The 26 Best Open World Games on Xbox One

Master Chief is synonymous with FPS games that take him on linear level-themed crusades against "Covenant" forces and so much more. Halo Infinite goes big by placing the "Spartan" defender of the human race on a spacious planet against a mercenary alien organization called the "Banished." With more mobility-enhancing options such as a grappling hook and bases that lets players change their weapon loadouts & call upon helpful vehicles for better navigation options, Halo Infinite succeeds with a format change to an open-world crusade against extraterrestrial threats. The single-player campaign holds up and is a strong example of one of the best open world games on Xbox One.

While the mainline Forza Motorsport games provide plenty of entertainment for fans of simulation racing games, its spinoff series places a bigger emphasis on arcade thrills within an open world that would look beautiful on a postcard. Forza Horizon 5 transports players to the sunnyside country of Mexico for some fast-paced off-road and onroad challenges. With a dizzying amount of cars at your disposal, you'll get tons of mileage out of exploring every corner of Mexico's exotic locales. Your jaw will drop as soon as you lock eyes with a snow-capped volcano right in the middle of a race.

Sea of Thieves evolved from a disappointingly bare-bones pirate simulator at launch into a content experience that lets players have tons of fun on the high seas. A crew of online swashbucklers is put to the test here as they must command their own ship, keep up with repairs, complete tasks for trading companies, and engage in raids. Unearthing treasure chests, getting into swordfights with skeletal baddies, and avoiding the massive tentacles of the Kraken make up the rest of Sea of Thieves' noteworthy qualities. The pirate life is worth a try if you're looking for something different from the Xbox One console exclusives library.

Sunset Overdrive is indicative of the simple fact that Insomniac Games puts out nothing but classics. And if you happened to miss out on it at launch, now's the time to remedy that error and take it for a spin. What's on offer here is a zany third-person shooter that lets you shoot down crazed monsters that have been infected by the world's most poisonous energy drink. Taking them down entails grinding on rails, jumping to insane heights, and using a crazy arsenal of ranged & melee weapons to do some major damage. Sunset Overdrive has hilarity and charm in droves that makes it such an unforgettable experience.

Rockstar Games has accumulated all sorts of accolades and fan goodwill from gamers everywhere thanks to the studio's Grand Theft Auto franchise. It's also known as one of the best open world game development studios for its classic cowboy western simulator. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a must-play experience that makes a valid argument for video games deserving of its classification as high art. Exploring its open world will truly make you feel like an outlaw that lives out his days riding horseback, pulling off train heists, and getting involved in some wild shootouts. You even get to participate in some memorable side missions and even play a round of poker to really get immersed in the Wild Wild West. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect spaghetti western worth playing in video game form.

Elden Ring had the gaming world in a tizzy back in 2022 - it practically had the gaming world in a chokehold as it rose to prominence as a mainstream phenomenon that inspired hilarious memes. It did a commendable job of expanding upon the refined formula popularized by the Dark/Demon's Souls series through its implementation of a massive open world and tough yet fair combat scenarios. Exploring the varied biomes in this "Soulsbourne" action RPG in any order you see fit truly fits the description of "choose your own adventure." Prepare yourself for mind-blowing discoveries and significant boss fights as your "Tarnished" warrior so you can get your hands on the powerful "Elden Ring" and rule over the "Lands Between" as the new "Elden Lord."

The heroic Geralt of Rivia has gained tons of fans thanks to his exploits across The Witcher books, live-action series, and game adaptations. If you grew to value him and the Slavic mythology-inspired fantasy realm he inhabits, then seek out his latest and greatest gaming entry to date. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition features a mammoth open world to explore as you take control of Geralt in an effort to protect a loved one from a vicious faction. You'll swing your blades, dole out magical attacks, and get embroiled in all sorts of political drama across the main campaign and the game's huge DLC add-ons within this feature-rich Complete Edition. You'll get tons of hours of playtime out of this one, which is why it's such a worthwhile pick on this list of the best open world games on Xbox One.

Dying Light has gotten a strong stream of updates and expansions from the dedicated developers at Techland (who are the folks that created Dead Island). This parkour-infused take on your usual open world trek through zombie-filled environments is in its finest state to date thanks to the Anniversary Edition, which comes with every bit of additional content that fans have responded positively to. The melee-heavy combat, unrelenting zombie hordes, and risk vs. reward system that pushes you to make daring runs when darkness falls make Dying Light a fun time sink.

Greek mythology encompasses everything in this action RPG, so fans of that grand pantheon will have a lot to love here. Immortals Fenyx Rising places players in the role of Fenyx, who must find a way to bring an end to the disastrous acts of the newly escaped demonic hazard called "Typhon." And on the way to eliminating his negative presence from the world, you'll run into massive enemy types that include Cyclops, Medusa, Cerberus, and so much more. Alongside some solid third-person combat, this game also features an assemblage of clever puzzles that'll truly test your brain power and some humorous exchanges between a narrator following your journey and the almighty Zeus.

