10 Most Rewarding Open-World Video Games
7. Elden Ring
The latest entry on this list, Elden Ring sees developer FromSoftware continuing to improve upon the soulslike formula of their most recent triumphs (Dark Souls III and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice).
Primarily, its immensely varied setting – the Lands Between – circumvents a common downfall of open-world games by providing a massive locale that’s actually full of things to discover. (In contrast, a lot of titles prioritize gigantic yet relatively barren areas.) From hidden grottos, castles, and the like housing weapons both inanimate and alive, to towering enemies begging to be found, there’s always an exhilarating reason to go beyond the beaten and obvious path.
Elden Ring also eschews virtually all traditional standards of handholding by forgoing waypoints and – by and large – map markers. As a result, players find more investment and agency than usual in finding cool stuff and finishing quests and other tasks. Granted, this might be frustrating at first, but the feeling of finally conquering an obstacle or encountering something new is more than worth it.
Add in some truly fascinating lore, ample means of character customization, and better equilibrium between challenge and accessibility and you undoubtedly have the best soulslike journey ever made.