A lot of open-world games in recent times end up being some type of RPG, like having Action RPG or RPG-lite elements. They often have leveling systems, damage numbers, and enemies with a level indicator above their heads, things that can often make these games less immersive.

But not all of them go down that road, and some just focus on the storytelling a lot more. These kinds of games can be just as fun and maybe even more focused since they’re not trying to juggle so many mechanics. These open-world games prove you don’t need to be an RPG to be more immersive or in-depth.

Lost Judgment felt more expansive and open than Judgment, especially due to the addition of the Ijincho map, which made its debut in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. The combat improved a lot, with two new styles and even smoother animation and responsiveness.

The School Stories side content and its minigames were some of the best of the entire series, too. But the biggest highlight is the story and characters. It was dark and serious, with some deep themes and emotional moments. Even though the Like A Dragon series has seen a lot more love and popularity in recent times, both the Judgment games still feel very underrated, and Lost Judgment is one of the absolute best.

Sleeping Dogs is probably one of the best GTA-inspired games, and there’s one aspect that it does better than most GTA games - the storytelling. It’s a lot more personal, and Wei Shen is a very well-written character, and so are most of the characters you deal with in the game.

The voice acting is also great across the board, which helps with its strong narrative. Hong Kong as a setting felt so different compared to other open-world games. The neon-lit streets and the rainy weather contributed to a great look and vibe.

Even after a decade, no stealth game has really topped what Metal Gear Solid 5 pulled off with its gameplay mechanics and sheer freedom. The controls and animations are very tight, tactile, and responsive.

You can approach missions in so many ways, it’s almost unbelievable, and it has one of the best emergent gameplay systems in a game. The world itself, while not packed with story like other Metal Gear Solid games, still felt immersive and brutal at times. When people talk about peak stealth gameplay, this is the one that always comes up.

Ghost of Tsushima isn’t just an extremely beautiful game, it’s also one of the smoothest-feeling open-world action games out there. The combat animations, gore, and post-processing effects like motion blur and depth of field all come together to create a gameplay system that never gets tiring.

It gets even better after you unlock gadgets and new skills. The world itself is very stunning, with one of the best art directions in a game. Every part of the Tsushima island is full of color and beauty, and you can’t help but admire every area of the game.

Death Stranding’s definitely not for everyone, but if it clicks, it really sticks with you. It's not a fast-paced game, since a lot of it is just walking and delivering stuff. Playing it during the pandemic was an even better meta-experience.

There’s something weirdly relaxing about it, especially with the music. The world feels empty but thoroughly beautiful, very different from a lot of other post-apocalyptic games. Kojima doesn’t hold back on going overboard with the story and other narrative elements, but it all works well here.

The Mad Max game has been seeing a lot more love and appreciation over the past few years, and it's one of the better open-world games from recent times. It absolutely nailed the look of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, being both similar and different from the Mad Max movies, both the original trilogy and Fury Road.

The Arkham-inspired melee combat system hits hard, and it can really feel brutal and satisfying. Driving is a big part of it, too, as the car you upgrade becomes your main weapon. Even though it came out in 2015, it still looks really good today.

Like A Dragon: Ishin doesn’t have a massive open world like some other games, but it uses its smaller world really well, like with all other Like a Dragon games. You spend most of your time in Kyo, which is small but feels detailed and alive in its own way.

What makes the game shine is the same stuff that makes the whole series special - great, complex characters and strong storytelling. The historical setting with remixed characters from the main games is also an interesting aspect.

L.A. Noire is one of the best period-piece games. It really focuses on the setting and atmosphere more than anything else. It takes place in 1940s Los Angeles, and everything from the vehicles, buildings, music, and characters all makes it feel like you’re actually there.

The story follows Cole Phelps, a detective who works his way through different investigative cases. It plays more like a detective simulator than an action game, and that is one of the best things about it. Questioning suspects, making deductions, and accusing them was always fun and compelling.