Open-World Games Better Than Starfield

Starfield generated a huge amount of excitement after Bethesda revealed it as their next major project, with rumors suggesting it had been in development for 25 years. Despite a massive marketing push alongside the release of Elden Ring, the game’s launch was… unusual, to say the least.

The game was well-marketed and got a lot right on the surface, but its underlying elements felt a bit thin. While it used the familiar RPG formula Bethesda is known for, it didn’t quite hit the mark, suggesting that the genre has evolved beyond what Starfield ultimately offered.

Considering that, I’ve compiled a list of open-world games I think are better than Starfield in most ways. Some are well-known classics, while others you might not have played enough to compare fairly. Let’s dive in.

8. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Skooma Bad, Skooma Good

If you’re used to Bethesda’s more recent games like Oblivion or Skyrim, please be patient with me as we start with Morrowind. It’s an older RPG from Bethesda that’s surprisingly relaxing and full of character, even if the gameplay feels a little old-fashioned.

The world of Vvardenfell is carefully designed so that every character, town, and location has a story to tell, encouraging players to explore beyond just completing quests. Your choices matter, with consequences for the factions you align with and a story that changes based on your actions, creating a different experience for each player.

Many players are finding the game a bit rough around the edges right now, and it’s hard to disagree. While Starfield’s science fiction themes can feel unfocused, Morrowind’s unusual and captivating fantasy world is truly memorable and stands out in RPG history, making it worth playing if you haven’t already.

7. Red Dead Redemption 2

May I Stand Unshaken

Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely considered Rockstar’s greatest achievement, and for good reason. It’s a standout open-world game, celebrated for its incredible story and the remarkable level of detail put into every aspect of the game. Even now, players and reviewers continue to praise its immersive and richly developed world.

Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t just have stunning visuals and character models; the entire game world feels incredibly realistic – it’s truly the best in the industry. The game creates a deep sense of immersion by encouraging you to explore at your own pace. You’ll find spontaneous events happening with people you meet, towns feel alive with residents following their daily lives, and the stories of the Van der Linde gang members unfold organically – and that’s only a small part of what the game offers.

What truly sets Red Dead Redemption 2 apart is the emotional impact of Arthur Morgan’s story, which deeply affects the entire game – many consider it one of the most compelling character studies in Western games. Starfield doesn’t quite reach this level of storytelling, and even Grand Theft Auto 6 will have a high bar to clear if it wants to be as impactful as RDR2.

6. Elden Ring

Lowly Tarnished In The Lands Between

It would be a major oversight to not mention Elden Ring when discussing truly great games. Like Bethesda did with Starfield, FromSoftware and Hidetaka Miyazaki spent a long time carefully creating it. However, Elden Ring ultimately exceeded expectations in a way that few games do.

Elden Ring represented the peak of FromSoftware’s development journey. It successfully built upon the foundations of the Dark Souls series and refined the challenging, fast-paced combat introduced in Sekiro. After years of building towards this, the result was a truly exceptional open-world game.

Last year was dominated by the discovery of shocking secrets and frequent deaths within a challenging game led by its central villain. The game received widespread acclaim. While Starfield offers a vast world to explore, it doesn’t quite match the incredible scope and detail FromSoftware delivered the previous year. Their dark fantasy world was packed with hidden areas – from underground tunnels and castles to massive, interconnected maps and memorable legacy dungeons – offering something amazing around every turn.

5. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

All About The Glider

When Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it revolutionized the gaming world and became a model for other open-world adventures. The game lets you explore a vast and beautiful world as the hero Link, offering freedom to solve puzzles and complete quests in creative ways.

While Starfield promises a deeper role-playing experience, a more intricate story, and a much larger world, Breath of the Wild excels at letting players freely explore, interact with its environment, and make their own discoveries. This feels effortless in Breath of the Wild, something Bethesda’s recent RPGs haven’t quite achieved. In fact, I’d argue that even with all its content, Elden Ring doesn’t create the same consistent feeling of finding something new.

The game’s lively action and realistic physics create tons of opportunities for creative problem-solving. You can bend the rules of the game world to solve puzzles, and use Link’s skills in surprising new ways to beat enemies – and this freedom expands even further in Tears of the Kingdom.

