While there is no doubt that it can make getting to specific locations much quicker, fast travel can easily break the immersion of an open-world, especially when it’s as simple as opening the map and immediately teleporting to a location. When games implement realistic ways to fast travel, it becomes much easier to believe the world that the developers have worked hard to create.
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8 Open World Games That Needed Fast Travel
Fast travel is a mechanic used in many open-world games, but certain titles such as No Man’s Sky and Vampyr do not, sometimes to their detriment.
This list includes some of the best open-world games that discard the all-too-easy ways to fast travel in favor of offering players more logical ways to traverse. Some even have cutscenes or are more convoluted to do, encouraging players to slow down and explore rather than getting caught in the trap of speedily plowing through the game.
The Franchise Stepping Into Its Own
- Released
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May 1, 2002
- Developer(s)
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Bethesda Game Studios
The third main game in The Elder Scrolls series, Morrowind, is set in Vvardenfell, where Gods and fantasy races struggle for power. In terms of RPGs, Morrowind is relatively harder to get into, with no quest markers or stat regeneration, but it has a lot of lore and amazing world-building.
Unlike the TES games that followed, Morrowind did not make fast traveling straightforward, but the options players do have are innovative and make sense within the world. They can ride silt striders and boats, use teleportation magic, and seek assistance from Guild guides. These methods all take different routes, so players also have to think about the best way to reach their destination.
9
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Still A Fantastic Game Over A Decade Later
- Released
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November 16, 2010
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood is a sequel to the second game, and the second game in the Ezio Trilogy. The player continues to try and free Rome from the Borgia’s control and reclaim the Apple of Eden from the Templars, all while rebuilding both the city and the Brotherhood.
A fair amount of the optional content revolves around restoring Rome, from repairing aqueducts to buying landmarks to opening shops. In order to fast travel between districts, the player must unlock tunnels to use; if the tunnel is not purchased for a particular district, they won’t be able to use it. Fortunately, the franchise is known for its fun free-running mechanics.
This tunnel system is also used in Revelations. Other Assassin’s Creed titles have different ways to fast travel (such as boats and travel stations), but for the sake of variety, only one has been included.
8
Grand Theft Auto Online
Players Can Cause As Much Or As Little Chaos As They Like
- Released
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October 1, 2013
- Developer(s)
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Rockstar North
As many players await the long-anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, many continue to enjoy the open worlds of the previous titles. Like GTA5′s story mode, Grand Theft Auto Online takes place in the LA-inspired Los Santos. As a multiplayer sandbox, there is plenty of mischief to be had, whether it’s racing, stealing, or gambling.
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The legendary Grand Theft Auto franchise has produced some incredible titles that stand out for their gameplay elements.
There are plenty of both regular and over-the-top ways to get around in GTAO, on land and water, and in the sky. By hailing or using the in-game mobile phone to call a taxi, players can jump in, choose a location, and select “Trip Skip” – a much more interactive way to fast travel.
One Of The Most Iconic RPGs
- Released
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November 11, 2011
- Developer(s)
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Bethesda Game Studios
By now, Skyrim has been thoroughly rinsed by most gamers for its memorable world and character creation possibilities. Although the game does make it incredibly easy to fast travel, with players being able to travel to any discovered location from pretty much anywhere, there are other, more immersive ways.
Using carriages near each city’s stables allows the player to get a ride to any of the other cities, regardless of whether they’ve been there before or not. It’s a great method to use when roleplaying as a traveling merchant or weary warrior. Players will also need to take a boat ride to get to Solstheim if they have the Dragonborn DLC.
6
Fallout 4
The Sole Survivor And Dogmeat Against What’s Left Of The World
- Released
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November 10, 2015
The fourth main game in the iconic post-apocalyptic series, Fallout 4 follows the Sole Survivor’s journey through America’s divided wastelands to find their son, with plenty of fighting, crafting, leveling, and base-building in between. Outside of Survival Difficulty, players can fast travel to known locations via the map, though there are more immersive ways to get around.
