open world
noun
plural open worlds
: a video game or part of a video game in which the player is not constrained to achieving specific goals and has a large degree of freedom to explore, interact with, or modify the game environment : sandbox sense 2a
The gameplay feels similar to other RPGs, and while it's an open world that allows you to do whatever you want for the most part, I do recommend accomplishing the first tasks of the recruitment quests early.—
Swapna Krishna
Swapna Krishna… you'll likely get swept in deep by the stellar narrative and the meticulously-crafted open world gameplay.—Tanveer Singh
—sometimes hyphenated when used before another nounTanveer SinghWhether you're keen on open-world games where you've got masses of virtual space to explore or survival games where there are more threats to keep you on your toes, our list should help you make the right choice.—Adrian Willings
Adrian WillingsExamples of open world in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mario Kart World is one of the year's hottest games, but its pivot to an open world setting, while peeling back kart customization options, opened a massive rift for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds to drift into.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 June 2025
What’s different, though, is how the open world impacted the track design and competition.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
Instead of racing through distinct courses, 24 racers (the most ever for the series) drive their karts, motorcycles, boats, trucks, snowmobiles and planes through an open world full of various regions.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
Sure, there’s not really that much to do and see in the open world beyond fighting monsters, yet swimming its oceans, climbing its mountains, and braving its deadly depths feels like an exciting adventure anyway.
—Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open world
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Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 June 2025
What’s different, though, is how the open world impacted the track design and competition.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
Instead of racing through distinct courses, 24 racers (the most ever for the series) drive their karts, motorcycles, boats, trucks, snowmobiles and planes through an open world full of various regions.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Apr. 2025
Sure, there’s not really that much to do and see in the open world beyond fighting monsters, yet swimming its oceans, climbing its mountains, and braving its deadly depths feels like an exciting adventure anyway.
—Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for open world
Cite this Entry
“Open world.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20world. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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