10 Xbox Open-World Games That Reward Exploration

Few genres in gaming offer as much as Open-worlds in regard to the interactions, discoverable and customization options available. These can turn a main story playthrough worth a couple dozen hours, into a multi-hundred-hour-long experience. Granted, not every title hits the nail on the head when it comes to making exploration enjoyable, but I’m confident when I say that the following open-worlds will hook you very quickly.

Whether it is by finding a legendary weapon, a secret location with valuable loot, or even an interesting character that can become a travel companion, the effort of exploration is almost always rewarded in a good open-world title. Let's take a closer look at some of these jewels.

10 No Man's Sky

18 Quintillion Procedurally-Generated Planets

When No Man’s Sky was originally released, it didn’t receive as much praise. You could even say that the launch was somewhat controversial for various reasons, including the promise of features that, for one reason or another, were not there upon launch.

Luckily, this rocky start was just that, and 10 years after launch, the game is beloved by many and has gained a significant fandom.

In No Man’s Sky, the main objective is simple: explore the far reaches of space and gather resources for survival. Considering that there are over 18 quintillion procedurally-generated planets in the game, players are sure to have more than enough material to keep exploring. And the more they do, the more they’ll discover, and the larger their resource inventory will grow.

9 Cyberpunk 2077

Night City And Its Surroundings Are Full Of Surprises

The world of Cyberpunk 2077 is one of constant sociopolitical turmoil. Night City is teeming with criminal syndicates, corporative corruption, and numerous services, many of which are far from legal. As V, you’ll get the chance to live in the midst of a dystopian society while trying to make a name for yourself in the streets of Night City.

As you explore dark alleyways, corporate hideouts, and the deserted outskirts of the city, you’ll quickly come to realize that, with enough patience, you’ll find no shortage of Eddies, legendary weapons, and exciting encounters with enemies. Cyberpunk 2077 is, without a doubt, an open-world to play while waiting for GTA 6.

8 Outer Wilds

There's Always Something Special Around The Corner

The Outer Wilds is a perfect example of how, even when a concept has been done before, it can still shine in its own way. In my opinion, this title doesn’t break the mold in any noticeable manner, yet it still manages to deliver an entertaining experience.

Exploring the farthest reaches of space while looking for valuables in different celestial bodies, such as Quantum Moon, is great fun. And, as you’d expect in a game like this, the more you explore, the greater your reward will be over time.

7 Subnautica

Materials, Wreckages, And Dangerous Creatures

When I first played Subnautica, I was instantly amazed by the freedom I felt while exploring and swimming throughout 4546B. Granted, there was also a frequent feeling of impending doom, probably stemming from my Thalassophobia, but the experience overall was very enjoyable.

Like many other survival games, Subnautica will have you traverse various areas of the planet looking for wrecks and resources to craft items. All this, while you get to know 4546B’s flora and fauna. Being stranded on a vast oceanic planet in real-life would probably be no fun, but if you want to experience that while having a blast, Subnautica is the way to go.

6 Fallout 4

Scavenging For Resources Is Key In The Boston Commonwealth

The Fallout franchise has been around for a very long time, but I would argue that Fallout 4 was the title that took it from a beloved popular game, to the gargantuan mainstream success it is today. Set in the year 2287, in the Boston Commonwealth, Fallout 4 places you in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where survival is not guaranteed.

To increase your chances of living to see another day, you’ll have to explore the wasteland while dealing with vicious foes, angry raiders, and constant exposure to radiation that you’ll have to counteract one way or another. Whether it is a dosage of RadAway, a classic Fallout 4 random encounter, some Radroach meat, or a few bottlecaps, keeping your eyes open will always pay off in this game.

5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Sometimes, Foregoing Fast Travel Is Better

When I first bought The Witcher 3 back in 2015, I was not at all familiar with the franchise or the books. But that changed as soon as I’d spent a couple of hours into this title, and am now proud to say I’m a die-hard fan of this universe.

Focusing on Geralt of Rivia during his quest to track and find his adoptive daughter Ciri, The Witcher 3 has tons of areas to explore, monsters to slay, and missions to undertake.

The more you explore, the more you’ll learn about The Continent, the game’s folklore, and the sociopolitical aspects that tie everything together from a narrative’s perspective. You'll often be rewarded with precious goodies, as is the case for Aerondight, an outstanding silver sword obtained in the "Paths of Destiny" quest.

The North Of Tamriel Holds Many Ancient Secrets

In my opinion, one of the best metrics you can use to tell whether a game is a masterpiece, is how popular it remains to be years after its original release. Skyrim, is without a doubt a game that’s made history, not only because, at the time of writing this article, it has sold over 60 million copies worldwide, but also because it’s still beloved 15 years after it first came out.

Exploration in Skyrim not only allows players to discover new towns and ruins, but also find valuable loot and enjoy the beautifully designed environment. All in all, despite its age, Skyrim’s open-world feels alive, sometimes, even more so than more modern titles in its genre.

3 Grand Theft Auto 5

Strangers And Freaks Encounters Are Always Fun

Grand Theft Auto 5 is one of those games that is both beloved for how great it is, but also hated for the wrong reasons. It’s only fair that players are resentful about this title given how many times it’s been re-released. And the constant delays for GTA 6 don’t help.

However, if all that is stripped away, Grand Theft Auto 5 is a masterpiece that greatly rewards exploration. Driving around Los Santos and its outskirts will always make for an interesting experience. Whether it is thanks to a Strangers & Freaks encounter, an ongoing pickpocket situation, or a main/side mission waiting to be undertaken.

2 Red Dead Redemption 2

The American Wild West Is Packed With Action

Everybody loves a good Wild West story, and what Rockstar Games did with Red Dead Redemption 2, has only helped boost that sentiment. Set in the year 1899, the game follows Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, as they make their way through the American Wild West while trying to evade justice.

From the moment it was released, Red Dead Redemption 2 put other games to shame when it came to its complex game mechanics that make the world feel alive even today. Riding on horseback through the wilderness and exploring every corner of the map is guaranteed to provide you with interesting encounters, profitable opportunities, and even dangerous animals with valuable pelts.

1 Elden Ring

Legendary Weapons, Mighty Bosses, And Grim Locations

FromSoftware titles have always been praised for their difficulty, but back in the day, implementing open-world mechanics into one of their new IPs sounded both promising and risky. Luckily, the risk paid off, making Elden Ring a modern masterpiece that has hundreds of hours of fun to offer players.

Making your way throughout The Lands Between as a Tarnished, is no easy task, as death lurks around every corner. However, if you’re disciplined and patient enough to explore even the dampest, darkest dungeon, you’re sure to find a ton of fun, as well as valuable weapons, incantations, armor sets, and more.