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This listicle refers to online open-world games and not massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Online open-world games have the power to immerse players, bar none. For those who like exploration and realism, online open-world games are a close match. There are numerous PC open-world games out there, yet only a few are online without being massively multiplayer.
Updated on August 9, 2022 by Russ Boswell:Developers continue to push the envelope when it comes to Open-World games. It seems that more and more franchises are looking to craft titles that fit into the explorative genre, with even Sonic the Hedgehog receiving his own grandiose open-world release in the near future. Some of these releases find their way to consoles exclusively, but PC gets it fair share of dynamite releases and usually sees the exclusives at some point later on down the road. To better showcase the best open-world games for PC, the following list has been updated and includes even more entries.
18 7 Days to Die
This is an online open-world game that has players banding together in a bid to survive the zombie apocalypse and fight through a weekly attack that might cause most people to rage quit. 7 Days to Die is an excellent game with deep mechanics that can keep players entertained for hours or end.
If anyone and their friends are looking out for a good time on Steam, then 7 Days to Die is a great title to check out. Scrounging together the supplies required to get through each and every harrowing day — especially the seventh one… for obvious reasons — can prove to be quite entertaining indeed.
17 Sunset Overdrive
Those that are looking for something open-world and supremely chaotic should check out Sunset Overdrive. The release from Insomniac Games flew well under the radar for many gamers when it was released back in 2014, but developed its own cult-following thanks to critical acclaim. Now even more fans are getting their hands on the entertaining and wacky romp thanks to a re-release on PC.
Sunset Overdrive is pure chaos and acrobatic entertainment, thanks to its third-person run-and-gun gameplay. Players will find a variety of hilarious and explosive weapons, which they can use while hopping, grinding, and rolling all throughout an apocalyptic cityscape.
16 Final Fantasy 14
It’s hard to believe at this point that Final Fantasy 14 started as one of the biggest disasters in the franchise’s history. Nowadays, it is one of the best online open-world games of all time with hundreds of hours of engaging content.
The start of Final Fantasy 14 might be somewhat of a drag — as is the case with any MMORPG — but any player who sticks with this title with find themselves enjoying one of the richest and most rewarding gaming experiences of all time.
15 Terraria
It’s quite understandable for players to be turned off by the art style and general vibe of Terraria, which makes it seem like an experience tailored for a very niche audience that they might not be a part of. However, people who believe this to be the case are missing out on one of the most creative games of all time.
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Terraria is so much more than just 2D Minecraft. It’s one of the most detailed and enjoyable online open-world games of all time, featuring the perfect amalgamation of numerous genres to create something truly remarkable that will keep players entertained for hours on end.
14 Monster Hunter: World
For the longest time in the west, Monster Hunter was a niche franchise that most people chose to ignore, especially since the main series spent a decade on only Nintendo consoles. However, Monster Hunter: World ended up showcasing exactly what these gamers had been missing out on.
The tactical and addictive gameplay of the Monster Hunter franchise has never felt better. Meanwhile, roaming around the vast worlds of Monster Hunter: World with friends is one the most entertaining experiences players can have with a video game.
13 The Elder Scrolls Online
In the conversation of MMORPGs, the praise for The Elder Scrolls Online was fairly muted early on. As time passed, people slowly started noticing the presence of this online open-world game as it grew into an excellent title with constant support and updates.
Roaming around the world of Tamriel with other players is nothing short of a blast, making The Elder Scrolls Online an excellent title for those seeking something to try out with their friends. This is especially the case if they want to learn more about a universe whose lore is truly immense.
12 Assassin’s Creed Unity
For an experience that is out of the norm for an Assassin’s Creed game, Unity is a must-play. Although the gameplay mechanics are mostly the same, the cooperative play is an outstanding feature.
This game was designed with cooperative gameplay as its primary focus. It was launched with a plethora of bugs, yet Assassin’s Creed Unity is worth playing for its unlockables, questing, and ranking system.
11 Rust
Rust is a game about survival. You start the game with almost nothing and must adapt to harsh environments to survive. In Rust, players have to make a fire, defend against attacks from animals and other players, and make a shelter.
There’s never a shortage of things to do, which is why it’s one of the best online open-world games. Rust has drastically improved since launch, and there’s never been a better time to play the game.