Minecraft has commanded the attention of gamers worldwide thanks to its massive creation suite that allows players to make anything they can imagine in a massive blocky open world. Besides all the creating you can do in this sandbox game, players can also engage in some survival gameplay mechanics where you'll go deep underground and fight for your life against those dreaded "Creepers." The amount of things you can do in Minecraft is damn near unlimited, so the blocky world in this game is practically your oyster.

Fallout fanatics have a special place in their heart reserved for Obsidian Entertainment. And that's because they're the development studio behind one of the better series installments, Fallout: New Vegas. Obsidian’s 2019 action RPG release, The Outer Worlds, offers everything you loved in previous Fallout games but does so in an alternate future set in 1901. Mega corporations are in control of various planets due to colonization efforts. As a now unfrozen and newly awakened spaceship passenger who was set to start a new life on a space colony, you chart out a new path and interact with galactic factions during a joyous (and sometimes hilarious!) space-faring voyage.

Rockstar Games took the Southern California-inspired location of San Andreas and made it the basis of the locale for the biggest Grand Theft Auto game to date. Grand Theft Auto V featured a smorgasbord of bank heists, high-speed racing, wild shootouts, and tons of other illegal (and rarely legal) activities that'll keep you busy with its single-player campaign. The ability to switch between three characters (Michael, Franklin, and Trevor) means you'll have differing storylines to wade through and hectic scenarios to play out when all three of them come together to commit some crimes.

You may not have thought of this game at first when you checked out this list of the best open world games on Xbox One, but at least you're aware of it now. The fictional Mediterranean island of Medici is your playground here during your time spent as Rico Rodriguez. As a resistance fighter, you'll need to cause all sorts of havoc and pandemonium against the forces of dictator General Sebastiano Di Ravello. And when we mean mayhem, we mean using your wingsuit, grappling hook, parachute, firearms, and explosives to perform some wild stunts and wipe out the island's opposition.

The Batman: Arkham trilogy (and its super underrated spinoff release Batman: Arkham Origins!) have made development studio Rocksteady Studios a household name among DC fans and gamers. The three mainline series entries are exceedingly great and make you truly feel like Gotham's greatest protector. Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight are all included in this definitive collection packed to the brim with all the DLC content released for each title. The graphics have been cleaned up in each game to bring the dark and brooding vibes of each game up to par on more powerful consoles. So everything will look so much better as you control Batman and come to blows with his iconic Rogues Gallery.

Yakuza diehards were less than enthused when their favorite Japanese open world crime series was transformed from an action game into a turn-based RPG. But somehow someway, this transition unexpectedly worked to perfection and is now widely accepted by the Yakuza fanbase and is heralded as one of the best RPG games on PS4. Yakuza: Like a Dragon follows the new franchise frontman Ichiban Kasuga, who finds a bunch of fellow dregs of society and seeks out revenge against the former criminal organization he once repped so proudly. You'll get a good laugh out of this game's jobs system and the outlandish "summons" that aid you when things get dire. The serious moments sprinkled in between those humorous happenings are thankfully just as memorable.

Do you guys remember the inFAMOUS series? It's a pretty cool open world franchise that's exclusive to PlayStation that focused on being a hero or a villain that determines the fate of their city with the use of electricity-based superpowers. At the same time as that game's run, the Prototype series presented the same story and gameplay framework. But the difference here is that the main characters in both releases are a whole lot more menacing and willing to do some evil things to get what they desire. With shapeshifter abilities at your disposal, you can go crazy in New York City by consuming your foes, disguising yourself as them to enter high-security areas, and transforming your limbs into tools of destruction.

Hello Games deserves all the credit in the world for fixing one of its most ambitious projects. While they initially disappointed everyone with this game at launch in 2016, the studio acknowledged all of its mistakes, made sure to acknowledge them, and go back to the drawing board to help No Man's Sky reach its fullest potential. Now, this game is one of the very best open world games on Xbox One that takes place within a vast galaxy full of strange creatures, friendly space travelers, and mysterious planets worth exploring. What you'll get sucked into here is an infinite procedurally generated galaxy where gathering resources, moving between planets on a spaceship, and engaging in merchant trading is more fun than you think.

The first two Saints Row games provided an alternative for GTA fans thanks to its mix of serious & humorous tones and player freedom when it comes to playing the part of a dedicated gang member. Saints Row: The Third went super deep into the funny category with a sequel full of outlandish events within the fictional city of Steelport. As the leader of the series' signature "3rd Street Saints," you'll need to build them back to their previous prominent state while taking the fight to "The Syndicate" organization. Your arsenal of firearms, explosives, vehicles, and even wrestling moves come in real handy during your and your gang's rise back to the top of the criminal world.

