Summary
Sometimes, the most exciting part of an open-world video gameis getting to see the stunning sights created by the game’s developers, like Rockstar withRed Dead Redemption 2. While it helps if the game itself is also fun, lackluster gameplay can sometimes be excused if the world it takes place in is remarkably beautiful. Some games, likeNo Man’s Sky,are even sold onthe promise of exploring interesting environmentsmore than anything else.
In contrast, some of the best open-world games don’t always make for the best sightseeing, even if they have great art direction.Bloodborneis beautiful in its own right, but one likely isn’t going to pop it on just to take in the gloomy streets of Yarnham. So, while these open-world games may not even be the best-looking, that doesn’t mean they aren’t the best for simply looking around.
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Forza Horizon 5doesn’t restrict players just to the planned race courses but also allows them to drive around a large open map at their leisure.Forza Horizon 5’s map is based on Mexico, and includes some areas that are made to look like different parts of the country. There arebeautiful coastal regions, lush forests, and more arid desertareas too. Instead of trying to capture one real area, it is more of a showcase of the different types of biomes one might find in the country.
What makesForza Horizon 5so great for sightseeing is that it feels very realistic. There aren’t huge notable landmarks every couple of seconds, but instead, it feels like actually taking a road trip through the countryside. That isn’t to say there are no interesting sights to see, some notable locations are the large volcano or the ancient indigenous ruins. This makesForza Horizon 5a combination of incredible sights separated by relaxing drives through realistic towns and countryside.
Red Dead Redemption 2has a massive map for players to explore. However, what makes it so great for sightseeing isn’t the size alone but the diversity in the game’s landscapes.RDR2takes place across five different fictional states; each one meant to representa different region of the continental United States. This gives players a wide range of different biomes to explore and keeps the game visually interesting throughout its long runtime.
Players start the game in the snowy vistas of Ambarino. There are gorgeous mountains and beautiful snow-covered forests to explore. Lemoyne gives players a tour of the American South, its bayous, and a solid New Orleans substitute in the city of Saint Denis. Even tiny inconsequential towns, like the charming Strawberry with its beautiful river rushing through it, provide the player with some stunning sights and a strong atmosphere. ExploringRed Dead Redemption 2’s map never feels like a chore becausesimply discovering the game’s different areas is a treat.
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Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildwas a revolutionary change for the series, thanks to its open world. While mostZeldagames are in some respects an open world, none of them ever offered the level of freedom to explore Hyrule thatBreath of the Wilddoes. That isn’t to sayBreath of the Wild’s map is perfect, and some stretches can feel a bit empty. However, that makesfinding the game’s best sights feel like a real rewardfor taking the time to explore.
Making one’s way through a mountain pass only to stumble upon Kakariko Village, tucked away in a hidden valley, surrounded by waterfalls and decorated with rustic wind chimes throughout, gives the players a true sense of adventure and discovery. The ability to climb most mountains, limited only by Link’s stamina, also allows players to stand high above the world and survey its sprawling landscape from the best views in Hyrule. Even the game’s melancholic ruins have a sense of quiet beauty to them, enhanced by natural elements like moss and flowers that have reclaimed the area.
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Final Fantasy XIVfirst launched back in 2010, and in the 14 years since Square Enix has continued to expand its world. Over time,Final Fantasy XIVhas accumulated one of the biggest rosters of cool locations of any MMORPG, thanks in part toFinal Fantasy’s unique setting. A combination of the epic fantasy tone mixed with more modern technology and magic makes for somelocations that players don’t usually see in other MMOs.
Some of the cool sights inFinal Fantasy XIVare more grounded natural areas. The Peaks, for example, is a beautiful mountainous area full of waterfalls and impressive natural rock formations. Other places, like the Sylphlands, start to feel a bit more fantasy-inspired, with its glowing plants and living trees. Some of the biggest standout sights inFinal Fantasy XIVare also its cities.
Amaurot, a massive underwater city full of skyscrapers, stands out as one of the game’s most interesting locations from a visual standpoint. The exaggerated castle in Ishgard is another good example ofFinal Fantasy XIV’s penchant for impressive architecture that cares little for realism or practicality. These interesting locations keepFinal Fantasy XIVfeeling fresh, even after all these years.
FromSoftware games always look great, but players aren’t always given the luxury to fully appreciate the environment due to the constant threat of dangerous enemies. While the world ofElden Ringis still treacherous, there is enoughopen space in The Lands Betweenfor players to take in the game’s stellar art direction and unique world. ThoughElden Ring’s regions may not all be beautiful in the traditional sense, they are all stunning to look at and represent some of thebest environmental storytelling in video games.