4. Death Stranding

Post-Dystopian FedEx

Death Stranding is a game that means a lot to me personally. People tend to either love it or dislike it, and that’s understandable. But it’s far more than just a simple game about delivering packages; it’s a surprisingly moving and hopeful experience.

This game perfectly embodies the open-world experience, and arguably surpasses Starfield, especially considering the mixed reaction Starfield received at launch. Despite their distinct approaches to gameplay, this title simply delivers a more compelling open world.

The Strand multiplayer system is a standout feature, allowing players in a single-player game to connect online and assist each other with building, gathering resources, and establishing connections. It’s a great example of how players can actively support one another.

Despite a harsh and difficult world, the game offers a surprising sense of comfort, particularly when playing as Sam, who initially appears closed off but gradually becomes more empathetic through his interactions with BB and the other characters. The recent sequel has only strengthened these emotional connections.

With a little patience and effort to get past the initial challenge, you’ll discover a deeply moving and peaceful game from Hideo Kojima – a truly unforgettable experience.

3. Outer Wilds

Race Against The Sun

Let’s be clear: Outer Wilds and Starfield aren’t really comparable. While Starfield is a typical RPG, it doesn’t offer the same depth or wonder as Outer Wilds. Outer Wilds uses a unique time-loop mechanic and focuses on exploration to create a truly unforgettable story.

While Starfield boasts a vast universe created through procedural generation, Outer Wilds feels much more detailed and carefully designed, as if every corner was built with intention.

Each planet in our solar system holds secrets, unique features, and remnants of the past, all with a hidden significance. You’ll need to quickly adapt and explore these environments, but with a catch: the sun explodes every 22 minutes, forcing you to react fast without knowing what to expect.

Your understanding and desire to learn are key to solving the game’s central mystery. Even if you don’t succeed right away, each attempt helps you learn the puzzles and clues hidden on every planet, preparing you for the next try. Best of all, exploring the game feels smooth and immersive—there are no loading screens or technical issues to interrupt your journey.

2. Cyberpunk 2077

Never Fade Away

Cyberpunk 2077’s remarkable turnaround after its difficult launch will be a legendary story in the gaming industry. Now that it’s been significantly improved, it clearly surpasses Starfield in certain ways. As both games are role-playing games, it’s reasonable to debate which one delivers a better experience for players.

Cyberpunk is one of my all-time favorite games because of how completely it pulls you into the world of Night City and the compelling characters you meet. Whether it was watching Johnny Silverhand change over time or just relaxing with Judy in her apartment, the game kept me engaged from the very beginning, and there wasn’t a single boring moment.

Both Cyberpunk 2077 and Starfield offer stories that change based on your decisions and character. While Starfield focuses heavily on factions and exploring the world, Cyberpunk 2077 delivers a similar sense of discovery. If you want to see a truly complex and morally gray story, the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 takes things to the next level with its noir-thriller style.

I really appreciate the creativity of the Starfield modding community. However, I still prefer the level of customization possible with the REDEngine, like the huge variety of visual mods for Cyberpunk 2077 and even custom vehicles – I’ve added so many to my game! It makes exploring that gritty, beautiful, and depressing world so much more enjoyable.

1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Embodies The Meaning Of Role-Play

Still a bit disappointed that Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 didn’t win Best RPG at The Game Awards 2025, I can confidently say it’s an incredible open-world RPG. It surpasses Starfield and truly raises the bar for modern role-playing games.

While Starfield aimed to be a massive RPG, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 truly shines with its detailed world and realistic gameplay. Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the game feels incredibly immersive, with believable characters, a functioning political landscape, and a well-designed system for how your actions – even crimes – affect your reputation.

Comparing the gameplay of these two games is difficult because they’re so different. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has a very challenging and realistic combat system that some players might love or hate – it was a key feature of the first game. Starfield’s combat is enjoyable, but it focuses more on character stats and equipment upgrades than skillful play. Its shooting feels less unique and doesn’t have the same strategic depth as the sword fighting in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

Both games tell compelling stories, but Kingdom Come 2 edges out ahead thanks to the incredible freedom it gives players. You have many different ways to complete quests and solve problems – sometimes you can succeed using your intelligence and careful planning, without even needing to fight or take direct action.

2025-12-15 16:43