10 RPGs That Reward Exploring Every Corner of the Map

Within the myriad elements that make up role-playing games, exploration has always been vital, as it forms the very foundation of the adventure concept.

The journey's progression, both in terms of gameplay and narrative, hinges on making good use of the environment to encourage the player to grow and learn more about the surrounding universe, yet this only works if the act of wandering itself is rewarding.

While not all games in the genre depend on hours-long expeditions, it's also true that the most captivating ones are those that demand a commitment to their worlds' characteristics.

Therefore, in order to celebrate these journeys that know how to properly invite us to experience a true odyssey, I invite you to read this list of ten RPGs that reward exploration.

10 Monster Hunter Wilds

Let No Beast Remain Undiscovered

Although most players I've seen don't venture beyond following the quest markers in Monster Hunter Wilds, I can say that transcending those limitations makes for a tremendous experience.

Instead of passively letting yourself be guided by NPCs and little else, striving to connect with the game's universe is what allows you to truly experience being a hunter, making your own assumptions and employing your own tactics to find the beasts you're after.

It's certainly not the most effective way to play it, especially in the endgame, though it's the best alternative if you want to add some dynamism to the somewhat clunky way Capcom presents the campaign.

Once you let yourself be carried away by the art of hunting, you realize Monster Hunter Wilds is extraordinary, and it could be even better if the developer embraced the substance of its exploration even more.

9 Dragon Age: Origins

The Power of Intrigue

BioWare has been responsible for two of the most captivating universes in video game history, and Dragon Age: Origins put them on the map as one of the great masters of worldbuilding.

While most role-playing game incentives for exploration, including this one, revolve around the mechanical possibilities it offers in the form of loot and quests, this series' first installment goes a step further.

Because its characters and lore are so fascinating, and much of the story is told through them, the motivation to explore all its spaces is also narrative-driven, preventing it from feeling like empty activities to fill time.

Every side quest, no matter how small, has a backstory that makes it compelling, and that's why Dragon Age: Origins remains so intriguing even after all these years and despite the obvious age of its gameplay.

8 Starfield

The Captivating Vastness of Space

It's no secret Bethesda has had a remarkably slow few years compared to previous generations, but what I think has become practically arcane knowledge is that Starfield is indeed a great RPG.

Evidently, it pales in comparison to some of its peers and the studio's previous works, which must be pointed out, though critics completely turned it around, making it a rather underrated title.

Ultimately, what the company does best is create immersive worlds in which you can lose yourself for hundreds of hours without even remembering what you were supposed to be doing, both in the game and in real life, because it allows you to get lost in the most graceful way possible.

It's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim with science fiction, and although that's anything but groundbreaking and the formula is starting to show its flaws, the truth is that's all I could have hoped for from this grand space opera.

7 Diablo 4

Endless Content to Grind

The interesting thing about the broad concept of exploration is that it can manifest in many ways, and in Diablo 4, it's showcased through an enormous amount of content that won't let go until you're fired from your job.

Although, in many ways, it's just endless grinding where you're given various excuses to do the same thing, kill demons without mercy, it's an extremely addictive loop if that's the kind of experience you enjoy.

As someone who's been playing MMORPGs since childhood, titles like Diablo 4 satisfy my need to endlessly repeat the same task while still having fun, both because the combat works perfectly and because the loot system never gets boring.

If you're expecting narrative depth, you're out of luck here, but if what you want is to lose yourself for hours watching impressive particle effects and creating four different characters to max out each one, this is your game.

6 Mass Effect 2

Getting to Know Your Crew

When I said BioWare had created two of the finest worlds in video game history, it was pretty clear which other IP I was referring to, with Mass Effect 2 being its crowning achievement and, if you ask me, the best game the developer has ever made.

As far as the studio's formula is concerned, Shepard's second adventure is the one that executes everything best, making the entire game revolve around the space odyssey of assembling your own team.

Although it's not as open as some other games on this list, Mass Effect 2's strength lies in how it incentivizes you to explore every planet and fulfill all characters' side missions, making up the best cast of companions I've ever enjoyed.

They all have their ethical and moral debates, playable sequences, audiovisual environments, and individual motivations, making exploration not only vital for the mechanics and the plot but also for the player's own immersive experience.

