The library of open-world games continues to grow every single year, but sometimes it is nice to take a step into the past and experience a masterclass from a very different era. And, as it turns out, there are actually quite a few older games that either feel more relevant now than ever or are directly related to 2026 in some way, shape, or form.
This could be due to a sequel releasing soon or a remaster reviving the fanbase, and in some cases, a tie-in piece of media like a show bridging the gap between the virtual and real worlds. Whatever the case, these games may have aged literally, but the gameplay and stories within them are like fine wine that only seems to get better with age.
8
Mafia
The Origins Of Investigation
Details:
- New entry into the franchise
- One of the finest crime stories in the genre
With the Mafia series enjoying renewed attention thanks to its latest installment, The Old Country, there’s never been a better time to revisit the game that started it all. The original Mafia remains a remarkably grounded crime drama, following Tommy Angelo’s rise through the Salieri family during an incredibly heated period in American history, and that emphasis on storytelling over spectacle helps distinguish it from other open-world crime games both today and back then.
Although its world is more restrained than modern sandbox titles, I think that its atmosphere and the believable nature of the city allow it to remain timeless over two decades later. For anyone interested in seeing how the series evolved, or simply experiencing one of the genre’s defining narratives, now is the ideal opportunity to go back in time and potentially even play through the entire series.
The Next One Can Only Wait So Long
Details:
- Sixth installment draws closer every year
- Mods keep the game feeling fresh
Few games have enjoyed the longevity of Skyrim, and with anticipation continuing to build around the eventual release of The Elder Scrolls VI, many players and I are returning to Tamriel all over again. Whether it’s your first adventure or your tenth, the game is among the most rewarding fantasy worlds to explore, and when you throw mods into the mix that can bring with them anything from new content to QoL changes, the whole playthrough can feel fundamentally different.
I am still blown away at just how much content the community has created, and after the frankly lukewarm arrival of Starfield and Bethesda’s relative inactivity in recent years, it is nice to play a stellar RPG with an endless stream of variety from start to finish. At the end of the day, there’s a reason it is one of the best-selling games of all time, and a true poster child for the peak of Bethesda’s game design, something that we will hopefully see return in the next installment.
Let’s be honest, everybody has played Skyrim, so this one is more a case of a replay. PC users should also try installing a bunch of mods if they haven’t dipped their toes into that community.
6
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Setting Up The World
Details:
- Valuable context for the sequel
- The zone is unlike any other open world
Shadow of Chernobyl has been blowing minds ever since it released, and since then, the world of radiated fiction has gotten a lot more crowded. The series received a mainstream boost following the relative success of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, with many new players being introduced to the haunting Exclusion Zone and all the darkness it hides inside.
Returning to the original also highlights just how influential its design became, as core features like the dynamic AI systems would find their way into countless other games inside and outside the open-world space. Now with a new DLC for the sequel on the horizon, I see no reason why you shouldn’t study up and journey into the wasteland for the very first time or return to experience it like the first time.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is semi-open rather than a full open-world, with the map being divided into regions.
5
Red Dead Redemption
Easier To Play Than Ever
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Image via Rockstar Games -
Image by GameRant; Source: Rockstar Games -
Image via Rockstar Games
Details:
- Modern ports make the original more accessible
- Acts as a continuation of RDR2’s story
Red Dead Redemption has been surprisingly difficult to access on modern platforms for many years, but thankfully, virtually every new device can now play through John Marston’s entire emotional story. The narrative is obviously the biggest draw, but the gameplay holds up surprisingly well, standing as yet another example of Rockstar proving themselves to be one of the greatest game devs out there.
The original game is also the perfect companion to Red Dead Redemption 2, serving as a continuation of John’s story after Arthur Morgan’s. It adds an extra level of closure and rounds out the arcs perfectly, whilst also leaving plenty of room for fun with the inclusion of Undead Nightmare.
4
Fallout: New Vegas
Adventuring To The Big Screens
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Image via Bethesda -
Image via Bethesda Softworks -
Image via Bethesda Softworks
Details:
- TV show adapted large parts of the franchise and New Vegas
- Still considered among the RPG greats
With the Fallout series introducing plenty of folks to Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic universe, many have inevitably found themselves discovering Fallout: New Vegas. Despite its age, Obsidian’s RPG remains the benchmark for player choice and narrative branching, and you will be surprised at just how much control you have over the story right from the get-go.
I would also say that the show shows off the Vegas setting in a very faithful manner, introducing you to Robert House and the Deathclaws and serving as a good launching-off point for the seasons to follow. If you are interested in Fallout as a series, or simply want to experience one of the greatest RPGs ever made, 2026 is as good a time as any.
3
Fable
A Delay That Just Bought You Some Time
Details:
- New revival scheduled for 2027
- Charming and whimsical world
Fable is yet another RPG that many fans have been waiting for a reboot of, and after many announcements and delays, the new 2027 release date should be the final one. The original game stands out for its witty humor and charm that are infused into every interaction, and you are given a lot of choice in terms of shaping your hero, with your reputation being based on actions rather than simple dialogue selections.
Mechanically, there is a lot of impressive stuff on display, like the morality systems and satisfying yet accessible combat that is surprisingly enjoyable decades later. Revisiting the original also offers an excellent opportunity to see just how much the upcoming reboot builds on such a beloved classic, and I, for one, am beyond excited about the new game after becoming a fan of the franchise this year.
Fable is another classic that features a pseudo-open world, but it provides enough room to explore to warrant a mention.
2
Gothic
The Train Of RPGs Never Ends
Details:
- Brutal design unlike anything today
- Full modern remake and rereleases
Gothic has long been regarded as among the most influential RPGs ever created, and the remake has suddenly made both longtime fans and newcomers turn their attention to the original. The game is uncompromising in its brutality, thrusting you into a world where nothing is earned and everything is taken, forcing you to slowly push forward one step at a time.
Playing the remake for me is a double-edged sword in a lot of ways. On the one hand, the combat and feel have been modernized, and the clunkiness has been removed, but I would argue that those things are part of the core difficulty of the original. Therefore, if you prefer the older style and challenge, then I would suggest giving the classic a try before grabbing the remake.
1
Grand Theft Auto 4
Still The Best In The Franchise
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Image via Rockstar Games -
Image via Rockstar Games -
Details:
- Heavily contrasts with Rockstar’s modern design philosophy
- Warm-up for the release of GTA 4
Grand Theft Auto 6 has been dominating discussions over the past few years, but before Rockstar breaks the internet, I would highly recommend taking a trip down memory lane into arguably the best game in the series. Grand Theft Auto 4 stands out because of its grounded storytelling, realistic tone, and emotionally complex protagonist in Niko Bellic, whose motivations make for a much more compelling narrative than many of the others in the franchise.
Revisiting Liberty City also highlights just how different Rockstar’s design philosophy was in 2008. Immersion is key, and the maturity of the world holds up exceptionally well, and at the end of the day, you are going to have a hard time finding a modern-day open-world game that can compete with the quality that Rockstar produces time and time again.
