Best Open World games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated open world games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free open world games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Forever Skies
A first-person survival game set on a post-apocalyptic, ecologically ruined Earth. Play solo or with up to 3 friends as you build, upgrade, and fly a high-tech airship. Scavenge resources, craft tools, and face dangers on the surface as you hunt for a cure to save humanity.
Aviassembly
Build and fly your own airplane! Complete missions to earn money, upgrade your plane, and discover new locations in an open world.
Crashlands 2
Slap your way across a vibrant world where interstellar friendships are the key to your survival. Befriend eccentric aliens, craft bizarre weaponry, and stick it to the man in this sequel to the award-winning open world crafting RPG Crashlands.
STORROR Parkour Pro
Escape Reality. The ultimate multiplayer parkour experience. Escape, race, and explore the streets and rooftops of London’s Isle of Dogs. Join team STORROR to save your estate, or challenge your friends to test their skills. STORROR Parkour Pro is complete control and freedom of movement.
Squirreled Away
Live your best squirrel life. Explore, gather, craft, and build incredible treehouses in acres of beautiful parkland. Scurry across lawns, up trees, and leap limb to limb solo, or up to four friends can play together in co-op. Endless summer days of adventure await.
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad
A story-driven action-adventure RPG, bringing the world of Westeros to life with remarkable detail and never-before seen scale
Schedule I
From small-time dope pusher to kingpin - manufacture and distribute a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. Expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees and more.
Drive Beyond Horizons
Rev up your engines and venture into the unknown with Drive Beyond Horizons! Conquer dynamic landscapes, customize your ride, and unearth hidden treasures. Get ready for heart-pounding challenges and endless excitement. Your adventure starts now !
Psycho Patrol R
FPS/mecha hybrid europolice sim with emphasis on interacting with NPCs and different gameplay systems.
KAISERPUNK
Build a city to rule the world in Kaiserpunk, a grand city builder blending production-focused city building with the world conquest of strategy games in an alternate 20th century world. Manage your city, grow industries, build a military, and defeat rivals to become the greatest empire.
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land
"Atelier Yumia" is a story about “memory”. Explore the field to gather materials and synthesis items. The items you create can be key to advancing the story and can also be used in battles and exploration. Additionally, you can create your own base with “Building" in the field.
BLEACH Rebirth of Souls
Awaken the blade within you and reverse your fate in BLEACH Rebirth of Souls! Engage in thrilling battles with powerful sword abilities and characters from this legendary anime franchise.
Cataclismo
Design and build fortresses brick by brick to stand against endless hordes of Horrors in this real-time strategy game with resource management, siege defense, and exploration. Lead from the ramparts, push back the darkness, and hold fast against the creatures of the Mist.
Pathologic 3: Quarantine
In this free prologue to a narrative-driven adventure, watch a mysterious plague break out in a small town. Learn what drove a celebrated academic to leave his acclaimed lab. Examine patients, uncover strange secrets, and make first steps towards immortality.
Auto Sale Life
Build an automotive empire. Buy, sell, and customize cars to create your own brands and showrooms. Become a shrewd entrepreneur in this immersive car trading and customization game.
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone
Explore the mysterious open world of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in this post-apocalyptic action RPG adventure. Shape your non-linear story, develop skills, and work with teammates and factions. Use crafted weaponry in first-person or third-person perspective.
One Lonely Outpost
An alien world sometimes needs a farmer’s touch to bring it to life. In this sci-fi, colonization-life sim, terraform a barren world: turn wastelands into verdant landscapes while exploring, farming, building, and unlocking all the mysteries of this strange new planet.
Beast Saga
Beast Saga is an open-world RPG set in a martial arts universe where you play as a young wolf tribe member named Lang Jiusi. Immerse yourself in a world of free exploration, gathering, crafting, life skills, martial arts cultivation, forming alliances and experiencing unique Jianghu adventures.
Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced
Experience entertainment blockbusters Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online — now upgraded for a new generation with stunning visuals, faster loading, 3D audio, and more, plus exclusive content for GTA Online players.
Longvinter
Fish, farm, craft, gather, cook, loot or steal from other players and build a campsite or a village with your friends in an open-world multiplayer sandbox game without rules!
Avowed
Avowed is a first-person fantasy RPG set in the world of Eora, where your choices carve a path through war, intrigue, and ancient mysteries. Navigate a land in turmoil, forge powerful alliances or deadly rivalries, and wield magic and steel to shape the fate of the Living Lands—and your own destiny.Most played open world games on Steam
Take a look at the top open world games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 15th 2025.
