Key findings
- Cyberpunk 2077 offers a breathtaking landscape with dynamic combat and cybernetic implants.
- Hiking through the silent wilderness of Skyrim offers serene and intense experiences.
- In Slime Rancher 2, players can hang out with slimes and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the countryside.
Video games are incredibly diverse and need to appeal to a very different audience, so it's no wonder that in a genre as broad as the open world scene, gamers can find fast-paced and destructive aerial shooters or leisurely and comfortable walking simulators.
Action is a relatively common aspect in many video games these days. It's quite common to find players being chased through open worlds or diving headfirst into hordes and swarms of rabid enemies. Sometimes the best thing an open world title can do, even if it's usually action-packed, is give the player a chance to take a breath, take in the world, and immerse themselves in the scenery. Here are some great Open-world games for those who just don't want to do anything.
5 Cyberpunk: 2077
The city at night is perfect for leisurely strolls (ignoring the murders)
Cyberpunk2077 has proven itself very successful recently, with the Phantom Liberty DLC cements this title as the monolithic sci-fi RPG it was meant to be after years of hype and speculation. The title still receives a lot of attention and praise from players for its fantastic story and fluid, dynamic combat system, which is only enhanced by the plethora of creative cybernetic implants V can receive to further enhance his abilities.
Although there is always a side job to take care of or a random event that catches the player’s attention, it must be said that Cyberpunk2077 is, simply put, a really, really beautiful game. A recent update also gave PC users an expanded range of graphics settings, and now more than ever, high-resolution Night City is full of sights and sounds that really immerse the player in this world.
Hunting and hiking is incredibly immersive
There comes a time in every Skyrim player's playtime where things slow down. Your two-axe-wielding berserker Nord is already the most respected archmage in history, a famous member of the Thieves Guild, and possibly a master assassin in his spare time. But whether he's traveling between quests or just picking a random direction and heading out, the most idyllic and tranquil moments in Skyrim happen during a quiet hike through the wilderness.
Although there are a large number of fantastic quests in the game, one of the main reasons to have fun is by wandering around the scenic wilderness, seeing the sights, and overall doing nothing. Skyrim has remained a monolithic title among gamers to this day.
3 Slime Rancher 2
Hanging out with some cute friends is its own reward
There is a lot to do and goals to set Slime Rancher and its acclaimed sequel. Using slime science, players can create a variety of wondrous goods from gathered resources and the byproducts of their slimy companions. While there are always directions and something to work towards in this title, the game offers many fantastic, quiet moments where the player can just think about hanging out with the accumulated slimes on the ranch.
The cartoon art style and cute little slimes that form the central pillars of this game make spending hours lounging around and simply enjoying the scenery an addictive and extremely entertaining experience.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
The sublime and natural world awaits you
The picturesque views and scenes of Red Dead Redemption 2 are among the most detailed and impressive ever seen in a video game. Huge mountain ranges and wide, winding rivers capture the spirit of the 19th century American sublime. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece of quest design and storytelling, offering a fluid and action-packed story full of excellent extra missions and character work, but it also offers many fantastic ways to make your own way in the world.
There could be many disturbing moments in RDR2but taking the time to immerse yourself in the expansive, natural world Rockstar has created is one of the most uniquely satisfying moments players can experience.
1 East Shadow
The cozy and picturesque life of a fantasy painter
- Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Published: 13 February 2019
- Developer: Eastshade Studios
- Genre: Adventure, Open World
East Shadow offers an incredibly picturesque view of an idyllic island, capturing the natural beauty that the player, as a painter, has to offer. The variety of incredibly surreal, lovable anthropomorphic villagers on this island provide narrative direction in an otherwise slow, leisurely story about discovering what this fantasy world has to offer.
This incredibly underrated gem of an open world title doesn’t require the player to undertake dangerous quests or travel. Instead, they do nothing but appreciate the beauty of East Shadow is all that is required.
