​Today’s open-world games offer massive maps and the freedom to explore at our own pace, but have you ever wondered which games first introduced this concept? Here are three titles that laid the foundation for the genre and forever changed how we play:

The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Before mission markers and minimaps, The Legend of Zelda dropped players into Hyrule with no clear instructions, encouraging them to discover everything on their own. This NES classic pioneered exploration and gave players a true sense of adventure in a living world full of secrets.

Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
With GTA III, Rockstar revolutionized the industry by bringing the open-world concept to 3D. Liberty City felt like a real city, complete with traffic, pedestrians, and the freedom to follow the story—or just cause absolute chaos.

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002)
Bethesda took immersion to the next level with Morrowind, an RPG where every decision shaped the world around you. Its vast map, freedom of choice, and deep storytelling set the stage for future hits like Skyrim.

These games were the pioneers that gave us the freedom to explore, experiment, and play at our own pace. Without them, today’s open worlds wouldn’t be the same. ​