15 Best Open-World Video Games Of The Decade

8. Horizon: Zero Dawn

Horizon zero dawn
Guerilla Games

Like MGS V, Horizon: Zero Dawn was another first attempt at an open world game, and the team at Guerilla Games absolutely nailed it. Though they were known for creating linear first-person shooters, Zero Dawn allowed the studio the chance to properly flex and create the original IP they'd been sitting on for years.

Horizon's beautiful mix of future tech and classic fantasy iconography made a game world that felt at once familiar yet alien, and absolutely begged the player to uncover its secrets.

The loop of exploring and facing off against robotic dinosaurs, each with their own unique behaviours, always promoted smart play, and conquering these prehistoric-but-not-really beasties through your wits and a very versatile bow-and-arrow was endlessly satisfying.

It's perhaps the most important Sony game this generation, and the sequel can only get better.

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Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked nine of those years as a full-time content producer at WhatCulture. In that period he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple WhatCulture channels, specialising in gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 UK most listened to gaming podcast that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, opined on breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.