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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →If you want a sprawling world to get lost in while you wait for GTA 6, start with Red Dead Redemption 2 for a detailed, story-led frontier adventure. For other moods, choose Cyberpunk 2077 for a futuristic city, The Witcher 3 for dark-fantasy quests, Elden Ring for exploration and demanding combat, or Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 for grounded medieval role-playing. None is a substitute for GTA’s contemporary crime sandbox; each offers a different reason to roam.
Which open-world game should you choose?
| Game | What it offers | Best fit if you want |
|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | A richly detailed frontier, a central story, and plenty of activities | A character-led journey and exploration |
| 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 through a world of quests and detours | Story-rich exploration and questing |
| Elden Ring | An open world built around discovery and challenging combat | Mystery, exploration, and difficulty |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 | Historical role-playing in medieval Bohemia | Grounded history and first-person exploration |
These are qualitative matches based on the games’ described settings and strengths, not results from a shared benchmark or direct comparative testing.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - PC | $43.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Biomutant - PC (UK Import) | $7.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Set - (Obsolete) | $5.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Homeworld - PC | $33.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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The Elder Scrolls Online - PC/Mac | $12.50 | Buy on Amazon |
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Red Dead Redemption 2: a detailed, story-led frontier
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the strongest pick here if what you want is a carefully realized world, a substantial story, and activities that give you reasons to spend time away from the main path. PC Gamer highlights its frontier setting, detail, story, and range of things to do. It is a historical western, though—not a modern city crime sandbox—so the appeal is the depth of its world and journey rather than a close match to GTA’s setting. PC Gamer’s open-world games roundup discusses the game and its strengths.
Cyberpunk 2077: a futuristic city to explore
If you want an urban setting with a science-fiction edge, Cyberpunk 2077 is the clearest choice. CD Projekt RED describes it as an open-world action RPG set in Night City. The publisher’s 2020 launch announcement named GOG.com, Steam, and the Epic Games Store as PC storefronts. CD Projekt RED’s game page describes the game, while its launch announcement documents PC availability and storefronts.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
The Witcher 3: quest-rich dark fantasy
Choose The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for a fantasy world organized around a character’s search and the stories encountered along the way. Geralt searches for Ciri across places including Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige; the wider appeal is the mix of major plot and story-rich detours. The official site describes the open-world RPG and identifies an updated, remastered edition. The Witcher 3 official page covers the game and its edition.
CD Projekt RED reported in 2026 that The Witcher 3 had sold more than 60 million copies since its 2015 release. The company also reported more than 250 Game of the Year awards and 1,000 industry awards; these are publisher-reported figures, not independent measures of quality. CD Projekt RED’s press center provides its official announcements.
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
Elden Ring: discovery paired with demanding combat
Pick Elden Ring if exploring an unfamiliar world and overcoming difficult fights matter more to you than a conventional crime-story structure. Bandai Namco labels it open world and lists PC as a platform; PC Gamer’s roundup emphasizes its distinctive world and challenge. The combination makes discovery part of the attraction, but its combat difficulty is also central to the experience. See Bandai Namco’s official Elden Ring page and PC Gamer’s roundup.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: grounded medieval role-playing
For a more grounded historical setting, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes you through medieval Bohemia. PC Gamer’s June 19, 2026 roundup describes an environment spanning villages, castles, wooded ravines, and caves, making it a fit for players drawn to first-person exploration and historical role-playing rather than a fantastical or futuristic world. Read PC Gamer’s open-world games roundup.
Rank #3
- 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.
Check the PC edition before buying
Storefront listings, available editions, prices, and promotions can change. Confirm that a listing is for the PC version and check which edition it includes before purchase. GOG maintains an open-world games catalog, but live listings and prices are subject to change.
Quick Recap
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.
Rank #4
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.
