Top 10 Open World Games of 2015

I've always been drawn to open world games for the vastness of their wide-open environments, which invite players to explore, discover, and conquer everything that the developers have to offer. 

With the year of 2015 upon us, developers have stepped up their game with open world offerings on every platform--from the PC to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, titles ranging from the tiniest of indies to the biggest AAA studios. There's plenty to look forward to. 

With that in mind, we've compiled a list of our most anticipated PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Wii U open world titles that we're excited for. If you feel like we've left anything out, be sure to tell us in the comments!

 

Dying Light

We can never get enough zombies in our video games, and Dying Light is just more proof that the thirst is real. This open world title puts players in the shoes of a parkour freerunner (also known as a traceur) who must mantle his way through a post-apocalyptic city overrun by the walking dead. Consider us excited. 

 

Saints Row: Gat out of Hell

The latest entry in the long-running Saints Row franchise of open world games dives players into the very depths of hell, where they play the roles of Kenzie Kensington and the eponymous Johnny Gat, for whom the game is named after, as they venture to rescue their boss--the protagonist of the previous Saints Row games. 

 

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Kojima Productions’ MGS V: The Phantom Pain promises to change up the Metal Gear Solid formula by setting it in an open world environment replete with freeform mission design and a host of secondary objectives. The world exists for players to immerse themselves in and do as they like, all the while hiding in a cardboard box. 

 

Assassin's Creed Victory

Though not officially announced (at this time), Assassin’s Creed Victory is the followup to Unity and is set in the London metropolitan area at a point in history where trains had already been invented. Mixing up this year’s Assassin’s Creed experience, the game offers coach-by-coach battles atop and within locomotives. 

 

Dead Island 2

It’s uncertain what the future holds for Dead Island 2. With a new developer and new engine, the series is set to look, play, and feel like a completely different game. But with a new place to explore, new weapons to craft, and of course, MOAR ZOMBIES, it’s hard not to be curious and maybe a little excited about the sequel. OK a lot excited.

 

The Legend of Zelda Wii U

This year will see the release of what Nintendo fans have been waiting for since Twilight Princess on the Wii: a true high definition Legend of Zelda game. Sure, there are other details to look forward to; the classic linear dungeon sequence will be challenged by putting less focus on sequential item collecting. But frankly, high def Hyrule is all we need to know. 

 

Just Cause 3

Avalanche Studios makes a return to the open world universe of Just Cause with the third installment in the series, where players will no doubt reprise the role of Rico Rodriguez as he ventures to another exotic land to liberate it from tyranny. 

 

Batman: Arkham Knight

Rocksteady proved themselves with the first two Arkham games (the third one, Arkham Origins, was developed by another studio and wasn’t as good) and they’re back with the fourth installment of the Arkham series, in which Batman will go up against his deadliest adversary yet--the Arkham Knight. More than simply gliding around or running on foot, Batman will now have full access to the Batmobile--his highly mobile, heavily armed personal tank. 

 

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The year’s 2015 and it’s time to brace yourselves for yet another sequel. But is that such a bad thing? Geralt, the titular Witcher in the series returns for a third and final adventure, now set in an open world for players to fully explore. Fans of the series, as well as fans of the semi-open world RPG Dragon Age: Inquisition will have much to enjoy in the upcoming title. 

 

No Man's Sky

We were blown away by No Man's Sky's initial presentation at the VGX event in 2013, and its developers have shown no signs of slowing down their development of the game despite facing a few setbacks (their offices were inundated by floodwaters in 2014), vowing to release the game in 2015. No Man's Sky promises to offer a universe full of procedurally generated environments for players to travel to and explore to their heart's content.