Open-world RPGs have always been the top dogs in terms of immersion and are often known for their ability to make you fully, truly lost in the universe they present. However, not all of them are actually all that joyful to play; some take a while to get going, and others are a bit too dark and brutal to really give you that smile factor you might be looking for.
With that said, there are a handful of amazing games out there that manage to capture the essence of joy from start to finish, transporting you to a place where the wonder and warmth never truly leave your body. They accomplish this through the combat, the narrative, the environment, and just about everything else in between, giving you the pinnacle of what it means to have fun in an open-world RPG.
We are talking about games that are a joy to play rather than ones that have an optimistic/joyful tone.
1
Elden Ring
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Details:
- Constant surprises across the landscape
- Satisfying gameplay and incredible scenes
If there is one thing that FromSoftware knows how to do, it’s make an amazing game, and Elden Ring just might be their best one yet.
From the moment you step out into the open world, it is clear you’re about to play something special, and from there, the grin pretty much never leaves your face, no matter how high in the clouds or deep in the ground you journey.
Part of what makes it such a great game is how well it plays with the RPG elements. I always find myself loving the amount of freedom you have in terms of builds and weaponry, and there really is no bad playstyle, which means that if you want to run around with a dagger, a greatsword, or throw some spells from afar, you are always going to be having a great time.
2
Dread Delusion
Something Completely Different
Details:
- Weird but wonderful at the same time
- Bizarre landscape is a treat to explore
Dread Delusion proves that an unforgettable open world doesn’t need blockbuster production values to give you that same level of joy. The environment is the game’s biggest draw, consisting of floating kingdoms and dreamlike landscapes that are as remarkable to look at as they are to explore, inviting you in with a contagious feeling of curiosity right from the get-go.
As someone who adores weird and quirky aesthetics, I find the visuals to be so captivating and unique that just looking at the world around you is enough to incite positive emotions, even if you’re not taking a fight or finishing a quest. After a few hours of wandering around, I guarantee you that it will be hard to put the game down, and by the end, it won’t feel like a conclusion, but time for round two.
3
Cyberpunk 2077
The City Is Your Oyster
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Image via CD Projekt Red
Details:
- Busting streets with meaningful content
- Surprising depth across the entire world
Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into one of the strongest open-world RPGs out there, proving that tough beginnings can always blossom into beautiful butterflies. Night City feels alive at every hour, filled with towering skyscrapers, neon-lit streets, bustling markets, and hidden alleyways that reward you for wandering around without a destination.
For me, the city itself is the attraction. Whether I’m cruising through Japantown at night or stumbling across environmental stories hidden throughout the map, there’s always something happening nearby, and at no point do you ever feel as though there is a truly quiet moment, with there always being a new adventure waiting to be taken on.
Still Played For A Reason
Details:
- The poster child for RPG fun
- Mod support extends the playtime and excitement
Skyrim’s greatest achievement is how effortlessly it encourages you to ignore the main quest. Setting off toward one destination almost inevitably leads to an array of ruins and treasures beyond your wildest dreams, and of course, a dozen or so enemies to take down, assuming you are up for the challenge.
That sense of discovery never really fades, and I am always blown away at just how much content is crammed into even seemingly smaller parts of the map. Combined with an enormous modding community that continues to expand the game years later, Skyrim remains one of the easiest RPGs to lose hundreds of hours in, all with a smile on your face.
5
Fallout: New Vegas
Defining Role-Playing Games
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Image via Bethesda -
Details:
- NPCs and conversations with serious weight
- Player actions become the main focal point
Fallout: New Vegas understands that role-playing should always be the focus in an RPG, and it does that by making nearly every settlement, vault, or abandoned building have meaning in the world. The quests branch on forever, and it is common to find yourself circling back to a decision you made dozens of hours ago, even if it seemed insignificant at the time.
The Mojave Wasteland also feels remarkably believable, as instead of filling the map with repetitive activities, the content is so well-crafted and rich that it can be hard to get back to the main story. It is a real lesson in role-playing freedom, and a testament to how important writing is in order for a game to stand the test of time.
6
Dragon’s Dogma 2
A Naturally Unfolding Adventure
Details:
- Dynamic encounters mix up the journey
- Exploration is as rewarding as it is fun
Dragon’s Dogma 2 excels at creating memorable adventures without relying heavily on scripted events. A simple journey between towns can unexpectedly turn into a battle against a Griffin, or a nighttime escape from undead hordes, or you might end up climbing onto the back of a towering Cyclops, and then quickly moving on as if nothing ever happened.
Those moments stay with you throughout the playthrough, and the lack of concrete events turns the experience into a much more natural one, where you really feel like you’re the center of the universe. If you are someone who values organic exploration and frequent events in their open-worlds, then there are few better games out there than Dragon’s Dogma 2.
7
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Every Quest Is Worth Your Time
Details:
- Side quests rival the main content
- Always a reason to keep playing
In typical CD Projekt Red fashion, The Witcher 3 chooses to add a significant amount of weight to virtually every quest and contract, infusing the cities and outer edges of the world with joy from end to end. Galloping along is fun enough, but the knowledge that a simple hut or a faraway ruin could hold a bountiful plot point makes every step taken feel like a leap into the glorious unknown.
Arriving at a location could yield a single NPC conversation or a branching narrative that spans several hours, and the commitment to handcrafted content gives the world a remarkable personality that lives and breathes as you explore it. Rather than chasing map icons, I feel as though you become naturally invested in helping strangers and uncovering the history behind forgotten locations, giving it an almost childlike amazement that is rare to come by nowadays.
8
Yakuza 0
Just About Every Activity Possible
Details:
- Side content is packed to the brim
- Silly tone and absurd humor throughout
Yakuza 0 takes a different approach to open-world design by focusing on dense, activity-filled cities instead of enormous landscapes. The bustling streets are packed with karaoke, arcades, restaurants, quirky substories, and bizarre distractions that turn the simple act of walking around into an entertaining experience that almost always ends in laughter.
One moment you find yourself caught up in an emotional crime drama, while the next you’re managing a real estate empire or helping strangers with completely absurd problems, infecting you with a strange sense of joy that connects you to the world and the people within it. Also, the switch between heartfelt storytelling and comedy is so effortless that even when things do get a little serious, you can be sure there is always another giggle waiting around the corner.