1. Schedule I
From small-time dope pusher to kingpin - manufacture and distribute a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. Expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees and more. Schedule I is a simulation, co-op and crime game developed and published by TVGS. Released on March 24th 2025 has received 119,942 reviews of which 118,236 were positive and 1,706 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played open world game, thanks to its 304,053 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
118,236
1,706
304,053
players
2. Rust
The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife, other inhabitants, the environment, and other survivors. Do whatever it takes to last another night. Rust is a survival, crafting and multiplayer game developed and published by Facepunch Studios. Released on February 08th 2018 has received 1,210,131 reviews of which 1,055,970 were positive and 154,161 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. While seeing 158,276 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among open world games based on player count.
8.7
1,055,970
154,161
158,276
players
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
Winner of over 175 Game of the Year Awards and recipient of over 250 perfect scores, RDR2 is the epic tale of outlaw Arthur Morgan and the infamous Van der Linde gang, on the run across America at the dawn of the modern age. Also includes access to the shared living world of Red Dead Online. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a open world, story rich and western game developed and published by Rockstar Games. Released on December 05th 2019 has received 709,021 reviews of which 653,299 were positive and 55,722 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. While seeing 67,605 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among open world games based on player count.
9.1
653,299
55,722
67,605
players
4. Don't Starve Together
Fight, Farm, Build and Explore Together in the standalone multiplayer expansion to the uncompromising wilderness survival game, Don't Starve. Don't Starve Together is a survival, open world survival craft and multiplayer game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. Released on April 21st 2016 has received 493,660 reviews of which 470,616 were positive and 23,044 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 67,245 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played open world games.
9.5
470,616
23,044
67,245
players
5. ELDEN RING
THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FANTASY ACTION RPG. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between. ELDEN RING is a souls-like, open world and dark fantasy game developed by FromSoftware and Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware and Inc.. Released on February 24th 2022 has received 1,041,494 reviews of which 967,131 were positive and 74,363 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 60,296 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played open world games.
9.2
967,131
74,363
60,296
players
6. DayZ
How long can you survive a post-apocalyptic world? A land overrun with an infected "zombie" population, where you compete with other survivors for limited resources. Will you team up with strangers and stay strong together? Or play as a lone wolf to avoid betrayal? This is DayZ – this is your story. DayZ is a survival, open world and online co-op game developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on December 13th 2018 has received 424,833 reviews of which 325,442 were positive and 99,391 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 50,753 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played open world games.
7.6
325,442
99,391
50,753
players
7. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Travel across Europe as king of the road, a trucker who delivers important cargo across impressive distances! With dozens of cities to explore, your endurance, skill and speed will all be pushed to their limits. Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a driving, transportation and simulation game developed and published by SCS Software. Released on October 12th 2012 has received 856,516 reviews of which 833,891 were positive and 22,625 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 48,365 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played open world games.
9.7
833,891
22,625
48,365
players
8. Palworld
Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called "Pals" in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game! Palworld is a open world, survival and multiplayer game developed and published by Pocketpair. Released on January 18th 2024 has received 376,422 reviews of which 354,339 were positive and 22,083 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 43,254 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played open world games.
9.3
354,339
22,083
43,254
players
9. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure RPG set in the dark future of Night City — a dangerous megalopolis obsessed with power, glamor, and ceaseless body modification. Cyberpunk 2077 is a cyberpunk and open world game developed and published by CD PROJEKT RED. Released on December 09th 2020 has received 831,556 reviews of which 699,588 were positive and 131,968 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 41,795 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played open world games.
8.4
699,588
131,968
41,795
players
10. Sons Of The Forest
Sent to find a missing billionaire on a remote island, you find yourself in a cannibal-infested hellscape. Craft, build, and struggle to survive, alone or with friends, in this terrifying new open-world survival horror simulator. Sons Of The Forest is a survival, open world and multiplayer game developed by Endnight Games Ltd and published by Newnight . Released on February 22nd 2024 has received 248,117 reviews of which 217,551 were positive and 30,566 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 37,536 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played open world games.
8.7
217,551
30,566
37,536
players
Best deals on open world games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of open world games available on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted open world games.
