As games become more and more advanced and innovative in graphical fidelity and gameplay mechanics, so will people’s desire for realistic games.
While some games rely more on the «video-gameness» nature by leaning into the arcade-like elements, others go beyond that and are experiences for you to savor and immerse yourself in so that you can create memories that will stick with you for the rest of your life.
The main appeal behind realism in video games isn’t just to elevate them to AAA status, but to immerse you in worlds alien and familiar alike.
Anybody can rank realistic-looking games with splendid views, so we’ll be looking at games with realistic mechanics that have you monitor your character’s basic necessities or even NPC behaviors that make you feel as though they are truly alive. These games give you a full sense of what it’s like to live in their worlds.
10 Ghost Of Tsushima
I Wish Japan Was Real
Ghost of Tsushima
Action Adventure
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:84/100 Critics Rec:88%
Released July 17, 2020 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity Developer(s) Sucker Punch Publisher(s) Sony Engine Proprietary Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play PC, PS4 & PS5 Cross Save yes Number of Players 2-4 Steam Deck Compatibility Unsupported Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 How Long To Beat 25 Hours X|S Optimized no Metascore 83 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Wiki
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Perhaps one of the best games to emulate a real location, Ghost of Tsushima places us in a dramatized version of the Mongol Invasion of Tsushima in 13th-century Japan and tells the story of samurai scion Jin Sakai, who must resort to unconventional means of warfare to fight back against the overwhelming Mongol invaders.
While Ghost of Tsushima is an action-adventure game and doesn’t have any survival elements, its realism lies in developer Sucker Punch’s attempts to create a picturesque yet respectful portrayal of Japanese culture and landscapes.
Its environments are so immersive and impressive that even the tourism department of Tsushima Island used the game as promotional material to encourage foreigners to visit their landmarks. The game also has a Kurosawa mode, emulating the classic Akira Kurosawa films, and you can enhance your experience by playing it in Japanese.
Of course, the sword combat in Ghost of Tsushima is also nothing to sneeze at, as the sword forms resemble real-life kendo and kenjutsu techniques, and gameplay elements are justified rather well within the context of the story.
Mechanically, the game also goes the extra mile by removing typical waypoints in an open world game. Instead, you’ll use the actual environment and fauna in the world to navigate and find hidden points of interest, further immersing yourself in this beautiful setting.
9 Outer Wilds
Find The Eye
Outer Wilds
Adventure
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:85/100 Critics Rec:82%
Released May 28, 2019 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference Developer(s) Mobius Digital Publisher(s) Annapurna Interactive Engine Unity Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC How Long To Beat 16 Hours Metascore 88 PS Plus Availability N/A OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by
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In most cases, Outer Wilds is far from realistic. It has a minuscule yet gorgeous solar system that resembles more of a diorama, and the Hearthians have essentially jury-rigged space travel where their technology looks like it was crafted with nothing more than duct tape and spit.
But what Mobius Digital doesn’t care to make realistic in the game, they make up for with their in-depth understanding of astrophysics and quantum physics, where you can actually experience theoretical or real effects in-engine.
While the distance between celestial bodies is unrealistically short, the experience of traveling through space feels realistic, as landing requires skill and an understanding of inertia and momentum.
The science shown in Outer Wilds might not be perfectly accurate and is still widely debated among the more scientifically savvy crowd, but it is executed in such a way that it feels realistic, and that’s more than enough for an open-world sandbox.
8 Subnautica
Thalassophobia Ain't Got Nothing On Me
Subnautica
SurvivalHorror Open-World Science Fiction
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:84/100 Critics Rec:92%
Released January 23, 2018 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language Developer(s) Unknown Worlds Entertainment Publisher(s) Gearbox Publishing Engine Unity Franchise Subnautica PC Release Date January 23, 2018 Xbox Series X|S Release Date May 14, 2021 PS5 Release Date May 14, 2021 Nintendo Switch Release Date May 14, 2021 Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 30 Hours Metascore 87 OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by
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Subnautica is a survival game where you crash-land on a beautiful oceanic planet filled with diverse and vibrant flora and fauna. Your only hope for survival in the ocean is to dive into the cold, dark depths to find valuable resources.
As a survival game, Subnautica skirts on the very edge of horror because the game triggers the primal fear of thalassophobia while you’re exploring its deep depths. With a small map of only 2 square kilometers,Subnautica forces you to subsist on the planet’s many fishes.
To survive, you must also manage hunger and thirst while ensuring that you don’t run out of oxygen while diving.
You also can’t just dive too deep, as the water pressure would crush you. Instead, you must craft and use vehicles that will help you dive deeper into the oceanic trenches, from a Seamoth to a Cyclops.
