The Best Open-World Games with a Leveling System, Ranked

The open-world genre has been a dominant force in gaming for over a decade, but what truly makes these games stand out is a compelling progression system. A sprawling world is nothing without a reason to explore it, and for many players, that reason is the satisfaction of leveling up their character, unlocking new abilities, and becoming an unstoppable force. The best open-world RPGs masterfully blend player freedom with a rewarding sense of growth. Here is a ranking of the 8 best open-world games where character leveling is a core component of the experience.

8. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (2023)

While not a traditional RPG, Insomniac Games’ masterpiece is a fantastic example of a simplified yet highly effective leveling system. In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, both Peter Parker and Miles Morales have their own unique skill trees, as well as a shared one. Gaining experience points through combat, side missions, and collecting items allows players to unlock new traversal abilities, combat moves, and gadgets. The progression feels seamless and never gets in the way of the high-octane action. It’s a system that plays it safe but delivers a constant stream of rewarding upgrades, making both Spider-Men feel more powerful and versatile as the game progresses.

7. Ghost of Tsushima (2020)

Sucker Punch’s samurai epic is a masterclass in elegant design. The game’s leveling system is tied directly to the player’s honor and exploration. As Jin Sakai, you gain experience by completing quests, liberating outposts, and engaging in duels. The progression is tied to three main pillars: the Samurai skill tree, the Ghost skill tree, and the exploration-based techniques. This system perfectly mirrors Jin’s journey, allowing players to choose whether to embody the honorable Samurai or the cunning Ghost. The upgrades are meaningful and impactful, and the game rewards you for engaging with its beautiful world and satisfying combat system.

6. Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)

Despite a difficult launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has evolved into one of the most rewarding open-world RPGs on the market. The game’s intricate leveling system, combined with a deep skill tree and a wide array of cybernetic implants, allows for a staggering amount of build variety. Players gain experience and Street Cred to unlock new perks in categories like Cool, Reflexes, Body, and Technical Ability. This system allows you to truly roleplay as the character you want to be, whether it’s a stealthy netrunner, a tanky solo, or a guns-blazing outlaw. The game’s progression is so deep that it encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different builds and playstyles.

5. Fallout: New Vegas (2010)

Widely considered the best entry in the modern Fallout series, New Vegas stands out for its deep character progression and meaningful player choice. As the Courier, you gain experience by completing quests and defeating enemies, and each level-up gives you points to spend on a wide range of skills, from Barter and Speech to Guns and Melee Weapons. The game’s progression system is a masterclass in roleplaying, as your choices in dialogue, combat, and exploration are all directly tied to your character’s growth. The game’s leveling is not just about becoming stronger; it’s about defining who you are in the Mojave Wasteland.

4. Elden Ring (2022)

FromSoftware’s first open-world game is a monumental achievement in design. While it retains the famously punishing difficulty of the Souls series, it gives players an unprecedented amount of freedom to explore and level up. As the Tarnished, you can invest Runes (experience points) into any of a dozen attributes, from Strength and Dexterity to Faith and Arcane. This creates an incredibly fluid and customizable progression system. Unlike other games that force you down a specific class path, Elden Ring allows you to experiment with new weapons, spells, and armor sets as you level up, making every discovery feel truly impactful. The game is a journey of self-discovery and a testament to a rewarding and organic progression loop.

3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011)

Skyrim‘s leveling system is so influential that it has become a reference point for the entire genre. The game’s unique “use-based” system rewards players for engaging with their chosen skills. If you want to become a master archer, you simply use a bow more often. This organic and intuitive progression loop is one of the main reasons the game has been so enduringly popular. The leveling system allows you to build a character that is truly your own, without the need to plan a complex build from the beginning. Every time you level up, you can unlock a new perk on the game’s famous constellation chart, which gives you a clear sense of how far you’ve come and what lies ahead.

2. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (2018)

The first Assassin’s Creed to fully embrace the RPG genre, Odyssey delivered a massive, sprawling open world with a progression system to match. As either Kassandra or Alexios, players gain XP by completing quests, exploring the world, and engaging in naval combat. The game’s skill tree is divided into three branches—Hunter, Warrior, and Assassin—giving players a clear choice on their preferred playstyle. The game’s focus on loot and gear makes every level-up feel like a genuine step forward, as you are constantly finding new and better equipment to improve your character’s stats. The game’s scale is immense, and the progression system is what makes the journey manageable and incredibly rewarding.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)

When it comes to open-world RPGs with a leveling system, The Witcher 3 is often seen as the gold standard. The game’s progression is a perfectly balanced blend of player choice, meaningful rewards, and a narrative that is directly impacted by your character’s growth. As Geralt of Rivia, you gain experience by completing quests, which are so well-written that they are often more compelling than the main story of other games. Your skill points can be invested in a deep skill tree that is divided into Combat, Signs, and Alchemy. The progression feels organic and is directly tied to the game’s lore, as Geralt becomes a more skilled monster hunter with every level. The game’s leveling system is a testament to the idea that a progression loop should not just make your character more powerful, but also make them a more interesting and compelling part of the world.