My Top 5 Favorite Open-World Maps in Gaming (So Far)
One of the biggest reasons I love open-world games?
The maps.
Not just because they’re huge, but because they feel alive.
You get to explore at your own pace—looting, fighting, discovering hidden quests, or sometimes just stopping to admire the view. There’s something about walking through a virtual world that makes you forget about objectives for a while.
Whether it’s snow-covered peaks, cyberpunk alleyways, or ancient ruins, each world tells its own story—even when you’re not doing the main mission. So here are my top 5 open-world maps that really stayed with me.
1. Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS5)
🗺 Map size: ~75–78 km²
If you’ve played RDR2, you already know—this map is insanely detailed.
It’s not just big for the sake of it. Every inch feels handcrafted.
You’ve got dense forests, snow-capped mountains, lonely towns, and wild terrain that changes with the weather. Sometimes I’d just hop on my horse, set a custom waypoint, and ride with no destination—just vibing with the world.
The sceneries in this game? Easily some of the best I’ve seen.
2. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (PS5)
🗺 Map size: ~256 km² (130 km² land)
This one surprised me. Ancient Greece? Massive.
There’s land, sea, and a ton of islands—all packed with quests, loot, and stunning views.
The world is dense, full of unique cities, mythical ruins, and NPCs that make the world feel lived in. The moment I stepped into Odyssey, I knew I wouldn’t just rush the story.
Instead, I took my time:
⚔ Cleared forts
🛶 Explored islands
🗿 Climbed statues just to take in the view
It’s one of those maps where you want to get lost.
3. Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5)
🗺 Map size: ~24 km²
Smaller than the others on this list, but don’t let the numbers fool you.
Night City hits different.
What it lacks in surface area, it makes up in vertical design.
You’re not just exploring streets—you’re climbing buildings, sneaking through rooftops, diving into underground markets. It’s layered, dense, and full of side gigs and stories around every corner.
Sometimes I’d stop at a food stall, scan a crowd, or cruise through at night just to see the lights. It’s chaotic in the best way.
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS5)
🗺 Map size: ~135 km²
If we’re talking legendary open-worlds, The Witcher 3 still sets the bar.
It’s been years since it dropped, and it still feels timeless.
The map is broken into regions—each with its own vibe. From Velen’s grim war-torn villages to Skellige’s windswept cliffs, the world feels massive but never empty.
I could spend hours just picking herbs, fighting drowners, or taking on contracts before even thinking about the main quest.
It’s the kind of game where you accidentally level up by exploring—and that’s the best kind of leveling.
5. Starfield (Xbox Series X|S)
🪐 Explorable planets: 1,000+ across 100+ star systems
Now this one’s different.
It’s not a traditional open-world—it’s open-galaxy.
Starfield’s world is technically endless, with procedural planets mixed with handcrafted ones. While some areas feel more like “resource zones,” others are packed with hand-built cities, missions, and insane landscapes.
It’s not the same kind of map as the others—but in terms of scale and ambition, it’s on another level.
Sometimes I just fly around, land on a random moon, and chill under an alien sky.
Why Exploration Still Feels So Good
I don’t usually speed through the main story. I like to take it slow, absorb the world, and unlock gear or XP through side quests or just raw curiosity.
Some of the best items or quests I’ve found?
Totally by accident—just by wandering.
Whether it’s a legendary sword in a cave or a hidden NPC storyline, those moments hit harder when you discover them yourself.And yeah, there are other games I still want to try—GTA V, Skyrim, Elden Ring.
But what I’ve learned is this:
Sometimes just walking through an open-world map, no goal in mind, is the best part of the game.
It’s meditative. It’s immersive. It’s why I keep playing.