The open-world style of gaming has become one of the gaming industry's most popular genres. Not only do the games tend to provide a good value-for-money length, but they also offer a level of freedom that is unparalleled when compared to linear titles. This makes open-world games particularly great for parents, as they can keep their kids occupied with just one of the genre's titles, rather than having to continuously purchase linear games that will be finished in a few hours.
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However, one issue with open-world games is that parents may not know exactly what they're buying for their children. For example, when buying a Mario game, most parents know that their kid will be platforming the entire time, but with open-world games, the huge array of side quests and activities to uncover can make it tricky to keep track of everything in the game.
Updated August 5, 2021, by Jack Pursey: The effects of last year's worldwide lockdowns are starting to be felt on the gaming industry, with major releases being few and far between this year. Consequently, many players are having to look back, rather than forward, for something new to play. So, to help kids and parents find some more age-appropriate open-world games, we've expanded this list by a further five entries.
15 Dragon Quest Builders 2
• Release Date: 20 December 2018
• Available Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
As the name suggests, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a spin-off to the popular JRPG Dragon Quest series, with an emphasis on sandbox building.Square Enix's game takes clear inspiration from Minecraft by letting players gather materials and build blocky structures across its colorful open world.
Along with the building mechanics, Dragon Quest Builders 2 also differentiates itself from the main Dragon Quest series by ditching its signature turn-based combat in favor of an action-RPG style.
14 Stardew Valley
• Release Date: 26 February 2016
• Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android
Stardew Valley has become a staple of the casual open-world genre since it was released just over five years ago. The game follows a similar pattern to many games in the farm simulation genre by beginning with the player inheriting a plot of land that they are free to cultivate and build upon in any way that they choose.
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However, Stardew Valley stands above its competition in the crowded farm simulator genre with its excellent social features and simple yet addicting gameplay mechanics.
13 Forza Horizon 4
• Release Date: 28 September 2018
• Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Like the aforementioned Stardew Valley, Forza Horizon 4stands above the competition in its genre with its fantastic social features. That isn't the only great feature that Forza Horizon 4 offers, though, as the game also implements a stunning rendition of Great Britain with an impressive season cycle that offers visual and gameplay changes around the year.
Forza Horizon 4 is a no-brainer for racing fans with Game Pass, and downloading it today will giving players some practice for the upcoming Forza Horizon 5, which is set in Mexico and releases in November 2021.
12 Terraria
• Release Date: 16 May 2011
• Available Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Terraria was released a few months before Minecraft, though sadly for Re-Logic and 505 Games, the sandbox game has always had to live in the shadow of its open-world competitor.
However, it's easy to forget just how successful Terraria has been due to the enormous commercial success of Minecraft. Terraria has sold over 35 million copies over the last decade, with many long-time players still thoroughly enjoying the game with friends today. Like Minecraft, the game offers a sandbox open-world that players can build and create in, though it differentiates itself with a 2D perspective.
11 Assassin's Creed Origins (Discovery Tour Mode)
• Release Date: 27 October 2017
• Available Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia
The Assassin's Creed series may initially seem like an odd choice to recommend to children, given that the series is known for its sword-fighting and assassinations. Assassin's Creed Origins doesn't buck this trend in its main campaign, though it does offer a separate mode that offers a fantastic educational experience.
Origins' Discovery Tour mode lets players explore the game's Ancient Egypt map but replaces the missions and enemies with historical information and tour guides. Ubisoft are clearly confident about the Discovery Tour's ability to teach, as they have marketed the mode to schools.
10 LEGO City Undercover
• Release Date: 18 March 2013
• Available Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Wii U, Microsoft Windows
As one would expect from a game under the LEGO brand, LEGO City Undercover gears every aspect of its content with children in mind. The game is commonly referred to as "Grand Theft Auto for kids" and consequently has a few fights and car chases, though they're all presented in the wholesome, non-violent style that would be expected from a LEGO video game.
LEGO City Undercover puts players in the shoes of police officer Chase McCain, who is tasked with cleaning up the city's crime, which is out of control thanks to the infamous criminal Rex Fury escaping prison.
9 Astroneer
• Release Date: 16 December 2016
• Available Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
System Era Softworks' Astroneer was released on PC and Xbox One in February 2019, before coming to PlayStation 4 in November of the same year. The game is a sandbox adventure that has no overarching goals to complete, though there are various challenges for players to partake in.
Astroneer wasn't a smash hit with critics, though the game soon began receiving praise from fans and ultimately won the fan-voted Gamer’s Voice Video Game award at the 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards.
