Honorable Mentions
Saints Row 2: Easily the best in the series, and a game that is more fun and enjoyable than GTA IV in my opinion. Not as well-written or executed, by twice as fun. Series dropped off after this entry.
Borderlands 2: Way too similar to Fallout for me to put it on list, but way too colorful, wacky, and fun to leave off.
Red Dead Redemption: It was a Rockstar game, which is why I didn’t put it on the main list, but make no mistakes about it, Red Dead is not only one of the best open world games ever, but it is easily one of the best games EVER made.
Watch Dogs: Okay, so I haven’t actually played it yet because it isn’t out, but do you need me to tell you that this is one of the best open world games ever made? That pretty much speaks for itself for anyone who watches any of the trailers or knows anything about it. Hell, this game could redefine open world games as we know it.
So this is the part where you take to the comments and tell me what an awful list it is and how you could have written one SO MUCH BETTER, and then I offer you an opportunity to link said “better piece” in the comments, but you quickly reject the idea as stupid, even though, in reality, you actually shoot it down because you need to get to your shift at Burger King on time because if you are late ONE MORE TIME, they are putting you on bathroom duty.
And to the rest of you, what is YOUR favorite open world game? Take to the comments and let me know.