The open-world genre has often served as something of a benchmark for how far gaming has come as a medium. Combining massive and immersive seamless virtual worlds, cinematic narratives driven by memorable characters, and exciting exploration full of freedom and adventure in one alluring package, some of the most iconic and acclaimed games of all time belong to the open-world family. From Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption 2 to The Witcher 3 and Elden Ring — it’s impossible to deny these games’ global impact.
The eighth generation of video game consoles (PS4 & Xbox One) was among the most abundant periods for open-world games, with many of the most popular titles released and modern franchises established. But what about the current generation so far? While the upcoming GTA 6 is already poised to shake up the entire industry in just a few months, let’s explore some of the best open-world games released during the ninth console generation. While the “flawless” part is definitely subjective, the games below are some of the highest-rated over the past few years, representing the top-tier offerings from the modern open-world lexicon.
Just to make it absolutely clear, the focus here is only on games released natively on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and not available on last-gen devices.
Ghost Of Yotei
Perfecting An Already Unique Open-World DNA
Sucker Punch’s unique approach to its samurai-focused action-adventure series resulted in subsequent games that don’t have numbers in their titles. These entries feel almost standalone in their appeal, bringing original stories and characters with each new game and not requiring players to experience its predecessors. While Ghost of Tsushima’s DNA is unmistakable when playing Ghost of Yotei, the new game managed to improve on almost everything from the original, perfecting the series’ signature flow of brutal action, tight narratives, and the true spirit of adventure in a drop-dead gorgeous virtual Japan.
Ghost of Yotei works perfectly no matter how players approach it. Whether you look for a condensed, cinematic story centered on action and narrative with little to no fluff or, on the contrary, value its less curated free-roam side — it’s the near-perfect blend of the two. Add some of the prettiest visuals in the genre this generation and combat as deep and satisfying as it is flashy and approachable, and you’ve got an alluring mix of a game that’s hard to put down. In the realm of modern open-world titles, Ghost of Yotei is truly flawless, fulfilling its promise to be the ultimate sword-wielding adventure.
Forza Horizon 6
You Don’t Even Need To Love Cars To Love This
It’s amazing how many modern games (and not just open-world titles) are set in Japan these days, but what’s even more amusing is how we still haven’t had enough of it. Unlike the historical side of the country, though, Forza Horizon 6 embraces its contemporary allure, delivering the setting that series fans have been craving for years, and doing it with a bang. Even if FH6 is very light on innovation and offers mostly minor evolutionary changes, its setting and map alone are enough to hook even players who are usually indifferent to driving sims.
And it’s easy to see why: every minute spent in Forza Horizon 6 is a great time, so why change things too much? Tons of side activities and racing events, hundreds of detailed and customizable cars, flexible difficulty, and ongoing seasonal challenges and game modes. All that aside, just cruising around a beautifully realized Japan, listening to an awesome score no matter the radio station, gathering fun collectibles, and enjoying smooth driving feels almost like therapy after a long day at work. Forza Horizon 6 is an absolute masterclass in its own subgenre, simply unreachable by the competition for almost a decade now.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
This Gen’s Ultimate Open-World Medieval RPG
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 represents one of the biggest leaps in quality across the board from an original game to its sequel, standing head and shoulders above the first entry. In fact, the game has already garnered a reputation as this generation’s ultimate open-world medieval RPG, standing side by side with titans like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim. On top of that, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 represents one of the most immersive games ever made, competing with Red Dead Redemption 2 in this regard, and delivering a world and characters that feel alive even when you do nothing while exploring Bohemia.
The biggest achievement with Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, though, is how thoroughly the developers addressed all the issues from the original, fully capitalizing on its unique promise. The sequel isn’t just a better game in every regard; it’s miles more fun in its story and gameplay flow, achieving just the right balance of meticulous attention to historical detail and an engaging moment-to-moment presence in this world as Henry. Everything you do or say really matters in KCD 2, while the central narrative is so tight this time around that it simply grabs you by the neck and pulls you in for an unforgettable journey.
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