Open worlds are the ultimate in video gaming escapism and freedom. The digitally rendered landscapes and worlds allow players to retreat from reality and explore realms hitherto undreamed. Whether by foot, horse, hang-glider or supercar, exploring non-linear and immersive open worlds is a pure thrill, allowing imaginations to be flexed and curiosities to be piqued.

The open world format is popular, in part, due to its flexibility. It is not a standalone genre, but a method of building a game to maximise narrative, gameplay and enjoyment potential, whether it’s from the comfort of your front room or on the go with a handheld console. The open worlds that can be explored on today’s market span from the amphitheatres of Ancient Greece, through British highways and hillsides, and out into the frontiers of the universe. These worlds play host to RPG epics, FPS battlefields and wildernesses to test intuition and survival skills.

With such variation, you may find yourself wondering: “What is the best open world game?” Well, that is a tough question to answer, but to help you get the most out of the open world gaming catalogue, we’ve put together a list of the best games to help you start your next adventure.

If the prospect of an open world adventure doesn’t do it for you, we’ve also rounded up the best horror and best hack-and-slash games.