Hello, GOG. I've searched around for a decent list of open world games that are fantasy themed but they never quite get everything or have lax definitions. So I thought I would make one in a forum post so that others can contribute and have it handy for when they are looking.

Definitions-
Fantasy: Kind of obvious but games like Fallout 3 don't count in my book. If there's a little bit of sci fi that's fine (Might and Magic and Wizardry 8 would count as Fantasy in my book).
Open World: No one will be able to agree on one definition for this but for simplicity's sake I will say that an open world game may have loading doors or screens but has to have the feeling of a connected world. Exclusive travel via map screen does not count as open world to me, even if the individual areas are large. Plot blocked areas do not disqualify a game in my book so long as no significant areas are permanently sealed off and the block is temporary. The idea is that you should feel like you are actually traveling across the land in realtime.

They don't have to be here on GOG, but I will note if they are. Online only games do not count (I would kill for offline Guild Wars 1!). Also, it doesn't matter if they are Role-Playing games or not so long as they are fantasy themed and open world. Most will likely be RPG's though. They also have to be available on PC. This list is in no particular order. Feel free to suggest others, I am undoubtedly missing some games.

Might and Magic 1-10 (1-9 GOG)
Ultima 6-9 (GOG, earlier entries use a symbolic map screen as far as i know)
The Elder Scrolls 2-5 (2 and 3 are on GOG, TES Arena is not open world by my definition since you cannot actually walk from town to town, the world infinitely generates. To actually get anywhere you must fast travel.)
Two Worlds 1 and 2 (GOG)
Gothic 1-3 (GOG)
Kingdoms of Amalur
Dragon's Dogma
Sacred 1 and 2 (GOG)
Arcania (GOG, formally known as Gothic 4)
Risen 1-3 (GOG)
Wizardry 7 and 8 (GOG)
Divinity Series sans Dragon Commander (GOG, I don't know if this series counts since they tend to have very small worlds but they are pretty open and as far as I know you can freely travel between areas for the most part)
Middle-Earth Shadow of Mordor
Dark Souls Series (DaCostaBR says "in particular the first one..." and describes it as "...more specifically as a 3D Metroidvania but at that point we might be mincing words.")
Eschalon 1-3 (GOG)
Venetica
The Lords of Midnight Series (GOG)
Inquisitor (GOG)
Avernum Series (GOG, they are open but inside an underground world, pretty original)
Ishar Series and Crystals of Arborea (GOG)
Dragon Wars (GOG, from what I know you can freely travel between towns after you make your initial escape)
Quest for Glory 1, 2 and 4 (GOG, According to tremere110 "3 and 5 both have world map travel")
Terraria (GOG)

Not entirely sure if it fits, but Vendetta: Curse of Raven's Cry. Maybe Zenith?

I haven't played it myself yet, but I'd assume Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor belongs on that list.

Didn't know that was on PC. Thanks, added.

The Dark Souls series, in particular the first one, I think fits. There are certain things that have to be done in order, but after making a long trek to the cathedral and going down an elevator to find yourself right back where at the Firelink Shrine, it definitely feels like a large interconnected world.

I would classify it more specifically as a 3D Metroidvania, but at that point we might be mincing words.

Sacred 2 here on GOG. There's one area added in an expansion that may only be accessible by portal or "boat" travel IIRC, but the rest is pretty wide open on foot.

Already on the list, Luned. "Wide" is a good word. Sacred 2 is enormous! I've heard that a lot but wasn't so sure of how open the games truly are. But I'll add them. If anyone disagrees just post.

I haven't played this one either, so someone who did should confirm first, but I think Darksider 2 might be an open world fantasy game as well?

I was under the impression the Darksiders games were hub-based which I wouldn't count. Unless the second one is different from the first. I haven't played that one so I don't know.

From what I heard it is different from the first, and more open, but I don't know to what extent, that's why I was hoping for someone more knowledgeable to comment on the suggestion. :)

It's not open-world in the sense of one large map where you can go in any direction. Instead it's several areas with multiple points of entry connected amongst each other. Since it doesn't have loading screens separating them, it gives a feeling of traveling through a single big world. Here's a map for reference.

The reason I single out the first game is because it makes sense as a cohesive 3D space. The second has areas who technically overlap each other. The third one I don't know how it works.

Actually, a few things:

First of all, Ultima 6 should definitely be included in this list; the entire overworld is on the same map, just like in Ultima 7; the only difference is that there are separate maps for each floor of underground (though all underground areas on a floor are on the same map, even if you usually have to go through the overworld to travel between them). Also, I think Wizardry 7 should be included.

Secondly, I see the term "open world" as being largely related to the structure of the world; in particular, games where most of the world is initially blocked off by plot barriers I would not classify as open world. From what I have heard, Ultima 9 might be like that (though I have not played that game myself for at least 2 unrelated reasons).

Now, the earlier Ultima games (1-5) do have a world map; however, that world map is in fact an area that can be explored, and is not a separate map screen. In fact, in 2-5 any action that can be chosen in town can be chosen on the world map (though some options might not be useful), and all he early Ultimas have enemies on the world map. It really isn't that different from the world map in a traditional JRPG. In fact, if we ignore the PC only rule (or, alternatively, count games available via emulation), I would consider the original Dragon Quest, but not its sequels, to be open world. (How would you count games that start out linear but open up later, which isn't that unusual as far as JRPGs are concerned? If you count that, and you count Ultima 1-5 as open world, then Final Fantasy 6 is available for PC via Steam and becomes non-linear in the second half.)

Incidentally, if you decide to not count Ultima 1-5, I think you shouldn't count Might and Magic 1-5 either; the world maps of those games are not-to-scale in the same way that the Ultima 1-5 world maps are not-to-scale; it's just that the perspective (overhead versus 1st person) is different.

I see what you mean with it being "metroidvania" with that map. But if you can move relatively freely around, I would count it.

That's how I feel with Heroes of Might and Magic III with collecting items, digging for artifacts, going to the underworld and back again, transporting through portals… But maybe that's just my imagination…