Open-world gaming is all the rage in modern times, with the majority of sandbox games striving to make these experiences as approachable as possible to attract big sales numbers. This can make most open-world games feel similar to play, which has been a growing source of frustration in the gaming community.
This is why players love open-world games that strive to be more complex, with their mechanics, storytelling, and other elements featuring a level of richness that fans have been craving for a while. The most interesting open-world games are the ones that aren’t afraid to be as complex as possible and draw players in with their deep gameplay systems.
There’s a reason whyTears of the Kingdomtook a while to come out, with its new powers being so incredible that the game needed to be play-tested to kingdom come for any bugs to be wiped out. When this much-anticipated sequel toBreath of the Wildcame out, fans were left with their jaws on the floor when they interacted withTears of the Kingdom’s mechanics firsthand.
Developers were left puzzled at this technical marvel that managed to run on the aging Switch without any problems. Ultrahand, Fuse, and Ascend, among Link’s other powers, can be used to change the way players interact with this game, helping them appreciate the technical complexity of a title that is perfect for beginners and experts alike.
Elden Ringis one of the most successful video games ever released by FromSoftware. Their tantalizing action RPG model was perfect for a sandbox that let players mold the Tarnished in whatever image they saw fit.
However, players who wanted to make a sound build that made the most ofElden Ring’s systems needed to track a ton of metrics. They had to spend Runes wisely, acquire equipment that was perfect for their build, and ensure that their weaknesses were covered if they wanted to get through The Lands Between without dying over and over again.
Project Zomboidhas slowly transformedinto one of the most tantalizing open-world survival games players can get their hands on. The way players develop their character turns the title into a post-apocalypticSimsof sorts that is pretty engaging in its own way.
However, this also means that players must be smart about the skills they level up. Focusing too much on combat without prioritizing survival will lead to players struggling to cobble together resources, while the inverse will lead to them succumbing to a zombie attack in no time.
Don’t Starvewas pretty complicated as is, so it’s genuinely shocking to see that the co-op spin on this title managed to be even more overwhelming for players. A basic understanding of the gameplay system is a must for players who must band together to survive at all costs.
Wasting precious day hours can lead to a group beingmauled by a terrifying monsterin no time. This makes it a must to optimize one’s approach in the game and understand how the game’s systems work if players don’t want to succumb to a monstrosity because of their ill-preparedness.
TheSTALKERgamesare some of the most hardcore experiences players can expose themselves to, with many people considering the first title to be a blast to play through even now.Shadow of Chernobylgets a ton of things right and makes it clear why players can’t get enough of this harrowing title.
Players must adjust toShadow of Chernobyl’s systems, acquiring only the bare necessities so that they aren’t over-encumbered in no time. Identifying anomalies, killing mutants, and ensuring that their health pool is high at all times is a must for players who want to experience the ultimateSTALKERexperience.
3The Matchless Kungfu
Jump Into A Title That Can Be Overwhelming As Players Slowly Come To Grips With How The Game Works
The Matchless Kungfuis a fascinating Wuxia open-world gamethat is unlike anything players have ever seen before. The fact that players can help expand the world based on their progress is a unique way to help the open world expand naturally as players slowly understand how this game works.
Featuring a unique combat system, freeform gameplay, and unlimited freedom, it’s easy to see why players may be overwhelmed by this game in no time. It’s advised to take it easy and slowly learn how the game works before doing anything too risky, since failure puts players in a tough spot that will cause their frustrations to boil over in no time.
Kenshiis one of the most engrossing open-world gamesplayers can get lost in. Unlike most other titles where players have a pre-defined goal, Kenshi wastes no time in dropping players in the middle of nowhere and forcing them to get good by learning from their failures.
Players will soon realize that they’re woeful in combat until they level up their stats and acquire good gear, which can take forever. Optimizing one’s approach to getting over this early gameplay hurdle is a must, especially since most players won’t get to interact with a dense, engaging world if they’re constantly being killed by Bonedogs over and over again.
TheMount & Bladeseriesis known for letting players carve their path in a medieval world, and Bannerlord is no exception. Every gameplay pillar of this title must be understood by the player if they don’t want to be stuck as a lowly mercenary for too long.
Serving a lord and eventually forming a kingdom of their own is a huge part of what makesBannerlordsuch a magical experience. It takes a while for players to acquire the knowledge required to become a flourishing kingdom, mandating a ton of patience beforeMount & Blade 2finally clicks.
