8 Best Retro Open-World Games, Ranked

Open-world gaming has progressed by leaps and bounds, but there’s something about the retro style of games that fans still love to this day. The nostalgia associated with this style of gaming means that some players are bound to love sandbox titles that elicit these vibes.

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That being said, retro open-world games aren’t all that prevalent in the industry. This is why fans love certain titles that do a great job of letting players enjoy old-school art styles and sensibilities as they explore large sandboxes with a ton of things to do. This list will consider games that are “retro” due to their age or intentional design choices​​​​​​.

8 Shakedown: Hawaii

A Retro Open-World Game That’s Quite Ambitious

The developers of Retro City Rampage decided to grace players with yet another retro open-world game with arcade-y gameplay. The focus on rampant chaos and the introduction of multiple protagonists made it clear that this game wanted to move things in a bigger and bolder direction.

While some issues stopped Shakedown: Hawaii from reaching the same heights as Retro City Rampage, it’s still one of the better retro open-world games that fans can get their hands on. Players will love destroying everything they can get their hands on in this game as they watch this title’s narrative unfold.

7 Grand Theft Auto 2

A Classic Top-Down Open-World Game With Fun Arcade Combat

The first two Grand Theft Auto games are legendary titles that fans of retro games should check out. The second title in the series perfects the formula and lets players enjoy a retro arcade experience that is surprisingly riveting.

The classic wanted system and rampant violence present in the series have been done justice to in Grand Theft Auto 2. It’s a great title for players who want to go ballistic and enjoy some old-school action in an age when games are becoming a bit too modern for their tastes.

6 Urban Chaos

A Unique Action-Packed Open-World Game From The PS1 Days

Urban Chaos

Released

December 10, 1999

Players who want to control a police officer in an open world and take out dangerous criminals will love what Urban Chaos brings to the table. It can be a nightmare to get this game working on modern systems, but players will soon realize that this is well worth the effort.

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The old-school gameplay of this title is something fans will love as they mow down criminals and check out a surprisingly atmospheric city that has a lot for players to discover. All of this helps Urban Chaos stand out as a fun open-world game that fans will love for its close-combat system and movement mechanics.

5 Retro City Rampage

Players Love Going Ballistic In A Game Inspired By Classic GTA Gameplay

Retro City Rampage is a must-play for people who love indie games that pay homage to the history of this genre. The old-school gameplay sees players unleash havoc in a world that is littered with so many references that it will make a player’s head spin.

These homages are present in every corner of the game, from its missions to the secrets that players can uncover in the world. All of this is bolstered by arcade gameplay mechanics where players are rewarded for being creative about how they unleash chaos in this world.

4 Westerado: Double Barreled

A Fun Open-World Western Game Where Players Hunt Down The Person Who Betrayed Their Family

Westerado: Double Barreled is one of the most underrated indie games around that more fans need to check out. After a betrayal from a friend causes the protagonist to lose their family and home, they embark on a quest for revenge in an open world with randomized elements to enhance replayability.

The combat can be a bit finicky at times, but it’s a small gripe in what is otherwise an excellent video game. Hunting down bandits, completing quests, and acquiring the clues players need to pinpoint a suspect that changes in every run is a huge part of what makes Westerado: Double Barreled such a great retro experience that fans can enjoy.

3 Driver

A Tough Yet Fun Racing Game With A Focus On Action-Packed Driving

John Tanner’s adventures were a hit from the very moment players checked out Driver for the first time. As long as they could get past a hard-as-nails tutorial level that had no business being so difficult, they could embark on a crime-fueled adventure as Tanner was instructed to put his driving skills to the test.

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This allows players to enjoy a fun, open-world racing game that is brimming with character and style. The gameplay can be a bit too old-school, but players who get past this hurdle will love the sheer entertainment factor of Driver.

2 Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

The Retro-Futuristic Aesthetic Helps Blood Dragon Stand Out As An Excellent Chapter In This Series

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a lauded standalone expansion that lets players embark on an unforgettable adventure in a world inspired by a retro-futuristic aesthetic. Sergeant Rex “Power” Colt is a fun character that players will love to control as they blast their enemies to smithereens, enjoying the classic Far Cry gameplay loop.

The unique art style of Blood Dragon, coupled with its homage to old-school action flicks, helps it stand out as one of the best open-world games in the series that fans can enjoy. It’s a shame that the series hasn’t expanded on this universe more, since fans would love more games set in the Blood Dragon universe.

A Huge Step Forward For Bethesda And Its Open-World Design

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood, Violence

Morrowind is one of the most important games Bethesda has developed, allowing them to set the foundation for an open-world formula that would become their bread and butter. The island of Vvardenfell is full of amazing locations to explore as players get lost in the title’s old-school exploration.

In an age when players are guided by map markers instead of finding locations on their own, Morrowind‘s organic exploration will be perfect for them. Players must actually listen to directions from NPCs to reach areas, which makes exploration quite magical in this title.

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