6 Greatest Open-World RPGs In First Person, Ranked

Unlike shooters, first-person open-world RPGs remain relatively uncommon, with the genre still mostly dominated by third-person titles. In fact, only a handful of established series deliver vast worlds built around freedom and exploration while being fully explorable through the protagonist’s eyes. Even among these, most offer an optional third-person camera to give players a choice.

There are several possible reasons for this shortage, from the challenge of creating convincing movement and combat in a vast, seamless environment (most RPGs are still melee-focused fantasy games) to the reduced value of visual customization, as players like to create their own characters, dress them, and enjoy seeing them as part of a fictional world.

Still, for many fans, first-person remains the preferred way to play an RPG, adding to the immersion and allowing you to truly embody your character, as if you’ve stepped into the game yourself and are directly interacting with its world and inhabitants. Here are the greatest open-world RPGs to play in first person, letting you truly become the protagonist.

6

Starfield

Not the Next Grand Chapter, but a Decent Sci-Fi RPG

Definitely a controversial pick, Starfield proved a disappointment for many, especially given the promise of Bethesda’s first new IP in 25 years and its potential to establish a rich universe on par with TES and Fallout. While it’s safe to say it hasn’t reached that status, some fans still enjoyed the game for what it is, making Starfield a defensible opening pick for this list. After all, there aren’t many sci-fi open-world RPGs on this scale, especially with an immersive first-person view (there’s an optional third-person perspective as well).

There are some indisputable strengths here: extensive character building lets you play as distinct personalities, free exploration across planets can be perfect for some mindless map clearing once you find your rhythm, the spaceship builder is easily among the strongest in gaming, and Starfield’s world-building is extremely convincing, shining through its cohesive design. Still, as Bethesda has struggled to address many of the game’s problems through updates and expansions, Starfield seems bound to live in the shadow of the company’s major series, with its future as a franchise remaining questionable.

5

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

Skyrim’s True Spiritual Successor

Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon unexpectedly joined the ranks of modern first-person open-world RPGs you can’t ignore, and while it isn’t perfect, this ambitious game does so many things right. From its rich dark fantasy universe and deep lore steeped in Arthurian legends to a vast, gorgeous multi-region world, branching quests, and particularly exciting first-person combat with enormous build potential, Tainted Grail has become a title more and more players are discovering and appreciating. Many even call it a true Elder Scrolls successor.

The devs at Questline specifically describe The Fall of Avalon as a “love letter to open-world FPP RPGs,” and while its inspirations might be a little too apparent, it’s the combat that takes it one step further. An effective and spectacular modern combat system lets you combine melee and ranged weapons with magic seamlessly, while Tainted Grail’s unique leveling system allows for some really creative hybrid classes. Despite being primarily designed for FPP, you can play the entire game in third person if you prefer.

4

Fallout: New Vegas

Prioritizing All the Right Things

It’s hard to pick just one game from the sprawling Fallout series since Bethesda took over, so for the RPG depth and developer variety, let’s go with Fallout: New Vegas over Fallout 4 (sorry, building fans!). One of the most beloved Obsidian games, New Vegas feels very different from other entries, best capturing the spirit of the original titles. While exploration and discovery are important here, it’s the robust factions and believable NPC dynamics that matter most in Fallout: New Vegas, opening the door to some fascinating roleplay possibilities.

Fallout: New Vegas is primarily a first-person game, although there’s a third-person view available as well—an inferior way to play. Walking the vastness of the Mojave with just a rusty rifle in your hands and music coming from your Pip-Boy creates a special feeling that the game truly nails, while finally reaching the city of New Vegas can feel like things are only getting started, even after dozens of hours. Its biggest issue is the technical foundation, so like many fans, I can’t wait for Fallout: New Vegas Remastered.

3

Cyberpunk 2077

The City of Dreams Experienced Through V’s Eyes

Cyberpunk 2077 was a major departure for CD Projekt Red after years of working exclusively on the Witcher games: a completely new and drastically different setting, a focus on firearms, and first-person as the only way to play on foot. Needless to say, the studio ultimately achieved its ambitions (even if it took some time), delivering probably the most immersive first-person dialogue and interactions in the RPG genre, both authentic and entirely cinematic. Coupled with a traditionally strong narrative, this secured CP2077’s place among the genre’s best, regardless of perspective.

Cyberpunk 2077’s first-person view is an especially interesting topic, as ever since the announcement, many fans have wanted the option to play in third person as well, especially given the game’s exceptional customization. The devs defended their decision by putting immersion above all else, with the city’s oppressive verticality making a strong case for that approach, so unlike most other entries, CP2077 remains playable only in first person outside of vehicles, letting you fully embody V. Third-person camera options are only available on PC through mods.

2

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Medieval Life at Its Most Immersive

Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t the only first-person open-world RPG without a third-person option by default. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is another well-known example, betting heavily on immersion and medieval authenticity. Pushing everything from the original to new heights, KCD 2 is among the most historically convincing games, with no fantasy elements, an epic scope, realistic and demanding combat, and deeply human stories and conflicts at its heart.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is often hailed as one of the definitive open-world RPGs of this generation, alongside the likes of Elden Ring, and it’s hard to argue. It’s refined, confident, enormous, mature, emotional, and fun, with few glaring flaws, while its dedication to letting you interact with the world through the character’s eyes adds to its appeal, boosting tension in combat and making even the most mundane activities feel meaningful. Still, while Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 was designed only with FPP in mind, you can get a third-person view on PC through mods.

The One and Only, Standing Undefeated

There just can’t be two opinions here: Skyrim is as definitive a first-person open-world RPG as it gets, with its legacy continuing to thrive 15 years later. As The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel remains in development, there’s little doubt that Skyrim will remain popular across platforms for quite some time, and many TES fans seriously doubt anything will manage to top it. Newer RPGs like KCD 2 may be more technically polished, but they still seem to lack that evergreen appeal that draws players back into Skyrim’s alluring world, which feels like home.

To this day, Skyrim remains one of the most-played single-player RPGs, fueled by its unmatched modding potential. Even beyond that, the game embodies everything you’d expect from the formula, with enormous freedom to explore and plenty of quests and activities to tackle. Like other modern Bethesda RPGs, Skyrim also lets you play fully in third person even without mods, but first person still feels like the definitive way to experience it.