Best open world games that aren't part of a franchise

Key insights

• Standalone open world titles like
  Elden Ring
  ,
  Ghostwire: Tokyo
  And
  Immortals Fenyx Rising
  offer refreshing experiences with unique worlds and characters.
• While some games are designed to be one-off experiences, others are
  Over
  had potential for a sequel but ultimately didn't get one.
• Other notable standalone open-world games that stand out from established franchises include:
  Rise of the Ronin
  ,
  No man's sky
  And
  Atlas fell
  .

In a gaming landscape dominated by franchises and sequels, it's refreshing to see unique standalone games that introduce new worlds to explore and characters with fresh stories. Across genres, including open-world games, countless titles never see a sequel and remain unconnected to existing franchises, for better or worse.

Interestingly, the reasons why some unique titles don't receive sequels can vary. Some developers design these games as unique experiences that don't require lengthy follow-ups, while others may have originally planned sequels but later scrapped them. Here's a look at some of the best open-world games that stand alone, offer distinct, memorable experiences, and can leave players wanting more.

1 Elden Ring

One of the best open world journeys that requires no follow-up

Elden Ring took the industry by storm in 2022, perfectly blending the soulslike genre with a true open world that players can explore at their own pace – and at their own risk. While most of the game's vast regions are accessible from the start, numerous sprawling areas require specific steps to unlock, creating a level of mystery and intrigue as players strive to defeat not only menacing bosses, but also hidden locations uncover on the map.

Although Elden Ring has already received the massif Shadow of the Earth Tree expansion – originally intended as part of the base game – the story of the Lands Between feels satisfyingly complete and doesn't necessarily need another sequel. Ultimately, it's up to FromSoftware to revisit this unique world, although director Hidetaka Miyazaki has previously hinted that the studio has no such plans.

2 Sunset Overdrive

Non-stop action in a vibrant open world with no brakes

years before Marvel's Spider-Man Games had already delivered Insomniac an outstanding open-world action experience with unique traversal Sunset Overdrive. This game perfectly captures the spirit of an earlier era of the genre and is still worth playing today for several reasons, from its vibrant visual style to its energetic story and gameplay.

Sunset Overdrive is bursting with personality and features a fresh new IP that easily stands out from the rest. The game's exhilarating agility feels like a precursor to Insomniac's later titles, and its infectious enthusiasm for mayhem is something few other action games can match.

3 Immortals Fenyx Rising

Light-hearted, mythologically inspired adventure with a few references from the latest Zelda games

Immortals Fenyx Rising happens when Ubisoft adopts the light setting Assassin's Creed Odyssey and moves the formula to more Zelda-like adventure that emphasizes exploration and puzzles over story and combat. The developers have openly admitted this immortal emerged from Odysseywith the aim of establishing our own light-hearted mythological series inspired by various cultures.

Despite positive reviews Immortals Fenyx Rising was not successful enough to secure a full sequel, which was reportedly in early planning (though never officially confirmed by Ubisoft). However, mythology enthusiasts should have a lot to enjoy in the original alone, especially with the game's DLC, which introduces a new story inspired by Chinese mythology.

4 Ghostwire: Tokyo

A fascinating interpretation of ghost stories in an unparalleled setting

Ghostwire: Tokyo is a unique open world game in several ways. From the visually stunning, magic-infused first-person combat to the eerie, ghost-haunted Tokyo environment, the game is designed to leave a lasting impression. The story is also captivating, but it treads familiar territory and has many typical twists and turns.

Once players delve deeper, they may find that Ghostwire: Tokyo is based on a more traditional structure with a beautifully implemented but occasionally repetitive open world design. While it lacks depth and innovation, the game's standout features might still be enough to attract fans who appreciate its distinctive take on supernatural adventures.

5 Rise of the Ronin

A rare breed of true open-world soulslikes with a masterfully crafted combat system

Rise of the Ronin might feel overshadowed at first Ghost of Tsushimaas both are PlayStation exclusives set in feudal Japan – although there is around 600 years of history between the two. What really stands out Rise of the Ronin is his fight, developed by Team Ninja, the minds behind it Nioh And Wo Long: The Fallen Dynastytwo of the best Soulslikes not made by FromSoftware.

The game leverages Team Ninja's expertise and offers a fast-paced, multi-layered combat system with a variety of approaches. From lightning-fast parries and counterattacks to special weapon abilities, combo attacks and even firearms, Rise of the Ronin offers many options. While the open world may feel a bit traditional and less breathtaking than its competitors, the combat alone is probably enough to fully engage players.

6 Over

The story of Deacon St. John, beloved by many, is never properly resolved

Over is a solid open-world zombie shooter with a lot to see and do, and its standout feature – fighting massive hordes of zombies – isn't unlocked until later in the story. While it doesn't necessarily push the open-world formula, Over It quickly established itself as one of the most popular titles of the PS4 era, featuring convincingly vibrant characters and a unique biker aesthetic as well as impressive technical implementation. Despite its strengths, it was slightly underrated at launch, somewhat overshadowed by Sony's own The Last of Us series that has a similar post-apocalyptic appeal.

The cancellation of the game's ambitious sequel surprised many fans, especially given the nature of it Over teased a promising sequel to his story. With each passing year, hope dwindles that Sony will one day return to the series and fans will be able to enjoy the experience.

7 No man's sky

An unlimited space playground with the best redemption arc in gaming

Over the years No man's sky has gone from one of the most disappointing game releases to a true icon of post-launch support, with dozens of massive content updates released completely free of charge. This marks one of the most impressive and deserved turnarounds in the industry. No man's sky Today it is considered an exceptional open-world space exploration game with few competitors.

With its unparalleled scope, options for solo, co-op or online play, comprehensive crafting and building systems, seamless exploration and much more, players can find countless things to enjoy No man's skyThe galaxy of possibilities. The best part is that Sean Murray and Hello Games show no signs of stopping, so there's plenty more to come.

8 Atlas Fallen: Reign of the Sands

A familiar open-world formula with a unique twist on setting and combat

At startup, Atlas fell remained largely under the radar, but developers took a year to revitalize the project by redesigning various elements, adding a new prologue, and bringing in Ben Starr as a voice actor. Following the Reign of Sand content update, Atlas fell is now in top form and has a lot to offer fans of open-world action RPGs.

While certain aspects may seem a bit dated and were more popular a few years ago, Atlas fell brings a unique setting and a distinctive twist to its combat system while still holding some surprises. Plus, the game's signature sand slide is just a lot of fun.