Best Online Open-World PC Games

The open-world subgenre refers to games with non-linear map designs, as opposed to a focused linear design. There are few borders in open-world games and virtually no loading times between regions. Players can walk a unique path, completing quests in an idiosyncratic order.

While plenty of MMORPGs take place in open worlds, there are also quite a few conventional open-world games that incorporate online support. Online open-world games have the power to immerse players, bar none. For those who like exploration and realism, these projects are must-plays. There are numerous PC open-world games out there, yet only a few are online without being massively multiplayer.

Updated December 2, 2023 by Mark Sammut: Open-world games are common, and online games are common; however, the two do not cross paths all that frequently outside the MMO genre. Most of these projects lean toward single-player content with some multiplayer elements sprinkled on top that can be largely ignored. That said, there are some fantastic online open-world games.

7 Days to Die

Steam User Rating: 88%

This is an online open-world game that has players banding together in a bid to survive the zombie apocalypse and fight through a weekly attack that might cause most people to rage quit. 7 Days to Die is an excellent game with deep mechanics that can keep players entertained for hours or end.

If anyone and their friends are looking for a good time on Steam, then 7 Days to Die is a great title to check out. Scrounging together the supplies required to get through every harrowing day — especially the seventh one… for obvious reasons — can prove to be quite entertaining indeed.

Sunset Overdrive

Steam User Rating: 90%

Players looking for something open-world and supremely chaotic should check out Sunset Overdrive. The release from Insomniac Games flew well under the radar for many gamers when it was released back in 2014, but developed its own cult-following thanks to critical acclaim. Now even more fans are getting their hands on the entertaining and wacky romp thanks to a re-release on PC.

Sunset Overdrive is pure chaos and acrobatic entertainment, thanks to its third-person run-and-gun gameplay. Players will find a variety of hilarious and explosive weapons, which they can use while hopping, grinding, and rolling all throughout an apocalyptic cityscape.

Grounded

Steam User Rating: 89%

Obsidian’s Grounded is a delight, as are most games released by the developer. Taking inspiration from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the game casts players as minified children who find themselves lost in a yard. Naturally, their new size makes them vulnerable to the habitat’s residents, mainly creepy crawlies who have their own ecosystems.

Along with an enjoyable storyline, Grounded generally encourages players to just immerse themselves in their familiar but novel environment. Mechanically, the game is relatively typical for the survival open-world genre, albeit it executes most of its ideas well. Online co-op allows for up to four players to work together, and they all get to control unique characters.

Terraria

Steam User Rating: 97%

It’s quite understandable for players to be turned off by the art style and general vibe of Terraria, which makes it seem like an experience tailored for a very niche audience that they might not be a part of. However, people who believe this to be the case are missing out on one of the most creative games of all time.

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Terraria is so much more than just 2D Minecraft. It’s one of the most detailed and enjoyable online open-world games of all time, featuring the perfect amalgamation of numerous genres to create something truly remarkable that will keep players entertained for hours on end.

Monster Hunter: World

Steam User Rating: 88%

For the longest time in the West, Monster Hunter was a niche franchise that most people chose to ignore, especially since the main series spent a decade on only Nintendo consoles. However, Monster Hunter: World ended up showcasing exactly what these gamers had been missing out on.

The tactical and addictive gameplay of the Monster Hunter franchise has never felt better. Meanwhile, roaming around the vast worlds of Monster Hunter: World with friends is one of the most entertaining experiences players can have with a video game.

Rust

Steam User Rating: 87%

Rust is a game about survival. Players start the game with almost nothing and must adapt to harsh environments to survive. In Rust, a survivor has to make a fire, defend against attacks from animals and other players, and build a shelter.

There’s never a shortage of things to do, which is why it’s one of the best online open-world games. Rust has drastically improved since launch, and there’s never been a better time to play the game.

