The idea of exploring open worlds has been a dream for gamers ever since Elite thrilled microcomputer owners. However, it was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time that truly expanded this experience by offering a whole world to explore. Despite this, getting around the expansive world could be a challenge until Epona, Link's horse, appeared. Other games such as Grand Theft Auto and Driver offered a solution that Ocarina of Time couldn't: the addition of cars to the mix.

Although there have been other travel options like fast travel, they may not be as fun or immersive as simply driving around and discovering what the world has to offer. Some game worlds offer more for players who choose to explore on the road. Here's a list of the best open-world games for driving around freely. To keep the list fair, we'll feature only one game from each franchise.

8 Euro Truck Simulator 2

Metascore: 79

The Truck Simulator games offer surprisingly accurate recreations of driving heavy goods vehicles. Players are tasked with transporting cargo from one location to another on time. However, they have the freedom to choose their routes, which are based on real highways and byways. Once on the road, the experience can be surprisingly relaxing.

There are other examples, such as American Truck Simulator, for those who prefer the American setting. But Euro Truck Simulator 2 is generally considered the best. It features more diverse locations, road laws to add variety, and expansion packs that take players to Scandinavia, the Balkans, Corsica, and Sardinia, offering more value for players.

7 SnowRunner

Metascore: 81

SnowRunner provides a similar cargo delivery experience to Euro Truck Simulator 2, but with intensified challenges. Players must navigate rough terrains to reach disaster-stricken areas and deliver equipment to aid in the recovery efforts. They must brave floods, crashes, and vehicular damage to complete their deliveries.

Successful completion of deliveries earns players money to upgrade their vehicles or switch to sturdier machines. Set in locations across North America and Russia, players have the freedom to drive around, but they must carefully consider the routes they take, as the consequences could be more severe than just getting stuck on the road.

6 BeamNG.drive

Steam Score: 10/10

While completing objectives can be enjoyable, BeamNG.drive offers a more open-ended experience for drivers. Originally developed as a tech demo in 2013, it stands out as one of the most realistic driving simulators, featuring authentic handling and damage through its soft-body physics. Although the cars are fictional, players can modify the game to include real-life brands such as Ford and Chevrolet.

In addition to a basic career mode and time trials, the game offers a Free Roam mode, allowing players to customize maps before racing on them. They can add additional objects or even alter the gravity and wind. Whether they're tired of conventional conditions, they can experiment with driving under moon physics or through a hurricane.

5 Burnout Paradise

Metascore: 88 (Original), 82 (Remastered)

For those seeking an experience more captivating than realistic, Burnout Paradise turns up the excitement. The previous games focused on high-speed races and epic crashes. Paradise opens up the game to an open city where players can race around tracks or freely navigate the streets.

In Showtime Mode, players earn points for each bounce after a crash. If they're fortunate, they can drive away unscathed. Otherwise, they'll need to wait for a reset. The game also includes a range of customization options, DLCs with extra modes and cars, and a Remastered edition that supports 4K and 60fps.

4 Far Cry 5

Metascore: 81

The term 'open-world' covers various genres, including driving and racing games. When imagining the genre, most people think of action games where players can roam on foot or drive a variety of vehicles. While the physics in Far Cry 5 may not be as dedicated as those in BeamNG.drive, it offers a realistic driving experience alongside armed adversaries and an arsenal of weapons.

There's a wide range of vehicles for on-road, off-road, air, or water travel, with numerous activities to engage in. If players tire of the Montana setting, they can create their own maps through the 'Far Cry Arcade' mode.

3 Saints Row 2

Metascore: 81

Saints Row 2 may not offer the most realistic physics or the best driving controls in the series, but it delivers the best driving experience. Even without causing chaos using APCs, helicopters, or boats, traversing Stilwater itself is quite enjoyable. The city is well-designed, with distinct districts that players can easily navigate based on landmarks alone.

Each district has unique features, from the rundown trailer park near the preppy suburbs to the University District with its lively atmosphere. Combined with a variety of music genres on the radio, driving becomes even more enjoyable. It's unfortunate that the sequels gradually removed these features, which makes the experience even more valuable.

2 Grand Theft Auto 5

Metascore: 97

The Grand Theft Auto series is synonymous with driving around the city while listening to classic tunes, alongside the usual criminal activities. Grand Theft Auto 5 offers a variety of locales and sights to discover, accompanied by diverse radio stations playing rap, pop, classic rock, soul, and more.

Although the game features only one city, it is filled with numerous vehicles, side activities, and various locations to explore, such as the ghost on Mount Gordo or CJ from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The game also includes a variety of radio stations, offering a diverse range of music to entertain players as they embark on their adventures.

1 Forza Horizon 5

Metascore: 92

The leading name in open-world driving games is the Forza Horizon series. Players are placed in a vast map, allowing them to customize their vehicles before embarking on thrilling races. Selecting the top game is challenging, as some prefer the handling in Forza Horizon 3, while others appreciate the real cities offered in Forza Horizon 4.

Forza Horizon 5 takes players to a fictional section of Mexico, featuring volcanoes, jungles, temples, and more across a sprawling map. It also includes the real city of Guanajuato. These diverse locations are accompanied by different climates and weather effects, ranging from heavy rainfall to massive dust storms. With a unique driving experience each time it's played, Forza Horizon 5 stands out as the ultimate open-world driving game.