Summary

• Video games with stunning environments, like Red Dead Redemption 2, showcase the beauty created by developers.
• Forza Horizon 5 allows players to explore Mexico's diverse biomes on relaxing drives through realistic towns and countryside.
• While some open-world games may not be the best-looking, exploring unique locations can make them worthwhile.

Sometimes, the most exciting part of an open-world video game is getting to see the stunning sights created by the game’s developers, like Rockstar with Red Dead Redemption 2. While it helps if the game itself is also fun, lackluster gameplay can sometimes be excused if the world it takes place in is remarkably beautiful. Some games, like No Man’s Sky, are even sold on the promise of exploring interesting environments more than anything else.

In contrast, some of the best open-world games don’t always make for the best sightseeing, even if they have great art direction. Bloodborne is beautiful in its own right, but one likely isn’t going to pop it on just to take in the gloomy streets of Yarnham. So, while these open-world games may not even be the best-looking, that doesn’t mean they aren’t the best for simply looking around.

10 Forza Horizon 5 Takes Players On Relaxing Drives

Players Can Free Roam Between Races

Forza Horizon 5 doesn’t restrict players just to the planned race courses but also allows them to drive around a large open map at their leisure. Forza Horizon 5’s map is based on Mexico, and includes some areas that are made to look like different parts of the country. There are beautiful coastal regions, lush forests, and more arid desert areas too. Instead of trying to capture one real area, it is more of a showcase of the different types of biomes one might find in the country.

What makes Forza Horizon 5 so great for sightseeing is that it feels very realistic. There aren’t huge notable landmarks every couple of seconds, but instead, it feels like actually taking a road trip through the countryside. That isn’t to say there are no interesting sights to see, some notable locations are the large volcano or the ancient indigenous ruins. This makes Forza Horizon 5 a combination of incredible sights separated by relaxing drives through realistic towns and countryside.

9 Red Dead Redemption 2 Has A Wide Variety Of Environments

RDR2 Takes Place Across 5 Fictional States

Red Dead Redemption 2 has a massive map for players to explore. However, what makes it so great for sightseeing isn’t the size alone but the diversity in the game’s landscapes. RDR2 takes place across five different fictional states; each one meant to represent a different region of the continental United States. This gives players a wide range of different biomes to explore and keeps the game visually interesting throughout its long runtime.

Players start the game in the snowy vistas of Ambarino. There are gorgeous mountains and beautiful snow-covered forests to explore. Lemoyne gives players a tour of the American South, its bayous, and a solid New Orleans substitute in the city of Saint Denis. Even tiny inconsequential towns, like the charming Strawberry with its beautiful river rushing through it, provide the player with some stunning sights and a strong atmosphere. Exploring Red Dead Redemption 2’s map never feels like a chore because simply discovering the game’s different areas is a treat.

8 Breath Of The Wild Made Hyrule Bigger Than Ever

Players Have Almost Full Freedom To Explore Hyrule

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a revolutionary change for the series, thanks to its open world. While most Zelda games are in some respects an open world, none of them ever offered the level of freedom to explore Hyrule that Breath of the Wild does. That isn’t to say Breath of the Wild’s map is perfect, and some stretches can feel a bit empty. However, that makes finding the game’s best sights feel like a real reward for taking the time to explore.

Making one’s way through a mountain only to stumble upon Kakariko Village, tucked away in a hidden valley, surrounded by waterfalls and decorated with rustic wind chimes throughout, gives the players a true sense of adventure and discovery. The ability to climb most mountains, limited only by Link’s stamina, also allows players to stand high above the world and survey its sprawling landscape from the best views in Hyrule. Even the game’s melancholic ruins have a sense of quiet beauty to them, enhanced by natural elements like moss and flowers that have reclaimed the area.

7 FFXIV Continues To Add Unique Locations

Final Fantasy's Unique Setting Allows For Interesting Cities And Locations

Final Fantasy XIV first launched back in 2010, and in the 14 years since Square Enix has continued to expand its world. Over time, Final Fantasy XIV has accumulated one of the biggest rosters of cool locations of any MMORPG, thanks in part to Final Fantasy’s unique setting. A combination of the epic fantasy tone mixed with more modern technology and magic makes for some locations that players don’t usually see in other MMOs.

Some of the cool sights in Final Fantasy XIV are more grounded natural areas. The Peaks, for example, is a beautiful mountainous area full of waterfalls and impressive natural rock formations. Other places, like the Sylphlands, start to feel a bit more fantasy-inspired, with its glowing plants and living trees. Some of the biggest standout sights in Final Fantasy XIV are also its cities.

Amaurot, a massive underwater city full of skyscrapers, stands out as one of the game’s most interesting locations from a visual standpoint. The exaggerated castle in Ishgard is another good example of Final Fantasy XIV’s penchant for impressive architecture that cares little for realism or practicality. These interesting locations keep Final Fantasy XIV feeling fresh, even after all these years.

6 Elden Ring's World Is Harsh But Beautiful

The Lands Between Has Unique Designs For Its Various Regions

FromSoftware games always look great, but players aren’t always given the luxury to fully appreciate the environment due to the constant threat of dangerous enemies. While the world of Elden Ring is still treacherous, there is enough open space in The Lands Between for players to take in the game’s stellar art direction and unique world. Though Elden Ring’s regions may not all be beautiful in the traditional sense, they are all stunning to look at and represent some of the best environmental storytelling in video games.

