If there is one trend in video games that shows absolutely no sign of slowing down, it’s micro transactions. However, if there is a second trend, it has to be the gaming public’s love of open world video games. Perhaps it’s the decades of being dragged along on a linear path that has caused gamers to embrace the idea of exploring at our own pace. Thankfully, video game publishers are showing no signs of moving on from producing open world games.

With so many open world games hitting the market each year, we decided it was time to list out our ten favorite. This was a really hard list to create, as the games are as diverse as they are numerous. In the end though, these are our top ten open world video games.

Top 10 Open World Video Games

10. Lord of the Rings: Shadows over Mordor

Just barely editing out Far Cry 3 and Dragon Age: Inquisition is Lord of the Rings: Shadows Over Mordor. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this game when I first sat down to play it. However, the game quickly won me over with it’s utterly addictive nemesis system. I loved how you might run from an orc in one fight, only to have him remember you later in the game as he proceeds to taunt you. I really want to see more done with this system.

Systems: Playstation, Xbox, PC • Rating: M • $20

9. Batman: Arkham Knight

While Batman: Arkham City gave us our first real taste of an open world Batman game, it wasn’t until Arkham Knight that the franchise truly embraced it. In addition to flying around Gotham, Batman also was able to jump into the Batmobile and cruise around the city in style. While the premise of why the streets were devoid of citizens was rather lame, everything else was an enjoyable Batman experience.

Systems: Playstation, Xbox, PC • Rating: M • $20

8. Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag

I had toyed with the idea of putting Assassin’s Creed 2 here, as it was really a turning point in the franchise. However, I enjoyed Black Flag more than any other game in the series. It was a nice redemption from the miserable Assassin’s Creed 3, and gave us on of the best pirate games in decades. From stealing ships, to whaling, to land based stealth, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag had everything I wanted from an open world Assassin’s Creed game. I wish they would make a sequel as we definitely need more pirate games.

Systems: Playstation, Xbox, Wii U, PC • Rating: M • $20

7. Red Dead Redemption

Westerns are an underserved theme in video games. I can count on one hand the number of western games I’ve played (with fingers to spare). Yet when Rockstar dropped Red Dead Redemption on us, it was hard not to immediately fall in love with the genre. The story was exciting, the world thematic, and the game play rock solid. And now I’m eagerly awaiting the squeal that was announced last year.

Systems: Playstation, Xbox, PC • Rating: M • $15

6. Grand Theft Auto 5

Just about any Grand Theft Auto game from 3 onward could have been placed here. Yet I feel like Grand Theft Auto 5 was has been the best so far. Not only did it finally give us online play, but it featured around 3 different protagonist, each with their own unique personalities (including one voiced by the awesome Stephen Ogg).

Systems: Playstation, Xbox, PC • Rating: M • $40

5. The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls series always provide a massive amount of gameplay. However Skyrim takes things up a notch by abandoning the old class system and letting players build their characters as the game progresses. Combine that with a world full of intrigue and dangers, and you have a game players will spend a ton of time enjoying.

Systems: Playstation, Xbox, PC • Rating: M • $20

4. Fallout 3

Each fallout game feels unique in its own right, but Fallout 3 has been my favorite so far. There was something so enjoyable about exploring the Capitol wasteland. Perhaps it was visiting all those destroyed landmarks that I’ve actually visited that really helped tie the theme home. You don’t have to be a native DC resident to know the Washington Monument when you see it. In addition to the landmarks, Fallout 3 also had a variety of unique locations in its own right, such as Megaton and Rivet City that are memorable even today.

Systems: PS4, Xbox, PC • Rating: M • $15

3. Horizon: Zero Dawn

One of the newest games on the list, Horizon: Zero Dawn is an absolutely breathtaking game with some of the best visuals I’ve seen in a while. If you have a PS Pro and a 4k TV, you are in for a treat. It follows the adventures of Aloy, as she takes on mechanical dinosaurs with nothing but bows, arrows, and spears. The story in this post-apocalyptic world is incredibly engaging and will have you glued to your TV for hours on end. I was skeptical that they were actually going to be able to plausibly tell why cavemen were fighting robotic dinosaurs, but they pulled it off.

Systems: PS4 • Rating: M • $55

2. Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt

The first Witcher game I played was Witcher 2 and I wasn’t the biggest fan. The plot was confusing and the combat system was really clunky. However Witcher 3 changed everything with it’s addictive story, beautiful visuals, and truly open world experience. Geralt was free to go at his own pace, and the different areas he visited all felt unique, offering a wide variety of experiences. The revamped combat system was also vastly improved over Witcher 2 and really let Geralt shine.

Systems: Playstation, Xbox, PC • Rating: M • $50

1. Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

If you’d played the newest Legend of Zelda game than it should be no surprise it takes the top spot in our list. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is absolutely a masterpiece and is easily our front runner for game of the year. Other than a few minor nitpicks, it was hard to find faults with Breath of the Wild as it offered rock solid game play, a world that makes you just want to wander and see what you find, and a captivating story. Sometimes I would just pick a direction and explore, which could end up leading me to one of the games many shrines, each of which has a unique puzzle to be solved. But the best part of Breath of the Wild was that it was the definitely of open world. Once you were out of the training area, you could go right to the final boss if you want to face him. No hoops to jump through, you really do go at your own pace.