyrim? Tell us about it below!