Let me guess — Red Dead Redemption 2 has ruined open-world games for you. After spending countless hours in one of the most meticulously crafted video games ever made, it’s hard not to compare everything else to Arthur Morgan’s adventure. The stories don’t hit quite as hard, do they?
Fortunately, there are a handful of games that can help with this very specific problem. Whether you loved RDR2 for its realistic world, emotional storytelling, freedom of exploration, or simply the feeling of living another life, these games are all worth your time.
Quick Overview of my favorite games like Red Dead Redemption 2
- Red Dead Redemption — Play this one if you want more of the same world and don’t mind older graphics.
- Ghost of Tsushima — This one is my top pick for a beautiful open world and an unforgettable story.
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II — This is your pick if you loved the realism in RDR2 but want it medieval.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Another perfect choice if you want a large world and an excellent story!
- Cyberpunk 2077 — This is kind of like cowboys but SciFi? Anyways, it has a great story and memorable characters.
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition — Choose this one if you want hundreds of hours of content and a game where making choices matters.
- Desperados III — This is my top choice if you want to stay in the Wild West, but slightly different.
- Death Stranding — If you loved just walking around the world and have some patience, this is a great choice.
- Mafia: Definitive Edition — If you want the outlaw experience, a great story and something even more cinematic.
Red Dead Redemption
The most obvious choice is to play the previous instalment — Red Dead Redemption. The first game is set after the events of RDR2, and you play as John Marston, the man Arthur spent so much time trying to protect. He’s essentially a bounty hunter forced to hunt down his former gang members. The game came out in 2010, so don’t expect it to look anything like RDR2 or the other games on this list, but the story is solid and absolutely worth experiencing.
Ghost of Tsushima
I’ve talked about the Ghost of Tsushima on this blog before, and I’ll keep talking about it. It’s one of my favorite games ever, and every time I think back on it I have nothing but good memories. Beautiful open world? Check. Unforgettable story and main character? Check. Memorable side quests? Check. I could go on all day, but you get the point. This is probably the closest thing to filling the void RDR2 leaves behind.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
If immersion and realism are what drew you to RDR2, look no further, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is one of the closest modern games to it. The story follows Henry of Skalitz, a blacksmith’s son seeking revenge and purpose while navigating war, politics, and betrayal in medieval Bohemia. It features realistic sword combat, deep roleplaying systems, and an authentic world where your choices, reputation, and skills matter. Don’t just take my word for it, the game has over 60,000 reviews with an average score of 4.5 stars.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
If you’re looking for a game with a great story, excellent side content, and a world full of danger and wonder, The Witcher 3 is your answer. It follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster slayer known as the Witcher. The game has been out since 2015, and the amount of time I’ve put into it falls somewhere between embarrassing and “please seek help.” If by some miracle you’ve never played it — what are you doing? Go get it. I envy you so much.
Cyberpunk 2077
A game that fumbled so badly at launch somehow managed not only to recover but to become one of the most iconic action RPGs of its generation. Cyberpunk 2077 takes place in Night City and follows a mercenary called V, whose life unravels after a job goes sideways. One is a western, the other a futuristic RPG — but Cyberpunk and RDR2 share more than you’d think: immersive open worlds, memorable stories, and characters that leave a lasting impression. Give it a try.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Mass Effect is a choice-driven sci-fi RPG where your decisions actively reshape characters, outcomes, and entire narrative paths. This remaster includes all three original games along with their DLC, bundled together into an almost overwhelming amount of content. With 40,000+ very positive reviews, it’s a near-guaranteed great time.
Desperados III
Desperados III is a different genre entirely, but it nails the western setting. Set in the Wild West in the 1870s, it tasks you with clearing objectives across various locations, usually by being very, very sneaky. Like RDR2, it’s story-driven and takes around 25+ hours to finish. It offers a genuinely unique experience, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut
Ever wondered what it would look like to be a postman in a post-apocalyptic world? Here’s your answer. The game is set in a world where an event known as the Death Stranding has pushed humanity to the brink of extinction, and your job is to reconnect what’s left of it, one delivery at a time. Like RDR2, it started slow for me, but the more I played the better it got. I put countless hours into delivering supplies as Sam Bridges and I have zero regrets.
Mafia: Definitive Edition
Last but not least, Mafia: Definitive Edition. Both RDR2 and Mafia tell stories about outlaws trying to survive in a harsh world, with a strong focus on cinematic missions, betrayal, and a tragic rise-and-fall arc set against a detailed historical backdrop. In Mafia, though, the path is more linear. You follow Tommy Angelo from beginning to end, with storytelling that’s front and centre and very little pulling you away from the main plot. That’s not a criticism; the experience is still something special. As someone who played the original, I’d strongly recommend giving this remake a go.