No Man’s Sky

Steam User Rating: 77%

The crown jewel of No Man’s Sky is undoubtedly its almost infinitely explorable universe. The game is now packed with content for players to relish alone or with friends.

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Since No Man’s Sky’s rocky launch, developer Hello Games has done a massive turnaround, to the point of eventually fine-tuning the experience to craft one of the greatest open-world sci-fi games on the market. Unlike other online multiplayer games where players host servers, No Man’s Sky features a shared universe. Regardless of a person’s hours logged or skill level, they can join any other player’s adventure.

Raft

Steam User Rating: 93%

After spending a few years in early access, Raft made its full debut in 2022. This survival sandbox game offers an immersive experience that is also playable with friends, even if its concept seems like a better fit for a solo experience. Nevertheless, players can enjoy an online co-op campaign, which does have its benefits.

A playthrough starts hectic and simultaneously slow as the first few hours are spent trying desperately to find basic resources while aimlessly drifting on a vast ocean. Eventually, players will build a decent raft/base that provides an air of security, allowing them to more freely explore the world.

Elden Ring

Steam User Rating: 92%

FromSoftware has developed a cult following over the years thanks to its incredible, dark, and punishingly-difficult adventures. There are many gamers out there who hold the Dark Souls series in high regard, but these games are fairly “Linear” in their design, forcing players on a path through specific zones to progress the story. Because of this, many players were absolutely taken aback by the sheer scale and freedom of Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s latest release.

A truly open-world affair, Elden Ring lets players progress through areas and tackle goals however they see fit, with multiple endings and tons of things to collect. Gamers can easily spend over 100 hours in the Lands Between.

Forza Horizon 5

Steam User Rating: 88%

Playground’s Forza Horizon is nothing if not consistent. All the games are, at the minimum, great; at their peak, they are arguably the best open-world racers on the market. Forza Horizon 5 gets the nod simply due to being the most recent entry in the series, but if someone prefers the idea of exploring Scotland rather than Mexico, Forza Horizon 4 is a fabulous option. Forza Horizon 3 is also pretty great and has a gorgeous Australian setting, although the game was delisted in 2020.

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FH5‘s world is expansive and varied, more so than any of the other entries in the series. With arcade-style controls that prioritize accessibility and speed over realism, the game never takes itself seriously, which extends to the various quirky events littered throughout the map. FH5 also has a massive selection of cars, along with a plethora of multiplayer-focused modes.

Sea Of Thieves

Steam User Rating: 90%

Sea of Thieves was fun on day one, and the game has improved greatly since then. Among the features included in today’s Sea of Thieves are fishing, story quests, and online arena player versus player. Despite being out for quite a few years by this point, Rare is still regularly updating the open-world game, and the developer has given little indication of that changing anytime soon.

Now, while players can certainly try to sail the oceans solo, Sea of Thieves is designed with co-op in mind. This game is simply a lot more enjoyable when played with friends who are willing to participate and embrace the pirate life. More importantly, solo players will still have to interact with other players, and facing a crew alone is a recipe for a disaster.

Grand Theft Auto Online

Steam User Rating: 86% (GTA 5)

Grand Theft Auto 5 is a complete package with a robust set of online missions and character progression. The game could be considered an RPG because of the amount of player customization. Its release inspired several clone games, but few live up to Grand Theft Auto 5.

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Post-launch, Grand Theft Auto Online has added features like superyachts, casinos, and more liveable spaces. The game was released in 2013, but Rockstar Games is still adding updates. The next-gen re-release is bound to wow its player base.

Minecraft

Metascore: 93

Minecraft is probably the biggest game of all time, and while it has been around for more than a decade by this point, it is still widely popular and played. One of the project’s strengths is its player freedom, and that goes beyond just its open-ended gameplay loop. People can decide whether they want a survival game revolving around solo play or a more casual experience that rewards co-op.

Cliche as it is to say, Minecraft has no limit beyond the player’s own imagination. If a group of friends want to work together to build an architectural epic, they can do just that.

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