While time has felt a little slower these days due to the pandemic, somehow we've come to the point where two major gaming classics have hit big milestones. This week saw not just one, but two major anniversaries for some of the most acclaimed open-world games of all time, Red Dead Redemption and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Rockstar's Western epic and CD Projekt Red's sprawling fantasy RPG both turned 10 and 5 years old this year (respectively), and are prime examples of how far gaming as come in the last decade.

It's hard to believe that both of these games are already years past their original release at this point, but few would deny that both Red Dead and The Witcher 3 have been among some of the most influential open-world experiences to come out of the past decade of games. With Red Dead, Rockstar reached a new level of storytelling capability to rival its flagship franchise, Grand Theft Auto. Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red took its iconic fantasy franchise to new heights with an epic experience that could feel right in line with The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.

With the anniversaries this week of these two open-world classics, in this Insta-Forum we want to turn to the DualShockers community to ask: what are your favorite memories of either The Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption? What made these games stand the test of time? What made Geralt of Rivia and John Marston just iconic, well-known characters? Would you rather spend time in the Continent or the Wild West? Who has the best beard: Geralt or John? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Earlier this week, both myself and our own Rachael Fiddis shared editorials on the anniversaries of these two modern classics. For Red Dead, what has always stood out to me (aside from its outstanding world, visuals, and music) is how its world and Western setting reinforces an engaging and devastating story of tragedy through the eyes of John Marston and its other characters. Meanwhile, for Rachael, her piece reflected on everything that has made The Witcher 3 stand out as one of this generation's best games, such as its world and engrossing cast of characters. Of course, there is also the game's amazing DLC expansions, which stand as full length game experiences of their own.