Open-world games offer freedom that most other genres can’t. Grand Theft Auto 5 is a good example: the streets of Los Santos are huge, as are the surrounding wilderness areas. Is it the biggest open-world to date, and does it offer the most freedom? As popular as GTA 5 is, it does not provide as customizable of an experience as these other open-world games.
Within these worlds, players can explore in multiple ways. They can craft, create their characters, and so much more. If anyone is looking for a way to personalize their open-world experiences, these are the games that they should check out next.
Minecraft
Build Up Everything
There can’t be a more customizable experience than Minecraft, as it’s practically the equivalent of buying a bucket of LEGO bricks and dumping them out. Players won’t be able to extensively customize their avatar initially, but DLC packs are available to change into various forms, including one of the newest crossovers with Dragon Ball, featuring characters like Goku.
As for the game itself, players can farm for materials and then craft whatever they want, from weapons to blocks to furniture to houses. Decorating a cozy cottage is one way to live a peaceful, blocky life, but so is recreating giant landmarks like the Empire State Building.
The Outer Worlds 2
Low Intelligence Is A Perk
The Outer Worlds 2 isn’t as expansive as other open-world games, but there are more customization options than most RPGs generally provide. Players can customize their character, including giving them cybernetic limbs that serve no functional purpose, but they definitely look cool. They can choose their background and skills, and most interestingly, players can choose character defects in the game as they make mistakes.
By giving players the option to debuff their characters in exchange for small bonuses, like great stealth for obnoxiously loud, popping knees, The Outer Worlds 2 lets players go beyond the normal realm of RPG options. It’s not the typical approach to customization, but it’s certainly unique.
Cyberpunk 2077
From Junk To Story
Cyberpunk 2077 also features cybernetic limbs, as it takes place in a cyberpunk future, but these prosthetics have more functionality than The Outer Worlds 2’s robot limbs. Players can visit the ripperdoc to upgrade their bodies and get enhancements, like new ways to virtually scan environments or to hack computers, or blades that come out of their forearms.
Also, when creating a character, a person’s chest and “junky” can be enhanced in several ways, but that never comes up again, although during the game’s initial buggy period, men’s third arms were clipping through their pants to hilarious effect. Beyond the body, which is the main way players can customize their experience, weapons can also be modded and customized. Players can also buy a home, a new car, and of course the requisite new clothing that any self-respecting RPG offers. Night City awaits players to live out their cyberpunk dreams, whether they want to be in it for the people or the greedy corporate thugs.
Fallout 4
Home Living In The Apocalypse
Fallout 4 starts on a happy note, where players can customize the looks of both the main husband and wife characters, but they can only choose one of them to play as. They can also choose their name, which actually matters in a sense, because Bethesda programmed the robot butler, Codsworth, to recognize hundreds of names from Aaron to Tristan, which is a cool but fleeting experience.
Once players get into the wastes, they can find junk to use for building homesteads or crafting weapons. Players can make some truly unique weapons, no matter if they prefer melee or ranged, all of which look fittingly cobbled together instead of being pristine models, which gives them character. There’s plenty more customization on offer as they progress, from power armor to homesteads.
Palworld
A Better Pokemon
Palworld is like a combination of Minecraft and Pokemon in all the best ways, even though it’s only in Early Access. Players can customize their character and then set off on a journey without much guidance. They can start to craft a base by building a home, a workbench to build weapons, and most importantly, devices to catch Pals.
Once caught, Pals have many uses beyond battling. Players can fight beside them in battle, some can be used as weapons like flamethrowers, others can be ridden, and all Pals can be sent to their base to help keep it safe and tidy. Pals can be assigned to gather crops, for example, as players explore more and more regions, offsetting the more trivial matters of survival.
Monster Hunter Wilds
And Your Kitty Too
Monster Hunter Wilds, like most Monster Hunter games, lets players customize their Hunter along with their cat companion, called a Palico. What’s cool about this game is that players can change their physical appearance at their base whenever they want, and in the post-game, transmog options unlock for weapons and armor.
Weapons and armor are a big way players can customize their appearance throughout the game, as the basic goal is to go on hunts, fight giant beasts, and then come home to craft better gear. It’s a gameplay loop that has been dazzling fans for decades. Also, players can make camps at certain spots in the world, and these areas can be customized as well with a few decorations.
Saints Row 4
Your America, Your Rules
Saints Row 4 starts with players assuming the role of the U.S. President, and before that, they can customize their looks and voice. Some of the voice options are comical, like giving their character Nolan North’s voice, famed for characters like Nathan Drake in Uncharted and Deadpool in that character’s games, who breaks the fourth wall in the story.
Also, like Cyberpunk 2077, a character’s chest and junk can be customized to unfathomable proportions. After an alien attack, players also get superpowers, which can be customized to follow certain track patterns, from flight to gaining ice blasts.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
A More Adventurous Minecraft
Dragon Quest Builders 2 is another game like Minecraft, although this one is more visually detailed. Players can create their character, and then in each major chapter of the campaign, they will be tasked with rebuilding certain societies.
They can change the outlook of towns, one building at a time, but the most fun players can have is on the multiplayer island, where four friends can create a society together. It’s disconnected from the rest of the game, but it’s a fun multiplayer feature regardless, and players can truly let their hair down here.
