Open - world sandbox game have enamored gamers ever since Rockstar came out withGrand Theft Auto IIIway back in 2001 . Since then , the games diligence has go on to mature the undetermined - world sandbox writing style . They have innovated video game worlds and load the very definition of a sandbox . The 2010s were a gilded age for some of the good open - world game ever made .

Of course , not every heart-to-heart - world plot is a sandbox . For example , Arkham City is " open - human race , " but the actor is very modified in how they finish objectives . In contrast , open - world sandpit games give the player a net ton of options to creatively end up their objectives . Or for the most part , just have fun messing around with the game ’s systems .

Horizon: Zero Dawn (2017) - 89

Horizon : Zero Dawnis determine in a " post " post - apocalyptic game fix in the far future . Humans have once again formed societies and various wandering kin . The nation is lush with beautiful fauna and mint of wildlife . Unfortunately , some of that wildlife happen to be mechanically skillful creature with brand for skin and pistons for muscle . Aloy must ship on a journeying to discover the reference of these mystic creature .

The biz was play off against the incredibly hypedBreath of the Wild , which was unfortunate because it mean the plot did n’t get the straightaway praises it merit . The place setting was gorgeous , and the monstrosity were alone in their merge with machinery . Although many criticize the standard tarradiddle and stilted dialogue , the gameplay more than made up for those shortcomings .

Far Cry 3 (2012) - 91

Far Cry 3follows Jason Brody , a thrill - quester who gets kidnapped ( along with his protagonist ) by pirates on some apart island out in the tropic . After his brother is kill by the loud - mouthed plagiarist leader , Vaas ,   Jason barely escapes with his life history and vows to avenge his chum and save his friends .

Even at the monetary value of his soul . Far Cry 3shakes up the formulaof its predecessors with a much more interactive loose humanity . In addition , the biz ’s villain , Vaas ( played by then - unknown Michael Mando ) , would be considered among the gaming baddie greats alongside Handsome Jack and Dutch Van Der Linde .

Minecraft (2011)  - 93

Minecraftstarted life as a wide-eyed block - edifice game made by Swedish indie developer Markus " Notch " Persson . The game ’s full exit was avail along by the development studio Mojang , and from there , Minecraft would rule the world as one of the good sandpit games ever made .

Minecrafthas been key by some as a " true lego building game , " but it is far more than that . Not only is the human beings whole destructible ( except for basic principle ) , there are mobs to defend , bosses to obliterate , and all without any prompting from the game . Add to that the secret plan ’s never-ending update andhuge modding community of interests , andMinecrafttruly exemplifies the term " sandpile . "

Divinity: Original Sin II (2017) - 93

Divinity : Original Sin IIis set up a few decades after the events of the original " Original Sin . " Lucian the Divine has communicate , and now his destruction has left a literal vacancy in its wake . The Voidwoken threaten to overrun the globe after decennary of peace . Now , it ’s up to a ragtag radical of captives in Fort Joy to stop them .

Divinity : Original Sin II ’s definition as an open - human beings sandbox plot is fragile , but it ’s far from inaccurate . It blends CRPG elements with a vast undefended mankind that is segmented into hub worlds . Within these hub worlds , however , the thespian has full exemption to do whatever they bid ( within the biz ’s systems).Divinity : Original Sin trine one of the closest games to capturing the tabletop RPG experience .

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)  - 95

Metal Gear square V : The Phantom Painfollows Big Boss after he is catch in an ambush by the ignominious - ops group Cipher . The ambush leave him hospitalized and missing an arm . After escaping the hospital ( where another blackwash attack was made ) , Big Boss contain on the title of " Venom Snake , " and vows retaliation on the people who disfigured him .

The originative freedom present to players on how to tackle target is the star of the show . Whether they want to sneak through the theme in classicMetal Gearfashion , go in guns glaring , or simply prank the soldiers with inflatable copies of themselvesThe Phantom Painencapsulates the pure funthat only an unexclusive head like Kojima can carry out .

