Decent open-world RPGs are hard to come by, let alone exceptional ones. While we get plenty of open-world games and RPGs, the two only cross paths a few times per year, and they should always feel like big deals. Still, for one reason or another, the occasional masterpiece slips through the cracks, becoming a footnote in history that most people never read. Let’s talk about those games.
I love a good open-world RPG, and the sheer lack of releases means that I try to play all the major ones. However, these games require such hefty time investments that they naturally cannot appeal to everyone. Also, in some cases, poor marketing or hardware exclusivity undermine a title before it even hits shelves, dooming its chances of finding an audience.
“Nobody played” is relative, and I’m going to approach this qualifier from a few different angles.
The Best VR Open-World RPG Ever
- A VR-only game exclusive to the Meta Quest line.
- A sprawling action RPG that might be the most ambitious VR project ever.
Technically, Asgard’s Wrath 2 was not a commercial failure, as it performed fairly well within its ecosystem… an ecosystem that excludes millions upon millions of players. One of the few 2020s games to garner universal acclaim, Asgard’s Wrath 2 became a Meta Quest 3 triumph at a time when the technology was no longer particularly exciting. If somebody had yet to jump into the Metaverse by 2023, a niche open-world RPG was probably not going to be the difference maker.
With four unique playable characters, a world drenched in Egyptian mythology, and dense explorable regions, Asgard’s Wrath 2 is the exact type of VR RPG that ’90s dreams were made of, executed to near-perfection in a way that would be impressive even if it were a standard release. I can sing until the end of days about what Sanzaru Games achieved with this modern great, but nothing I say will or even should convince anybody to drop $300 for a Meta Quest 3S.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, The Masterpiece Disaster
A Quintessential Immersive Sim RPG
- Launched during the same period as Half-Life 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Halo 2, and World of Warcraft.
- A broken launch state did little to convince folks to pick up a copy.
- Saved by the community.
Nowadays, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines stands as an unquestionable classic and one of the most influential RPGs of the 2000s, but the road to legendary status was built on broken quests, rampant bugs, and an incomplete second act. Despite generally positive reviews, the game was not a commercial success at launch, to the point that Troika Games closed shop just four months after Bloodlines‘ release.
I should say, the “near-perfect” label doesn’t extend to the 1.0 version, which is basically unplayable in 2026; however, Bloodlines’ legacy extends beyond the vanilla content, and nobody should play the game without the Unofficial Patch. In fact, the GOG version even comes with this patch pre-installed, allowing you to enjoy the intended experience as seamlessly as possible.
Steambot Chronicles Was The PS2’s Last Great Open-World RPG
A Sandbox Mech Building Delight
- Released just a few months before the PS3 in North America and Europe.
- An unappreciated PS2 gem that was really ambitious.
Let’s step away from the special cases and get to an open-world RPG that is just plain-old underrated: Steambot Chronicles. Although not devoid of a story, Irem’s project excels as a slow-life sandbox with branching routes, rhythm mini-games, customization, and a legit economy system. The game’s core revolves around the Trotmobile, your personal mech that serves a wide range of purposes and can be thoroughly customized.
Any PS2 game released in late 2006 was destined to struggle for attention in the face of the PS3’s arrival, and Steambot Chronicles wasn’t backed by a franchise name or developed by an internationally recognizable company. It was just a quirky little JRPG that came and went without leaving much of an impact, at least in Western nations.
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise Was Already Dead
A Silly Post-Apocalyptic Anime Open-World RPG
- Sold well initially in Japan but struggled to take off elsewhere.
- Look, I’m just a sucker for Fist of the North Star.
Admittedly, this one is mainly for me. Describing Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise as near-perfect might raise a few eyebrows, and while I totally get that perspective, I cannot help but love the heck out of Ryu Ga Gotoku’s adaptation. Basically, Lost Paradise blends FOTNS with Yakuza, a combination that works unsurprisingly well considering both are known for epic fights, great storytelling, and cool meatheads (in the best possible way).
Although a touch repetitive and over-reliant on QTEs, the combat system still replicates the source material’s martial arts and over-the-top tone well, while also introducing a relatively deep progression system. The sub-stories aren’t too far removed from Yakuza‘s quality, and the same can be said for the mini-games.
Fallout Sonora Is The Best Fallout Game Since New Vegas
The Mod To End All Mods
- A total conversion mod of Fallout 2. Developed by Nevada Band.
- Developed by a Russian team, the mod was originally hard to come by in English. It isn’t on Nexus Mods either.
Initially, I considered including Fallout 1 and 2, as I imagine many folks who started with Fallout 3 never went back and tried the isometric originals. However, after thinking it through, a brilliant total conversion mod seemed like a better pick, since its barrier to entry is so high for modern audiences.
Honestly, plenty of mods could have slotted into this entry, but Fallout Sonora sits comfortably among the most extraordinary and accessible. An argument could be made that this mod is the best Fallout content since 2011, and it’s a must-play for anybody remotely into CRPGs. Bringing to life parts of Arizona, Baja California, and (obviously) Sonora, Nevada Band crafted a bleak world stripped of Fallout 2‘s humor or pop-culture nods, bringing it closer to the tone of the original game in the series.