Throwing a vertibird signal grenade in Fallout 4 will summon the US-developed military aircraft, the vertibird, for the player to ride. By choosing a place on the map, the vertibird will take them as close as possible, and, as an added bonus, will help fend off enemies if it lands near hostiles.
5
Marvel’s Spider-Man
Smooth And Satisfying Gameplay
- Released
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September 7, 2018
Marvel’s Spider-Man follows the iconic Peter Parker as he faces notorious villains such as Doctor Octopus and Electro to save New York. The game is most renowned for its addictive web swinging and combat, with gameplay feeling as if it has weight and momentum, making traveling all the more fun.
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Batman: Arkham games are great, but they are the seed that should bloom into other open-world superhero games like Captain Marvel or Superman.
For players wanting a quicker way to get around, they only have to open the map and select an already-discovered location. However, the game includes a cutscene of Spider-Man riding the subway. Not only does this add to the realism and remind players of Parker’s normality, it’s also a humorous change of pace from swinging through the city.
Fast travel is only unlocked after completing the “Wheels Within Wheels” main story quest.
4
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
One Of The Most Authentic And Immersive Games Of The 2020s
- Released
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February 4, 2025
- Developer(s)
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Warhorse Studios
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one of the bigger indie games to come out of 2025, and will no doubt be nominated for many Game of the Year awards. Its in-depth mechanics and RPG elements, historical accuracies, and charismatic characters all combine into an engrossing experience.
Fast travel is possible in KCD2, though not without its risks and, unlike most games, it’s not instantaneous. The player can see Henry’s journey and the passing of time on the map, and on the way, they may encounter random events. This could be anything from bandits to campsites; players can stop off at (or take a chance at running from) these points along the way if they choose.
3
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Slay Monsters And Save The World
The Witcher 3 likely needs no introduction, being part of a franchise that also includes books and series, and one of the best-selling RPGs of all time. Players must fight monsters and people to save both Ciri and the world from the Wild Hunt’s invasion, amid an already war-torn Continent.
Players can fast travel within and between kingdoms using discovered signposts, but one of the more realistic ways is sailing. When aboard a boat, players can choose an anchor-marked dock to fast travel to. Using this method adds a bit more limitation, which also contributes to the role-playing potential – just imagine Geralt, the legendary monster-hunting sailor.
Nails The Open-World Elements
- Released
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September 1, 2015
As open-world games go, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is among the best when it comes to size, amount of content, and gameplay, and the franchise’s first real venture into the genre doesn’t compromise the classic Metal Gear vibes. The title follows Snake as he navigates a warring Afghanistan, with an overarching plot about revenge, and plenty of missions that can be approached however the player chooses.
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Metal Gear has a long, storied history, but which of its games stand the test of time as true classics?
MGS5 has one of the most unique fast travel systems. Players have to hide under a box in a loading zone in order for a truck to pick them up. The trucks can transport Snake to any other delivery points, provided they have been unlocked by collecting their respective invoice.
1
Red Dead Redemption 2
Be An Honorable Vigilante Or Lawless Murderer
- Released
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October 26, 2018
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of Rockstar’s biggest achievements to date. The game follows the outlaw Arthur Morgan and his rogue family, the Van Der Linde gang, as they attempt to escape the law and find the funds to hang up their guns for good. From a narrative standpoint, RDR2 excels, which is only enhanced by the realistic physics and visuals of the game.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is, admittedly, slower-paced than a lot of open-world games that are keen to throw the player into the wild and explore, but for patient gamers, this is a great opportunity to fully indulge in the world. There are various stage-coaches and train stations across the map that can be used to fast travel between places, requiring the player to go through the whole works of buying a ticket and watching a cutscene. While not the fastest of fast travel, it’s one of the most cinematic and era-appropriate.
Players can also fast travel from camps, provided Dutch’s lodging is upgraded.
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