Red Dead Redemption (2010) - 95

Red Dead Redemptionfinally brings the tried - and - true GTA formula to a completely different fourth dimension menses . The story follows John Marston , a former outlaw who is blackmail by Agent Edgar Ross to obliterate his former gang , or he would be taken away from his family . Reluctantly , John Marston direct up his guns once more , to immerse the past times he has long give behind .

The story is both a beautiful love letter to the Spaghetti Western and a drab encomium of a human race past his time . It ’s beautifully told through incredible voice playacting and a grandiose western grievance that givesRed Dead Redemptiona cinematic edgethat many secret plan at the did not . Plus , it ’s a playfulness cowpuncher game , so there ’s really not much more to ask for .

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) - 96

The Elder Scrolls atomic number 23 : Skyrimis localise 200 years after the result ofOblivion .   Alduin , the World - Eater , has returned with an USA of resurrected dragons to bring the world to an former ending . The Dragonborn , a mortal birth with the soul of a tartar , must stop Alduin at any toll . Give or take a hundred side - pursuit along the way .

Skyrimfeatures a truly expansive candid world filled with side quests and secret at every turn . If they do n’t experience like tucker out the world - corrode dragon just yet , there are tons of DLC to go through . bring to that an absurdly competent modding biotic community , and it ’s no wonderSkyrimgets re - release every other year .

Grand Theft Auto V (2013) - 97

Grand Theft Auto V , in a dealership first , follows the narration of three playable protagonists , each with their own accomplishment and faults . Together , they commit grand heists and make general havoc in the city of Los Santos . The game is the largest setting in the franchise yet and would set the level of message for Rockstar ’s succeeding games .

The game not only has a darkly comedic campaign , but also a amazingly in - deepness multiplayer mode . For the first clock time , up to 30 player are able-bodied to play together in Los Santos . Thankfully , the city is big enough ( and filled with enough content ) to keep players busybodied for hours on terminal .   It is the magnum piece of music of the GTA formula .

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) - 97

In its nineteenth installment , theLegend of Zeldafranchise finally tackles the clear - world sandbox musical style with an AAA budget . The game follows Link as he awakens to a world take by nature . With Zelda sealed away with " Calamity Ganon , " the nifty evil that ravaged the land , Link must travel to preserve both Zelda and the human race .

Breath of the Wildis a truly ambitious deed of conveyance , and as Nintendo often does , their ambition is met all . The Earth is far larger than anyLoZgame before it . Not only that , every inch of the world is explorable and has a bewitching story tie in with it . There is no " right " way of life to go . Add to that a beautifully crafted fine art way that raise Miyazaki ’s gorgeous filmography , and Nintendo has themselves an instant classic .

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) - 97

Red Dead Redemption 2is a prequel to the first game and follows the tale of " fledgling " Arthur Morgan . He is a part of the ill-famed Dutch Van Der Linde ’s ring , and for a long metre , he revel the company of his criminal family . However , the age of gunslingers is dying . Now , Arthur Morgan must choose between the ideals of the gentleman who raised him or salvage his family from the inevitable fate that befalls hit man in this modern age .

Red Dead Redemption IIis a herculean feat , and alas , there were many instances of " developer compaction . " The game was delayed twice , and hours of content were swerve from the secret plan . Despite all that , gamers got one of the most amply - fledge open - earthly concern sandbox game ever made . Pair that with one of Rockstar ’s most memorable and challenging news report to date , and there ’s no denying thatRed Dead Redemption IIhas left its mark on video game history .

NEXT:15 Things That Are Historically Accurate In Red Dead Redemption 2

GTA 6 artwork of Jason and Lucia with guns on a pier.

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White Chalier from floating cemetery

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Minecraft cover art with players, enemies, and animals standing on a tall mountain

Poster for Divinity: Original Sin II

Character from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

John Marston wielding a gun in red dead redemption

Skyrim With 1500 Mods, A compilation of a couple views of the landscape fully modded and looking realistic

Three men stand looking in the horizon in Grand Theft Auto V.

Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild

Red Dead Redemption 2 Fast Travel Problem Easy Fix John Marston Arthur Morgan

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