Open world games offer something truly special in the gaming landscape. The freedom to explore vast environments, discover hidden gems, and craft your own adventure makes these games incredibly immersive. While titans like GTA, The Witcher, and Assassin’s Creed dominate the conversation, numerous fantastic open world experiences fly under the radar.
Why These Games Are Criminally Underrated
Despite stellar gameplay, compelling stories, and beautiful worlds to explore, these hidden gems often get overshadowed by bigger marketing budgets or release timing misfortune. Some suffered from technical issues at launch that have since been fixed, while others simply didn’t get the publicity they deserved. Whatever the reason, these games offer experiences that rival — and sometimes surpass — their more famous counterparts.
The Joy of Discovery
There’s something magical about diving into an underappreciated open world game. Without the weight of massive hype or expectations, these games often deliver surprising innovations, unique mechanics, and refreshing takes on familiar formulas. Plus, the satisfaction of uncovering a brilliant game that most people missed out on? Priceless.
5 Hidden Open World Games You Need to Play
1. Sleeping Dogs: The Hong Kong Action Movie You Can Play
Urban Martial Arts Masterpiece
Sleeping Dogs drops players into the vibrant, neon-soaked streets of Hong Kong as undercover cop Wei Shen. This game brilliantly blends the open world formula with hard-hitting martial arts combat that would make Jackie Chan proud. The combat system emphasizes skillful melee encounters over gunplay, with environmental takedowns that never get old.
Why It’s Underrated: Released in the shadow of Grand Theft Auto, Sleeping Dogs didn’t get the attention it deserved despite offering a refreshing take on the urban open world genre. The focus on martial arts over shooting created a distinctive gameplay loop that stands apart from its contemporaries.
How to Play: Dive into the compelling story of police officer Wei Shen as he infiltrates the Triads, facing the classic dilemma of how deep undercover is too deep. Master the kung fu combat system, participate in street races, and explore the densely packed neighborhoods of Hong Kong. The game shines brightest in its hand-to-hand combat sequences and parkour elements.
Where to Find It: Available digitally on Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox marketplace. Physical copies can still be found in some game stores or online retailers, though the Definitive Edition is the version to look for.
Supported Devices: Playable on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and is backward compatible on newer consoles.
Fun Fact: The game actually began development as “True Crime: Hong Kong” before being canceled by Activision and later picked up by Square Enix who rebranded it as Sleeping Dogs.
2. Days Gone: Surviving the Freaker Apocalypse
Post-Apocalyptic Biker Adventure
Days Gone combines the freedom of the open road with the constant tension of survival horror. As biker Deacon St. John, players navigate a beautiful yet deadly post-apocalyptic Oregon overrun by “Freakers” – fast, infected humans that travel in massive, terrifying hordes.
Why It’s Underrated: Released to mixed reviews due to technical issues that have since been patched, Days Gone suffered from unfair comparisons to other PlayStation exclusives. Critics initially overlooked its strengths: the dynamic horde system, the emotional story, and the bond between Deacon and his motorcycle.
How to Play: Ride through the gorgeous yet dangerous Pacific Northwest, upgrading your motorcycle to handle the harsh terrain. Take on hordes of hundreds of Freakers using traps, environmental hazards, and creative weaponry. The game rewards strategic planning – rushing in guns blazing rarely works when facing a horde.
Where to Find It: Originally a PlayStation 4 exclusive, Days Gone is now available on PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
Supported Devices: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. The PC version offers enhanced graphics and performance for those with capable hardware.
Fun Fact: The largest horde in the game consists of over 500 individual Freakers that all react dynamically to the environment and player actions.
3. Mad Max: Wasteland Road Warrior
Post-Apocalyptic Vehicle Combat Excellence
Based on the iconic film franchise, Mad Max delivers a gritty survival experience in a vast, breathtaking wasteland. The game masterfully captures the desolate beauty of the post-apocalyptic world while centering gameplay around vehicle combat with Max’s legendary car, the Magnum Opus.
