Open-world games have consistently been a part of the gaming landscape since the early 21st century, though they existed long before then, too. As technology improved, so does the breadth and scope of many open-world games.
It makes most fans wish developers would go back to the older open-world games and update them with modern conventions. On the Xbox Series X and PS5, the worlds can be bigger than ever before. Even if the world is separated into different hubs, the load times would be lightning quick. This is not talking about HD re-releases, either, but full-fledged remakes from the ground up.
10 Grand Theft Auto 4
It is hard to believe, but Grand Theft Auto 4 is over thirteen years old at this point. Niko Bellic's story brought the legendary Liberty City into the HD generation and also represented a serious tonal shift for the series.
If Grand Theft Auto is not returning to Liberty City for the next entry, then a remake of the fourth numbered entry would be appreciated by fans. Bring in the gameplay conveniences of GTA 5 to make it feel more modern.
9 Shenmue
Calling Shenmue ahead of its time would be misleading. This open-world game exists so far outside of the normal evolution of game design. Instead of a large playground, Shenmue recreates a small slice of life in a Japanese town.
To do this on the Dreamcast was impressive, though such ambition did not translate into stellar sales. With its cult-classic status, a remake would make more sense. Sega was in the early stages of making one before, but it was canceled.
8 Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas is often the most celebrated first-person entry in the famed franchise. Unfortunately, it is also riddled with technical issues.
Considering its legendary status, it is only right to give the game the respect it deserves with a remake updating the graphics while also making it run smoother. With Obsidian and Bethesda now both partnered up with Microsoft, it seems more likely than ever.
7 Assassin's Creed
The first Assassin's Creed is an outlier among the series. It has a more straightforward gameplay loop with fewer side quests. Where fans received three games with Ezio Auditore, Altair only gets one game.
A remake more in line with the modern series' gameplay would not only help new generations of fans experience the title but also let veteran players further explore the setting.
6 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Loosely based on the Boris and Arkady Strugatsky novel Roadside Picnic, this first-person shooter from Ukrainian develop GSC Game World quickly became a cult classic due to its unique structure. Players explore the Chornobyl exclusion zone, which is now populated by monsters and other strange happenings.
With the sequel coming in 2022, a remake would help people familiarize themselves with the gameplay and atmosphere before the second part comes out.
5 Driver
One of the few 3D open-world action games to come out before Grand Theft Auto III, Driver was an impressive showpiece on the PS1. The series has unfortunately since left the limelight. Though 2011's Driver: San Francisco should have been a comeback, the title failed to light up sales charts.
A remake should focus purely on driving, using the modern consoles to create a more detailed city. With current hardware, there is so much potential for detailed crashes and destructible environments.
4 Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a narrative triumph, containing enough content to fill several seasons' worth of television shows. However, some still prefer the original Red Dead Redemption from 2010.
John Marston's story of saving his family pulls on the heartstrings similar to Arthur Morgan's tale. The game is still stuck on consoles from two generations ago, so a remake would help newer fans experience Rockstar Games' original old west epic.
3 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
This RPG quickly became a cult classic due to the level of freedom presented to players. It also received numerous complaints due to technical issues. With a sequel on the horizon, a remake would help familiarize players with the world.
After all, going back to the original game now is a bit of a headache and requires fan-made patches to even run in some cases.
2 Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind is the franchise's first fully 3D entry. Even though the game world is extremely small compared to the second game, Daggerfall, the detail present on the island is breathtaking.
It also retains more traditional RPG mechanics that were more relaxed in future entries, which is why some still consider it the best Elder Scrolls. A graphical facelift with fewer technical issues would be a dream come true for newer fans who missed the boat the first time around.
1 The Getaway
Where the PS2-era Grand Theft Auto games became progressively more outlandish, The Getaway was a significantly more grounded open-world game. It was less about exploring the streets of London and more about the missions and narrative. The graphics were also incredibly impressive for the time.
A third title for the PS3 was in the early stages of development before its cancelation. With the recent remake of Mafia, there is already a precedent for updating more realistic open-world games.