Summary
Open-world games are not only about giving the player choices, the format also offers a ton of possibilities for game designers. As such, not all games aim for players to explore every nook and cranny. The titles detailed below still qualify as open-world games, but they are not for those who wantan experience likeBreath of the Wild, Elden Ring,or evenGrand Theft Auto 5.
Instead, their open worlds are more about molding a story around its setting. The environment is still a character in this story and the game feels more immersive because of the open world, but it is not made with exploration in mind.
The Getawayfeels likeGuy Ritchie: The Video Game. The fast-talking characters and even faster plot feel right at home amongLock, Stock, and Two Smoking BarrelsorSnatch. The game’s 24 missions take place in afully-realized open-world London.
The game does not allow players to freely roam through its streets until they have beaten the game. There are free moments during the campaign where players can drive around freely if they wish before going to the next objective, but there is nothing of interest to do or see.
The thirdRed Factiongame did away with the linear first-person shooter structure of the first two titles.Red Faction Guerrillatakes place in an open-world Mars environment. It connects to its origins through the story and thededication to destructible environments.
There are objectives and side quests off the beaten path, but it is all laid out for players in menus. There is nothing to be gained from running around the environment looking for secrets. The side missions are still a lot of fun since they involve creatively destroying buildings.
The spiritual successor toIcois built around a simple gameplay loop; follow the waypoint given by the protagonist’s sword and slay the beast at the destination. The gameplay is set in a barren open-world landscape, but it is not meant to be explored in theway one can do itBreath of the Wild’sHyrule.
Other than the main objective, there are lizards players can hunt to extend their grip gauge and health and one easter egg at the top of a high spot on the map. Filling the map with little secrets and hints of life would go against everythingShadow of the Colossus’s design aims for. There is a certain sadness behind the idea of players killing potentially the last living beings in the land.
The firstMafiagame feels like theanti-GrandTheft Auto. It creates a grounded 1930s setting forits serious tale about organized crime. Minor traffic offensives draw police attention, unlike the reckless speeding that’s allowed in the Rockstar Series.
This is whatMafia’s open world is all about versus the spectacle of other open-world titles - the world aims to feel real and lived in. A free-roam mode is available with some diversions, but it is a bonus and not a main feature of the experience.
The firstFar Cryis a predecessor toCrysiswith open combat arenas, whereasFar Cry 2was the series' first step into true open-world territory. It is not the Ubisoft formula players got withFar Cry 3, though.Far Cry 2’sworld is still limited and best enjoyed if players go from mission to mission without dilly-dallying in between.
There are safe houses to conquer, but it is not as engaging as laterFar Crygames. While not the most beloved entry in the series,Far Cry 2introduces a lot of elements and systems thatwould go on to influence the series.
Coming out all the way back in 2006, the adaptation of the legendary 1972 films is the precursor to a lot of the tropes seen in many modern open-worldgames. The bonus content consists of simple side quests related to organized crime like extortion and taking over rackets controlled by other families.
The map is not complex enough to encourage freely exploring its hidden parts and the world is not reactive enough to make going on a rampage likeGrand Theft Autoentertaining.
The laterAssassin’s Creedgames expand the open-world concept with side quests and various scavenger hunts. The debut entry is purely about tracking down a target, eliminating it, and moving on to the next one. With each assassination, more of the story is revealed until the game ends.
There is one type of collectible to look for, but it does nothing exceptgive Xbox players an achievement, asAssassin’s Creedwas released before trophies were introduced on PS3. It is hard to tell what the series would look like or if would have maintained its relevance if it kept the same formula for its sequel.
The fifth numbered entry in this legendary stealth-action series goes open-world. However, players still return to a hub after every mission and jump back into the world by selecting a new operation. Players are able to enter the open-world maps, Afghanistan and Africa, without a mission, but there is not a lot to do in this case except collect troops and supplies.
The open-world structure is more about giving players the freedom to approach missions any way they see fit instead of hiding secrets and easter eggs in the environment.
