Best Single-Player Games That Are Huge

Given the high cost of video games, players generally expect a product that they would view as a worthwhile investment, often meaning hundreds of hours of gameplay, endless replayability, or a large and open map to explore. Many multiplayer games match these requirements, but there are also tons of massive games that players can enjoy solo for hundreds or even thousands of hours.

When considering whether a game is “huge,” it can take into account many factors, from high sales and cultural impact to the time spent playing. These single-player games are all huge in terms of sales, their historical importance, and the myriad hours of gameplay on offer, and they are ranked based on a combination of these factors, plus their general overall quality.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

A Large World To Conquer In Brutal Battles

Though it may not be the standout entry in the series, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is incredibly popular, being one of Ubisoft’s best-selling games, and it is brimming with content. Set during the Viking expansion across Europe, there are countless large maps to explore in Norway, the British Isles, and even some mythological realms.

Players can easily spend over one hundred hours in Valhalla with Eivor Varinsdottir, while barely scratching the surface of everything on offer, especially when adding the huge DLCs. The large world is far from empty and is generally a joy to explore, and even more satisfying when engaging in brutal combat.

No Man’s Sky

Perhaps The Largest Game Map Ever – An Infinite Universe

Over 18 quintillion planets. It cannot be overstated how mind-bogglingly vast the game world of No Man’s Sky is, and it’s one that no human will ever be able to fully explore. A game that has undergone a complete transformation since its infamous launch, the game is now beloved by the millions who have purchased a copy.

The infinite universe is free for players to explore, and they can build on planets, trade goods with traveling merchants, and engage in space combat if necessary. There are some very minor multiplayer elements, but overall, it is primarily a single-player experience as individuals explore, discover, and survive.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Three Major Cities & Plenty Of Activities

By modern standards, the game world of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas may seem relatively small, but it is remarkable considering the game is more than two decades old. Across three cities, each with its own identities, activities, and unique countryside surroundings, Carl Johnson’s adventure is packed with things to do.

Like many other aspects of the game, CJ can be fully customized, from appearance and physical traits to relationships with friends and girlfriends. There are hundreds of missions, heists, events, and other leisure activities, plus the highly popular gang warfare mechanic, where the Grove Street Families seek to take control of territories in Los Santos or defend their own turf.

Cyberpunk 2077

Night City Is Breathtaking & Full Of Life

Fan expectations were huge for Cyberpunk 2077, given its scope, ambition, and intriguing setting, and it is now one of the best RPGs available on the market, despite the turbulent beginnings. Night City is sprawling, alive, and filled with intricate details, plus there is a huge chunk of land outside the city that is enticing to inquisitive players.

V has plenty to do in this large game world, both in terms of story and side missions, as well as other activities around the futuristic metropolis, including some unexpected encounters. Experiencing everything can take well over one hundred hours, but many enjoy playing through the game again and again, making alternative decisions and trying different character builds.

Super Mario Odyssey

The Biggest Mario Game So Far

Owing to the more open-ended nature of Super Mario Odyssey, it’s certain to keep players occupied for a long time, especially if they aim to collect every power moon and uncover every secret hidden within the game. There are fourteen main kingdoms or worlds to explore throughout the main campaign, and three more for the mustachioed plumber to unlock and tackle later.

Each kingdom that Mario visits has plenty of missions and other side objectives, plus a myriad of creatures, NPCs, and items to possess by throwing Cappy at them. Not only is there plenty to do, but Odyssey is one of Mario’s highest-selling outings, and it ranks among the best games ever made.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Action & Adventure In A Large Open World

Hyrule has never quite been so impressive and expansive as it is in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its successor, Tears of the Kingdom. Traversing the land requires a great deal of time and effort, gliding from high ground or taming and riding horses to reach those faraway places, and enjoying every moment of it.

Each region of the kingdom is distinctive with its own people, culture, and climate, plus a ton of things to do. In terms of sales, Breath of the Wild has almost double the total of its next closest competitor in the franchise, and it’s one of the main reasons why many people own a Nintendo Switch.

Genre-Defining Fantasy Game

It may not have the largest map in the Elder Scrolls series (not even close) and many players may prefer Morrowind or Oblivion, but The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is an absolute juggernaut game in terms of sales and cultural impact. Constantly being re-released and replayed by many over a decade since its initial launch, Skyrim remains relevant in countless video game discussions and articles.

The snow-covered province is certainly a treat to explore and uncover all its secrets, which can easily eat up hundreds of hours in a single playthrough. DLCs expand the game even further with an extra island to delve into called Solstheim, and plenty of major questlines to navigate.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Masterful Storytelling, Branching Narrative, & Immersive World

The game that earned The Witcher series global recognition, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is often heralded as one of the best open-world games and features some of the most intense combat in gaming. It’s easy to become immersed in the detailed and expansive regions, each filled with adventures and curiosities to keep Geralt of Rivia busy.

The densely packed landscape is far bigger than that of its predecessors and Skyrim, with the Toussaint region in the Blood and Wine expansion being even larger than most full games. As one of the most popular games of the last decade, its well-written narrative is often used as the yardstick for other games with strong storylines.

Pokemon Red And Blue

Catch & Train Iconic Monsters In These Classics

Part of the worldwide multimedia phenomenon, Pokemon Red and Blue are where it all began back in 1996. Some of the series’ most iconic characters originate in these Game Boy classics, and the franchise has only gained popularity in the decades since, but no Pokemon games have quite surpassed the sales of the originals.

Considering the hardware limitations of the Game Boy, a lot is crammed into the Kanto region, from towns, NPCs, and gyms, to the original 151 Pokemon. Of course, to complete the Pokedex, players would have to trade with friends using the Game Link cable, but these games are generally considered single-player experiences with only minor multiplayer aspects.

The Sims

Endlessly Replayable Life Simulator

At over twenty years old, The Sims remains a popular franchise. Now on its fourth mainline entry, there are countless spin-offs, console ports, and expansions that have been released over the years. The original game does have splitscreen multiplayer on console, but is otherwise a single-player game that can be enjoyed throughout the course of a lifetime.

Open-ended gameplay allows players to fully control the lives of their Sims, from careers and hobbies to romance, as well as construct and decorate their homes. Later entries have expanded on the formula massively, allowing for even more creativity, options, and life paths, but the original sold the most copies and is still impressive in its scope today.