By john 
Open-world exploration is a defining characteristic of many modern RPGs, but its roots date back decades. Early RPGs offered pseudo-open worlds through slot mahjong overworld maps, where players traveled between towns and dungeons. Titles like Ultima and Phantasy Star laid the foundation for expansive exploration by granting players freedom of movement.
The leap to 3D in the 1990s opened new possibilities. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall featured one of the largest open worlds ever created, relying on procedural generation to achieve scale. Meanwhile, Gothic and Morrowind emphasized handcrafted environments filled with lore, unique landmarks, and emergent gameplay.
The 2000s established open-world RPGs as a mainstream trend. Games like Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion created immersive landscapes with dynamic ecosystems, side quests, and radiating AI behavior.
In the 2010s and beyond, open worlds became richer, denser, and more interactive. Titles such as The Witcher 3 and Elden Ring blended narrative depth with seamless exploration, encouraging organic discovery rather than checklist-based design. The evolution of open-world exploration reflects the RPG genre’s ambition to create living, breathing worlds.