GTA 5, Elden Ring, and 8 more massive open world games that reward exploration
A Polygon guide highlights the best open-world games that reward meaningful exploration and encourage players to venture off the beaten path. The article frames video games as escapism, specifically praising titles with vast worlds and numerous side quests where players can become immersed and lose track of time.
The guide emphasizes games that provide tangible rewards for exploration—discovering new areas, secrets, and activities in every direction rather than following linear progression. Grand Theft Auto 5 ranks as the top recommendation, with the guide noting this is an ideal time to revisit the game before Grand Theft Auto 6 launches in the coming months. Elden Ring is also featured among the ten recommended titles.
The article’s overarching theme is celebrating games that successfully balance player freedom with discovery mechanics. These titles excel at offering the satisfaction of uncovering hidden content and activities throughout expansive game worlds, allowing players to choose their own direction and progression. The focus is on games that create genuine exploration experiences rather than guided narrative progression, where the world itself becomes the primary source of engagement and enjoyment.