Summary
Open-world gamesare known for theirvast mapsand the abundance of points of interest, often represented by question marks scattered across the map to indicate various side activities. While some open-world titles offer little beyond adding more camps or outposts to clear or treasure chests to loot,some of the best strivetoprovide more meaningful side activities, puzzles, or mini-games that break the mold and make exploration feel more varied and engaging.
The core loop of combat andexploration is the foundation of any open-world game, but the best titles feature such adiverse selection of side activitiesthat players pursue question marks with eagerness, knowing an interesting discovery or rewarding challenge awaits. From intricate puzzles to relaxing diversions and fun mini-games,these open-world games offer the best map activities, making the process of clearing points of interest exciting rather than a chore.
Open-world games that rely too heavily on asingle standout activity or mini-game, such asThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt(Gwent) orStar Wars Outlaws(Sabacc), are excluded in favor of games that provide a greater variety of unique activities and points of interest.
Red Dead Redemption 2leans less toward question marks and discoveries in its open world, instead prioritizing a sense of believability and natural exploration of the Wild West. The game does not highlight its numerous secrets, so activities like treasure hunting or looting abandoned settlements rely entirely on players' awareness. Side activities aremostly concentrated in Dutch’s camp, where players can help with tasks like chopping wood, or in various cities and smaller towns. As is traditional for Rockstar, there are plenty of options, including games like poker, dominoes, blackjack, and Five Finger Fillet.
When exploring the wilderness, aside from random stranger encounters or side quests,Red Dead Redemption 2primarily focuses on hunting, gathering, fishing, and similar activities. Players can manually set up small camps for the night across the map, where they can clean their guns and horses, cook meals, experiment with herbs, and more.
BothThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomrank among the most curiosity-driven open-world games, thriving on freedom, exploration, and activities that reward creativity. While they don’t feature traditional question marks on their maps, players can still stumble upon countless intriguing locations through natural exploration, with something promising always looming on the horizon.
Fromhundreds of hidden Korok Seed puzzlesthat involve small environmental riddles to in-depth cooking mechanics with rich potential for experimentation at the campfire, as well as climbing challenges and shield surfing spots,The Legend of Zeldaopen-world games avoid filler content, offering little to no meaningless collectibles or activities included just for the sake of it.Tears of the Kingdombrings the reactivity of the world even higherwith the game’s robust crafting system, as well as abilities like Ultrahand or Ascend.
The entireYakuzaseries easily ranks among the most fun open-world games, offering avast array of activities and mini-gameswith unique gameplay mechanics that provide endless enjoyment. While the series' worlds are typically smaller than those of other open-world games, they are packed with quirky and diverse activities, with little to no repetition. Among them,Yakuza 0stands out as one of the most exceptional entries, even by the series' own high standards.
Featuring two bustling cities filled with activity spots and side quests,Yakuza 0offers an unparalleled variety of gameplay styles, ranging from rhythm and reflex-based challenges to racing and social mini-games. Forget the single hacking mini-game found in titles likeCyberpunk 2077,Mass Effect: Andromeda, orStar Wars Outlaws— this is an entirely different level of variety. Beyond the business-related activities that are a staple of the series, players can dive into karaoke, disco dancing, shogi, mahjong, poker, fishing, and more, purely for fun, not to mention the ability to play various arcade game simulators. On top of that, even thesmallest side quests can unexpectedly introduce unique gameplay mechanics, keeping every encounter fresh and surprising.
Ghost of Tsushimalargelyfollows the typical Ubisoft-style open-world formula, filling the map of Tsushima Island with various points of interest and Mongol camps to clear. While a significant portion of the game’s question marks lead to enemy camps or fox dens for unlocking new charm slots, some side activities stand out as particularly fun and memorable, blending gameplay mechanics, Feudal Japan-inspired aesthetics, valuable rewards, and narrative elements.