8 Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
• Release Date: 18 July 2017
• Available Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles kicks off in a dramatic fashion when a bolt of lightning destroys the player's boat. However, the game will soon attain a far more meditative pace when the playable character finds themselves on the magical island of Gemea.
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The island has a beautiful landscape that can be freely explored in a similar fashion to Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Players are also encouraged to partake in activities such as crafting and farming, though their main goal is to clear a substance known as the Murk.
7 Eastshade
• Release Date: 13 February 2019
• Available Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh operating systems, Xbox One
Much like the aforementioned Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, 2019's Eastshade begins with a boat crash causing players to surface on an island. This is where the similarities end, as Eastshade's core gameplay revolves around "painting" the island's scenery by capturing it with a camera-like function.
The painting gameplay is supplemented by side quests that are given to players by interacting with NPCs. The objectives predominantly consist of simplistic tasks such as fetch questing; this may deter some people from the game, though it is befitting of the Eastshade's laid-back pacing.
6 A Short Hike
• Release Date: 5 April 2019
• Available Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Macintosh operating systems
A Short Hike sticks out like a sore thumb on this list; as unlike most open-world games, which can take 100+ hours to beat, A Short Hike can be completed in just 1-2 hours. Adam Robinson-Yu's indie game was well-received by critics, exemplified by its impressive Metascores of 80 and 88, as well as its Seumas McNally Grand Prize win at the Independent Games Festival Awards in 2020.
A Short Hike requires players to find golden feathers, which will grant them extra jumps needed to reach the map's peak. The game also offers numerous side activities, such as fishing, treasure hunting, and competing in the unique "beachstickball."
5 The Witness
• Release Date: 26 January 2016
• Available Platforms: PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nvidia Shield TV, Classic Mac OS, Xbox One
Although The Witness is suitable for children in the sense that there's no violence or adult language, it's worth pointing out that it should only be considered for those who love challenging puzzles; otherwise, the tricky game may be swiftly put down and forgotten about. However, if solving tough puzzles is right up their alley, then The Witness may be the best open-world game for them.
The Witness was directed and designed by Jonathan Blow, who became well-known to the gaming industry with his hit puzzle-platformer Braid in 2008.
4 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• Release Date: 3 March 2017
• Available Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild does have some aspects that may be inappropriate for children of a very young age, such as cartoon violence, an intimidating villain, and an often tough difficulty level. However, the game is worth mentioning as it's one of the most critically acclaimed titles of all time and will keep children occupied for days, weeks, and maybe even months with its enormous open-world that is begging to be explored.
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As well as completing the main quest of toppling Ganon, players can tame horses, cook meals from ingredients that they're gathered, complete puzzle shrines, and much, much more.
3 Subnautica
• Release Date: 16 December 2014
• Available Platforms: macOS, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Although Subnautica's cover art and age rating imply that the game is completely fine for children, it's worth pointing out straight away that it can become unsettling when players delve deep into the alien world's ocean. There's no blood, bad language, or adult themes, though encountering some of the sea monsters can be unpleasant for those that aren't comfortable with such a thing. However, there are no intentional jump scares, and the creatures don't look grotesque or scary when simply judging their appearances.
Subnautica also begins with a ship crash, though this time, it's a spaceship that strands players in the middle of an alien world's ocean, forcing them to explore the depths for resources.
2 No Man's Sky
• Release Date: 8 August 2016
• Available Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Android, Microsoft Windows
When Hello Games' sci-fi exploration game No Man's Sky was first released, it quickly became branded as one of, if not the most disappointing release in recent memory. However, Hello Games has worked hard to bring No Man's Sky to the place that players were expecting prior to the game's release.
The game lets players explore and scavenge materials around beautifully designed, artist worlds, with a scientific edge that will be beneficial to young minds.
1 Minecraft
• Release Date: 18 November 2011
• Available Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Xbox 360, Raspberry Pi, Windows Phone, PlayStation 3, Fire OS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, Universal Windows Platform, Wii U, tvOS, Nintendo Switch, New Nintendo 3DS
If a child is considering playing an open-world game, there's a good chance that they've already played or at least considered Minecraft. Mojang's modern classic is not only one of the best child-friendly games of all time, but also one of the best open-world games ever released.
Minecraft is a sandbox game where the only limitations are the player's imagination, which shouldn't be much of an issue for children. The game can be played in Survival Mode, which forces players to build a base to hide from enemies and work hard for resources. There is also Creative Mode, which gives players all items at their disposal with no enemy threat.
NEXT: Size Doesn't Matter: Open-World Games With Small But Great Maps