1. The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame
Bricksburg is in ruins and Emmet's friends have been taken! Team up with Emmet and a host of heroic characters to save their friends from the strange inhabitants of the Systar System. Journey into outer space, discover new worlds, and test your Master Building skills. The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame is a adventure, lego and sandbox game developed by TT Games and Feral interactive (Mac) and published by Feral interactive (Mac) and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Released on February 26th 2019 has received 1,328 reviews of which 859 were positive and 469 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Featuring a massive 96% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for open world category.
6.3
859
469
-96%
29.25€
1.17€
2. Crash Drive 3
Are you ready for THE car stunting playground? Experience ridiculous fun in this cross-platform multiplayer, free-roaming game! Drive monster trucks, tanks and more amazing vehicles across a huge open world. Level up, play events, earn cash, unlock new cars and discover secrets.... Crash Drive 3 is a racing, multiplayer and open world game developed and published by M2H. Released on July 08th 2021 has received 408 reviews of which 373 were positive and 35 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in open world games.
8.5
373
35
-95%
21.40€
1.07€
3. Black Skylands
Become the captain of an airship and explore the world of the skies, gather resources and build powerful weapons, uncover ancient secrets and fight beneath your ship's sails. Black Skylands is a pixel graphics, open world and sandbox game developed by Hungry Couch Games and published by tinyBuild. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 3,806 reviews of which 3,155 were positive and 651 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in open world games.
8.0
3,155
651
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
4. Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut
Play as special agent Francis York Morgan in this open-world action-adventure as you solve the case of the Red Seed Murders and survive in a small, quirky American mountain town where supernatural creatures and a mysterious raincoat-clad, axe-wielding killer seek to end his investigation for good. Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut is a story rich, adventure and horror game developed and published by Rising Star Games. Released on October 29th 2013 has received 4,401 reviews of which 2,920 were positive and 1,481 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for open world games.
6.5
2,920
1,481
-95%
24.99€
1.24€
5. Loddlenaut
Play as an interstellar custodian sent to clean up a polluted ocean planet. Pick up trash, explore the vibrant waters, and take care of axolotl-like alien creatures! Loddlenaut is a underwater, relaxing and open world game developed by Moon Lagoon and published by Secret Mode. Released on November 16th 2023 has received 4,075 reviews of which 3,998 were positive and 77 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for open world games.
9.4
3,998
77
-94%
18.83€
1.13€
6. Shenmue I & II
SEGA®’s most requested re-release of all time finally comes to a new generation. Shenmue delivers an epic story of revenge within a unique open world that is still unrivalled in depth and detail. Return to the epic saga that defined modern gaming. The saga begins…again. Shenmue I & II is a adventure, open world and story rich game developed by D3T and published by SEGA. Released on August 21st 2018 has received 2,897 reviews of which 2,580 were positive and 317 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for open world games.
8.6
2,580
317
-93%
34.57€
2.42€
7. Pine
An open-world action adventure game set in a simulated world in which humans never reached the top of the food chain. Pine is a singleplayer, open world and adventure game developed by Twirlbound and published by Kongregate. Released on October 10th 2019 has received 1,789 reviews of which 1,319 were positive and 470 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for open world games.
7.1
1,319
470
-93%
21.71€
1.52€
8. Pure Farming 2018
Use the latest technology and state-of-the-art licensed machines to manage all aspects of modern farming. Travel between Europe, Asia, and both Americas to plant region-specific crops such as hemp, coffee beans, and olives. Farm your way thanks to three unique game modes tailored to both simulation veterans and newcomers to farming games. Pure Farming 2018 is a farming sim, simulation and open world game developed by Ice Flames and published by Techland Publishing. Released on March 13th 2018 has received 1,636 reviews of which 1,197 were positive and 439 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for open world games.
7.1
1,197
439
-93%
20.57€
1.44€
9. Gotham Knights
Batman is dead. It is now up to the Batman Family - Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin - to protect Gotham City. Gotham Knights is a action, open world and superhero game developed by Warner Bros. Games Montréal and QLOC and published by Warner Bros. Games. Released on October 21st 2022 has received 22,485 reviews of which 15,160 were positive and 7,325 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for open world games.
6.7
15,160
7,325
-93%
56.00€
3.92€
10. For The King
For The King is a strategic RPG that blends tabletop and roguelike elements in a challenging adventure that spans the realms. Set off on a single player experience or play cooperatively both online and locally. For The King is a rpg, online co-op and turn-based game developed by IronOak Games and published by Curve Games. Released on April 19th 2018 has received 41,127 reviews of which 36,281 were positive and 4,846 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for open world games.