7 Death Stranding
The First Strand Type Game
Death Stranding
Action
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:83/100 Critics Rec:79% 8/ 10
Released November 8, 2019 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language Developer(s) Kojima Productions Publisher(s) Sony, 505 Games Engine Decima Cross-Platform Play Yes! Players will share the same server as Steam and Epic users Cross Save yes Franchise Death Stranding Steam Deck Compatibility yes PC Release Date July 14, 2020 Xbox Series X|S Release Date November 7, 2024 PS5 Release Date September 24, 2021 Platform(s) iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 40 Hours Release 2022-03-30 (PC) X|S Optimized no Metascore 85 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by
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Best known for its esoteric narrative and messaging, excessively long cutscenes and teased as a «walking simulator,» Death Stranding is an open-world game where your goal is to deliver packages across a post-apocalyptic continental America to reunite the isolated people of the nation.
The game is extremely realistic in terms of graphical fidelity and environmental design, thanks to the Decima engine and Kojima’s proclivities towards mo-cap and capturing the likeness of well-known Hollywood celebrities.
It also immerses you in the experience of carrying tons of heavy boxes on your back via its gameplay. Throughout the game, you’re required to balance and manage boxes and packages so that you don’t damage or lose them while carrying them.
Not only does Death Stranding have moments where Sam can pluck bloody toenails, go to the bathroom, or take a shower, but the game also lets you consume energy drinks (previously a Monster product placement), which turns into urine that you can let out at any time during your travels. Yeah, there’s a peeing mechanic.
6 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Survive Hyrule's Harsh Environments
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Action Adventure
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:96/100 Critics Rec:96% 8/ 10
Released March 3, 2017 ESRB E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Nintendo EPD Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Havok Cross-Platform Play no Cross Save no Franchise The Legend of Zelda Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) Nintendo Wii U, Switch How Long To Beat 50 Hours X|S Optimized no Metascore 97 OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by
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I would have selected Tears of the Kingdom, but the inclusion of floating islands and a hollow underground made the world of Hyrule a little less believable than Breath of the Wild.
When Breath of the Wild was first released, many fans were amazed by how the in-game engine rendered its environment and physics. The visuals and sound effects, combined with the vast environments, expertly mix realism and a stylistic art style to create an immersive experience in exploring the diverse biomes in Hyrule.
To survive in Hyrule, you not only have to fight your way through enemies, but the environment is also an enemy, as the weather can be quite hostile, especially in the flaming Death Mountain or the freezing Hebra region.
Other realistic elements include weapon durability, where weapons can break after attacking enemies and colliding with any surface or object. Also, depending on how you look at it, being able to climb most surfaces can either be realistic or not at all.
The physics also take on an extra feel of realism in your ability to get create to solve many of the game’s shrines. Things like electrical conduction and the force of gravity come into play massively in dozens of these mini-dungeons.
5 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Tactical Espionage And Sabotage
Metal Gear Solid 5 The Phantom Pain
Stealth Action-AdventureShooter Adventure
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:93/100 Critics Rec:99%
Released September 1, 2015 ESRB m Developer(s) Konami, Kojima Productions Publisher(s) Konami Engine Fox Engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Prequel(s) Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004), Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Platform(s) PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows How Long To Beat 46 hours OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by
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Say what you will about its rushed storyline or strangely written plot twists, but Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is a phenomenal game from a technical and gameplay standpoint.
Not only is the open world realistic, but the enemy A.I. is so believable that it makes stealth extremely fun and rewarding. The sandbox of the game world also allows for some extremely creative ways to approach missions. Is the cardboard box a realistic stealth tool? That’s up for debate.
Even though the game worlds can be quite empty at times, the emptiness makes sense, and when you do find people, whether it be enemies in the field or allies in Mother Base, you can hear and eavesdrop on conversations that make them feel like more than just ones and zeroes.
To add to the realism of being a legendary spy and soldier, you also need to monitor your hygiene. Yes—you can get covered in muck and blood and can become so stinky that your enemies can detect you. Just don’t forget to shower every once in a while when you’re in Mother Base.
4 Shenmue
Way Ahead Of Its Time
Shenmue
Action-Adventure
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:73/100 Critics Rec:47%
Released December 29, 1999 ESRB t Developer(s) Sega Publisher(s) Sega Engine Unreal Engine 4 Sequel(s) Shenmue 2, Shenmue 3 Franchise Shenmue Steam Deck Compatibility Unsupported Platform(s) PC, PS4, Sega Dreamcast, Xbox One How Long To Beat 25 Hours Metascore 88 PS Plus Availability N/A How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs) 34 Hours OpenCritic Rating Fair Powered by
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Despite its janky controls and awful voice acting,Shenmue still retains a loyal cult following. It was considered a game way ahead of its time and captured the immaculate vibes of the real-life town of Yokosuka in its meager 1 square kilometer map.
But how is Shenmue ahead of its time? While it is sometimes compared with games in the Yakuza series because of their similar emphasis on martial arts and the little moments between knocking out thugs in dirty street corners, Shenmue goes beyond that and gives you the full slice-of-life experience as you control Ryo Hazuki while he searches for his father’s killer.
These glimpses of everyday life make the townsfolk in Shenmue feel alive and real, and though the execution left some to be desired, the game’s greatest defenders will tell you that this game is an escape worthy of more than its legacy, becoming a game that captures the aesthetics and vibes of the ’90s.
