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If you want one place to start, choose Red Dead Redemption 2: its detailed frontier, character-led story, and wealth of activities make it the strongest fit here for a sprawling, story-focused open world. It is not a modern crime sandbox like GTA. For a different mood, pick your next game by setting: futuristic Night City, dark fantasy, a mysterious world built around challenging combat, or medieval Bohemia.
Choose by the kind of open world you want
| Game | What it offers | Best fit if you want |
|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | A detailed American frontier, story, and activities | A character-led journey and a world to explore |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | An open-world action RPG set in Night City | A futuristic urban setting |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | Geralt’s dark-fantasy journey and quest-rich exploration | Story, quests, and fantasy |
| Elden Ring | Open-world exploration paired with demanding combat | Discovery and a challenge |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 | Historical role-playing in medieval Bohemia | Grounded history and first-person exploration |
These are different kinds of games, not substitutes that reproduce GTA‘s particular mix of contemporary crime, city life, and open-world freedom. The shortlist is organized around their settings and strengths, rather than a shared score or direct gameplay comparison.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - PC | $43.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Biomutant - PC (UK Import) | $7.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Set - (Obsolete) | $5.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Homeworld - PC | $33.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Elder Scrolls Online - PC/Mac | $12.50 | Buy on Amazon |
Red Dead Redemption 2: for a detailed, story-led world
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the first pick if what you want most is a richly presented world with a central character journey and plenty to do along the way. PC Gamer highlights its frontier setting, detail, story, and activities in its June 19, 2026 roundup of the best open-world games.
Its setting is the key distinction: this is a historical Western, not a contemporary urban crime sandbox. Choose it for the frontier atmosphere and story-led exploration, not because you expect Night City or a modern-day version of Los Santos. Check the PC edition and storefront listing before buying; listings and editions can change.
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- Skyrim reimagines the open-world fantasy epic, pushing the game play and technology of a virtual world to new heights
- Play any type of character you can imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling
- Skyrim's new game engine brings to life a complete virtual world with rolling clouds, rugged mountains, bustling cities, lush fields
- Choose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities; the new character system allows you to play any way you want
- Requires internet connection and free steam account to activate
Cyberpunk 2077: for a futuristic city
If you want an urban setting, Cyberpunk 2077 is the clearest science-fiction option. CD Projekt RED describes it as an open-world RPG set in Night City on its official game catalog. It is an action RPG, so its appeal lies in exploring a futuristic city and taking on a role-playing story, rather than matching GTA‘s specific approach to crime and activities.
PC availability is documented: CD Projekt’s 2020 launch announcement named GOG.com, Steam, and the Epic Games Store as PC storefronts. Store listings, editions, and prices may differ or change, so confirm the version you want on the storefront you use.
Rank #2
- A NEW TAKE ON 3rd PERSON COMBAT: The martial arts style combat system allows you maximum freedom of movement and agility while mixing shooting, melee and powers from your mutations
- EVOLVE YOUR GAME-PLAY: You'll be able to recode your genetic structure to change the way you look and play
- NEXT LEVEL OF CRAFTING: Mix and match parts to create your own unique single- or double-handed slash, crush and pierce melee weapons
- GEAR UP FOR ADVENTURE: You have full freedom when equipping your character. Not only when it comes to choosing weapons you created, but also what type of gear you wear
- SURVIVE IN A VIBRANT OPEN WORLD: You'll create your own adventure as you journey explore the open world and what lies beneath its surface, by foot, much, jet-ski, air-balloon and more
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: for quests and dark fantasy
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt suits players who want a fantasy setting where exploration regularly leads into quests and story. Geralt travels through places including Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige while searching for Ciri. The official Witcher 3 page describes the open-world RPG and its updated edition; PC Gamer’s roundup emphasizes the quests and story-rich detours.
Pick it for a defined protagonist’s journey and a world full of narrative threads, rather than for a contemporary city setting. The official page identifies an updated edition, so check the PC listing carefully if you are comparing editions or storefronts.
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- Master the necromantic powers of the Death Knight - World of Warcraft's first Hero Class.
- An increase in the level cap to 80.
- Discover the harsh, icy continent of Northrend, the bleak heart of the Lich King's empire of undeath.
- Command mighty siege engines to bombard your enemies and lay waste to destructible buildings in your path.
- Let yor friends call shotgun as you storm Azeroth on War Mammoths, the Mekgineers chopper, and other multi-passenger mounts.
Elden Ring: for discovery and demanding combat
Elden Ring is the pick if exploring an unfamiliar world and overcoming difficult fights matter more to you than a conventional, tightly directed story journey. Bandai Namco’s official game page labels it open world and identifies PC availability; PC Gamer’s roundup discusses its distinctive world and challenge.
This is the most combat-challenge-led recommendation on the list. Choose it if you welcome learning through exploration and are prepared for demanding encounters; it is a less natural fit if you mainly want a relaxed, activity-filled city sandbox.
Rank #4
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: for grounded historical role-playing
For a more grounded historical alternative, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes you through medieval Bohemia. PC Gamer’s June 19, 2026 roundup describes a landscape that includes villages, castles, wooded ravines, and caves, with first-person exploration and role-playing at its center.
Choose it for the historical setting and the chance to explore a world on foot from a first-person perspective. Its appeal is distinct from both a modern crime game and a fantasy adventure.
Best Value
- After 20 years of best-selling, award-winning fantasy RPGs, the Elder Scrolls series goes online like no MMO before it.
- A Connected Game World - Using ZeniMax Online's Megaserver technology you no longer need to choose a server, but instead play in one connected world.
- Play the Way You Like - With an enhanced Elder Scrolls combat system, engage in real-time targeting and use any weapon at any time, no matter your class.
- Your Quest to Save Tamriel - Discover the hidden secrets of Tamriel the way you want as you use the compass to explore at your own pace and save the world.
How to choose your next game
- Want a character-led journey and a highly detailed world? Start with Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Want a science-fiction city? Choose Cyberpunk 2077.
- Want a long fantasy quest with story-rich detours? Choose The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
- Want exploration that comes with demanding fights? Choose Elden Ring.
- Want grounded medieval role-playing and first-person exploration? Choose Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Before purchasing, compare the PC edition and storefront listing. Live catalogs can show current listings, but prices and promotions are volatile; GOG’s open-world catalog is one place to check what it currently lists.
Quick Recap
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.