One Elden Ring area that has some exceptional sights is the Altus Plateau, which is bathed in golden light due to its proximity to the Erdtree. The sky, trees, and grass are all varying shades of yellow, gold, and orange, giving the area a distinct look. In contrast, an area like the sunken ruins of the Academy Gate Town may be less pretty, but it is equally unique and well-designed. This helps give each region of Elden Ring a strong identity as well as some great sights to see.

5 Far Cry 6 Lets Players Loose On A Tropical Island

Far Cry 6 Takes Place On A Fictionalized Version Of Cuba

The Far Cry series may have stagnated in of gameplay with Far Cry 3, but that doesn’t mean the newer games don’t still have some beautiful sights to see. Like most Far Cry games, 6 drops players into a fictional location inspired by a real place, this time Cuba. Far Cry’s version of Cuba, Yara, has plenty of sightseeing potential and some of the best graphics of the series’ installments.

Yara offers players a variety of different environments to explore. There are more urban areas, lush tropical jungles, and smaller islands off the coast. Though not as relaxing as a Caribbean vacation, since players will be frequently fighting for their lives, Far Cry 6 at least offers some gorgeous sights that feel authentic to the region. Far Cry 6’s environment also feels more authentic thanks to its impressive weather system that does a great job mimicking tropical storms.

4 The Witcher 3's World Has Incredible Attention To Detail

Even Trails Through The Woods Feel Real In The Witcher

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt gave players several massive areas to explore in The Continent. Major locations in the game — like the tiered city of Novigrad or Kaer Trolde tucked away on top of a snowcapped mountain — are very memorable and will stick with players for a long time after they put the game down. However, perhaps the greatest achievement of The Witcher 3’s open world is making less notable areas still feel distinct.

Walking through the woods in The Witcher 3 isn’t as simple as strolling through a copy-pasted patch of land to get to the next big location. Instead, every area has distinct geographical landmarks and tiny details that make players feel like they’re walking through a real forest. This makes every moment of The Witcher 3 fun to look at, instead of the game relying on its more noteworthy destinations to make up for a mostly empty world.

On top of the base game, The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine DLC adds one of the most beautiful open areas in all of gaming: Toussaint. Toussaint is a lush countryside in the shadow of a massive volcano. The area is based on Mediterranean wine regions like the south of and does an excellent job capturing both the architecture and natural beauty.

3 Horizon Forbidden West Presents Unique Post-Apocalyptic Settings

The Horizon Series Combines The Ancient Past With Futuristic Tech

The Horizon series’ blend of ancient civilization mixed with advanced technology makes it one of the most unique-looking video game series out there. Locations like Horizon Forbidden West’s Scalding Spear are excellent examples of how the ruins of the game’s old world have been repurposed. In this case, what appears to be a ruined cell tower has been converted into a watch tower, surrounded by wooden huts with pelt roofs. It’s a fresh take to see a post-apocalypse story taking human civilization so far back instead of simply trying to mimic modern day among the ruins.

Aside from just having a unique concept for its locations, Horizon Forbidden West also has some of the most beautiful places to visit in an open-world game. Fall’s Edge, a city built on a cliffside on top of a roaring river, is a perfect example of a creative and also visually stunning landmark. Aside from the man-made structures in the game, natural land formations like the snowy Northern Mountains or the Drumfoot’s shallow lake are also breathtaking.

2 GTA V Gives Players A California Vacation

GTA V Takes Place In A Condensed Version Of An Entire State Instead Of Just One City

At this point, GTA V has been out for nearly 11 years, and players who have spent countless hours on GTA Online can be forgiven for forgetting just how impressive Los Santos was when they first booted up the game. However, transitioning from the often bleak, gray Liberty City in GTA IV to the sunny skies and open spaces of Los Santos was one of the most exciting moments back when the game first came out. GTA V also stands out, thanks to its variety of different areas.

Instead of being limited to the city of Los Santos - which itself provides some memorable sights like the Del Perro Pier and Galileo Observatory - players can also explore more natural regions. The northern part of the map has a large trail system through the mountains, where players are treated to majestic redwood forests and beautiful views from the peaks. This makes GTA V’s map feel more like a condensed version of California as a whole, not just one city.

1 Ghosts of Tsushima Recreates Real Locations With Style

The Game Bases Its Locations On Real Geographical Landmarks In Japan

Set on the real-life island of Tsushima during the late 13th century, Ghosts of Tsushima attempts to capture the feel of Japan during this time. The game actually does a great job recreating the natural landscape of the island, which can be seen in side-by-side comparisons done by YouTuber AnTytle Gaming World. Though the game bases its locations on real places, it also has a distinct art style that helps heighten the landscape's reality, especially through its use of vibrant colors and atmospheric elements like smoke and fog.

Ghosts of Tsushima also has plenty of hidden wonders for players to find. Hyoshi Springs, for example, is a beautiful little hot spring tucked away in the hills. Its natural pools of steaming water create a soothing location to rest and perform one of the game’s Haikus. Players looking for some of the best video game sights shouldn’t skip out on Ghosts of Tsushima.

Souce: AnTytle Gaming World/YouTube