There’s nothing like a good old-school open-world RPG. It brings me back to the days when I’d spend too many hours in front of my bulky monitor, with my overheating PC humming so loud I sometimes thought it was about to explode. Looking back, I still wonder how on earth we had the patience to sit through those endless loading screens.
But then again, when the games waiting on the other side are this good, waiting doesn’t seem so hard. Of course, nostalgia is a liar, and it often makes the past seem better than it was. However, rare as they may be, classic titles that have aged like fine wine still exist. So if you’ve decided to revisit some old favorites or this is your first time trying a classic, here are a few open-world RPGs you can’t go wrong with.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Gothic 2 (2002)
A World That’s So Much More Than Just a Map
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Image via THQ Nordic -
Image via THQ Nordic -
Image via THQ Nordic
Some folks call Gothic 2 the uncrowned king of open-world RPGs and rightfully so. Piranha Bytes’ game leaves you with this feeling that no modern release seems able to replicate. It’s not just about the sheer amount of freedom, but it’s also the game’s entire essence. It’s meant to feel real, as if you’re not just playing it, but living it yourself. The city of Khorinis plays a big role in creating this feeling.
NPCs have their own routines and interests, and the city is no different than real ones, with all its politics and unwritten rules. The wilderness is no less realistic, making your returns from exploration extremely satisfying. Yes, the graphics may raise some eyebrows today, especially among those below the age of 20, but even contemporary reviews often praise the details included, along with the size of the open world. However, most people seem to agree that even after all these years, Gothic 2 feels like an actual place rather than a map built around the player.
An RPG People Never Stop Praising
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Image via Bethesda Softworks -
Image via Bethesda Softworks -
Image via Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind is one of the most praised open-world RPGs out there. If you ever find yourself in a heated debate over the best classics, this title is unlikely to face much opposition. It’s one of those games that will always stand out because it respects the player’s ability to think for themselves and earn their place in the world by slowly building up their skills.
It’s no coincidence that Morrowind is widely considered to be extremely immersive. Just like in real life, a task that took you 12 hours to figure out during the first playthrough might take you just 2 hours on the next, which makes any achievement feel utterly satisfying and rewarding. Of course, just when you think you’ve learned everything, you suddenly figure out a new trick that unlocks brand-new character build opportunities.
And it’s not like this feature itself is one hundred percent what makes the game unique. It is the combination of learning through experience in a world that is not built for the player’s convenience. At first, you feel like an absolute stranger; you’re new, you’re vulnerable, and the game doesn’t try to protect you from entering an area you don’t have the skills to survive in. There are no map markers or voice acting; just you and your own skills against the world. If you’re a fan of genuinely earning your progress, this title is for you.
Fallout 3 (2008)
A World Worth Getting Lost In
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Image via Bethesda -
Image via Bethesda -
Image via Bethesda
Fallout 3 was an instant classic, and if you play it once, you’ll be stuck forever wishing you could go back in time and experience it for the first time all over again. Yes, the story is great, but what later games could never truly capture was the atmosphere. Yes, you read that right. Imagine а world that was completely destroyed, miserable, and with no hope of ever going back to what it used to be.
It’s downright depressing, and somehow, this works in its favor. Fallout 3 just captures the paranoia of the whole world collapsing at any second. Although quests aren’t Fallout 3’s strongest feature, and many are too simple compared to newer titles, the stories behind them are nevertheless great. They are often deeply disturbing and uncomfortable, but this willingness to let things end badly is what makes the game so unique.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (2012)
A World Full of Possibilities
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Image via Big Huge Games
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Image via Big Huge Games -
Image via Big Huge Games
If you’ve heard of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning before, you’re probably aware of just how underrated it is. I find it hard not to wonder whether this had something to do with the game coming out just three months after the legendary Skyrim, but that’s a topic for another day. Amalur is hands down a winner when it comes to sheer content, and barely any modern titles can compete with it in this regard.
Amalur offers a ridiculous number of quests, weapons, and character builds to mess around with. To show how much there is to do, a completionist run can push gameplay into triple-digit hours; more importantly, the game delivers all this without the slow progression of something like Morrowind. You don’t have to spend hours practicing your skills because you’re quite powerful by default. From here on, progression is more about how ridiculous your character can become.
It’s just the perfect setting for a power fantasy. Also, the Re-Reckoning version is the one to play nowadays (and it’s basically the only one available).
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (2012)
A Monster Hunter’s Dream
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen has no equal when it comes to its genius Pawn system. The game allows you to create your own pawn and rent two more from other players. Simply put, if you teach your pawns the right skills, you can turn them into killing machines. Get it wrong, though, and you’ll just have a few useless pawns running around you. In any case, the Pawn system is just the ideal form of non-player co-op.
Like any other game, this title isn’t perfect. Dark Arisen’s fast travel is more limited compared to most other open-world RPGs, but it makes up for it not only with its pawns but also with its insane combat mechanics. It’s rare for a game to let you target individual parts of your enemies’ bodies, let alone cling to a flying monster while it takes you high into the air. So if you’re looking for a classic game to brighten up a dull day, you can’t go wrong with this one.
