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Open-worlds were once predominantly restricted to RPG games like the Elder Scrolls series, though in the last decade, it has begun to creep into unexpected places like the puzzle genre with The Witness and the racing genre with titles like the Forza Horizon series. Another genre that has begun utilizing open-world maps is horror; a genre that was once known for narrow corridors and periodic jump scares is opening its borders to offer huge, atmospheric maps that dare players to explore them.

Updated on November 30, 2022, by Jack Pursey: Open-world games continue to be a dominant force in the gaming industry. Even traditionally linear franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog are starting to get in on the act, as the size, scope, and level of freedom that open-world games offer are clearly appealing to audiences. There’s no shortage of enjoyable open-world horror games to play, so we’ve updated this list to include a few more entries.

13 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky (75)

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is a fitting way to kick off this list, as the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series was a pioneer in open-world horror games when it debuted back in 2007.

Clear Sky is a prequel to the first game in the series, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. The game differentiates itself from its predecessor with the inclusion of faction wars, a mechanic that lets players join a faction’s constant battle against its competitors and join in the share of rewards if they gain territory.

12 Dying Light (75)

Dying Light certainly didn’t turn too many heads with its lackluster Metacritic scores of 74 and 75, but it did draw attention with its numerous ambitious features.

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The game had a smartly balanced day and night cycle, well-integrated free-running mechanics, and enjoyable co-op multiplayer that compensated for its somewhat cliche story.

11 Days Gone (76)

Days Gone was developed by Bend Studio and was released exclusively on PlayStation 4 in April 2019 before, like many PlayStation exclusives as of late, arriving on PC a couple of years later.

Days Gone was one of the most divisive games of 2019, with many fans and critics divided on the title, exemplified by its 76 Metascore being partnered by an impressive 8.8 user score. The story, missions, and open-world design all garnered a mixed reception.

10 Dying Light 2 Stay Human (77)

Dying Light 2 Stay Human was developed by Techland and was released on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in February 2022, with a Nintendo Switch version currently in development.

Like its predecessor, the game’s narrative struggled to impress most fans and critics. However, the game’s unique parkour mechanics and open world make Dying Light 2 more enjoyable to play than its Metascore suggests.

9 State of Decay (79)

State of Decay was a pioneer in the implementation of modern base building in survival horror video games. As well as building sturdy defenses, players will need to utilize the game’s many mechanics like stealth, third-person combat, and material scavenging to ensure their survival.

Critics praised State of Decay for its role-playing elements and immersive open world. The game received a disappointing sequel in 2018, but the series is far from dead as State of Decay 3 is currently in development.

8 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (80)

The final game in the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. trilogy that spanned across just two years, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat is set after S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, and takes players to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Exclusion Zone in Ukraine. Despite its huge open world, Call of Pripyat was deservedly appreciated for how few bugs appeared in the game.

The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series is set to make a grand return in 2021, as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will be hitting stores over ten years since the release of Call of Pripyat.

7 Darkwood (80)

Darkwood differentiates itself from the other entries on this list with its top-down perspective. Despite the perspective, Darkwood’s forest is immersive, atmospheric, and horrifyingly unsettling.

The once early-access title was nominated for the Most Fulfilling Community-Funded Game award at the 2018 SXSW Gamer’s Voice Awards, but ultimately lost out to Night in the Woods.

6 The Evil Within 2 (82)

Following the lackluster reception of The Evil Within, Tango Gameworks decided to switch up the gameplay for the sequel by implementing an open world.

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The change was a welcome one, and the game received nominations for Best Action Game and Best Action-Adventure Game at the PC Gamer and IGN awards respectively.

5 Metro Exodus (82)

The Metro franchise’s third entry mixed the intense, immersive linear stages that the series was known for with atmospheric sandbox environments set in a post-apocalyptic 2035.

The game’s story takes place over the course of one year, giving players a taste of all four seasons with day and night cycles, as they embark on their journey across Russia.

4 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (82)

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl’s placement on this list impressively secures spots for the entire S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise, exemplifying why the upcoming S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is so highly anticipated.

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Released in 2007, Shadow of Chernobyl was the first entry in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, introducing players to an alternative reality where the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone had a second nuclear disaster.

3 Subnautica: Below Zero (83)

Subnautica: Below Zero is the sequel to one of the most esteemed survival horror games of all time, Subnautica. Like its predecessor, the game tasks players with diving into an alien ocean with little to no knowledge of what will be lurking in the dark waters below.

The sequel’s most notable change from the original Subnautica is that it adds large land biomes, giving players a break from the horrors of the ocean. However, players will soon learn that the ice is no safer than the water.

2 The Forest (83)

Endnight Games’ The Forest begins much like the tv show Lost, as a plane crash leaves the player on a mysterious island (or peninsula in this case).

The game’s overarching objective is to find the protagonist’s kidnapped son, though the player isn’t forced to search for him, as they’re given complete freedom to explore The Forest in any way that they choose. Although the game is undoubtedly scary when playing alone, exploring the open world with friends can, perhaps unintentionally, turn The Forest into the funniest game of 2018.

1 Subnautica (87)

If someone was browsing through the shelves of a video game store and came across Subnautica, they may look at the bright blue sea on the front cover and expect the game to be similar to the relaxing Endless Ocean on the Nintendo Wii. Those people would be in for a nasty surprise though, as although Subnautica doesn’t officially class itself as a horror game, it would be classed by some as the scariest game on this list.

The game taps into many common fears, such as the fear of the unknown, fear of darkness, fear of monsters, and fear of isolation.

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