Some of the best points of interest inGhost of Tsushimainclude bamboo training grounds, haiku compositions, and hot springs. Bamboo training features quick-time event mechanics that test reflexes and memory, haiku compositions provide a meditative break from the action while granting cosmetic rewards, and hot springs allow players to reflect on key story events and characters, adding depth to Jin Sakai and his personal journey.
The most recent entry in the series,Assassin’s Creed Shadows,is a massive open-world game, but its scope still doesn’t matchAssassin’s Creed Valhallaand the sheer number of territories available to clear. Such vastness has both benefits and drawbacks, and the same applies to the game’s points of interest, where for every great idea, players may also encounter something frustrating, like cairn puzzles or immersion-breaking modern platforming sections. Nevertheless,Valhalla’sside activities extend far beyond just combat or collecting,offering a broader range of engagements thanShadows.
Beyond its one-time world events, which function more like small side quests,Assassin’s Creed Valhallaprovides a variety of activities.First, there’s Orlog— a unique dice game blending luck and strategy, with enough depth to remain engaging for hours as players unlock new figures and synergies. Then, there’s flyting, a Viking-style rap battle where players must quickly rhyme insults to outwit opponents. Additionally, the drinking mini-game starts off simple but becomes significantly more challenging over time. When combined with fishing, settlement building, and river raiding,Valhallastands as one of the most engaging worlds to explore in the series, though its sheer size can feel overwhelming.
Hogwarts Legacyis one of the most successful open-world titles in recent years, largely due to its beloved setting, whichHarry Potterfans had long awaited. However, to the game’s credit, it offers a wealth of side activities and points of interest that can keep any open-world fan engaged well beyond their initial impression. The secrets of Hogwarts and its side activities unlock gradually, maintaining a sense of discovery for hours while introducing enough unique gameplay mechanics to keep things fresh.
While many ofHogwarts Legacy’spoints of interest follow familiar open-world patterns, such as clearing camps and collecting treasures, the game balances this with more engaging activities like Broom Trials, the Summoner’s Court game, and the Crossed Wands Dueling Club —along with the Dark Arts Battle Arena. Additionally, Hogwarts itself is filled with environmental puzzles and hidden secrets at nearly every turn. However, the game’s greatest strength may be the Room of Requirement (apersonal hub with extensive customization options). Here,Harry Potterfans can engage in crafting, spellcasting, nurturing and grooming magical creatures, gardening, potion brewing, and anything in between. While these activities are not scattered across the map as traditional points of interest, their sheer variety allows players to spend countless hours immersed in the game.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthmade waves with its approach to open-world design, as the developers truly outdid themselves in this second part of the remake. The vast and stunning world nearly rivals theYakuzaseries in terms of the sheer variety of fun activities and mini-games available for players who enjoy exploring.Rebirthalsointroduces Queen’s Blood, a card game with enough depth to appeal to deck-building fans, similar toThe Witcher 3’sGwent.
Beyond Queen’s Blood, other engaging activities include piano mini-games, Chocobo racing, treasure excavation sites, jumpfrog platforming, stealth-based Cactuar challenges, a Dolphin show, and even theFort Condor tower-defense mini-game— just to name a few. By combining these diverse gameplay elements with a cinematic narrative and anabundance of side and companion quests,Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthrightfully earns its place among the top-tier open-world titles of recent years.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2builds on its predecessor’s strengths, offering a larger and more refined open world with a comparable variety of side activities and mini-games spread across different regions. One of the most notable examples is Farkle, an enhanced version of the dice game from the original, available in taverns. Additionally,immersive mechanics like alchemyand blacksmithing appeal to players who appreciate a grounded and detailed approach to potion brewing and forging.
For wilderness exploration,Deliverance 2follows in the footsteps ofRed Dead Redemption 2, featuring random stranger encounters, side quests, and enemy camps to clear. Hunting and various training grounds are also available, including melee and archery contests. With expanded variety, improved fluidity, and strong thematic depth,Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2stands as an essential medieval open-worldRPG distinguished not by quirky diversions, but by its meticulous attention to even the smallest activities.
