Open-world games are some of my favorite experiences in gaming, largely because of how easy it is to lose track of time while exploring. The Nintendo Switch 2 has an impressive selection to choose from, including enormous fantasy RPGs, survival adventures, and more relaxing games that let players explore at their own pace. Some offer hundreds of hours of content, while others stand out for their unusual mechanics or the freedom they give players to approach things differently.
What I particularly enjoy about open-world games is how often the best moments happen when you’re ignoring the main objective. I’ve spent hundreds of hours exploring Hyrule in the Zelda games, and I still love discovering new ways to approach combat or solve problems. Of course, there are plenty of other excellent open worlds worth experiencing, including a few lesser-known games that deserve more attention. These eight games offer some of the best exploration experiences on the Switch 2.
8
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
A Relaxing Open World That Encourages Players to Slow Down
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is a refreshing change from open-world games that revolve around combat. Set on the beautiful island of Gemea, it allows players to explore several distinct environments while gathering resources, completing quests, and helping the local inhabitants. There’s also a mysterious substance known as Murk spreading across the island, which players must gradually clear with the help of magical creatures called Sprites.
What makes Yonder appealing is how little pressure it puts on players. You can spend hours fishing, farming, or wandering around without worrying about dangerous enemies. I particularly like the idea of an open world where exploration is the main attraction, rather than something you do between fights. It’s a lovely alternative to more demanding adventures.
7
Outward: Definitive Edition
A Survival RPG Where Every Journey Requires Preparation
Outward: Definitive Edition takes a much harsher approach to open-world exploration than most RPGs. Players begin as an ordinary adventurer rather than a legendary hero, and even relatively simple journeys can become dangerous without proper preparation. Hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and harsh weather conditions all need to be considered, while combat can be punishing for anyone who rushes into an encounter.
I think the most interesting thing about Outward is how it makes traveling feel like an adventure in itself. Reaching a distant city requires planning, and discovering a new dungeon can be genuinely intimidating when supplies are running low. It’s certainly not as accessible as some of the other games here, but its commitment to making survival feel meaningful is admirable.
6
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Mira Is One of Nintendo’s Most Impressive Open Worlds
Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition takes place on Mira, a mysterious alien planet where humanity is struggling to survive after Earth is destroyed. Its enormous environments are filled with unusual creatures, towering mountains, and landscapes that look unlike anything found on Earth. Exploring these regions is a major part of the experience, especially since dangerous enemies can appear in areas that initially seem relatively safe.
What makes Mira so memorable is its incredible sense of scale. Some creatures are absolutely enormous, and seeing them wandering around the environment makes the world feel genuinely alive. Eventually gaining access to Skells, giant mechanical suits capable of transforming and flying, completely changes how exploration works. It’s one of the most satisfying ways I’ve seen an open-world game reward progression.
5
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
An Open World With Plenty to Do Beyond Fighting Monsters
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time combines open-world exploration with a surprisingly addictive selection of everyday activities. Players can switch between 14 different professions, including combat-focused roles and more peaceful jobs involving crafting or gathering resources. There’s also a large continent to explore, along with an island that players can gradually restore and customize as they progress through the story.
What I find appealing about Fantasy Life i is how much freedom it gives players to decide what they want to accomplish. You might spend one session fighting monsters and another gathering materials to improve your home. The Switch 2 Edition also offers improved performance and resolution, making this charming RPG an excellent option for anyone looking for something a little more relaxed.
4
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Night City Is One of the Most Detailed Open Worlds on Switch 2
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Image via GameRant; Source: CD Projekt Red
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition brings one of gaming’s most impressive urban environments to Switch 2. Night City is packed with towering buildings, crowded streets, and distinct neighborhoods that reflect the enormous divide between its wealthy residents and everyone else. Players take control of V, a mercenary whose life becomes increasingly complicated after a dangerous job goes wrong.
What impresses me most about Night City is how much personality its different districts have. Exploring the city is enjoyable on its own, but the excellent side quests give players plenty of reasons to venture beyond the main story. The Ultimate Edition also includes the Phantom Liberty expansion, adding another compelling storyline and an entirely new district to explore.
3
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Hundreds of Hours Later, Hyrule Is Still Worth Exploring
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild completely changed how I looked at open-world games. I originally downloaded it to keep myself entertained during a nine-hour flight, and it ended up occupying me for the entire journey. I’ve since put hundreds of hours into the game, and I still think its version of Hyrule is one of the most enjoyable worlds to explore. There’s something incredibly satisfying about spotting an interesting location in the distance and simply deciding to head towards it.
The combat is another huge part of why I love Breath of the Wild. Perfect dodges, Flurry Rushes, and parrying Guardian lasers make encounters incredibly satisfying once you get comfortable with the mechanics. I also love how the physics system encourages creative solutions, whether that involves using the environment or experimenting with different weapons. Even after spending so much time with it, I can happily return to Hyrule and lose another few hours.
2
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition
The Lands Between Is Filled With Incredible Discoveries
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Image via FromSoftware -
Image via FromSoftware -
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition brings FromSoftware’s enormous fantasy RPG to Nintendo’s latest console, complete with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. The Lands Between is a beautiful but incredibly dangerous world, filled with ruined castles, underground cities, and powerful enemies. Exploration feels especially rewarding because the game rarely tells players exactly what they should be doing or where they should go next.
What I find so impressive about Elden Ring is how easily a small discovery can turn into an entirely new adventure. A hidden passage might lead to a massive underground area, while an optional boss could reward players with a powerful weapon. The challenging combat won’t appeal to everyone, but few open-world games make exploration feel quite this exciting.
1
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
An Incredible Open World That Rewards Creativity
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom had a difficult task following one of my favorite open-world games, but it somehow managed to make Hyrule feel exciting all over again. I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing both games, and Tears of the Kingdom stands out for how much freedom it gives players. The addition of the sky islands and Depths dramatically expands the world, while Ultrahand makes it possible to build all kinds of ridiculous contraptions to solve problems.
I also love how much the new abilities change combat. Fusing materials with weapons opens up loads of possibilities, and there’s something particularly satisfying about finding an unusual way to defeat a powerful enemy. The familiar dodging and parrying mechanics are still excellent, but the extra options make encounters even more entertaining. For me, Tears of the Kingdom takes the top spot because I can spend hours experimenting with its systems without getting bored.
