The open-world subgenre refers to games with non-linear map designs, as opposed to a focused linear design. There are few borders in open-world games and virtually no loading times between regions. Players can walk a unique path, completing quests in an idiosyncratic order.
While plenty of MMORPGs take place in open worlds, there are also quite a few conventional open-world games that incorporate online support.Online open-world gameshave the power to immerse players, bar none. For those who like exploration and realism, these projects are must-plays. There are numerous PC open-world games out there, yet only a few are online without being massively multiplayer.
Updated Jul 30, 2025 by Mark Sammut:The year has already produced a couple of excitingonline open-world games.
MMOs likeWorld of Warcraft,Star Wars: The Old Republic,The Elder Scrolls Online, andThe Lord of the Rings Onlinewill be omitted so that other titles and genres can be spotlighted. Naturally, these are all highly successful open-world multiplayer games with well-established audiences.
January 2024 was always going to be a huge month for gaming thanks to newPrince of Persia,Tekken, andLike a Dragonsequels, all of which garnered critical acclaim. However, the releases that attracted the most attention were twoonline open-world gamesthat launched into early access. Although dwarfed byPalworld,Enshroudedhas nevertheless been a resounding success, and the project has a high ceiling that it will hopefully reach over the coming months and years. As always, newcomers who are interested in picking up Keen Games' title should be aware they are investing in a work in progress, meaning they will certainly encounter bugs and mechanics that need fine-tuning.
That said,Enshroudedis already in good shape, and it scratches a rare itch despite covering some well-worn ground. First and foremost, this is a survival base-building game, and progress centers around expanding the player’s home. Opting for a medieval fantasy aesthetic, the open-world looks great and is fairly large. Players have to gradually expand their voyages into the unknown by upgrading thebase’s flame altar, which permits them to spend more time in the deadly shroud.Enshroudedis a co-op online game without PvP.
Palworldtook the world by storm when it launched into early access on August 05, 2025, and its success was inevitable in hindsight. People have been crying out for an ambitiousPokemon-like experience set within an open-world for ages, especially since the Switch’s official franchise releases are divisive.Palworlddelivers on that promise while clearly distinguishing itself from Game Freak’s popular IP. For one, the release blends survival, gunplay, monster taming, and exploration to create a surprisingly robust and consistent package.Palworldtakes inspiration from many sources, but it also knows how to bring them together to create a satisfying whole.
Palworldsupports online co-op, with servers hosting up to 32 players. Players can decide to stick to themselves if they prefer, but the game improves when played alongside a couple of friends. LikeEnshrouded,Palworldis still in development and has a few rough edges; however, it is already among thebest online open-world PC gamesin its own right.
This is an online open-world game that has players banding together in a bid to survive the zombie apocalypse and fight through a weekly attack that might cause most people to rage quit.7 Days to Dieis an excellent game with deep mechanics that can keep players entertained for hours or end.
If anyone and their friends are looking for a good time on Steam, then7 Days to Dieis a great title to check out. Scrounging together the supplies required to get through every harrowing day — especially the seventh one… for obvious reasons — can prove to be quite entertaining indeed.
Obsidian’sGroundedis a delight, as are most games released by the developer. Taking inspiration fromHoney, I Shrunk the Kids, the game casts players as minified children who find themselves lost in a yard. Naturally, their new size makes them vulnerable to the habitat’s residents, mainly creepy crawlies who have their own ecosystems.
Along with an enjoyable storyline,Groundedgenerally encourages playersto just immerse themselves in their familiar but novel environment. Mechanically, the game is relatively typical for the survival open-world genre, albeit it executes most of its ideas well. Online co-op allows for up to four players to work together, and they all get to control unique characters.
It’s quite understandable for players to be turned off by the art style and general vibe ofTerraria, which makes it seem like an experience tailored for a very niche audience that they might not be a part of. However, people who believe this to be the case are missing out on one of the most creative games of all time.
Terrariais so much more than just 2D Minecraft. It’s one of the most detailed and enjoyable online open-world games of all time, featuring the perfect amalgamation of numerous genres to create something truly remarkable that will keep players entertained for hours on end.
