8 Best Open-World Games That Master the Balance Between Combat and Story

Summary

One of the greatest things aboutopen-worldgames is that they offer a lot offreedom in terms of playstyle. This means that, in many cases, players can choose the path they want to take, the companions they wish to have at their side, and the weapons and armor that they wield against their enemies.

Some open worlds unfold at players’ pace, while others have a preset rhythm that has to be followed to get the best experience possible. Both types of games are great, but the true treasure is found when the narrative and the combat mechanics work well together. Here are some of thebest games that master the balance between combat and story.

AlthoughAssassin’s Creed Odysseyis not the first installment of the franchise that features an open world, it does present players with a great opportunity to experience both combat and an interesting story together.

This game keeps many of the elements that made theAssassin’s Creedfranchise great, while also implementing a few of its own that help it feel more complex. The story has many exciting turns to offer players, and the combat mechanics are well-crafted and always feel fun to use when facing enemies.

One of the things that makesHorizon Zero Dawnso great, is the premise it presents to players. While this game isn’t the first to tell the story of the downfall of humanity caused by hubris, greed, and hunger for power, it does introduce an interesting concept that involves mechanical creatures that went rogue.

Like many other titles in this genre,Horizon Zero Dawnoffers a deep and exciting narrativefull of likable characters. When combined with the great combat mechanics that Aloy can take advantage of, this tile is all-around great.

WhenCyberpunk 2077was first released back in 2020, it faced backlash due to a few performance issues that players were not happy with. Luckily, over the years, developer CD Projekt RED has made a massive effort to make up for this, and the game is now not only in a great state, but is arguably one of the best titles in its genre and concept.

Cyberpunk 2077presents players with an immersive story that is wonderfully complemented by the fast-paced FPS game mechanics in it. Throughout the game, players can modify V by installing Cyberware, andobtaining the various perks available.

Few games in the open-world genre can match the unparalleled feeling of peace that exploring the island of Tsushima can give players inGhost of Tsushima. There’s just something about beautiful landscapes and open fields with detailed foliage that is soothing.

Moreover, Jin Sakai’s story of redemption and the recovery of his homeland is inspiring, and the combat mechanics and exciting encounters with the invading Mongols only help to build on this. Without a doubt, players looking for a gaming experience that is both thrilling and soothing must tryGhost of Tsushima.

While theWitcherfranchise has been around for several years, most players agree that the third installment,The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,is CD Projekt RED’s magnum opus. This title features massive cities that feel alive, vicious monsters that are extremely challenging, and a compelling narrative that is, in and of itself, enough to make it a masterpiece.

However, when the great sword fighting mechanics that can be combined with Witcher Signs are added to the mix, the result is something else. And if that wasn’t enough, thevarious romance options availablein the game add another layer of depth that feels like the cherry on top.

If there’s one game that can masterfully combine combat and story, it’sSkyrim, and the fact that there are still tens of thousands of players active in the game almost 15 years after it was first released is evidence of that. Not only are the missions in the game very interesting, but the premise of the Dragonborn and all the lore behind them, along with the various factions that players can join, make this title overall great and give it high replay value.

First-timers should try to enjoy the game without glitches or exploits to get the full experience, but those who are replaying this title should try somegreat ways to get rich fast.

Ever since it was first released in 2022,Elden Ringhas taken the world by storm, pleasing both veterans of theDark Soulsfranchise and attracting newcomers who want to dip their toes into this challenging experience.

Like any other FromSoftware game,Elden Ringfeatures interesting, deep lore that not only complements the combat experience greatly, but also gives players considerable background information about many of the bosses they’ll face. Thanks to its open-world elements, this game takes Souslborne titles to a whole new level and lays the foundations for new content in this universe, such as the upcomingElden Ring Nightreign.

Rockstar Games is known for creating titles that have amazing gameplay and are beautifully complemented by their story. This is the case for many games in theGTAfranchise, and is also the case forRed Dead Redemption 2.

Following the story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang,Red Dead Redemption 2delivers in every aspect it aims to. Not only does it havebeautiful landscapesthat players can appreciate on horseback, but the shooting mechanics are also very interesting, and the narrative is both compelling and deep. Most players who begin and complete the game shed a tear over its emotional ending.