Before the events of the very first Yakuza game take place, Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima get embroiled in some rowdy activities within the criminal underworld during their come-up in late 80s Japan. Yakuza 0 follows both men's rise to notoriety within the criminal underworld of Japan and follows the heated confrontations that erupt between rival Yakuza organizations. Since you can play with both characters, you'll be treated to different styles of fighting and a host of fun minigames that offer something of a cooldown after experiencing this game's more heated moments. Beating up random thugs and Yakuza bosses with Kazuma and Goro's ferocious street fighting combos is top-of-the-line action game material here.

You've already poured much of the precious hours of your life exploring the nuked lands of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, right? Then you might as well do the same in Fallout 4. This Game of the Year Edition is the most complete version of one of the biggest and best RPG games on Xbox One thanks to it packing in all of the game's previously released DLC. As the "Sole Survivor" who leaves "Vault 111" in search of their missing child, players will have to navigate a post-apocalyptic world full of mutants to shoot, settlements to manage, items to craft, and so much more. This post-apocalyptic trek through parts of Boston and New England must be considered among the best open world games on Xbox One.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can be accessed on any last- or current-generation gaming console that immediately comes to mind. So it's no surprise that we've chosen to highlight it here on this list of the best open world games on Xbox One. Since originally launching in 2011, Bethesda Softworks' massive fantastical medieval action RPG has been ported countless times and improved upon. So at this point, the best way to play it if you haven't dabbled in it already is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition. You can embrace the tough trials and tribulations of the all-powerful "Dragonborn" in this package's main campaign and three expansive DLC expansions (Dragonborn, Dawnguard, and Hearthfire).

Ubisoft's Far Cry IP has produced several praiseworthy titles, but Far Cry 3 stands out for most fans as the best entry in the series. The franchise is known for its eccentric characters and incredible tropical settings to explore. Your heart will beat rapidly whether you choose to stealthily kill enemies or go in all guns blazing. Interactions with Vaas are some of the most memorable in recent gaming history with any enemy. And growing into a formidable warrior as you hunt, scavenge, and acquire all manner of firearms as Jason Brody on the path towards your freedom still resonates with modern-day gamers. Seek out the Far Cry 3 Classic Edition to experience this amazing open world, first-person shooter.

The previous Assassin's Creed games focused on more of a traditional action-adventure aesthetic that gave players the ability to pick off their foes in a stealthier manner. By the time Assassin's Creed Origins arrived, a bigger focus on action RPG elements come into play to breathe new life into Ubisoft's long-running franchise. If you want to venture through the sunny, sandy, and eye-popping locales of Ancient Egypt, then this current pick on our list of the best open world games on Xbox One. You'll command Bayek of Siwa here and find yourself engaging in intense combat encounters and freely roaming broad deserts, oases, lakes, and ancient cities.

The original Watch Dogs accrued a strong fanbase due to the innovative hacking mechanics matched up with the traditional open world elements at play. However, the uncharismatic protagonist and somewhat humdrum plot kept it from being a hit with everyone. Watch Dogs 2 changes the formula up a bit by injecting a lot more personality and humor that goes hand in hand with the first game's best elements. As the hacker Marcus Holloway, you'll run with the hacking group "DedSec" in a bid to take down an advanced surveillance system known as "ctOS." This game's extra bright and bubbly version of the San Francisco Bay Area features plenty of chances to go guns blazing, engage in some stealth, and use your hacking tools to trip up the opposition at every turn.

Back in 2008, developer Criterion Games shocked the world when it dropped one of the greatest open world racing games with a greatly expanded Burnout sequel. That game arrived in the form of Burnout Paradise, which amalgamated the explosive car crashes and breakneck speed of the series with the digital playground called "Paradise City." All sorts of local/online races, a day and night cycle, the inclusion of motorcycles, and the addition of "Big Sur Island" turned this racer into the ultimate package for arcade racing game fans. This remastered re-release features every bit of that content and a crispier visual sheen that makes it worth replaying or checking it out for the very first time.

Extreme sports aficionados will adore the open world madness on display in Ubisoft's Riders Republic. The fun factor is extremely high here as players can have a go at mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and wingsuit flying. Hopping online in this game means players will find themselves racing furiously during 64-player Mass Races that must be seen to be believed. And when it comes time to pull off the sickest tricks in your repertoire, players can have the time of their lives by hopping into 6v6 Tricks Battle Arena competitions. Riders Republic is extreme sports gaming bliss.