Best Open-World Games With The Most Fun Characters

In an era where open-world games dominate the video game industry, developers who are brave enough to dive into the genre for themselves will need to do a lot more than just create a visually impressive and massive world to keep players engaged from beginning to end. While the combat and story of these titles are important to get right, an open-world game can also benefit from having a fun and enjoyable cast of characters to keep the player company during their grand adventure.

Considering that many open-world titles will feature a silent or quiet protagonist as a way to make players feel immersed in the experience, it’s crucial to have other individuals who occupy the world that can provide some light banter and casual conversations to ensure the core gameplay never becomes boring or stale. On the other hand, it’s never a bad idea to have a lead character who can talk, so that they can engage with these NPCs while they explore the vast open-world set out before them. These brilliant titles listed below are some of the biggest examples of open-world games that feature a fun and diverse cast of side characters who all go a long way in helping to make the journey even more memorable.

Horizon Forbidden West

Aloy Runs Into Many Familiar Faces, And Also A Few Fresh Newcomers To The Series

One thing players will immediately notice after getting a few hours into Horizon Forbidden West, aside from the stunning graphics and gigantic open world, is that Aloy is a very talkative protagonist. This could end up getting a little irritating if there weren’t other individuals who could provide dialogue of their own, but the good news is, Horizon Forbidden West is packed full of lovable characters, many of whom make a grand return from the previous game.

Whether it’s the clumsy but well-intentioned Erend or the hard-working and fun-loving Petra, there are plenty of intriguing characters that Aloy can meet while traversing through the dangerous land known as the Forbidden West. Because the story of Forbidden West can get a little darker as it goes on, having characters like these two who provide a more jovial tone any time they show up on screen ensures that things never seem too dire, without turning the game into one big slice of comic relief in the process.

Fallout: New Vegas

The Mojave Wasteland Contains All Kinds Of Weird And Quirky Strangers To Meet

After players wake up in Doc. Mitchell’s house at the beginning of Fallout: New Vegas, they will be free to explore the post-apocalyptic Mojave Wasteland at their own leisure. While Bethesda’s published games have always been known for their memorable characters, New Vegas contains an especially weird assortment of individuals who all feel very unique and distinct in their own ways. For example, the residents of Goodsprings, the first town that players can explore after waking up, are all relatively normal people just trying to get by, but this certainly cannot be said for the people who occupy New Vegas.

Mr House, for example, is an egotistical mastermind who takes the form of a giant face appearing on a screen, rather than actually speaking to the player in person. On the other side of New Vegas, players are able to meet The Kings, a group of thugs who are all heavily influenced by Elvis, or they can go to the outskirts of The Wasteland to run into Caesar’s Legion, a band of vicious tribesmen who are trying to mold the world into the new Roman Empire. These are just a few examples of the kinds of groups and factions players will inevitably bump into while trying to find answers about the mysterious Platinum Chip in Fallout New Vegas.

Red Dead Redemption 2

There’s Nothing Quite Like Hanging Around And Sharing A Few Drinks With The Gang

Anyone who has played through Red Dead Redemption 2 will know that the story takes a pretty dark turn as it reaches the final few missions, but the first few acts are actually pretty fun and lighthearted, and it’s all because of the cast of characters that Arthur affiliates himself with. Dutch is the endlessly charismatic leader of the gang that players are able to meet and interact with any time they travel back to camp. They may all be outlaws, but each member of this crew feels very different from one another, thanks to their personal characteristics and backgrounds, but despite that, the one thing they all love is having big and loud parties together, where players are given the chance to sit down and chat with them all any time the celebrations kick off.

Because of how massive the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 actually is, Rockstar made the decision to litter the map full of strangers, many of whom have their own personal missions that Arthur can complete for special rewards, while also learning more about the individual in the process. There’s a lot to love about Red Dead Redemption 2, including the captivating story and the immersive gameplay, but the endearing characters are ultimately the heart and soul of the experience.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Link May Not Speak, But His Friendly Allies Always Have Something Intriguing To Say

Since Link is a protagonist who remains mute throughout The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it was crucial that Nintendo packed the game full of fun and bubbly characters to avoid there being too many awkward instances of dead air. As the minds behind some of the most beloved characters in gaming, it should come as no surprise that Nintendo did an excellent job at conjuring up quirky characters who help to make the land of Hyrule feel truly lived in, with there being a fruitful mixture of both returning characters from Breath of the Wild and a few newcomers to keep things interesting.

For example, while Yunobo, Teba, and Riju all show up to accompany Link in his latest adventure, they are also surrounded by a plethora of other characters in their respective villages, who players are free to interact with when entering each new area. There’s also an abundance of random strangers players can meet if they take the time to explore their surroundings, whether it be a man desperately attempting to build a sign, or simply a friendly couple trying to keep warm in the snowy mountains. Tears of the Kingdom contains one of the most interactive and jaw-dropping open worlds ever made, and it’s complemented by a wonderful cast of characters who can all be spoken to with the press of a button.

Far Cry 5

Hope County Contains A Very Diverse Cast Of Residents Who All Hate Joseph Seed

Hope County may be ruled by Joseph Seed and his maniacal cult of loyal followers, but they aren’t the only ones who enjoy wreaking havoc everywhere they go. As players liberate camps and collect resources to fend off Seed’s army, they will also be tasked with meeting plenty of bizarre individuals who also have the exact same goal. The reason the word ‘bizarre’ would be best used to describe these characters is that the majority of them are simply so over the top and exaggerated that it’s hard not to let out a chuckle every now and again when hearing them scream out their wild dialogue during their own set of missions.

Additionally, Far Cry 5 allows players to recruit plenty of companions that can be a big help in taking down swarms of enemies. From a ferocious grizzly bear known as Cheeseburger to the rocket-launcher-loving Hurk, it’s clear that Ubisoft wanted to give each of these sidekicks as much character and personality as humanly possible, and it’s fair to say they succeeded with flying colors, considering how beloved all of them have become by the fanbase.

Cyberpunk 2077

Night City Attracts People From Many Different Walks Of Life, Many Of Whom Are Tons Of Fun To Be Around

Once players are dropped into Night City at the beginning of Cyberpunk 2077, they will quickly realize that the only person they can actually call a friend is Jackie, though this friendship doesn’t last very long after the lovable mercenary is taken out of the story. It can definitely be a little intimidating strolling through a giant hyper-futuristic city without knowing a single person, but after a few hours of playtime, V will begin making friends with some rather peculiar individuals. Judy, a stubborn but immensely talented cyber-nut, is just one of several fan favorite characters who stand out for her stylish design and clever way with words.

On the other hand, Panam, a nomad who prefers to live on the outskirts of the bustling city, is a little more playful and sarcastic, but still has a lot bubbling beneath the surface that players can learn more about if they choose to. Of course, it’s impossible to talk about Cyberpunk characters without also mentioning Johnny Silverhand, the crude, cool, and charismatic rockstar who will show up to engage in some casual banter with V every now and again, even in the middle of an important cutscene. CD Projekt Red had already managed to create an open world that feels incredibly immersive and eerily realistic, but the fun cast of characters acts as the icing on the cake for what many consider one of the best video games to be released in the last decade.