7 Best Open World Games in 2021 to Keep on Your Radar

Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS5) – March 2

Best Open World Games in 2021 to Keep on Your Radar

While Yakuza: Like a Dragon may already be available on the Xbox Series X and PS4 right now, the latest entry in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s long-running series is coming to PS5 early next month.

Like a Dragon switches up some of the series staples, introducing a turn-based battle system instead of real-time, and also brings a new protagonist — Ichiban Kasuga — into the limelight to replace Kazuma Kiryu, but that doesn’t make it any less… Yakuza.

There’s a Dragon Kart mini-game, some downright bizarre quests to take on and characters to meet, and the new location of the Yokohama District of Isezaki Ijincho is teeming with weird and wonderful things to see and do.

Yes, there are some pretty length cutscenes in here, so keep that in mind before picking it up. But given the game’s overwhelmingly positive critical reception late last year, this seems like a solid bet for PS5 owners desperate for some open world action in the early months of 2021.

Judgment (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia) – April 23

Not content with just giving fans one open world adventure to embark on in 2021, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is releasing PS4-exclusive Judgment on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Google Stadia on April 23.

Where the Yakuza series has been slightly daunting to newcomers unfamiliar with its world and cast of characters, Judgment offers up an all-new story and cast, as players go about investigating a serial-murder case in Kamurocho.

All of this will involve you investigating crime scenes, chasing down Yakuza thugs, and speaking with its eccentric cast of characters.

Plus, as its set in the same world as the mainline Yakuza titles, you’ve got the city of Kamurocho to explore. It’s a treasure trove of truly off-the-wall characters and side content to accompany them.

If you’ve ever wanted to dip your toes in the Yakuza world without all the required reading that comes with it, or you just fancy yourself one of the best investigators the world has ever seen, then Judgement is the perfect jumping-in point.

BioMutant (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – May 25

Best Open World Games in 2021 to Keep on Your Radar

After a seriously long wait, BioMutant finally received a new release date just last week. Set to release for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on May 25, the title will allow players to create their own mutilated, mammalian warrior in a world struck by a natural disaster that sees poisonous oil rising up from beneath the surface and polluting the Tree of Life.

What’s really piqued our interest with BioMutant is how the character customization via mutations will turn out.

Developer Experiment 101 has promised various mutations and bio-mechanical body parts that can be equipped and utilized to get the upper-hand in combat, or to navigate the environment. It seems as though it’ll provide a ton of freedom in how players approach the game and its hazardous world.

We don’t really know a ton else about BioMutant. We know the game won’t have fetch quests, according to an interview with Gamereactor back in 2017. This certainly makes the premise of its side quests that little more intriguing, but details on these are still scarce.

What BioMutant will have is branching storylines, a Karma system for NPCs that you meet, and a companion system so you can recruit your favorite mutilated mammal buddies.

Fortunately, we don’t have long to wait until we can go hands-on with the game. Will it be worth the wait? We certainly think it could well be.

Far Cry 6 (PC, PS5/PS4, XSX|S/ XB1, PC, Stadia) – TBC

Sometimes, you just want to shoot lots of people and make things go bang, all in a sprawling sandbox, open-world. That’s where the Far Cry series comes in, giving you a huge world to explore, complete with hostile NPCs to mow down to your heart’s content.

While the Far Cry gameplay largely remains the same from game-to-game, Far Cry 6’s current big reveal was Giancarlo Esposito as antagonist “El Presidente” Anton Castillo.

The game’s plot appears to focus on Castillo and him teaching his son Diego to follow his rule. As guerilla fighter Dani Rojas, you’ll be tasked with toppling the Castillo regime and putting an end to Diego’s reign before it even begins.

Alongside all the gun-shooting and explosions, Far Cry 6 will also likely have a number of side activities to complete. Far Cry 5’s included fishing, hunting, stunts to pull off, and much more.

While Far Cry 6’s will likely be different to fit in with its ‘Cuban’ theme, you can rest assured there’ll be plenty to do on the fictional Caribbean island of Yara when you arrive.

Sadly, Far Cry 6 was also delayed from its early 2021 release, to sometime ‘between April and September.’ When it does arrive, though, it’s sure to eat up hours of your time.

Horizon Forbidden West (PS5) – TBC

Best Open World Games in 2021 to Keep on Your Radar

Horizon Zero Dawn was one of my all-time favorite PS4 games, introducing us to the likable Aloy as she seeks answers to her mysterious past, as well as the corrupted machines that now roam the land.

What really made Horizon resonate with fans was its unique combat system which allowed you to identify and target different parts of an enemy, which would, in turn, disable parts of their offensive or defensive arsenal… or just deal massive damage. It added a bit of tact to its combat in a way we’ve seldom seen elsewhere.

On top of that, Aloy’s adventure plays out in a sprawling open-world, a 31st-century version of Earth. It has a ton of collectibles to track down, varied biomes to traverse, and various little Easter Eggs to uncover. While its main towns and cities are never bustling with activity akin to Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City or The Witcher 3’s towns, there was still plenty to love in this intricately detailed open world and plenty for developer Guerrilla Games to build upon for Horizon Forbidden West when it launches.

Currently, the game is set to release on PS4 and PS5 sometime in 2021, but no confirmed release date has been announced just yet.

Riders Republic (PC, PS5/PS4, XSX|S/ XB1, PC, Stadia) – TBC

Here’s an open world game releasing in 2021 that’s a little different for you. Riders Republic is essentially Steep 2.0. It’s a ‘massively multiplayer sports game’ according to Ubisoft, with more than 50 players competing against each other in races at any given time.

Mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, wingsuit flying and rocket wing-suiting are your sports of choice in Riders Republic, and you’re free to simply explore the world and take on events against other players online as you see fit, or take on the Career mode.

Your career progression culminates in epic Riders Ridge Invitationals, that see you taking on multi-sport races, switching up on-the-fly mid-race.

Riders Republic sadly got delayed out of its early 2021 release window to sometime later in the year. It may not be the biggest, AAA open world game coming this year, but it’s certainly the most unique.

Gotham Knights

Best Open World Games in 2021 to Keep on Your Radar

WB Games is finally bringing us more of that Arkham-styled Batman goodness we’ve all been waiting for. In Gotham Knights, Batman has sadly passed away but reaches out to Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Red Hood to protect Gotham in his stead.

With each character adopting their own unique combat style, and the city of Gotham as your playground, you’ll be busy zipping around the city fighting crime, and putting a stop to some of its most notorious villains all over again.

Plus, of course there’s two-player co-op thrown in for good measure, meaning you can suit up with a buddy and take on everything Gotham has to throw at you together.

If Gotham Knights’ rendition of the city is anywhere near as detailed and filled to the brim with secrets and cool activities as the Arkham games’ were, then there’s ample reason for Bat-fans to be excited.