The 2010s were a defining decade for open-world games, firmly establishing the genre as one of the most popular among players, synonymous with the biggest and often highly-anticipated releases of the year. Throughout 2010-2019, fans got several standout open-world titles each year, with everyone having their own favorites. Yet some open-world titles were such breakout hits that their impact is undeniable, and it can be felt echoing even today.
2026 is once again shaping up to be a standout year for open-world games, and not just because of the upcoming GTA 6. Open-world games show no signs of stopping, continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible, growing in scope, detail, and depth. For players who miss their favorite open-world titles of the past decade, there is always something new to try, and fans might even discover so-called “spiritual successors” to the 2010s legendary titles among modern titles. This list aims not only to pinpoint the best open-world games from each year of the 2010s decade, but also to find the closest modern alternatives worth playing in 2026 instead.
To keep things interesting, let’s suggest unique successors for each position, even though some modern alternatives can draw from and share similarities with several of the titles below. On top of that, let’s stick to the open-world titles relevant as of today — recent games or the ones still getting updates and support from the devs, making them worth picking up here and now. Lastly, we won’t suggest direct sequels as it’s a bit too obvious.
2010 – Fallout: New Vegas
2026 Suggestion – The Outer Worlds 2
The 2010’s decade started strong, with plenty of notable open-world games like Red Dead Redemption, Mafia 2, or Just Cause 2. However, one game is still mentioned more often than the rest, taking the spot for the best open-world game of the year, and it’s Fallout: New Vegas. A bold new chapter for the iconic franchise and the RPG genre alike, New Vegas became an instant classic, replayed by fans over and over.
Players who miss Fallout: New Vegas today more than anything should look at modern Obsidian open-world RPGs. The Outer Worlds 2 is a natural suggestion, building on New Vegas’ signature branching approach to storytelling and rewarding exploration, while strengthening the studio’s unique sci-fi universe with new locations, characters, and discoveries. It’s a perfect time to pick the game up too, as the devs are working on two story expansions right now.
2026 Suggestion – Starfield
Several great open-world games were released in 2011, including Batman: Arkham City and inFamous 2, but of course, all were bound to live in the shadow of a true colossus, which is The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. An open-world RPG that needs little introduction today, Skyrim is one of the most popular and recognizable titles in its genre, 15 years after its launch, and the true, unmatched king of modding.
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Given its legacy, finding more modern open-world games like Skyrim isn’t too challenging. Players craving fantasy worlds might pick Avowed, but if it’s not the setting you’re after, then Starfield can be your pick. The latest game by Bethesda is essentially Skyrim in space, for better or worse. It’s also a great time to start playing, as Starfield is not only getting its second expansion alongside a major free update soon, but also launching on PS5 this April.
2012 – Assassin’s Creed 3
2026 Suggestion – Ghost of Yotei
A stellar year for the open-world genre, 2012 gave us Far Cry 3, Borderlands 2, and Sleeping Dogs, among others. Assassin’s Creed 3, however, comes out on top, standing as a major chapter for the AC franchise, opening the colonial America era (later revisited in several follow-ups), while delivering admirable scope, complex narrative, and the ambitious conclusion to Desmond Miles’ modern-day storyline.
Even with the current RPG shift, players looking for something similar can pick any modern Assassin’s Creed title — or look for other action-adventure modern open-world titles, which we are never short of these days. For example, Ghost of Yotei might just be the right pick for fans of older Assassin’s Creed entries, bringing a fresh Japanese setting and exciting action while offering a more focused character-driven story than later AC titles.
2013 – Grand Theft Auto 5
2026 Suggestion – Cyberpunk 2077
In 2013, Grand Theft Auto 5 took the throne of the open-world genre, leaving little chance for competition like Saints Row 4 or Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. Ever since, GTA 5 has been dominating the charts as one of the best-selling games of all time, with fans purchasing the title repeatedly across various platforms just to keep playing GTA Online.
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Now, here’s where things become a bit tricky, as until GTA 6 releases later this year, there are very few modern alternatives to the GTA series, especially post-2020. Few rare attempts have been underwhelming to say the least, so the closest modern title is probably Cyberpunk 2077, even though it’s best to avoid direct comparisons and approach the games very differently. Still, with its massive bustling Night City megapolis, Cyberpunk 2077 is capable of scratching a similar itch to GTA 5.
2014 – Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
2026 Suggestion – Assassin’s Creed Shadows
2014 was totally dominated by Ubisoft’s open-world games, including Far Cry 4, Watch Dogs, and Assassin’s Creed Unity. However, the sudden Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor release by Monolith ended up being a standout in the genre. While the title was clearly inspired by the Assassin’s Creed games, its beloved setting, as well as the brand-new Nemesis system, carried it to the top.
