2021 saw smaller experiences take a lot of the most coveted rewards. It Takes Two won the top prize at The Game Awards and The Forgotten City won our site's game of the year award.
However, open-world games still had a notable presence throughout the year. The games below all provide large worlds you can explore at your leisure. It is a mix of triple-A experiences and smaller titles that still went for an open map. Even if not every game on this list is perfect, they all tap into our human need to explore and uncover the unknown.
8 Valheim
This survival game took the world by storm upon its launch. Players are dropped into the mysterious Norse-influenced world and tasked with simply surviving the harsh wilds and developing their camp.
There is a goal to kill the bosses within the world, but the main draw is exploration. The ability to play with up to nine other people makes it a perfect experience for friends. Valheim is still in early access, so you can expect updates and a full release sometime in the future.
7 Riders Republic
There are a lot of Ubisoft open-world games out there, and a couple of them make the list. The formula is repeated so much by the publisher because it works, is familiar, and is adaptable to different genres.
Riders Republic still manages to be unique with how it mixes multiple extreme sports and the number of players who can participate in a single race. One major complaint of the game is its soundtrack and voiceovers. Fortunately, you can always turn these down and just listen to a podcast instead.
6 Biomutant
Biomutant was in development for a long time and faced numerous delays before finally hitting shelves. Reviews admired the ambition and originality of the setting but criticized the puzzles and objectives in the open world.
It might have been a little too much for the smaller team to handle. Initially released for the PS4 and Xbox One, an upgrade for the new consoles is planned. Hopefully, the update will fix the issues people had with it.
5 The Ascent
Twin-stick shooters are few and far between these days. Even rarer is when one is an open-world game. If the gameplay alone is not enough to draw you into The Ascent, then maybe the beautifully detailed cyberpunk world will increase the intrigue.
As popular as the aesthetic is in gaming, The Ascent manages to pull it off better than most. The cyberpunk story, gameplay, action RPG mechanics, and open world all combine for an incredible indie game with plenty of mileage in terms of runtime.
4 Lost Judgment
Judgment is a spin-off of the Yakuza series. With Yakuza: Like a Dragon shaking up the series' formula and turning into a turn-based RPG, Judgment is carrying the torch of the brawler with RPG mechanics.
Lost Judgment improves on issues people had with the first game. The tailing missions are still present but are significantly improved. The developers even said they paid special attention to these missions after it was a main criticism of the debut entry. In addition to this, there is a myriad of activities and side quests with which you can engage, a trademark of the developer's work.
3 Far Cry 6
New Far Cry games always pique gamers' curiosity with their premise and early cinematic trailers. Once the games come out, it is generally agreed upon that the new entry sticks to the formula too closely and doesn't deliver on the promise of the intriguing scenario.
This is not necessarily a bad thing for fans of the franchise, however. Far Cry 6 delivers all the open-world action fans have come to love from the series, complete with likable characters and cute animal sidekicks. The only major complaint other than the repetition of the formula is the lackluster enemy AI.
2 Halo Infinite
Halo is one of the most important gaming franchises of the 21st century, but it fell out of the spotlight during the Xbox One generation. Developer 343 Studios knew they had a big task on their hands when making Halo Infinite.
By all accounts, they pulled it off excellently with a stellar free-to-play multiplayer mode and a single-player campaign that brings players the same sense of wonder they had when playing the first Halo on the Xbox 20 years ago. The open areas are a perfect match for Halo's gameplay and the addition of the grapple shot adds a whole layer to the dynamic combat.
1 Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is not only one of the most gorgeous games to come out in 2021, it is also one of the most leisurely enjoyable open-world experiences in recent memory.
There is a wealth of content to enjoy within the open-world Mexico environment. Even if you don't regularly play racing games, there is a lot to do that does not directly involve racing. The most important thing about any racing game is how good the simple act of driving feels, and Forza Horizon 5 pulls this off excellently while having so much more to see.