Highlights

• The best open world games set in the future usually have either post-apocalyptic or futuristic settings and offer players unique experiences to explore and enjoy.
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Cyberpunk 2077 are set in distinctive futuristic worlds full of intricate details and compelling narratives.
• From human connections to nation rebuilding, these open-world games tackle themes that go beyond mere exploration and provide players with thought-provoking experiences.

It can often seem like open world games are a dime a dozen these days, and new ones are being released all the time. Most of them are set in the present, but there are also many open world games set in the past, and quite a few set in the future.

Most of the best open-world games set in the future fall into two main categories: post-apocalyptic or sci-fi. Their worlds are either bleak and dark or bathed in neon, offering players plenty of contrast to the world they know and love.

5 Death Stranding

Death Stranding takes place at an unknown time in the future in the USA

Despite the mountains of information that players have to deal with on their way through Hideo Kojima’s Death Strandingthe game never reveals when the story takes place. With a bit of math on the napkin, we can deduce that the main story probably takes place somewhere between 2050 and 2070, although we may never know for sure.

In many ways it doesn’t really matter, because Death Stranding doesn’t put too much emphasis on the when and how of it all. Instead, Kojima focuses on the importance of human connection and what it means to be alive: two concepts that the influential Japanese developer captures perfectly. The social strand system makes traversing the game’s bleak open world a truly unique experience that’s worth trying out.

4 Deus Ex: Humanity is divided

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Location in Prague in 2029

“Deus Ex: Mankind Divided”‘s open world may be a little small, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in vibrancy. To be clear, the game’s world is artificial rather than open, with the narrative built around a central hub in Prague rather than a huge, interconnected world. However, this arguably makes for a much smoother experience for players.

The idea that bigger is better holds true for many things. However, this does not always hold true for card size. Deus Ex: Humanity is divided is a great example of how quality can win over quantity, giving players a densely populated playground to explore. The level of detail is incredibly impressive and helps to enrich the game’s story rather than detract from it.

3 Horizon Forbidden West

“Horizon Forbidden West” is set in the southwestern United States in the year 3041.

Many video games are set in the aftermath of a cataclysmic event, giving their players an idea of ​​what the world might look like one day when civilization finally collapses. Most focus on the period immediately after the apocalypse has broken out, but the horizon The games are set in a world where reconstruction efforts are already well underway.

From the beautiful locations to the fascinating storylines, the series offers something few other games can: a world where flora and fauna have reclaimed the planet in humanity’s absence, rather than one destroyed by a massive explosion or deadly zombie outbreak. Aloy may not be that interesting, but the futuristic world she lives in certainly is.

2 Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout: New Vegas is set in Las Vegas in the year 2281.

Stand out started as a traditional RPG series with top-notch storytelling and wonderful world-building. Over time, however, the franchise has evolved into an open-world series with a focus on combat rather than role-playing. Fortunately, Fallout: New Vegas lies somewhere in the middle of these two extremes and allows its players to enjoy the best of both worlds.

As the name suggests, the events of Fallout: New Vegas is set in the remains of Las Vegas in the year 2281. The writing is top-notch and the game is full of meaningful choices, making it a must-play for fans of the RPG genre. However, players will need to think carefully about how they build their character, as they are limited to just 25 perks at level 50.

1 Cyberpunk2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is set in Night City in the year 2077

When it comes to open-world games with futuristic settings, there is hardly anything better than Cyberpunk2077Admittedly, the 2020 title had an incredibly rocky start, but now that everything’s been patched up, the experience on offer is truly breathtaking, as are some of the impressive locations players can find as they make their way through Night City.

It is difficult to say exactly what Cyberpunk2077 such an engaging game because it excels in many areas. One could perhaps argue that it’s a combination of factors that create a living, breathing world that draws in and envelops players with its gritty realism and neon-drenched graphics. The future the game paints is grim and depressing; but it’s certainly beautiful to look at and a lot of fun to explore.