Sadly, there are not as many modern suggestions for those primarily interested in the Nemesis system evolution, due to an unfortunate patent by Warner Bros. For those looking to feel like a true master assassin, though, stalking their prey and eliminating enemies ruthlessly, there are plenty of modern suggestions. For instance, Assassin’s Creed Shadows perfectly fulfills the concept of an open world primarily serving as a playground for hunting and killing targets, even though it lacks the same personal edge as Shadow of Mordor.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
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Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
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2015 – The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
2026 Suggestion – Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
2015 is often regarded as one of the best years for the genre, delivering massively beloved titles like Fallout 4, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, and Dying Light. Nevertheless, nothing matches The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which is still regarded among the finest open-world action-RPG titles ever made. Thanks to the ongoing support, The Witcher 3 fans still have relevant reasons to revisit the decade-old masterpiece, but what about true modern alternatives?
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Cyberpunk 2077 is one such game, playing to CD Projekt RED’s strengths, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 might be an even better modern suggestion to every Witcher 3 fan. This spectacular, massive medieval-style game is a rare breed of open-world RPGs we get very few of during each generation, if we’re lucky enough. KCD 2 is a true must-play for anyone looking to play as a sword-wielder in a grounded, realistic world, where everything is defined by your choices and actions.
2016 – Tom Clancy’s The Division
2026 Suggestion – Borderlands 4
Not as strong for open-world titles in general, 2016 is known for Watch Dogs 2, Final Fantasy 15, and Tom Clancy’s The Division — probably the best of the year. One of the most innovative and groundbreaking Ubisoft titles in a long time, The Division essentially paved the way for the entire extraction genre with its Dark Zone concept and seamless co-op interactions. On top of that, it’s just a hard-to-put-down looter-shooter set in an incredibly detailed and vast explorable world.
Despite its popularity, there are hardly any direct competitors to the Division series today; fortunately, there are plenty of open-world looter-shooters to choose from. Borderlands 4 is one such suggestion (and one that’s very different in its visual appeal), delivering a massive world and an even more massive collection of loot to get and test in combat, alongside the ability to play the entire game in co-op.
2017 – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
2026 Suggestion – Genshin Impact
Following the established trends of Ubisoft-style open-world games, in 2017, fans got Horizon Zero Dawn and Assassin’s Creed Origins as some of the standouts in the genre. However, all eyes were on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. An open-world game unlike any other back in the day, BOTW showed what true freedom of exploration is, still regarded among the finest games ever in the genre.
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Breath of the Wild inspired countless open-world games that followed, but aside from its no-less ambitious sequel, Genshin Impact is probably the closest one. The game prioritizes exploration of a gorgeous world brimming with action and puzzles, while its gacha elements and ever-lasting support make it easy to play for months.
2018 – Red Dead Redemption 2
2026 Suggestion – Crimson Desert
Rivaling 2015 as the best year for open-world fans from the 2010s, 2018 truly delivered with games like Far Cry 5, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. It also marked the arrival of Red Dead Redemption 2 — the best open-world game ever made for countless fans, delivering scope and level of detail still unmatched by anything that followed. RDR 2 is a rare game that players just keep admiring and value even more with each passing year, a true masterpiece, and an important milestone for video games as a whole.
Very few titles ever since have even attempted to replicate RDR 2, but one new open-world game definitely comes the closest. Crimson Desert is very clearly inspired by Rockstar’s masterpiece, building its entire narrative around the Greymanes camp and its members, focusing on horseback riding mission design, as well as aiming at comparable levels of reactivity in the open world and its NPCs. Judging by early reactions, many open-world fans already can’t get enough of Crimson Desert, so those still on the fence should probably give it a go.
2019 – Death Stranding
2026 Suggestion – STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Wrapping up the great decade for the open-world genre, players got several strong titles, like The Division 2, Days Gone, and Borderlands 3. However, the best of the year is another rather experimental take on the genre: Death Stranding. The walking simulator, as it’s often called, is a bold attempt to try something really fresh, and while it’s definitely not for everyone, Death Stranding has long cemented itself as a very special open-world title.
Years later, Death Stranding still has almost no competitors, standing unique in its appeal. However, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl might just hit many of its hallmarks, delivering a gorgeous post-apocalyptic, real-world-inspired setting brimming with unexplainable anomalies. Not only that, STALKER 2 captures the feeling of loneliness and melancholy really well, while a large part of its playtime you spend walking towards the next friendly camp or storage to “deliver” your precious loot.
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