Game Freak surprisedPokemonfans everywhere by doing what most thought they never would; announcing an honest open-worldPokemongame.Pokemon Legends: Arceusis set to switch up the series' formula by letting players explore a huge world in a prequel toPokemon Diamond and Pearl.
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The developer already said the game is not coming until 2022, so players have a long time to wait. Until the hotly anticipated title comes out, play any of the following games below. Some of them require other consoles like a PS4, but several can be played on theNintendo Switch, reminding us how good open-world games can be on the hybrid hardware.
10Breath Of The Wild
Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildcame out on the Wii U and as alaunch title for the Nintendo Switch. At the time, it was unbelievable how such a good looking game could run on a handheld console. More than four years after release and it still impresses. The open design helped attract a whole new legion ofZeldafans. Players are still discovering secrets while wandering around Hyrule waiting for the game’s sequel.
9Final Fantasy 15
Final Fantasy 15polarized the fanbase with its diversions from the formula. One of the main complaints was how incomplete it felt at first, but various updates and the DLC chapters help fill in the missing holes. Anybody who likesopen-world RPGswould have a good time exploring the world asNoctis and his buddies.The structure is a little odd, however, with gargantuan chapters in the first half of the game followed by minuscule latter chapters that take a fraction of the time to complete.
8Xenoblade Chronicles
WhileXenoblade Chroniclescame out in 2010, the lineage of games with “Xeno” in the title goes back all the way to 1998’sXenogears. However,Xenoblade Chroniclesis the first open-world title directed by Tetsuya Takahashi.
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A Nintendo exclusive, it quickly became a mainstay of the company’s roster. With a spin-off and sequel released on the Wii U and Nintendo Switch, there is well over one hundred hours ofXenoblade Chroniclescontent to explore.
7Skyrim
When talking about open-world RPGs, one always has to mention theElder Scrollsfranchise.Skyrimhas come to be one of the most legendary western RPGs of the past fifteen years. Some may preferMorrowind, butSkyrimhas the more universal appeal with a more convenient UI and gameplay conveniences. One wonders how much inspiration Game Freak is taking from Bethesda’s series when makingPokemon Legends.
6Kingdom Come: Deliverance
On a more extreme end of the spectrum,Kingdom Come: Deliverancetakes place in a real historical setting. It is a significantly slower paced game than the other titles on this list, forcing players to dive deep into more nuanced systems and stats. Its greatest weakness is the plethora of technical issues. If you can look past these, you’re in for one of the most unique open-world RPGs out there.
5Horizon Zero Dawn
Guerrilla Games spent a lot of time making the first-person shooter franchise,Killzone. Afterwards they craftedHorizon Zero Dawn. The 2017 open-world action game went on to be one of the PS4’s most celebrated exclusives.With a sequel in the works,now is the perfect time to dive in and prepare for what is sure to be a fantastic followup. WhilePokemon Legendstakes place in the distant past,Horizontakes place in the far future.
4Death Stranding
Much likeBreath of theWild, a game which seems to have a big influence on the upcomingPokemonadventure,Death Strandingis all about the journey rather than the destination.
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Hideo Kojima’s 2019 titletakes place in a world where cities are separated by miles of uninhabitable wilderness. Only delivery people are the threads connecting each city. Earning new ways to traverse the landscape is way more rewarding than it seems on paper. The online functionality is also ingenious.
3Wasteland 3
InXileentertainment really knows how to keep fans waiting. It took 26 years for RPG players to get a sequel toWasteland. Fortunately, they only had to wait six forWasteland 3. This title is a good example to look at for open-world games that mix in turn-based combat. The battles themselves feel like they come from anXCOMgame, and can be just as difficult if you have not properly prepared for them.
2Immortals: Fenyx Rising
Considering the obvious influence fromBreath of the Wild, it only makes sense to also include this Ubisoft game on the list. Not everyone will be a fan of the art style or humor, but the fluid movement will definitely be a joy to those who are primarily concerned with fun gameplay. The focus on maneuvering and the combat does a lot to separate itself from other Ubisoft open-world games.
1Ghost Of Tsushima
Often considered one of the best looking open-world games currently available, thisPS4 exclusive does so much more than just look pretty. The minimal hud and the way navigation is ingrained into the game world fully immerses the player into the island of Tsushima. The tragic samurai tale is also compelling. Pick a direction, go, and just let nature tell you where the secrets are.
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