10 Best Open-World Video Games Of 2022

1. Horizon Forbidden West

horizon forbidden west
Guerrilla Games

If Photo Mode wasn’t a standardised feature in most games then Horizon would have to popularise it as both games’ worlds are like walking through the most amazing postcards. From the gorgeous leaf-strewn Autumnal vibes of Forbidden West’s tutorial area, out into the wider world it is pretty impossible not to play through the game and not gape at the majesty of it, especially as it runs flawlessly with no loading screens.

To create a world taken back by nature 1000 years in the future and populated by animal-shaped machines sounds like high fantasy but it’s possible that there is no more believable world in gaming. Horizon’s attention to detail in every one of its vistas is astounding and the communities that exist within it are believable.

Forests that hide puzzles to complete, beaches where new machines make their homes, frozen cliff-sides that can now be climbed with much greater finesse and painfully detailed cities. That Guerrilla Games was able to go from a studio known for making good but ultimately dull gunmetal grey military shooters to crafting some of the best open worlds known in gaming is no small feat.

Horizon Zero Dawn was a massive success that Forbidden West only builds on to create another memorable open-world and one of the most visually stunning experiences in 2022.

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Coming from a content creation background that now spans over two decades, Psy cut her teeth on personal video production and community radio. Originally joining the team as a writer and presenter, she added video editing duties to her responsibilities over time and became the longest-standing editor of the irreverent gaming show Tues Your Own Adventure. Psy has worked on many previews and reviews, long-form editorials (either her own, or supporting as an editor), as a frequent quizmaster and more. Praised for the two-pronged attack of her hard work ethic and light-hearted editing style, Psy is otherwise known as a font of retro video game knowledge which has caused her to rack up many gaming quiz wins. Outside of WhatCulture, Psy runs First Aid Spray Podcast - a long-running channel that focuses on Resident Evil in all of it's forms. You can follow her on BlueSky at http://psywhite.bsky.social and Instagram at http://instagram.com/therealpsywhite