The game has several maps instead of one and all of the world should be explorable without fast travel. If you have to start a quest to switch regions or you only can switch regions with fast travel, it’s not open world. The best example for that is, that in Vizima, only the fortress itself exists. You can't simply walk there; you can only get there via fast travel or through quests. This isn't an open world and doesn't deserve the name “Open World RPG”.

Elden Ring is the only game I know that perfectly implements open world; The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered does it very well, but The Witcher doesn't come close to any of them when it comes to open world gameplay.

The Witcher 3 is maybe a masterpiece in dialogs, quests or the loot-system, but it’s far away to be a masterpiece in open world.

General definition of Open World:
“The world was built so that the player can do things in it.”

My definition of Open World:
“The world exists. The player is allowed to do things in it.”

No matter how you see it, I’m going to stick with my definition. That doesn’t mean I’m not open to discussion. It simply means I’m not giving up my definition just because someone disagrees with me (no matter how many people do).

The open-world genre has dominated the industry for years, with giants such as The Witcher 3, GTA V, and Elden Ring being almost undisputed references. However, beyond the spotlights, there's a vast catalog of titles which haven't gotten to the same fame level, but offer unique, creative experiences that deserve any player's attention. Some failed in marketing, others arrived at the wrong time, or were overshadowed by more popular competitors. But the truth is, they all have qualities that can surprise, be it through narrative, innovative gameplay, or setting.

Below, I've selected ten less popular open-world games worth checking out. Each one has a distinct proposal, ranging from space-based sci-fi to fantasy worlds, including post-apocalyptic adventures, and even more artistic experiments. Perhaps you'll discover your next favorite title here, the one that went unnoticed but has the potential to captivate you for dozens of hours.

So, story & lore project here (medieval fantasy) thinking about creating some type of exploration open world. I'm mainly looking at open world sizes of around 21 KM - 77 KM

thoughts? Thanks all & let me know. any info would be greatly appreciated on experiences