5 Cyberpunk 2077

Night City Calls You

I think we sometimes overlook how much a good atmosphere can be the cornerstone of a game's entire gameplay, narrative, and aesthetic, but that's exactly what Night City is for Cyberpunk 2077.

As one of the best settings ever conceived in video game history, it's impossible to turn the camera and not encounter an exceptional situation that compels you to get closer to discovering what's happening.

From finding an apocalyptic preacher to a virtual reality monk, having shootouts with gang members, and talking to vending machines, CD Projekt RED went to great lengths to create reasons to explore.

In a very natural and immersive way, Cyberpunk 2077 draws your attention into an endless cycle of investigation thanks to the way everything rewards you, whether it's in the form of new weapons, more lore about the universe, or the opportunity to learn that the political class is being controlled by a strange man with blue eyes.

4 Dragon’s Dogma 2

Fascinating Threats Everywhere

While some RPGs take the task of creating a compelling world where every activity and event has a purpose very seriously, Dragon's Dogma 2 is far more straightforward.

Relying exclusively on an exceptional combat system that makes climbing giant beasts the most exhilarating thing imaginable, the game easily convinces you to explore every last cave in search of challenges.

The mechanics of finding new weapons and armor also play a fundamental role, but the main focus is on finding increasingly larger creatures to climb, leveling up, discovering even more spectacular and impossible skills, and repeating the cycle ad infinitum.

While I love it when games develop their lore and make you feel like you're part of something bigger, I also appreciate when titles like Dragon's Dogma 2 arrive with no greater ambition than to perfectly execute what they do best, and in that, Capcom is a master.

3 Deus Ex

An Immersive Classic

The entire Deus Ex series, given its immersive sim characteristics, is synonymous with intoxicating exploration, the kind that keeps you glued to the screen, so compelling that you're drawn to examine every last pixel of the map.

As a result, its games haven't aged a day, especially the first one, a true classic of the genre whose ability to lure you into its futuristic, almost detective-like world has few rivals, even in modern times.

Truth be told, I'm more of a fan of Adam Jensen's adventures, but the vibes JC Denton's tale brings are worthy of a genuine masterpiece in terms of worldbuilding and writing, elements that remain timeless.

I understand it's a title that's difficult to access due to the passage of time, but even above many others on this list, this is a heartfelt invitation to give yourself the chance to enjoy a gem that should never be forgotten.

2 Disco Elysium

The Prize is to Connect

As a member of the pantheon of both RPGs and indie games, Disco Elysium is a divine creation that, I dare say, we won't see replicated for a lot of years.

Such words are lofty, I'm aware, though I genuinely believe what the original ZA/UM team created is transcendent in its purest form, appealing to the most essential elements of the genre to craft a captivating, immersive, and perfectly written world.

The characters, plot, message, audiovisual component, narrative, quests… Think of any element that needs to be good in a role-playing game to stand out, and in this game, you'll find the best version of everything.

It's difficult to clearly explain how incredible Disco Elysium is without resorting to spoilers, so at the risk of sounding ambiguous, I'll keep it that way to protect you. All you need to know is that it's glorious, and it's among the few games in existence whose story can rival that of any other medium.

1 Elden Ring

The Most Splendid Adventure

When it comes to creating the conditions that make a player want to explore with all their strength, I struggle to find any alternative other than Elden Ring.

FromSoftware channeled all its years of experience into an open world whose ability to captivate you surpasses any comparison, throwing you into a relentlessly beautiful world you won't want to leave until you've seen everything.

If you're in The Lands Between because you enjoy the gameplay, you'll find hundreds of bosses, enemies, weapons, and armor to encounter; if you're in it for the story, you'll find countless narrative elements in the environment, the architecture, and nature; and if you're drawn to the audiovisuals, you'll encounter stunning landscapes at every turn.

Whatever your interest in Elden Ring, there will always be compelling reasons to explore, as it represents the developer's best work in terms of level design, NPC side quests, loot, and the variety and quantity of challenges.

It's not an RPG that appeals to everyone, of course, though that doesn't stop it from being an outstanding creation in everything it sets out to do, and what it sets out to do is create an adventure that you own in every sense of the expression.