
Even us here on PVP Live thinks open-world games are the best. Forget about completing quests, beating enemies, or engaging in boring talks with the other characters. The fun starts when you can freely roam around the world you are in, especially if the game has historical or futuristic themes.
However, even the most experienced gamer who can play a game in one sitting cannot manage the games you’re about to know on this list. Here, you will find out which open-world games have the most extensive maps that you’ll have to sleep through the night first to continue seeing what’s beautiful.
‘True Crime: Streets Of LA’
“True Crime: Streets of LA” is not the best game in terms of graphics, but its comprehensive map can compete with “GTA.” While moving around won’t be the best experience, considering the graphics quality, those who love exploring the streets of LA can appreciate the game’s map.
It tells the story of an uncompromising LAPD detective, Nicholas Kang. Now, he is recruited into the Elite Operations Division to launch an investigation into a series of bombings in Chinatown. As he delves deeper into the case, he finds a shocking revelation – that the bombings may be connected to the disappearance of his father, a police officer, two decades ago. With this story, you wouldn’t mind the quality of its graphics, would you?
‘No Man’s Sky’
Real-world-inspired open worlds can be dull, so why don’t you try the futuristic setting of “No Man’s Sky.” You won’t crave “Star Wars” soon. The map of “No Man’s Sky” can literally be infinite since no average game can take you to multiple galaxies like how this game does. Each galaxy here has several regions and star systems. Each star system has around one to six planets, a magnitude of moons, and a space station.
Some players say there are around 20 galaxies they have visited in their playthrough, but you wouldn’t believe what others would say: 100 galaxies! It takes persistence to keep playing “No Man’s Sky.”
‘Arma 3’
Now, this game is about a world that the military explores. It’s a realistic military simulator that its gamers take very seriously. The Altis Island, where it is set, provides various engaging tactical scenarios for squads to take part in, so the presence of such a massive map is expected. On the map, you can find built-up towns, jungles, marshlands, and about everything in between for your military simulation needs.
“Arma 3” is set in the mid-2030s, so imagine the synergy of military and futuristic themes. Places are inspired by the South Mediterranean Sea, South Pacific, Gibraltar, Eastern Europe, Western Sahara, mainland Southeast Asia, and Europe.
‘Skull And Bones’
Ubisoft discovered when they created “Assassin’s Creed IV” that when incorporating water where big ships sail in a game, it can take a massive village to make the game possible. But “Skull and Bones” proved this notion wrong, as it takes things to the next level to accommodate players who want to explore the waters and feel like they’re real captains, sailors, and pirates.
Well, pirates, mainly. The game highlights piracy and naval warfare with settings inspired by East Africa and Southeast Asia during the 1800s, the peak of the historic Golden Age of Piracy. It’s not futuristic, not Wild West-inspired, but historic beyond America.
‘Minecraft’
Yes, “Minecraft” belongs to this list. You need to explore 1.5 billion square miles of the game’s map for you to say that you’ve seen it all. This explains why gamers keep playing this, telling their moms to wait for them at the dinner table.
Furthermore, the endless stretch of the game’s map shames the realistic Microsoft Flight Simulator, making the Earth appear like the size of a pea by existing about eight times larger. By the way, “Minecraft” also owns the largest open-world game map not set in space. That takes so much creativity. See it to believe it.
‘Xenoblade Chronicles X’
PVP Live got you. 2022’s “Xenoblade Chronicles 3” isn’t really that big. It’s the Wii U-exclusive “Xenoblade Chronicles X” game that has the spot. Maybe it’s Wii’s way of attracting buyers of the console, considering that many prefer Xbox and PlayStation nowadays. You will explore the world of Mira with the in-game giant mechs by your side.
The story of this game is unique as you’ll play with a surviving human ship that escaped a battle with aliens that destroyed Earth. You will find yourself joining the BLADE unit to defend the human survivors and uncover Mira’s untold secrets.
‘Just Cause 4’
You have “Just Dance,” then you have “Just Cause.” It’s easy to find yourself around “Just Cause 4,” one of the games in the series. The goal is to destroy everything in sight, so if you carry a destructive personality, you’ll love this game. Considering this endgame, you need a vast world to explore. Thus, this game’s map is also massive. See fuel tanks, electrical plants, and other infrastructure brimming with flammable materials you need to pound to ashes.
Here, you take on the role of Rico Rodríguez, who sets foot in Solís nation to find that he has to take down The Black Hand, the world’s largest private military. Interestingly too, this game uses the new version of the “Apex” game engine. We know you want to try this now.
‘Microsoft Flight Simulator’
Will you even need an explanation? Being a game that allows you to reach your pilot dreams, “Microsoft Flight Simulator” won’t be able to drive home the point if it can’t offer a vast map, and it does. This game has two million towns and cities, 1.5 billion buildings, two trillion trees, and 37,000 real-world airports. The game’s developers wanted a flight simulator, so they’ve got to provide what’s needed.
“Microsoft Flight Simulator” can be played not just on contemporary Xbox consoles but also on vintage gaming systems, such as MS-DOS and PC-98, among others. But you’ll, for sure, play it on your Xbox or PC today.
Talking about the best open-world games with the largest maps, each has its own personality. It can be hard to pick what you want to play at the moment. From open-worlds that will take you back in time to open-worlds that will bring you to settings that haven’t yet existed, these game maps will make you keep gaming without feeling uneasy.