Not only do you have to solve the mystery behind Ryo’s father’s murder, but as Ryo, you also have errands, chores, and everyday objectives where even a video game protagonist must maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
There’s so much to do in such a small map, and though Shenmue isn’t a great game in execution, it gave fans a glimpse of hope into what could be its full potential.
3 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Mr. Worldwide 305
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Flight Simulator
Released November 19, 2024 ESRB e Developer(s) Asobo Studio Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine Asobo’s Franchise Microsoft Flight Simulator Platform(s) PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Powered by
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As a flight simulation game, it’s not a surprise that Microsoft Flight Simulator should be considered realistic. By using photogrammetry, Asobo Studios can create ultra-realistic representations of the real world. Yes—we’re talking about the entirety of planet Earth, from the landscapes to the narrow streets.
Being a pilot is hard, but Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 teaches you the many intricate controls and functions of many different types of aircraft, including private planes, commercial planes, helicopters, and even hot-air balloons. There are also different types of missions in Career mode, like piloting an airliner, cargo transport, and even aerial firefighting.
You can fly using a third-person perspective or a first-person perspective, and you can manually flip switches and buttons in the cockpit to operate the vehicle. In these vehicles, you can traverse a simulation of the entire world, and you can plan a flight path where you can even see your own house!
Another addition that 2024 brought is the ability to walk on the ground level, though due to the low-resolution of the environment when up and how slow the realistic walking speed is, this is probably best reserved as a gimmick.
Despite the relatively negative reviews it received, Flight Simulator 2024 has a rather accurate representation of real life, and it takes painstaking effort in portraying the skill required to operate an aircraft.
2 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Started From The Bottom
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
RPG Action-AdventureOpen-World
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:89/100 Critics Rec:96%
Released February 4, 2025 ESRB Mature 17+ // Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity Developer(s) Warhorse Studios Publisher(s) Deep Silver Engine CryEngine Number of Players 1 Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown PC Release Date February 4, 2025 Xbox Series X|S Release Date February 4, 2025 PS5 Release Date February 4, 2025 Platform(s) PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC X|S Optimized Yes OpenCritic Rating Mighty Wiki
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Most open-world games can be best described as falling under the spectrum between emphasizing struggling in a realistic world versus having fun in an approachable yet slightly less realistic world. The final two on this list fall under the struggle and realism side of the spectrum.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has unsurprisingly become one of the more popular games to come out in 2025, and with good reason. With a grounded historical setting based in Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic) and an emphasis on realism in its gameplay, KCD2 fully immerses you in the first-person perspective of man-at-arms Henry of Skalitz.
The realism of KCD2 can be quite the struggle, but it adds depth and immersion into the world you’re thrown into. The crafting and cooking elements of this game are engaging, and there’s also a comprehensive management system where you can allocate items in your inventory and a strong skill progression.
Most importantly, the combat is a significant improvement over the first game, as it now implements stances and directional strikes that are somewhat reminiscent of combat in For Honor while masterfully streamlining them a bit from the original title.
KCD2 forces you to take your time and live in this grounded medieval setting, and this is less about thriving and more about surviving in an unforgiving world. You’ll craft and sharpen weapons, manage your hunger and energy, and bathe constantly in order to keep your charisma up.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
Experience The American Frontier
Red Dead Redemption 2
Action Adventure
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg:95/100 Critics Rec:94% 10/ 10
Released October 26, 2018 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Rockstar Games Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine RAGE Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play N/A Cross Save N/A Franchise Red Dead Redemption Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia How Long To Beat 50 Hours X|S Optimized yes Metascore 97 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Wiki
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Rockstar has always been great at simulating reality and translating real-life elements into a video game. Even in earlier games like Bully and older GTA titles, they have always emphasized creating a realistic world with believable, living inhabitants.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is no exception, and it’s almost like Rockstar left no stone unturned and no detail unnoticed. Not only is the world a fictionalized version of the American Frontier during the late 1800s, but it also balances an air of believability with its video game nature.
These realistic elements serve the gameplay and justify their existence without breaking immersion. Maintaining your guns, for example, is important because a poorly maintained gun wouldn’t perform as well. Camping also serves as a means to fast travel throughout the world, so you don’t have to spend hours riding your horse.
There are also a lot of realistic yet abridged portrayals of real-life activities and skills.Hunting and fishing are usually mundane aspects of life, but can somehow reward you with the joy of a job well done instead of any monetary rewards.
While skinning an animal or fishing might take longer in real life, RDR2 portrays them in a way that you don’t often see in media, giving you a glimpse into the realistic parts of living in the wilderness and learning these important real-life skills. My only gripe is that cooking is just holding a piece of meat over a fire.
Most importantly, the game doesn’t make Arthur Morgan or John Marsten the center of the universe; NPCs’ lives carry on without their influence, and depending on where you are in the story, you might see these characters in different stages of their personal journeys.
