Summary
Open-world video games present a unique opportunity for players to write their own stories and forge their own paths in a vast world full of secrets and discoveries. Few other genres offer as much variety in player choice and individuality.
Open-world games with a multiplayer component are especially prized. Some games let fans create a guild or even an entire city together, bringing them ever closer to the digital community hubs seen in beloved novels and films likeReady Player One. Here are ten of the best open-world games where you’re able to form a community and explore the wilderness with your friends and compatriots.
The infamousEVE Onlineis a mechanically complex space-based MMORPG set in a vast and persistent universe. The game is known forits intricate and detailed economy, as well as the massive player factions that dominate its sprawling map. The infamous Battle of B-R5RB, for instance, was a collision of four major factions consisting of thousands of ships. It’s been recognized as one of the largest and most expensive virtual battles ever.
The scale and mechanical complexity ofEVE Onlineis certainly not for everyone. It takes a considerable effort to learn the ropes and establish a place in the game’s complicated world. But for fans who want to feel like part of something truly grand in a vast universe,EVE Onlineis an excellent choice.
Grand Theft Auto Vwas an absolute sensation for Rockstar and the gaming industry as a whole. Despite releasing over a decade ago,GTAis still going strong, thanks in large part to the large community of fans playing its online component,GTA Online. This special mode lets players freely roam San Andreas, using a custom character to complete missions, manage a criminal enterprise, and accumulate powerful weapons and luxurious vehicles.
Of course,GTA Onlineis perhaps best known for its extensive community. One of the most infamous expressions of this social element isGTA V RP, a massive communitythat uses mods to build their own immersive storylines in the game. These can change how NPCs react to the player’s character and allow for more in-depth interactions between players. Mods or no mods, though,GTA Onlineis an excellent way to form a band of criminals on the mean streets of one of the most successful games of all time.
The tumultuous history ofFallout 76is the stuff of legend. Its notoriously buggy state at launch earned it a lot of derision from the gaming community and resulted in a stain on the game’s reputation that still isn’t fully cleared off. But to its credit, Bethesda has been improving and expanding the game ever since, resulting in an experience that’s worth playing for community-minded survivors.
One of the biggest selling points ofFallout 76is its community. The game’s player base prides itself on its unusually welcoming atmosphere. WithFallout 76’s intricate base-building mechanics, making new friends and showing off elaborate and impressive builds to each other is a major pastime. And with the recent news thatplayable ghouls are being added, it’s a good time to get intoFallout 76in spite of its turbulent past.
Conan Exilesis an engaging take on the world of the iconic barbarian, arguably one of the most influential works of fantasy fiction of all time. The game is known primarily for its survival gameplay and for its in-depth character customization options. Once the player has established themselves in this unforgiving world, though, they can start making friends.
Conan Exilesboastsrobust mechanics for city-buildingand forming alliances. With a persistent open world, a dedicated group of players can build a metropolis and fortify it against the desert’s many dangers. This system even allows for invasions from other players, and drawn-out skirmishes to heighten the immersion and reward players who stick together.
Rare’s online pirate gameSea of Thievesis one of the jolliest online experiences out there. Groups of friends can team up to crew a ship together and explore the titular Sea of Thieves, a mystical realm of treasure and dark magic. The game’s immersive asymmetrical gameplay means that every crew member will have a different task while sailing the high seas.
In addition to crew-based co-op and PvP gameplay,Sea of Thievesalso features a faction system, allowing players to pledge their loyalty to one of the two warring factions in the region. By succeeding in PvP against enemy ships, players can boost their faction loyalty and reap the rewards of their loyalty.
The long and storied history ofNo Man’s Skybrought this expansive intergalactic sandbox from a notorious letdown to a beloved multiplayer gem. The massive list of new features that have been added since launch is staggering, from exosuits to land vehicles to dungeon runs. But one of the most significant waysNo Man’s Skyhas improved is through its multiplayer offerings.
Project Zomboidis a recent breakout hit that sees teams of players working together to survive the zombie apocalypse. This grim sandbox offers numerous points of interest to explore and endless hordes of undead monsters to struggle against. The game’s persistent servers mean survivors can build and maintain impressive and substantial bases as they work together to hold back the tide.
WhileProject Zomboidis still in early access, it already hosts a lot of features for bringing a community of survivors together. The game paints death as an inevitability, and falling to the horde comes with severe consequences. Luckily, the game’s extensive sandbox controls and in-depth modding support means that players always have something new to try for future attempts at survival with their friends.
World of Warcraftis a game that needs no introduction. It’s one of the most iconic MMORPGs on the market, if not one of the most well-known video games of all time, and its content updates and expansions bring a steady tide of new gameplay for fans to experience together. Like all MMOs,World of Warcrafthas a robust community element. Players can join guilds and party up to take on the many threats Azeroth has to offer.
For as long asWorld of Warcrafthas been around, players have been sinking countless hours into their in-game communities. Iconic in-game moments like Leeroy Jenkins' fateful battle cry and the Corrupted Blood plague prove how seriously players take the game.If players truly want to live in a fantasy world with their friends,World of Warcraftis one of their best options.
Minecraftis, by many metrics, the best-selling video game in history. This world-renowned survival crafting game is essentially the blueprint for its entire genre, and as the years go by, it’s only gotten bigger. At this point,Minecraftis essentially a way of life.
Millions of friendships have been built insideMinecraft’s expansive virtual worlds. The game’srobust catalog of online serversmeans that there are countless chances to build and survive with players all around the world. The game’s signature creative spirit is on full display in these servers, which range from standard survival experiences to zombie apocalypse adventures to homages to games likeGrand Theft Auto.
The story ofFinal Fantasy XIVis a truly fascinating one. The original version of this now-iconicFinal FantasyMMORPG was a massive failure when it launched, prompting Square Enix to literally destroy the entire world of the game and start fresh. The reboot,Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, is now a massive success, and the most profitableFinal Fantasygame to date.
This game is a boon forFinal Fantasyfans with a social bent. Like any good MMORPG,Final Fantasy XIVhas a host of guilds for players to join and numerous social hubs for players looking to make friends or join groups. Thegame even has a marriage mechanicfor players who want to take their roleplay to the next level. The traditionally party-based dynamic ofFinal Fantasytranslates well toFinal Fantasy XIV, as players must form groups to take on some of the major challenges in the game’s sprawling world. Clever teamwork and balanced party compositions are essential to success, makingFinal Fantasy XIVa very social game indeed.