8.7
36,281
4,846
-92%
20.13€
1.61€
Free open world games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play open world games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play open world games.
1. Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is an action MMO with a single evolving world that you and your friends can join anytime, anywhere, absolutely free. Destiny 2 is a free to play, open world and multiplayer game developed and published by Bungie. Released on October 01st 2019 has received 622,510 reviews of which 496,097 were positive and 126,413 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. With 30,258 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free open world games on Steam.
7.9
496,097
126,413
30,258
players
2. Unturned
You're a survivor in the zombie infested ruins of society, and must work with your friends and forge alliances to remain among the living. Unturned is a free to play, survival and zombies game developed and published by Smartly Dressed Games. Released on July 07th 2017 has received 553,929 reviews of which 505,358 were positive and 48,571 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 20,587, this open world game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free open world games on Steam.
9.1
505,358
48,571
20,587
players
3. Albion Online
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion. Albion Online is a free to play, mmorpg and open world game developed and published by Sandbox Interactive GmbH. Released on May 16th 2018 has received 81,493 reviews of which 64,385 were positive and 17,108 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 12,983, this open world game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free open world games on Steam.
7.8
64,385
17,108
12,983
players
4. EVE Online
EVE Online is a free-to-play community driven space MMO where players can choose their own path from countless different options. Experience space exploration, immense PvP and PvE battles, mining, industry and a thriving player economy in an ever-expanding sandbox. EVE Online is a space, free to play and open world game developed and published by CCP. Released on December 15th 2010 has received 35,998 reviews of which 26,538 were positive and 9,460 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 4,536 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free open world games on Steam.
7.3
26,538
9,460
4,536
players
5. STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™
STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™ is a free-to-play MMORPG that puts you at the center of your own story-driven saga. Play as a Jedi, Sith, Bounty Hunter, or one of many other iconic STAR WARS roles in the galaxy far, far away over three thousand years before the classic films. STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™ is a free to play, mmorpg and multiplayer game developed by Broadsword and published by Electronic Arts. Released on July 21st 2020 has received 66,451 reviews of which 59,544 were positive and 6,907 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 4,368 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free open world games on Steam.
8.8
59,544
6,907
4,368
players
6. RuneScape ®
RuneScape is a high fantasy open world MMORPG. Explore an ever changing and evolving living world where new challenges, skills, and quests await. Featuring unprecedented player freedom, you choose how to play, adventure, and grow. RuneScape ® is a free to play, mmorpg and open world game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on October 14th 2020 has received 25,050 reviews of which 20,699 were positive and 4,351 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,222 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free open world games on Steam.
8.1
20,699
4,351
2,222
players
7. Stay Out
Stay Out - is a MMORPG with shooter elements, based on spirit of “stalking” - an urban exploration, searching and exploring mysterious, abandoned and forgotten by humanity pieces of our planet. Stay Out is a free to play, survival and multiplayer game developed and published by MOBITECH LLC. Released on November 27th 2019 has received 25,115 reviews of which 16,289 were positive and 8,826 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,149 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free open world games on Steam.
6.4
16,289
8,826
2,149
players
8. The Lord of the Rings Online™
Join the world’s greatest fellowship of players in the award-winning online re-creation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendary Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings Online™ is a free to play, mmorpg and massively multiplayer game developed by Standing Stone Games and published by Daybreak Game Company LLC. Released on June 06th 2012 has received 20,740 reviews of which 16,900 were positive and 3,840 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,426 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free open world games on Steam.
8.0
16,900
3,840
1,426
players
9. Will To Live Online
Will To Live is a MMORPG-shooter whose action takes place in a severe post-apocalyptic world. Explore the world, engage in fights with mutants and other survivors, join the clans in the struggle for existence and prove your right to Live. Will To Live Online is a survival, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by AlphaSoft LLC. Released on April 05th 2018 has received 17,454 reviews of which 12,204 were positive and 5,250 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,125 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free open world games on Steam.
6.9
12,204
5,250
1,125
players
10. Trove
Grab your friends, hone your blades, and set off for an epic procedurally generated adventure in Trove! Battle the Shadow in realms filled with dungeons and items created by your fellow players. Whether hunting treasure or building realms of your own, it’s never been this good to be square! Trove is a free to play, open world and sandbox game developed and published by gamigo US Inc.. Released on July 09th 2015 has received 92,335 reviews of which 74,117 were positive and 18,218 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,061 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free open world games on Steam.
7.9
74,117
18,218
1,061
players