10. Sleeping Dogs
Feeling like a living John Woo film, this gritty undercover cop drama seamlessly fuses deadly martial arts and intense gunfights in the dark and crime-ridden open underworld of Hong Kong. With varied districts of the city to explore, the
world of Sleeping Dogs is a character in itself. With universally interesting characters, a deeply engaging narrative and truly unforgettable combat, Sleeping Dogs is a visceral journey into the underworld that will stick with you for a
long time.
9. Mafia II
This deeply authentic mob game has aged like a fine wine, and will still pull you into its richly detailed world that would make Martin Scorsese rub his hands together with delight. While exploration isn’t necessarily encouraged within the
largely linear Mafia II, it still feels like a living breathing world and therefore finds its way onto this list – even if it is a bit of a cheeky inclusion! The open world here is one of unparalleled immersion, albeit minimal interaction.
8. Just Cause 2
Just Cause 2 drops you into the epic tropical playground of Panau in South East Asia, with only one job – destruction! As Rico Rodriguez you are given almost limitless freedom to be creative with your wide arsenal of weapons and vehicles as
you wreak havoc across the island. There are few things in gaming more therapeutic than blowing up an enemy compound on Panau – just ignore the story and have fun. Without a doubt the finest entry in the chaotic franchise.
7. Grand Theft Auto IV
Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV is often ignored now that we live in a world where GTA V exists, but it still holds up remarkably well as one of the finest GTA titles. Taking place in a seedy, bleak Liberty City, players control war veteran
Niko Bellic as he seeks to escape his past and live the American Dream. With endless exploration and things to do across the densely populated and richly detailed city, GTA IV is a modern classic.
6. L.A. Noire
Taking place in a stunningly accurate block-by-block recreation of 8 square miles of 1947 LA, this deeply layered and complex game is one of the most innovative releases of the generation – and holds up remarkably well today. In the shoes
of Detective Phelps you will solve brutal crimes, plots and conspiracies across the crime desks of Patrol, Traffic, Homicide, Vice and Arson, all across the deeply layered city of Los Angeles.
5. Deadly Premonition: Director’s Cut
The closest we ever got to a Twin Peaks video game, Deadly Premonition is a Lynchian masterpiece that puts you in the role of an FBI agent investigating a mysterious murder in a remote rural town. Filled with frightening surrealism, twisted
humour and truly impactful shocks, this totally unique gaming masterpiece is an unforgettable experience like no other. If you haven’t experienced Deadly Premonition, you are in for a hell of a treat with this expanded version of the game
that reworks the control system and enhances the graphics considerably.
4. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
In one of the biggest worlds in gaming, the masterful Skyrim is a game that allows the player to be whoever they want and do whatever they want. Utterly rammed with quests, customisation, skills and crafting, Skyrim drops you into its
richly designed world and lets you forge your own path and find out what kind of hero – or anti-hero – you want to be. A true masterpiece in every sense of the word, and epic in scope beyond all other games of its genre.
3. Far Cry 3
After a slow and dreary Far Cry 2, this superb threequel returned to the franchise’s roots with a bang. Taking place in a vast and savage tropical island, players must slash, sneak, detonate and shoot their way through this unforgiving
island paradise and take down the vicious antagonist Vaas. Richly detailed and packed with content, this vastly explorable open world is a stunning playground for chaos. Far Cry’s finest hour, no contest.
2. Red Dead Redemption
Following on from the incredibly linear Red Dead Revolver, Rockstar exceeded themselves with this truly epic open-world Western adventure that features an absolutely breathtaking attention to detail like few other games can manage. Expert
craftsmanship throughout, along with its stunning narrative and characters, creates an unforgettable experience that still holds up as one of the finest games of its or any generation.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
Not only does Rockstar’s masterpiece GTA V offer gaming’s finest storytelling to date, it also gives the player an amazingly detailed open world with a high-level of freedom to drive, fly and sail as they see
fit with an incredible range of weapons and gadgets to play with. Los Santos is without a doubt the most layered and detailed open world in gaming, and one that – despite three run-throughs of the campaign – I’m certain I’ve still only
scratched the surface of.