The 10 Highest-Rated Open World Video Games According to Metacritic

Open world games give players the chance to break away from linear paths and carve their own adventures. But while many have tried, only a handful rise to the top and become true masterpieces. Metacritic, the site that aggregates critic and player scores, has become the go-to measure for identifying these standout titles. The highest-rated open world games don’t just offer massive maps. They blend world design, storytelling, mechanics, and immersion in ways that keep players hooked for hundreds of hours.

Here are the ten open world games that sit at the top of Metacritic charts, and what makes them so highly regarded.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

When Breath of the Wild released, it changed the way players thought about open world design. Nintendo took the familiar Zelda formula and expanded it into a vast, interconnected world where almost anything you see on the horizon can be reached and explored. Instead of holding the player’s hand, the game invites experimentation. Whether it is cooking, climbing, or creatively using physics to solve puzzles, the freedom feels limitless.

The result was near-universal acclaim from critics and players. Breath of the Wild earned its high score not just because of its size but because of how alive it feels.

• Metacritic Score: 97
• Why It’s Rated So High: Groundbreaking freedom, endless exploration, clever mechanics
• Worth Playing Today?: Absolutely. It remains one of the most influential open world titles ever made

2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Skyrim has become almost mythical in the gaming community, partly because of how long it has stayed relevant. Players step into the role of the Dragonborn, a chosen warrior with the power to absorb dragon souls. But that main quest is just a sliver of the content available. Faction storylines, Daedric quests, and side adventures fill the world to the brim.

What really gives Skyrim its longevity is the modding community. New content, graphics updates, and player-made quests continue to keep the game alive long after release.

• Metacritic Score: 96
• Why It’s Rated So High: Massive freedom, deep lore, and limitless replayability
• Worth Playing Today?: Yes. With mods, Skyrim feels like a game that never ages

3. Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is Rockstar’s most ambitious project to date. It tells the story of Arthur Morgan, an outlaw caught between loyalty to his gang and the changing world around him. The narrative alone would have made it memorable, but the sheer detail of the open world sets it apart.

From the smallest wildlife behaviors to dynamic conversations with gang members, the game feels alive. Critics praised it not only as a great open world but also as one of the greatest pieces of storytelling in gaming history.

• Metacritic Score: 97
• Why It’s Rated So High: Rich narrative, stunning attention to detail, emotional depth
• Worth Playing Today?: Yes. It is one of the most cinematic and immersive games ever created

4. Grand Theft Auto V

Few games have had the cultural impact of GTA V. Its recreation of Los Santos feels like a living parody of Los Angeles, full of satire, chaos, and opportunity. With three different protagonists, each with their own perspectives, the story unfolds in a way that keeps things constantly fresh.

On top of the single-player content, GTA Online has kept the game alive for over a decade. Heists, custom modes, and endless community content have made it one of the most enduring games in history.

• Metacritic Score: 97
• Why It’s Rated So High: Immense freedom, engaging satire, endless replayability
• Worth Playing Today?: Definitely. GTA Online continues to expand with new updates

5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

When The Witcher 3 launched, it proved that open world RPGs could be both massive and meaningful. Players take on the role of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter navigating war-torn lands while searching for his adopted daughter. What set the game apart was the depth of its side quests, which often felt like complete short stories in their own right.

Add in the expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, and The Witcher 3 becomes one of the most content-rich RPGs ever made. Critics and fans alike praised it for its storytelling, characters, and gorgeous world.

• Metacritic Score: 93-94 (depending on platform)
• Why It’s Rated So High: Exceptional writing, meaningful side quests, strong expansions
• Worth Playing Today?: Yes. It is still considered one of the best RPGs ever released

6. Elden Ring

Elden Ring brought FromSoftware’s signature difficulty and atmosphere into an open world setting, and the result was a phenomenon. The Lands Between is a place of haunting beauty, filled with ruins, dungeons, and mysteries around every corner.

What made Elden Ring so highly rated was its balance of challenge and freedom. Players can wander into areas far above their level, but exploration always feels rewarding, whether it is a hidden weapon or an unforgettable boss fight.

• Metacritic Score: 96
• Why It’s Rated So High: Freedom of exploration, unforgettable bosses, rewarding secrets
• Worth Playing Today?: Yes. It is already considered a landmark title in the genre

7. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Hideo Kojima’s final entry in the Metal Gear series redefined stealth gameplay. Instead of linear missions, The Phantom Pain drops players into sprawling maps where objectives can be approached in countless ways. Whether you prefer sneaking in silently, using gadgets, or creating chaos, the game adapts to your playstyle.

While the story remains divisive, the gameplay earned critical acclaim for its freedom and depth. It is a masterclass in systems-driven design.

• Metacritic Score: 91
• Why It’s Rated So High: Innovative stealth, freedom of choice, deep mechanics
• Worth Playing Today?: Absolutely. The gameplay remains one of the best in the genre

8. Fallout 3

When Bethesda took over the Fallout franchise, fans were nervous. Fallout 3 transformed the series into a first-person RPG, and while it was a big shift, it became a landmark game. Washington D.C. was recreated as a sprawling wasteland, filled with moral choices, branching storylines, and dark humor.

It laid the foundation for modern Fallout games while also being one of the most highly rated open world RPGs of its time.

• Metacritic Score: 91
• Why It’s Rated So High: Bold reinvention, freedom in exploration, memorable quests
• Worth Playing Today?: Yes, though it shows its age, the core experience still holds up

9. Monster Hunter: World

Monster Hunter had always been popular in Japan, but Monster Hunter: World brought the franchise global success. Its zones are massive, interconnected ecosystems where creatures interact with each other as much as they do with the player.

Hunting, crafting, and co-op play keep players engaged for hundreds of hours. With the Iceborne expansion, the content pool grew even deeper. Critics praised it as the most accessible and polished Monster Hunter to date.

• Metacritic Score: 90
• Why It’s Rated So High: Addictive combat, cooperative gameplay, rich ecosystems
• Worth Playing Today?: Yes. It remains one of the franchise’s best entries

10. Horizon Zero Dawn

Guerrilla Games, previously known for its Killzone series, shocked players with Horizon Zero Dawn. Set in a lush post-apocalyptic world overrun by robotic creatures, it combined third-person action combat with RPG progression. Its protagonist, Aloy, became an instant icon.

The world was praised for its originality, blending ancient ruins with futuristic machines. Critics lauded its visuals, world-building, and refreshing take on open world design.

• Metacritic Score: 89
• Why It’s Rated So High: Unique world, memorable protagonist, and stunning visuals
• Worth Playing Today?: Absolutely. It remains one of Sony’s strongest exclusives

Final Thoughts

Metacritic scores aren’t the only way to measure greatness, but they do highlight which games earned both critical and popular recognition. The titles on this list show how open worlds can be more than just big maps. They can be playgrounds for experimentation, canvases for storytelling, and places players never want to leave.

From the reinvention of Zelda in Breath of the Wild to the narrative depth of Red Dead Redemption 2, these games represent the peak of the genre. If you want to experience the best open worlds gaming has to offer, these ten titles are the ones to start with.