11 Years Later, The Witcher 3 Still Beats Every Open-World Game Released Since, Ranked

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt came out in 2015, and since then, many studios have tried to match CD Projekt Red‘s achievement in open-world role-playing games. Of these games, only a few have replicated its combination of depth in quests, memorable characters, and player choice.

A recent study found that video games, especially open-world games, can help people feel less lonely and improve their emotional well-being. Researchers found that games allowing free exploration and player choice provide comfort and a sense of control. These virtual worlds offer a place to relax and escape daily stress,. The study suggests that a world where “you can go anywhere and do anything” can be deeply therapeutic. For many adults, open-world games help reduce loneliness, lower stress, and build emotional resilience.

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Many open-world RPGs have established their own identities since then, and today, we’ll be ranking them. From FromSoftware’s magnum opus to Square Enix’s ambitious remake trilogy, the genre has evolved considerably. Let’s look at seven of the best open-world RPGs released since The Witcher 3, ranked by their quality, world design, storytelling, and gameplay.

7 Ghost of Yotei (2025)

Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Yotei is an open-world adventure set in 1603 Japan. We play as Atsu, a warrior pursuing revenge against the Yōtei Six, exploring the wilderness of Ezo, present-day Hokkaido, along the way.

The game’s greatest strength is its atmosphere. We get to see Snow-covered mountains, grasslands, and picturesque forests that make exploration a visual treat. The game also has a more flexible approach to the story compared to the first title. The combat also builds upon Ghost of Tsushima with new weapons that encourage different builds.

6 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (2024)

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth takes the middle chapter of the original game and turns it into an even bigger adventure. We explore several regions of the world with Cloud and his companions, each with its own landscapes, activities, and story.

Like the first game, the game has real-time action with strategic combat, allowing you to switch between characters and use powerful team attacks. The game has a great cast, emotional storytelling, and entertaining minigames that truly fill in the experience

5 Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)

CD Projekt Red followed The Witcher 3 with a radically different theme, taking us to the dystopian metropolis of Night City. In Cyberpunk 2077, play as V, a mercenary caught in a dangerous plot involving corporations, cybernetic enhancements, and a digital personality that threatens their survival.

Night City also stands out for its vertical design, districts, and storytelling. The first-person perspective and futuristic setting might be jarring, but the character-driven story makes it a natural successor to The Witcher 3.

4 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (2025)

Warhorse Studios’ Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is proof that an open-world RPG doesn’t need magic or mythical creatures to be good. Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the game continues Henry’s journey through a meticulously detailed medieval world.

The game’s greatest strength is immersion. The NPCs in KCD2 follow daily routines. Your equipment and personal hygiene affect gameplay, and your dialogue choices can influence how quests unfold. The combat requires patience and practice, and you have to pay attention to combat and survival to actually do well.

3 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom builds on the foundation of Breath of the Wild by turning exploration into a one-of-a-kind sandbox. We’re taken back into Hyrule, but the addition of floating Sky Islands and the underground Depths changes the experience completely.

The Ultrahand ability is one of the most unique in gaming history, allowing players to combine objects into functional contraptions. You can make vehicles, flying machines, and weapons to do things the developers probably never intended. It ranks highly because few games offer that much creativity in design.

2 Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best open-world games released since The Witcher 3. Set during the decline of the American frontier, we play as Arthur Morgan and follow the Van der Linde gang, who discover that their outlaw lifestyle becomes difficult to sustain.

The biggest strength of the game is the world itself. It has natural wildlife, towns with inhabitants that have proper routines, and random things to find that constantly make the game unpredictable. Arthur’s story is also excellently written and is supported by an outstanding cast of characters. RDR2 is one of the finest achievements of the genre.

1 Elden Ring (2022)

Elden Ring takes the top spot by changing the way an open-world RPG uses exploration. The Lands Between is filled with hidden dungeons, castles, optional bosses, and mysterious underground regions that constantly reward your curiosity without having any quest markers.

Since it’s a FromSoftware game, the combat system has the Soulslike flexibility with weapon types, magic, character attributes, and build customization. Combined with the open-world design, it means you can approach the game’s bosses and challenges in any way you want.

Which of these open-world games are your favorites? Let us know in the comments!