Rustis a game about survival. Players start the game with almost nothing andmust adapt to harsh environments to survive. InRust,a survivor has to make a fire, defend against attacks from animals and other players, and build a shelter.
There’s never a shortage of things to do,which is why it’s one of thebest online open-world games.Rusthas drastically improved since launch, and there’s never been a better time to play the game.
The crown jewel ofNo Man’s Skyis undoubtedly its almost infinitely explorable universe. The game is now packed with content for players to relish alone or with friends.
Since No Man’s Sky’s rocky launch, developer Hello Games has done a massive turnaround, to the point of eventually fine-tuning the experience to craft one of the greatest open-world sci-fi games on the market. Unlike other online multiplayer games where players host servers,No Man’s Skyfeatures a shared universe. Regardless of a person’s hours logged or skill level, they can join any other player’s adventure.
After spending a few years in early access,Raftmade its full debut in 2022. This survival sandbox game offers animmersive experience that is also playable with friends, even if its concept seems like a better fit for a solo experience. Nevertheless, players can enjoy an online co-op campaign, which does have its benefits.
A playthrough starts hectic and simultaneously slow as the first few hours are spent trying desperately to find basic resources while aimlessly drifting on a vast ocean. Eventually, players will build a decent raft/base that provides an air of security, allowing them to more freely explore the world.
FromSoftware has developed a cult following over the years thanks to its incredible, dark, and punishingly-difficult adventures. There are many gamers out there who hold theDark Soulsseries in high regard, but these games are fairly “Linear” in their design, forcing players on a path through specific zones to progress the story. Because of this, many players were absolutely taken aback by the sheer scale and freedom ofElden Ring, FromSoftware’s latest release.
A truly open-world affair,Elden Ringlets players progress through areas and tackle goals however they see fit, with multiple endings and tons of things to collect. Gamers can easily spend over 100 hours in the Lands Between.
Playground’sForza Horizonis nothing if not consistent. All the games are, at the minimum, great; at their peak, they are arguably the best open-world racers on the market.Forza Horizon 5gets the nod simply due to being the most recent entry in the series, but if someone prefers the idea of exploring Scotland rather than Mexico,Forza Horizon 4is a fabulous option.Forza Horizon 3is also pretty great and has a gorgeous Australian setting, although the game was delisted in 2020.
FH5’s world is expansive and varied, more so than any of the other entries in the series. With arcade-style controls that prioritize accessibility and speed over realism, the game never takes itself seriously, which extends to the various quirky events littered throughout the map.FH5also has a massive selection of cars, along with aplethora of multiplayer-focused modes.
Sea of Thieveswas fun on day one, and the game has improved greatly since then. Among the features included in today’sSea of Thievesare fishing, story quests, and online arena player versus player. Despite being out for quite a few years by this point, Rare is still regularly updating the open-world game, and the developer has given little indication of that changing anytime soon.
Now, while players can certainly try to sail the oceans solo,Sea of Thievesis designed with co-op in mind. This game is simply a lot more enjoyable when played with friends who are willing to participate and embrace the pirate life. More importantly, solo players will still have to interact with other players, and facing a crew alone is a recipe for disaster.
Grand Theft Auto 5isa complete package with a robust set of online missions and character progression. The game could be considered an RPG because of the amount of player customization. Its release inspired several clone games, but few live up toGrand Theft Auto 5.
Post-launch,Grand Theft Auto Onlinehas added features like superyachts, casinos, and more liveable spaces. The game was released in 2013, but Rockstar Games is still adding updates. The next-genre-release is bound to wow its player base.
Minecraftis probably the biggest game of all time, and while it has been around for more than a decade by this point, it is still widely popular and played. One of the project’s strengths is its player freedom, and that goes beyond just its open-ended gameplay loop. People can decide whether they want a survival game revolving around solo play or a more casual experience that rewards co-op.
Cliche as it is to say,Minecrafthas no limit beyond the player’s own imagination. If a group of friends want to work together to build an architectural epic, they can do just that.
