The strongest 2024 open-world recommendations depend on what you want to explore: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is the standout for demanding combat and discovery, while Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the clearest choice for a new, standalone fantasy RPG. Star Wars Outlaws and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom offer different alternatives. This is a synthesis of year-end editorial selections, not a universal ranking.
How to read these recommendations
There is no single 2024 list that establishes an objective winner. GameSpot’s year-end roundup required a review score of at least 8 for inclusion; its scores are that outlet’s assessments. GamesRadar’s roundup identifies additional open-world options, but does not establish the same criteria or ranking. The picks below are therefore best understood by the kind of game and purchase each represents.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Open World: Video Games and Contemporary Art | $53.78 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ghost of Tsushima - PlayStation 4 | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mad Max - PlayStation Hits (PS4) | $18.74 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Just Cause 4 - PlayStation 4 | $11.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Elden Ring - PlayStation 4 | $33.32 | Buy on Amazon |
Best for demanding exploration: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
For players who want difficult fights paired with the rewards of finding new routes, areas, bosses, items, and story, Shadow of the Erdtree is the most strongly recognized pick in this group. GameSpot gave it 10/10 in its 2024 best-games roundup and discussed its new areas, bosses, items, and story in its top-ten feature: GameSpot’s best-reviewed games of 2024 and GameSpot’s 10 Best Games of 2024. Metacritic listed it as its “Best Overall PC Game of 2024,” with a 92 Metascore, in its PC year-end feature. That is Metacritic’s ranking and score, not a score shared by every outlet: Metacritic’s 20 Best PC Games of 2024.
Know what you’re buying
This is an expansion, not a standalone game. Bandai Namco says it requires the Elden Ring base game to play. If you do not already own the base game, you will need to acquire it separately or choose a current edition that includes it; check the edition and platform listing before purchase. The publisher’s official page also reflects current product information, which should not be treated as proof of which editions were available in 2024: Bandai Namco’s official Elden Ring page.
#1 Best Overall
Metacritic describes the Realm of Shadow as offering up to 30 hours of additional gameplay. Treat that as an estimate, not a guaranteed completion time; play style and exploration affect how long an expansion takes.
Best new standalone open-world RPG: Dragon’s Dogma 2
If you want a new fantasy adventure rather than an expansion, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the most direct recommendation. GameSpot calls it a “magical open-world RPG,” gives it a 9 in its year-end roundup, and lists PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S among its platforms. The outlet highlights emergent moments and varied gameplay, making it a fit for players drawn to an adventure that can unfold in less scripted ways. Its score is GameSpot’s, not a universal rating: GameSpot’s best-reviewed games of 2024.
Rank #2
- Available Now - Ghost of Tsushima: Legends, a new cooperative multiplayer experience inspired by Japanese folk tales and mythology.
- Beyond war, ancient beauty endures: Uncover the hidden wonders of Tsushima in this open-world action adventure.
- The rise of the Ghost: Forge a new path and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
Compared with Shadow of the Erdtree, the key distinction is not simply which score is higher: Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a standalone choice with a fantasy-adventure focus, while Shadow of the Erdtree extends an existing game and is associated here with especially demanding combat and discovery. For broader open-world context, PlayStation UK’s selection includes both kinds of experiences: The best open-world games on PS4 and PS5.
Two alternatives with different identities
GamesRadar’s 2024 open-world roundup also names Star Wars Outlaws and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. These are useful alternatives if the fantasy-RPG framing of the two leading recommendations is not what you want. GamesRadar presents Echoes of Wisdom as a distinctive open-world interpretation; the available roundup evidence does not support a detailed mechanics comparison or a claim that either title outranks the other picks.
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Rank #3
- Be Mad Max - Become the iconic post-apocalyptic warrior, crafting and upgrading Max's equipment and weapons to survive by combining melee combat, gunplay and tactical techniques. Gamers must form alliances as they work towards the goal of building their "Magnum opus."
- Immersive savage Wasteland - Explore the gritty, dynamic world while braving the treacherous landscapes, hostile weather patterns and deadly marauders.
- survive the open-world landscape - Staying alive isn't easy. Players clash with deadly factions and gangs through scores of dangerous side-missions and quests in the dynamic open-world full of exploration.
- intense vehicular combat - Engage in dynamic inter-vehicular combat, taking down enemy vehicles with a range of powerful weapons. Car combat is entirely physics-based, so no two battles are ever the Same.
- build the ultimate survival machine - Players design, customize and upgrade their ultimate vehicle-the Magnum Opus-choosing from different car chassis and a slew of upgrades including mounted weapons, armour and engines to survive another day
- Star Wars Outlaws: a distinct setting among the roundup’s recommendations. Choose it if that setting is the main draw, and verify current platform and edition details on the listing for your region.
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom: identified by GamesRadar as a unique open-world game, offering an alternative to conventional fantasy-RPG framing. Consult the current product listing for platform and edition information.
Source: GamesRadar’s 2024 open-world roundup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you choose?
| Game | Standalone or expansion | Platforms established by the cited sources | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree | Expansion; requires Elden Ring | Not stated in the cited year-end ranking; check the publisher listing for the platform and edition you intend to buy. | Players seeking demanding combat and discovery, who already own the base game or will acquire it. |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | Standalone open-world RPG | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S (GameSpot) | Players seeking a new fantasy adventure with emergent moments and varied gameplay. |
| Star Wars Outlaws | Not stated in the cited roundup extract | Not stated in the cited roundup extract | Players who want an alternative setting; verify current product details for your region. |
| The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | Not stated in the cited roundup extract | Not stated in the cited roundup extract | Players interested in GamesRadar’s distinctive open-world alternative. |
For most readers choosing between the two best-supported recommendations, the decision is straightforward: pick Dragon’s Dogma 2 for a standalone RPG, or Shadow of the Erdtree if you want more of Elden Ring and can meet its base-game requirement. The other two broaden the shortlist, but the cited roundup does not establish enough detail to make a precise mechanics or platform comparison.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ELDEN RING is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki—creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series; and George R.R. Martin—author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to-date
- HIDETAKA MIYAZAKI: President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls
- GEORGE R. R. MARTIN: the #1 The New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire—A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons
Rank #4
- Day One Edition includes Neon Racer Pack with these DLC items Neon Racer Supercar, Neon Racer Wingsuit, Neon Racer Parachute; see description for full details
- Bring The Thunder Soar through the skies with your wingsuit Skydive, Base Jump and Free Dive, as you fight your enemies harnessing extreme weather to your advantage
- Rico’s Ultimate Mission Spearhead the rebellion and defeat a hi tech private military organization; Face off against the most capable adversary yet; Uncover the mystery behind Rico’s Father’s past
- Huge South American World 100 square kilometers to explore from rainforest to desert, and across snowy mountain peaks as you explore the world of Solis from bustling cities to rural grasslands
- Creative destruction at its best Customize your new grapple hook with evolved and new capabilities; Experiment with military jets, helicopters, turbo fueled sports cars, and construction vehicles
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
