Best 2D Open-World Games

When people think of open-world games, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge world with impressive 3D graphics that will immerse players in no time. So, it can be hard to imagine that a compelling open-world game can keep players engaged even if it boasts 2D visuals.

Thankfully, a ton of indie developers coupled with some imaginative big-budget video game companies have done a great job of letting players enjoy an open world that utilizes 2D graphics to great effect. Players should approach these titles with an open mind to appreciate what these developers have done.

8

Westerado: Double Barreled

An Open World With Procedural Generation Where The Culprit Changes In Every Playthrough

Systems

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Platform(s)

Microsoft Windows
, macOS
, Xbox One

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Released

April 16, 2015

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

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Players who love the Western genre will have a great time playing through Westerado: Double Barreled. While the game itself can be pretty short, what makes the title magical is its novel use of procedural generation.

Every playthrough starts with the death of the player’s family as their ranch is burned down, with players having to hunt down the culprit by following clues and exploring the many cities and settlements present in the open world. The identity of this culprit and the layout of the town change every single time, which is an interesting design choice that adds to Westerado‘s replayability.

7

Retro City Rampage

A Fun Open-World Game With Arcade-y Action And 2D Visuals

Systems

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Released

February 6, 2014

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

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Players who want to check out a game that pays homage to GTA‘s fledgling years will love Retro City Rampage. The game is full of references to 80s and 90s pop culture with some classic gameplay that doesn’t get too complicated.

Players can acquire powerful weaponry and go on a warpath whenever they wish if they want a break from making progress in the main story. Retro City Rampage flew under most people’s radar and is a game players should check out if they want to enjoy a compelling 2D open-world game.

6

CrossCode

The Protagonist Is Trapped In A Beautiful MMORPG With Invigorating 2D Art And A Massive Open World

The isekai plotline of CrossCode is accompanied by a sprinkling of amnesia, adding to the alluring setup of this game. Players find themselves stuck in an MMORPG where they must complete quests and make progress to slowly regain their memories.

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The excellent combat and fun level design of CrossCode helps its dungeons stand out as a compelling part of the experience. The lack of engaging side content may not sit right with many, but this is an intentional choice meant to hammer in the authenticity of this MMORPG setting.

5

Elona

The World Is Massive And Lets Players Do Whatever They Can Put Their Mind To

• Platforms: PC, Mobile
• Release Date: August 31, 2007
• Developer: Noa

Players who want to be dropped into an open-world game with little to no guidance will love what Elona brings to the table. The game can be ridiculously overwhelming the first time around, but players need only spend a few hours to familiarize themselves with how the game works before every playthrough in Elona becomes a rewarding experience.

From being a traveling merchant to a hero who helps out other people in a massive open world, it’s easy to see why Elona is such a joy to play through. On top of this open world, the game is a roguelike at heart that randomizes the layout of the world every single time players die.

4

Octopath Traveler 2

An Open-Ended JRPG Where Players Can Go Wherever They Want To Make Progress For Each Character’s Story

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Released

February 24, 2023

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OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

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While Octopath Traveler implemented an open-world design that made traversal quite engaging, the sequel ensured that this side of the game would be more fleshed out than ever. There are more secrets and optional dungeons that players can uncover, while the day-night cycle ensures that players will find unique content based on the time of day.

Octopath Traveler 2 is also notably easier than its predecessor, letting players head to tougher locations and uncover helpful content in no time. Players will acquire multiple copies of a job and kit out their party with powerful equipment in no time as long as they’re smart about exploring and leveling up.

3

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

The Roguelike Open-World Game Has A Steep Learning Curve But Is Quite Rewarding Once Players Put In The Effort

An open-world roguelike game set in a world besieged by zombies and other monsters, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead features a steep learning curve that can be frustrating to deal with. However, once the experience clicks with players, making progress is as satisfying as can be.

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Creating a reinforced vehicle to run over hostiles and trivialize most of the game’s challenge is something that takes a while to master but is incredibly cathartic once players reach this point. The roguelike structure makes every playthrough unique as players figure out different ways to optimize the game’s systems in their favor.

2

Caves Of Qud

The Procedurally-Generated Open World Game Is A Ton Of Fun To Play Every Single Time

After being in Early Access for the longest time, Caves of Qud finally enjoyed a 1.0 release in late December that was positively reviewed across the board. The game is loaded with content and features so many gameplay systems that it can be mind-boggling to wrap one’s head around this title early on.

The 2D visuals may seem a bit too simplistic, but the true fun of Caves of Qud lies in its deep gameplay. Figuring out the best race to control and befriending factions is a fun experience that remains fresh across multiple runs as the world and its elements are regenerated every single time.

1

Terraria

An Ambitious And Beloved 2D Sandbox That Has Received A Ton Of Support From Its Developers

Terraria is a glowing example of how passion can help a game remain relevant long past its shelf life. There was a time when this game was unfairly labeled as a 2D version of Minecraft, only for the title to speak for itself and become one of the best indie sandbox titles players could get their hands on.

Improving a base before venturing forth to acquire resources and take out enemies is a blast every single time. Players who give Terraria a shot will marvel at the impressive amount of content in this title that will keep them busy for many hours.

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