The RPG landscape has changed a lot over the years, going from the early two-dimensional years all the way up to genre titans like Baldur's Gate 3 that look completely different from the genre classics. Despite all that innovation and progress, there are plenty of classic open-world RPGs that have stood the test of time and manage to still scratch that itch that exists in both old and new fans of the genre.
Well before the big hits like Skyrim and New Vegas, there were countless exceptional worlds for players to immerse themselves in and explore, some from long franchises and others being the place where a fan-favorite series began. It doesn't matter if players are looking for fantasy, sci-fi, or a bit of both; the RPG genre has so many great classics to offer, giving players a chance to revisit the early days of one of the biggest gaming spaces and still have a good time.
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
A Standout Even Today
Details:
- Uncompromising role-playing freedom
- Deep faction systems
Morrowind needs no introduction, and it still remains one of the boldest open-world RPGs ever made. Set in the strange world of Vvardenfell, it abandons quest markers and trusts players to read directions, follow landmarks, and pay attention to the world around them, despite how odd and foreign it may seem at first glance.
Its systems are deep, sometimes opaque, but endlessly flexible, giving players all the tools they need to lean into whatever class or archetype they want, without ever feeling forced into a specific path. The commitment to player agency extends to the NPCs, with open-ended quests and a true sense of authorship that is rarely matched today, letting players feel in complete control over their own story and their journey across the land.
Gothic
Harsh World With Hard-Earned Respect
Details:
- Reactive NPC routines
- Reputation-based progress
Gothic throws players into a prison colony where survival depends on social awareness as much as combat skill. The world reacts believably, as NPCs follow schedules, factions compete for power, and early enemies can kill the player almost instantly, meaning that the start may seem tough, but it just makes every step of progress feel earned rather than granted.
Its grounded systems and more slow, deliberate pacing give additional weight to every victory, whilst still allowing the failures to remain equally impactful. It's a game where becoming powerful requires true commitment from the player, and in turn, they are rewarded with a satisfying open-world that challenges and rewards them at every step along the way.
Fallout 2
Reactive Post-Apocalyptic Action
Details:
- Branching quest resolutions
- Huge dialogue trees
Fallout 2 expands the original’s wasteland into a sprawling, choice-heavy sandbox that removes a lot of the awkward systems and replaces them with better mechanics and more intuitive menus. Towns feel distinct, morally complex, and shaped by player action, and the dialogue options are extensive, leaning into the comedy and charm that have made the series so well-loved.
The combat and mechanics can still feel a little bit dated, but the narrative reactivity remains impressive even by modern standards. Overall, it is a standout in a sea of classic RPGs that gives players so many radically different outcomes depending on their every move, placing importance on their alliances and skills just as much as their individual choices.
Ultima 7: The Black Gate
Living World Simulation
Details:
- Fully interactive environments
- Real-time world systems
Ultima 7 was revolutionary for its interactive world, where nearly every object could be manipulated, and conversations felt organic rather than menu-based. Britannia feels like a functioning society as opposed to a generic backdrop, and the NPCs do a lot of heavy-lifting by following daily routines and ensuring players always have someone new to meet within the world.
Its emphasis on simulation over spectacle gives it surprising longevity, and it has remained a fan favorite among purists despite being several decades old. One of the best in its own series, an exceptional game in the context of the genre as a whole, and the perfect way of revisiting those early role-playing days.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura
Technology And Magic Collide
Details:
- Paths for both worlds
- Skill-based quest solutions
Arcanum blends fantasy and the Industrial Revolution into a setting unlike anything else of its era. Players can embrace magic or technology, with the world reacting differently to each path in terms of the dialogue and the skills that they have access to within their playthrough.
The mechanics are dense, sometimes unwieldy, but the freedom is remarkable, letting players really drive their own story rather than being told how to chart out a course. It remains a masterclass in narrative design and a clear example of how good writing and compelling world-building can be all it takes to allow a single game to remain relevant and enjoyable for many years to come.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
