5 best open-world games to play while you wait for Elder Scrolls 6

Bethesda Game Studios is renowned for creating good open-world games, and the wait for the next major entry in the Elder Scrolls franchise is making some hardcore fans impatient. Game development can take years to perfect, especially nowadays, when the demands and expectations of the player base are ever-increasing.

The developers at Bethesda Game Studios are working hard to iron out all the wrinkles for the next Elder Scrolls installment. As such, this article lists a few good open-world titles from other studios. In the meantime, players can check them out.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions. The entries aren't necessarily Elder Scrolls-like. They are not ranked in any particular order, either.

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5 open-world games to play while waiting for Elder Scrolls 6

1) Red Dead Redemption 2

The open world is full of life and different activities (Image via Rockstar Games)

Rockstar Games has always aspired to push boundaries to create a lifelike and immersive open-world sandbox. After the success of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, the developers were intrigued by how outlaws and gangs used to live before America became a land of law and order.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, players can explore the detailed world as Arthur Morgan on horseback, courtesy of the impressive power of the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine. The in-game map has diverse activities, side missions, and companion quests. RDR2 offers more than enough activities to keep you engaged and entertained while you wait for the next Elder Scrolls entry.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (via backward compatibility), Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

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2) Days Gone

The world comes for the players in Days Gone (Image via PlayStation Publishing LLC)

Despite Days Gone's reception on the PlayStation 4, this game still has one of the best depictions of the undead, or "Freakers," as Deacon calls them. While there have been a handful of zombie games, Days Gone featured a unique horde system that can scare the living daylights out of a survivor.

The slow pacing and occasional performance issues may distract new players and keep them from getting invested in the story; however, the developers worked hard to address most of these issues, and public opinion about the game has shifted positively since its launch.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (via backward compatibility), and PC

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3) Elden Ring

Some bosses can be too powerful to defeat without the proper gear and loadout (Image via FromSoftware)

Some players prefer to play games that force them to be better. FromSoftware is renowned for developing great "soul"-crushing experiences with various Soulslike projects, and Elden Ring has set the bar high. The developers balanced the ambitious lore with great gameplay mechanics.

The Tarnished can venture into any dungeon and fight creatures of all manners. Each encounter can improve a player's combat skills. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki knew what the gaming community wanted and worked on a lengthy expansion called Shadow of the Erdtree, a worthy follow-up to the base game.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC

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4) The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Link is back and better than ever in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Image via Nintendo)

After the success of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the community was rocked by arguably one of the best open-world games ever. Nintendo was in a rough patch, especially with how the Wii U underperformed; That said, it's almost as if those problems vanished with the release of a new hybrid console and Zelda game. Fans had high expectations for the sequel, and Nintendo didn't disappoint.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is essentially the same game with newer mechanics, abilities, and a fresh underground area beneath Hyrule. Nintendo created the perfect open-world experience, allowing the developers to focus on improving older elements, which earned universal praise and a near-perfect review score from Sportskeeda.

Platform: Nintendo Switch

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5) Ghost of Tsushima

Jin Sakai is a force to be reckoned with (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment)

Set during the Mongol invasion of Japan, players walk in the shoes of Jin Sakai as he resorts to brutal and bloody methods to liberate his homeland. Ghost of Tsushima's combat mechanics are fluid and grant the player more than a few ways to deal with enemies. Gamers can try stealth and attack them from behind or fight them "honorably" head-to-head.

The island is a work of art, composed of vibrant colors from various biomes distinct enough from other regions. Throughout the story mode, Jin will be rewarded with new armor, gadgets, and weapons, increasing the combat variety and catering to players with different playstyles.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC