The best Xbox open world games can have you do anything from building bases, riding through the wild west, or just journeying around trying to look for the next place to turn into a racetrack. Open world games aren’t just about climbing up towers and grabbing an item that increases your attack by 0.1%, there are some really cool, unique games out there.
It’s tough though, because unlike other styles of games, you know that if you get into one of the best open world games, then you’re going to be there for a long time. It’s a commitment, and you need to make sure you’re not going to get ten hours into a game, only to have it turn out to be a giant wasteland devoid of joy. There’s also many new Xbox games coming that are vying for your attention. So to help you along, we’ve made a list of the best Xbox open world games around, many of which rank among the best Xbox games on the platform as a whole.
Here are the best Xbox open-world games:
- Minecraft
- Elden Ring
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt
- No Man’s Sky
- The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Remastered
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Forza Horizon 5
- Sunset Overdrive
- Diablo 4
- Grand Theft Auto V
1. Minecraft
Minecraft probably doesn’t need an introduction, but just in case, this is the blocky game that kicked off a trend toward survival games that still hasn’t been satiated.
Each world you create will have new points of interest, new dungeons to explore, and new opportunities for adventure, treasure, and probably death. It’s an incredible game (and one of the best Xbox survival games too), and between the co-op and infinite replayability, it’s incredibly hard to beat.
2. Elden Ring
Elden Ring received The Loadout’s first ever 10/10 and for good reason: the game is an innovative spin on the Souls genre and it’s largely down to the open world at your fingertips.
With a huge world that never seems to end, incredible questlines, and punishing bosses, this is an open-world game that shouldn’t be missed.
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 has the same feeling as settling into a long, but very good, book. Things take a while to warm up, as the characters are drip-fed to you slowly, but you’ll probably end up feeling surprisingly emotional by the end of it all.
The open world itself is stunning too, with beauty to be found over every hill, and danger lurking around every corner.
4. The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt
Geralt has been getting even more attention of late thanks to Henry Cavill’s excellent portrayal of the grey-haired Witcher in the Netflix TV series.
While the first two games are good, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the one that made the series a quintessential part of people’s gaming lexicon. The world is filled with grey morality, stunning colors, and more monsters to fight than you’ll probably survive.
5. No Man’s Sky
Now, technically speaking, No Man’s Sky is an open-universe game, but we’re not sure that’s actually a phrase, so we’re just going to put it here with the rest of the best open-world Xbox games.
What started off as something some found disappointing, has evolved into a truly incredible journey featuring giant frigates, mechs that can be summoned from the sky, and some of the most fascinating creatures you’re ever likely to see.
6. The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Anniversary Edition
The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim was released over ten years ago now and has since been re-released constantly. It’s a bit of a meme, but there’s a reason this game has endured the test of time so well, and that’s simply because it’s incredibly good.
The latest version gives everything a bit of a facelift, and it’s going to be the kind of remaster we look back at in ten years’ time when the 20th-anniversary edition comes out.
7. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Some may view Valhalla as the better of the newer takes on Assassin’s Creed, and while it’s certainly good, we much prefer the beautiful high seas of Greece in Odyssey to the grubby bogs of England in Valhalla.
Odyssey is still absolutely massive, but a lot of the quests in this game are optional, so you can spend as much or as little time as you like sailing around, fighting mythical creatures, or just spartan kicking enemies off cliffs. You should also play it before the Assassin’s Creed Mirage release date arrives.
8. Forza Horizon 5
You might not immediately think of Forza Horizon 5 as an open-world game, but it is, and it’s one that’s aimed at anyone with even a passing interest in cars.
This stunning world is a joy to travel around, and the constant threat of other Drivatars from players you do and don’t know helps to keep every moment exceptionally engaging.
You should read our Forza Horizon 5 review for our full thoughts on the game, but let’s just say it’s worth playing.
9. Sunset Overdrive
Sunset Overdrive is a little old now, but as one of the few Xbox One exclusive games, it’s still one of the most entertaining open worlds to explore.
While the edgy humor has aged somewhat, the ability to bounce, grind, and blast your way through this brightly colored urban hellscape hasn’t lost any of its shine. Insomniac make incredible games, and Sunset Overdrive is no different.
10. Diablo 4
If you’re a fan of top-down RPG games with big open worlds, then you can’t go wrong with Diablo 4. The latest installment in Blizzard’s hit franchise offers up a huge amount of content to work through as you journey across Sanctuary.
If you do give Diablo 4 a go and get hooked, then don’t worry. As well as unlocking new cosmetics for your Diablo 4 mount, or mastering every class on our Diablo 4 tier list, there is a long pipeline of seasonal content drops, you won’t run out of things to do out in the world anytime soon.
11. Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite is huge, pretty, and just a riot to mess around in. The new abilities Master Chief brings with him are great to play with, and you can do some truly silly things if you’re willing to experiment a bit.
The game finally features online campaign co-op too, meaning if you’ve been waiting to play the latest Halo title with your friends, now’s the time to jump in.
You can read our Halo Infinite review here and see what we think of this incredible game.
12. Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 is a fun single-player experience, but the online mode is where it becomes one of the best open-world Xbox games. There are so many different things to do, roleplay groups to engage with, and challenges to overcome, that you’d be unlikely to see everything without really putting some effort in.
GTA Online is still getting served with regular content updates too, which means you can expect to see new things fairly consistently, despite the game being released all the way back in 2013. It’s one of the best games of all time, both for its longevity and for how it still boasts one of the best open worlds.
So there you have it, all of the best Xbox open world games in one place. Now you have all the options, it’s time to get out there and explore. If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, be sure to also check out our best Xbox Game Pass games list – with hundreds of games on the service, make sure these truly amazing games could slip through your net.