7 Open World Games That Are Long But Worth Finishing

In the Open World games, you have the freedom to travel anywhere and explore huge maps filled with stories and a lot of side missions. Some of these games take more than 100 hours to complete, which can be intimidating at first. However, if you follow the right path and strategy, long games feel rewarding rather than tiring.

In this article, we are covering 7 open-world games that are long but still worth completing. Each one of these games will offer an interesting world, a good story, and gameplay that stays enjoyable for many hours.

7 Open-World Games Worth Finishing

These games are known for their large worlds and long playtime. You will explore it, and make various choices that will shape the story. Each one offers something special that makes the long journey enjoyable.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3 follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter looking for his adopted daughter Ciri. The world is broken by war and dark magic. The game stands out because of its strong storytelling. Even side quests are good. Many choices are difficult and change how events turn out. The characters in this game feel real and memorable to you. One of the best things is that monsters appear at night, and the weather changes the feeling of each place. With two large expansions, the game can take over 150 hours to finish, but it stays engaging the whole time. Many of these titles also regularly appear in curated lists like Top 10 Best PC Games Right Now, proving that length does not reduce quality.

Elden Ring

You play as a Tarnished in this world who returns to its land to gain power and face the rulers who shattered it. The story is told in a quiet way through locations, item descriptions, and short conversations. You slowly understand what happened to the world and why it fell apart.

The interesting part is the freedom. You can explore almost anywhere from the start and choose your own path. If something feels too difficult, you can explore another area and grow stronger. Players should try Elden Ring because it offers a long journey that stays engaging without forcing you in one direction, in the best long open-world games.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in the late 1800s and follows Arthur Morgan, who is a member of a fugitive gang and tries to survive as the world changes around him.

The game moves at a slow pace. You spend time riding across the land, helping or arguing with gang members, and doing small jobs. These moments make Arthur feel real and help the story feel personal. The open world is very detailed, as every time towns will look very busy, wildlife in the surrounding areas acts naturally, and your choices affect how people react to you, even when emotional moments hit hard, similar to experiences discussed in 7 Saddest Death in Video Games that Still Hurts Fans.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla covers the story of Eivor, who is a Viking warrior who leaves Norway to build a new home in England. The story is about finding a place to belong while dealing with war, power, and leadership. You will travel across different parts of England and help local rulers, and protect your growing settlement.

The game also includes Norse mythology through visions and tales about the gods. Combat feels strong and direct, matching the Viking setting. The game is long, but the mix of story, exploration, and settlement building makes it worth playing.

Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes place in Hyrule and follows Link as he tries to find Zelda and stop a new threat. The world is much bigger this time, with floating islands in the sky and deep underground areas to explore. What makes the game special is freedom.

You can build your own tools, vehicles, and weapons using items you find. There is no single right way to solve puzzles, so you are free to experiment and have fun. Shrines challenge your thinking, side quests add small stories, and secrets are hidden everywhere.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is set in Night City, a futuristic place full of gangs, high technology, and power struggles. You play as V, a mercenary trying to survive while dealing with a dangerous chip in your head that slowly changes who you are. The story focuses on choices and their outcomes. The characters feel real, and your decisions shape how events unfold.

Side missions tell personal stories about trust, loss, and freedom. Combat gives you freedom to fight with guns, hacking, or close combat. Exploring Night City can take over 100 hours and feels worth it.

Skyrim

Skyrim is a classic open-world game where you play as the Dragonborn, a hero with the power to fight dragons. The game gives you full freedom from the start, as you can follow the main story or explore on your own. Choose your path as a warrior, mage, thief, or assassin; you have so many options here.

The world has snowy mountains, ancient ruins, and small towns. There are many quests and secrets to discover. Even after the main story ends, there is still a lot to do. Skyrim is long but always feels like an adventure. Its myth-heavy world design and inspirations feel familiar to players who enjoy titles inspired by folklore, much like the games featured in Top 10 Games Based on Japanese Folklore and Mythology.