RPG Open-worlds like The Witcher 3

[u/symmetricalreeder]

Hello!

I recently got a new gaming laptop and really want to test how far it can go, and how good a game can look.

I recently revisited The Witcher 3 (especially after its remastered version) and Red Dead Redemption 2 just to look at it, and both were absolutely gorgeous, and those are two of my favorite games ever. I also recently played Cyberpunk 2077 and I was also just as hooked.

What are any AAA RPG open-world games that I could try out, that also has a very compelling narrative (although the AAA isn't as strict)?

I know, tough criteria, but I do think they're all out there.

I'm currently playing Assassin's Creed 2, and although I am liking the story so far, I kinda want something that pushes this new laptop even more.

Thank you dear Subreddit

[u/feiyuanyuan]

The blood of dawnwalker

[u/ZolaEmile787 → u/feiyuanyuan]

The Witcher vibes are strong with this one

[u/Piotro165 → u/ZolaEmile787]

Same people are making it

[u/boleslaws → u/Piotro165]

Some of the people who worked on the Witcher games. That's a different studio right now.

[u/Piotro165 → u/boleslaws]

I know

[u/echolog → u/feiyuanyuan]

Game is so good on so many levels. Feels great right next to Witcher 3.

Some others that I like to recommend even though they are more 'open-zone' than 'open-world' and they tend to focus on quality rather than quantity of content:

• Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon
• Avowed
• Dragon's Dogma 1 & 2

They don't have a bunch of open world POI checklists. They expect you to wander around and find stuff, and that's what really magical about them.

[u/Duun_Hlava → u/feiyuanyuan]

that one looks so promising tbh

[u/Additional_Sorbet855]

KCD2 and ghost of tsushima would be my top picks

[u/symmetricalreeder → u/Additional_Sorbet855]

I have played Ghost of Tsushima, and am patiently waiting for a chance at Yotei (also for devs to change their mind about a pc port). Thank you for the suggestion!

[u/HeroGamer0108]

The blood of dawnwalker 100% best choice

[u/symmetricalreeder → u/HeroGamer0108]

2 of these so far! I have heard really good things about this and it is now on the list!!

[u/boleslaws]

Kingdom Come Deliverance 1 and 2.

If you enjoy Assasin's Creed 2, then there are many more games in the series. Valhalla and Origins can feel overwhelmingly big and repetitive though.

Skyrim and Enderal which is actually a different game made on Skyrim's engine. And you can download graphics enhancing mods, which can be very taxing even for a high end laptops.

Tainted Grail Fall of Avalon.

I'll add more in the edit if I recall something different.

Gothic Remake - decently sized, hand made world filled with content and quite a nice story.

[u/symmetricalreeder → u/boleslaws]

I cannot believe I have never played Skyrim. Thank you!

[u/Korrowe]

Not exactly like The Witcher gameplay wise, and the pacing feels different and more rewarding, I’d recommend Control + Control Resonant (you can play the second one and just watch a TLDR of the first’s lore, but I’d recommend both)

The combat and pacing is amazing, gets repetitive but if you utilize most of your skills you’re basically immortal.

[u/symmetricalreeder → u/Korrowe]

I keep seeing Control Resonant on my damn NVIDIA pop-ups, so it's been on the radar, thank you!

[u/Blainedecent → u/symmetricalreeder]

Play CONTROL first. It's so good and cheap and enhances the playthrough of Resonant

[u/TrickyTalon]

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is basically The Witcher 3 with better gameplay and worse writing

[u/DKM_Eby]

You could try any of the newer RPG style Assassins Creed games.

Origins (2017) for Ancient Egypt

Odyssey (2018) for Ancient Greece

Valhalla (2020) for Vikings

Shadows (2025) for 15th Century Japan

[u/Embarrassed-Ad-01298]

Crimson desert!!

[u/symmetricalreeder → u/Embarrassed-Ad-01298]

After a quick search, this seems good as well, thank you!!

[u/ketamarine → u/symmetricalreeder]

If you want any kind of coherent story or any character with anything resembling a personality with real motivations and any kind of story arc... then you will be greatly disappointed with crimson desert.

It is NOTHING like w3 - basically the polar opposite type of open world game. Full of every kind of random system you could imagine - miles wide, deep as a puddle.

Performance is also horrific...

I deeply regret buying it.

[u/Sad-Cap806 → u/ketamarine]

That miles wide and puddle deep trap is frustrating enough on its own, but having horrific performance on top of it just makes the regret so much worse.

[u/ketamarine → u/Sad-Cap806]

The only game I maybe regret more than this one is xcom declassified third person shooter... IYKYK...

[u/189charizard → u/Embarrassed-Ad-01298]

Very compelling narrative?

[u/Angzt]

Horizon: Zero Dawn has a great set of narrative mysteries to uncover and a bunch of gorgeous vistas.

[u/Mr_Stoney → u/Angzt]

I second HZD. Great world building. Always top of my list for Most immersive game. I was several hours in before I even stopped to ask questions about the setting and shortly after that the MSQ answered all of it

[u/SunflowerSamurai_]

I mean it’s got to be Dawnwalker.

[u/Expensive_Luck4194]

elden ring is worth a look too, story is more hidden but the world is insane. also seconding kcd2 if you like grounded stuff

[u/PresidentEvil1997]

Fable 2

[u/Gatopardosgr]

Crimson Desert is your game if you like sanbox-y experience

[u/Cheap_Work7426]

No hesitation here, go The Blood of Dawnwalker.

[u/danmass04]

As far as beautiful worlds, Crimson Desert and Assassin’s Creed Origins come to mind. Origins story and world building is strong. Crimson Desert’s story is hit or miss but the world is incredible.

[u/Dangerous_Memory6008]

Assassin's creed Odyssey, I might be biased but it was my favorite storyline of the assassin's creed gsmes

[u/letsplay_l33t]

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II would be my first pick. It’s a proper open-world RPG with a strong character-driven story, dense towns and forests, and enough systems to make a new laptop work hard. It’s more grounded than The Witcher, but the world feels alive rather than like a checklist.

For the visual showcase, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition is hard to beat. I’d play Zero Dawn first if you haven’t, since a lot of the mystery and lore payoff depends on it.

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is another great option: beautiful open world, excellent atmosphere and music, and a focused story, although it’s more action-adventure than deep RPG.

[u/Symbiote-Gaming]

Blood of dawnwalker

Skyrim

Dragon's dogma

Gothic

[u/Vasivid]

Elden Ring - hands down

[u/gommagehc → u/Vasivid]

its literally nothing like witcher 3

[u/symmetricalreeder → u/Vasivid]

Soon enough I will get into a soulslike, but not yet. Soon enough...

[u/justustc → u/symmetricalreeder]

I see lots of comments like this, and I definitely felt this way before making the leap. I wish I hadn't waited, it's become my #1 game. The game has lots of mechanics built in to make it easier.