OneElden Ringarea that has some exceptional sights is the Altus Plateau, which is bathed in golden light due to its proximity to the Erdtree. The sky, trees, and grass are all varying shades of yellow, gold, and orange, giving the area a distinct look. In contrast, an area like the sunken ruins of the Academy Gate Town may be less pretty, but it is equally unique and well-designed. This helps give each region ofElden Ringa strong identity as well as some great sights to see.
TheFar Cryseries may have stagnated in terms of gameplay withFar Cry 3, but that doesn’t mean the newer games don’t still have some beautiful sights to see. Like mostFar Crygames,6drops players into a fictional location inspired by a real place, this time Cuba.Far Cry’s version of Cuba, Yara, has plenty of sightseeing potential and some of the best graphics of the series’ installments.
Yara offers players a variety of different environments to explore. There are more urban areas, lush tropical jungles, and smaller islands off the coast. Though not as relaxing as a Caribbean vacation, since players will be frequently fighting for their lives,Far Cry 6at least offers some gorgeous sights that feel authentic to the region.Far Cry 6’s environment alsofeels more authentic thanks to its impressive weather systemthat does a great job mimicking tropical storms.
The Witcher 3: Wild Huntgave players several massive areas to explore in The Continent. Major locations in the game — like the tiered city of Novigrad or Kaer Trolde tucked away on top of a snowcapped mountain — are very memorable and will stick with players for a long time after they put the game down. However, perhaps the greatest achievement ofThe Witcher 3’s open world is making less notable areas still feel distinct.
Walking through the woods inThe Witcher 3isn’t as simple as strolling through a copy-pasted patch of land to get to the next big location. Instead,every area has distinct geographical landmarksand tiny details that make players feel like they’re walking through a real forest. This makes every moment ofThe Witcher 3fun to look at, instead of the game relying on its more noteworthy destinations to make up for a mostly empty world.
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On top of the base game,The Witcher 3:Blood and WineDLC adds one of the most beautiful open areas in all of gaming: Toussaint. Toussaint is a lush countryside in the shadow of a massive volcano. The area isbased on Mediterranean wine regionslike the south of France and does an excellent job capturing both the architecture and natural beauty.
TheHorizonseries’ blend of ancient civilization mixed with advanced technology makes it one of the most unique-looking video game series out there. Locations likeHorizon Forbidden West’s Scalding Spear are excellent examples of how the ruins of the game’s old world have been repurposed. In this case, what appears to be a ruined cell tower has been converted into a watch tower, surrounded by wooden huts with pelt roofs. It’s a fresh take to see a post-apocalypse story taking human civilization so far back instead of simply trying to mimic modern day among the ruins.
Aside from just havinga unique concept for its locations,Horizon Forbidden Westalso has some of the most beautiful places to visit in an open-world game. Fall’s Edge, a city built on a cliffside on top of a roaring river, is a perfect example of a creative and also visually stunning landmark. Aside from the man-made structures in the game, natural land formations like the snowy Northern Mountains or the Drumfoot’s shallow lake are also breathtaking.
At this point,GTA Vhas been out for nearly 11years, and players who have spent countless hours onGTA Onlinecan be forgiven for forgetting just how impressive Los Santos was when they first booted up the game. However, transitioning from the often bleak, gray Liberty City inGTA IVto the sunny skies and open spaces of Los Santos was one of the most exciting moments back when the game first came out.GTA Valso stands out, thanks to its variety of different areas.
Instead of being limited to the city of Los Santos - which itself provides somememorable sights like the Del Perro Pier and Galileo Observatory- players can also explore more natural regions. The northern part of the map has a large trail system through the mountains, where players are treated to majestic redwood forests and beautiful views from the peaks. This makesGTA V’s map feel more like a condensed version of California as a whole, not just one city.
Set on the real-life island of Tsushima during the late 13th century,Ghosts of Tsushimaattempts to capture the feel of Japan during this time. The game actually does a great job recreating the natural landscape of the island, which can be seen in side-by-side comparisons done by YouTuberAnTytle Gaming World. Though the game bases its locations on real places, it also has a distinct art style that helps heighten the landscape’s reality, especially through its use of vibrant colors and atmospheric elements like smoke and fog.
Ghosts of Tsushimaalso has plenty of hidden wonders for players to find. Hyoshi Springs, for example, is a beautiful little hot spring tucked away in the hills. Its natural pools of steaming water create a soothing location to rest and perform one of the game’s Haikus. Players looking for some of the best video gamesights shouldn’t skip out onGhosts of Tsushima.