Why It’s Underrated: Released on the same day as Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Mad Max was overshadowed despite offering one of the most authentic wasteland experiences in gaming. Its vehicle customization and combat systems remain some of the best in the genre.
How to Play: Focus on upgrading your car first and foremost – it’s your lifeline in the wasteland. Scavenge for parts, clear enemy camps, and form alliances with wasteland dwellers. The game expertly balances on-foot exploration with high-octane vehicular combat. Storms dramatically change gameplay, creating tense survival moments among the swirling sandstorms.
Where to Find It: Available on digital storefronts like Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox marketplace. Physical copies can also be found at budget prices – a steal for the quality offered.
Supported Devices: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Playable on newer consoles through backward compatibility.
Fun Fact: The game doesn’t follow the plot of any specific Mad Max film but creates its own story in the same universe, allowing both newcomers and fans to enjoy it equally.
4. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen: Fantasy Adventure Like No Other
Revolutionary Combat RPG
Dragon’s Dogma combines the open world exploration of Skyrim with some of the most satisfying combat mechanics ever created in an RPG. The unique “pawn” system allows players to recruit AI companions created by other players, creating a sense of community in the single-player experience.
Why It’s Underrated: Released with minimal marketing and suffering from early performance issues on consoles, Dragon’s Dogma didn’t reach the audience it deserved. Its innovative systems were ahead of their time, with climbing mechanics that allow players to scale giant creatures long before Shadow of the Colossus comparisons became common.
How to Play: Create both your character and your main pawn companion, then recruit two additional pawns to form a balanced party. The class system offers unique playstyles that dramatically change how you approach combat. Don’t rush through the main story – the side quests and exploration reveal the game’s true depth, particularly at night when truly dangerous creatures emerge.
Where to Find It: Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and previous generation consoles. The Dark Arisen version includes all DLC and significant improvements over the original release.
Supported Devices: Virtually every major platform from PlayStation 3 onward, including Nintendo Switch, making it one of the most accessible games on this list.
Fun Fact: The game features a dynamic day-night cycle where nighttime is genuinely dangerous, with limited visibility and powerful creatures that don’t appear during daylight hours.
5. Kingdom Come: Deliverance: Historical Realism Redefined
Medieval Life Simulator
Kingdom Come: Deliverance stands apart from fantasy RPGs by offering a historically accurate recreation of 15th century Bohemia. There are no dragons or magic – just the harsh realities of medieval life, complex swordplay, and a politically charged story grounded in historical events.
Why It’s Underrated: The game’s commitment to realism created a steep learning curve that turned some players away. Combat requires genuine skill and practice, and even basic survival necessitates understanding medieval systems. Those who push through these initial challenges discover one of the most immersive historical games ever created.
How to Play: Embrace the role of Henry, a blacksmith’s son thrust into a civil war. Take time to master the unique combat system that simulates actual medieval fighting techniques. Pay attention to reputation systems in different towns and villages – your actions have lasting consequences. Even small details like keeping your clothes clean affect how NPCs respond to you.
Where to Find It: Available on PC (Steam, Epic, GOG), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The Royal Edition includes all DLC and additional content.
Supported Devices: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Performance varies significantly based on hardware, with PC offering the smoothest experience.
Fun Fact: The game maps are based on actual historical locations in the Czech Republic, with some buildings and churches still standing today that players can visit in real life.
Final Thoughts
These underrated open world games each bring something special to the table – whether it’s Sleeping Dogs’ unique Hong Kong setting and martial arts focus, Days Gone’s terrifying freaker hordes, Mad Max’s vehicle combat mastery, Dragon’s Dogma’s innovative pawn system, or Kingdom Come: Deliverance’s uncompromising historical authenticity.
What makes these games particularly special is how they take familiar open world formats and twist them into something fresh and exciting. By looking beyond the blockbuster titles that dominate the marketing landscape, players can discover these hidden gems that often take more creative risks than their bigger-budget counterparts.
Have you played any of these underrated open world games? Which one sounds most interesting to you? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
