Summary
With so many open-world games on the market, it can be easy for the experiences they offer to blend together. AAA studios have been ringing the same bells for many years, though there have been some admirable efforts in the form of titles such asThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
This has resulted in both indie developers and studios at large taking more risks in their designs. Many have gone on to createopen-world games with unique gameplayin recent years, with experiences ranging from the underwater survival ofSubnauticato the high-budget acquired taste ofDeath Stranding.
Caves Of Qudisa traditional roguelike with a tremendously unique setting, but its gameplay is also incredibly distinctive thanks to an intricately-designed character creator. The flexibility of this character creator and the wealth of options it offers allows each player to have a distinct experience, creating evocative characters that amble through the world in their own unique ways.
A diverse variety of character mutations and cybernetic augments are both mechanically dense and thematic, allowing players to stretch their imagination and feel unique. Furthermore, in a unique fashion,Caves Of Qudallows players to enjoy the game as a regular RPG with an alternate game mode, making it a much more accessible title.
There are plenty ofopen-world survival-craft games, and while many try to put their own unique spin on the genre, most are very familiar.Subnauticachanges things up dramatically by setting the game in an alien ocean.
This not onlygives the game a unique setting, but it also results in a distinctive gameplay loop, too. The horror elements injected by the variety of underwater creatures and the oxygen system that controls the player’s ability to explore result in a gameplay loop that feels wholly different from that of other open-world titles.
Mount & Blade: Warbandisa strategic sandbox gamethat tasks players with managing their own armies and commanding them in battle. The game’s world can be explored freely via an overworld map, allowing players to strategize without restraint, facilitating sandbox gameplay.
The rough-edged gameplay and lack of compelling narrative quests may be a severe downside for fans of open-world games. However, the combination of strategic battles from a third/first-person perspective, overworld exploration, and management gameplay results in a thoroughly unique loop that’s wholly unique toMount & Blade.
Taking place ina rich and evocative historical setting,Kingdom Come: Deliveranceis a unique beast with a truly distinctive feel. The grounded reality of its world and unique, rewarding combat system results in gameplay that feels truly distinct.
The unique melee combat ofKingdom Comeis the beating heart of its moment-to-moment gameplay, providing much of the challenge while remaining a satisfying experience. However, the game is also driven by its story and detailed open-world exploration, allowing it to be a full, fleshed-out experience that’s far from one-dimensional.
Featuring a near-total lack of conflict and a gameplay loop thatrevolves around monetizing cutesy balls of slime,Slime Rancheris an inherently cozy experience. The lack of a real combat system and focus on joyful exploration allowsSlime Rancherto stand out, but its unique flavor is elevated by the game’s unforgettable vacuum gun or the “Vacpack.”
The relaxing atmosphere and farming-sim loop is one thing, but the Vacpack gives the moment-to-moment gameplay a unique spin. This distinctive tool makes the simple act of collecting items tremendously satisfying, be it pulling apples from a tree or carrots from the ground. Altogether, this results in an open-world experience that’s focused on play, rather than challenge and/or grinding.
Giving players the task of setting their own goals,Kenshiis a sandbox strategy game with real-time combat and a tactical pause feature. The squad-based combat itself, while not a focus, is relatively unique, but it’sKenshi’s world and how the player is able to interact with it that give it its distinct feel.
Kenshi’s wasteland world isan utterly strange settingpopulated by a variety of factions, NPCs, and wandering mobs. The RPG elements ofKenshi’s gameplay and the sheer level of agency it offers also allows players to make their way through the world in whatever way they see fit. This can include everything from trading or hunting bounties to farming or freeing slaves.
Outer Wildsis an open-world adventure that allows players to explore an entire solar system, built from a variety of tremendously unique planets that offer their own wonders and dangers alike. Lacking a combat system,Outer Wildssucceeds with its sense of discovery and wonder.
The combination of a heartfelt soundtrack, charming characters, and an utterly immersive atmosphere result in a unique tone, especially so whencombined with the game’s art style. Exploring the solar system is also a uniquely fluid experience thanks to the lack of loading screens between space travel and on-foot exploration.
Death Strandingis a truly unique game that combines a supernatural, utterly strange story with an expansive landscape for players to explore. This is backed by a distinctive gameplay loop that revolves around traveling both on-foot and via vehicles.
This gameplay may be too tedious for some, featuring many long stretches of walking across (at times) hostile environments. However, by turning the mere act of walking into an at-times tense gameplay loop,Death Strandingbecomes an incredibly unique experience. Furthermore, the wealth of context and length of the journeys players must make result in expeditions that are truly rewarding.
