From Assassin’s Creed and Zelda to Red Dead and Grand Theft Auto, here are our picks for the best open-world games of all time.
David Silbert
David Silbert
David is the founder of The Punished Backlog. He has a problem finishing games he starts.
Just beat: GTA V.
Working on: Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.
Can't wait for: Ocarina of Time (2026), GTA VI.
Follow David on Twitter at @David_Silbert to keep up to date with all things The Punished Backlog.
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In this podcast episode, we discuss the joy in familiarity, difficulty, hype, and gameplay loops as we consider video games as comfort food.
In our Valor Mortis review, learn why this first-person Soulslike action-platformer takes aim at too many influences to stand its ground.
Our 2026 Fantasy Gaming league heats up! Read on for our second waiver wire of the year, plus mid-October standings.
Our list of the best cozy games covers puzzles, platform adventures, farming, shop sims, visual novels, and much more.
In honor of James Bond Day, here are the seven best James Bond themes ever produced. Spoiler alert: Shirley Bassey made the list.
Nintendo’s latest console is still early in its life, but it’s already racking up hits. These are the best Nintendo Switch 2 games so far.
Grand Theft Auto VI is set to turn the games industry upside down. It’s also set to shine a light on our worst tendencies as Americans.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation is shaping up to be a massive, feature-rich, trilogy-capping adventure. And that’s exactly what has me worried.
Super Mario Sunshine is probably the beloved plumber’s most polarizing adventure. Punished Backlog editors Sam and David discuss why that is.