10 No Man’s Sky
The crown jewel of No Man’s Sky is undoubtedly its almost infinitely explorable universe. The game is now packed with content for players to relish alone or with friends.
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Since the rocky launch of No Man’s Sky, developer Hello Games has since done a turnaround. Unlike other online multiplayer games where players host servers, No Man’s Sky features a shared universe. Regardless of your hours logged or skill level, you can join any player’s adventure. Hello Games listened to the outcry in the community and adjusted accordingly.
9 Raft
It’s worth noting that Raft is still in the early access phase. At the same time, Raft offers an immersive experience that is playable with friends. You adventure from island to island as you make embark on a perilous oceanic adventure.
Raft is continuously throwing obstacles your way, such as a bear attack on an island, which is why this game is so popular. Even in its early access phase, Raft is a must-play.
8 Dying Light
During the day, Dying Light is your typical zombie survival game. At dark, the nightcrawlers come out to wreak havoc. Techland’s Dying Light met divisive opinions from the community. The story was considered lackluster, but the gameplay worked.
In a four-player co-op survival game with robust item selection, the game wound up being a hit. Dying Light 2 and Dead Island 2 are in the works but don’t hold your breath as it could be a while.
7 Horizon Zero Dawn
Although God of War has partially dominated the PlayStation console line for quite some time thanks to its expansive adventures featuring Kratos and the many Gods of Mythology, it’s not the only franchise that has seen widespread success on the console. In 2017, developer Guerilla Games released Horizon Zero Dawn to absolute fanfare, with critical acclaim to back it up.
Now fans are enamored by the journey of Aloy, as she fights her way through massive machines and technologically-driven enemies. The latest release continued the story on PlayStation but the franchise’s beginnings can now be played on PC. Consider it a must-experience for open-world enthusiasts.
6 Elden Ring
FromSoftware has developed a cult following over the years thanks to its incredible, dark, and punishingly-difficult adventures. There are many gamers out there that hold the Dark Souls series in high regard, but these games are fairly “Linear” in their design, forcing players on a path through specific zones to progress the story. Because of this, many players were absolutely taken back by the sheer scale and freedom of Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s latest release.
A truly open-world affair, Elden Ring sees players progressing through areas and tackling goals however they see fit, with multiple endings and tons of things to collect. Gamers can easily spend over 100 hours in the Lands Between.
5 Red Dead Online
Red Dead Online is surging in popularity now that the mode is out of its beta stage. The open-world design is on par with the single-player game. For new players, playing Red Dead Redemption 2’s online component is worth it.
It contains a leveling system that keeps players engaged.Red Dead Online expands on the single-player game by bringing a unique adventure that is fun playing.
4 Sea Of Thieves
Sea of Thieves was fun since day one, but the game is vastly superior today. Among the features included in today’s Sea of Thieves are fishing, story quests, and online arena player versus player. It’s the type of game that relies on good help to make ends meet.
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The Cursed Sails and Forsaken Shores free updates added an abundance of content. The game is rife with the opportunity to become the dang best sailor to sail the seven seas.
3 Forza Horizon 4
Although the game can be criticized for not improving enough on Forza Horizon 3, Forza Horizon 4 is arguably the best arcade racer to date. It contains more cars, a more massive open-world, and is more user friendly.
The game had bugs at launch, but patches have since made the game nearly perfect. The DLC add-ons are spectacular. Even if you want to play offline, Forza Horizon 4 is a game to applaud.
2 Grand Theft Auto Online
Grand Theft Auto V is a complete package with a robust set of online missions and character progression. The game could be considered an RPG because of the amount of player customization. Its release inspired several clone games, but few live up to Grand Theft Auto V.
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Post-launch, Grand Theft Auto Online has added features like superyachts, casinos, and more liveable spaces. The game was released in 2013, but Rockstar Games is still adding updates. The next-gen re-release is bound to wow its player base.
1 Minecraft
Developer Mojang was bought out by Microsoft for an astounding $2.5 billion approximately six years ago. Since then, Microsoft has made minimal changes to this global phenomenon.
Perhaps Microsoft will take the opportunity to leverage against competitors, but for now, Minecraft is a multi-platform masterpiece. It’s not all about the graphics, but it doesn’t hurt that the game received ray tracing support on PC.
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