Open-world games are all the rage. They are large-scale, grand, and epic, with main quests that take you through the vast world. They usually have side quests to distract your attention and sometimes provide a variety of activities to dive into. Many open-world games also promote creativity and choice, allowing you to do whatever you want, so long as the game and its mechanics allow it.
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However, some open-world games lack divergences and distractions. Others have them but don’t need them, as they are less interesting or engaging, or sometimes just unnecessary. There are open-world games that do not need to be open-world. There are open-world games where you can mainline the main quest or narrative and get a far better experience from it.
10Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077has a dense, activity-filled open world. It’s arguably one of the most immersive open worlds ever created.It’s also very good-looking, reaching almost photorealistic levels if you can get it running. Outside the main narrative, is are a plethora ofthings you can do, from buying apartments and vehicles, taking on criminals, hunting cyberpsychos, and of course, story-focused side quests.
The problem is that none of these side activities make sense when put alongside the main narrative. The main narrative focuses on a specific story with a definitive deadline. The deadline does not impact the game or how much time you have to play it, but any distractions from it are illogical and simply don’t make sense from a story and character point of view. Save it all for after the main game.
9Watch Dogs
The firstWatch Dogsgame came out to a mixed reception. The lead character was considered bleak and dour, the world was gray and uninviting, and the activities you could partake in were not all that unique or varied.
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At the core of Watch Dogs is an interesting, albeit cliché riddled story about revenge. Focusing just on that makes Watch Dogs a far more enjoyable experience, and a more tonally consistent one too. Many of the side activities provide some levity and comedy, which doesn’t necessarily blend well with the tone of the main narrative or the look and feel of the world.
8Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed: Valhallais a big game. The main narrative is a long one, told in episodic chunks that then merge towards the back end. The problem is that the story takes a very long time to get going, so much so that it’s unclear for most of its run what it’s actually about.
Additionally, many of the side activities are repetitive and lack variety. There’s an emphasis on fetch quests and action in the side quests, with an occasionally comedic story beat thrown in too. Focusing on the main narrativegives Valhalla a better, clearer purpose, and the main story often makes you go to almost all the locations on the map anyway.
7Yakuza/Like A Dragon Series
TheYakuzaseries is an interesting one. It’s a crime story about the Yakuza, told in a very cinematic way, with beat-‘em-up action being the main gameplay. However, what makes the Yakuza series so iconic is the way in which it integrates comedy andside activitiesinto it.
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You can go to karaoke clubs, you can garden, manage a business, and more in the Yakuza games. Along the way, you can meet some goofy characters who provide some humor, but also distract from the more grounded crime story being told. Playing Yakuza linearly might not give you a complete experience, but it would strengthen the main narrative and its tone.
6Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Deus Ex: Mankind Dividedis a story and character-driven RPG with stealth and action gameplay. Most of the game is set in a cyberpunk version of Prague. There are apartments and buildings you can go in, some small side activities, and some quests too.
Sadly, the open world of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is small. It often serves as a means of getting from one mainline mission to the next, with little reason to linger or explore, unless you want extra XP or some hidden secrets and weapons. In a game so focused on story, characters, and choice, you’re better off thinking of it as a linear experience.
5Anthem
Anthemwas BioWare’s attempt at an online, multiplayer, open-world, action game. It leaned towards the loot-based, grind-focused online games that are popular among many players.
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However, BioWare’s focus has always been RPGs likeMass EffectandDragon Age. Single-player, story, and character-driven games. While there are some open-world aspects in these series, Anthem was the game that doubled down on them, but ultimately failed to hit the mark in terms of success in the genre. Playing Anthem while focused more on the RPG and story elements, and less on the open world, is the best way to experience this short-lived title.
4Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Painis one of the greatest stealth games ever made, but it became that at the cost of its own name and reputation. Metal Gear Solid, as a series, is renowned for many things. Primarily, it’s a convoluted, depth-filled story and iconic characters. Both of these are severely lacking in The Phantom Pain.
In The Phantom Pain, creator Hideo Kojima and his team at Konami doubled down on the open world and focused on the gameplay. It made for a fun experience, but it rarely resembled what Metal Gear Solid was or is. Had Kojima and Konami balanced the story and character elements with the new gameplay and open-world focus, it may have been far greater than it was. Ignoring the open world andthe repetitive side missionshelps The Phantom Pain almost resemble the prior Metal Gear Solid games.
3Death Stranding
Death Strandingis a divisive game. It’s a game with a heavy focus on story, characters, and themes. Hideo Kojima and his new team at Kojima Productions set out to do something a little bit different. The result was a game all about traversal and exploration.
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Death Stranding requires its open world to be what it is. But its open-world nature also makes it a very long game, as well as a very repetitive game. It takes a long time to get theitems and equipmentto make the most of it, meaning that a more linear approach to the story, at least in part, would have made for a more enjoyable experience.
2Ghost Of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushimais full of great art design and aesthetics. Its open world is gorgeous and detailed, with plenty of variety. The problem is that its side activities are not the most inviting or interesting things to do in the game. you’re able to chase foxes, find bounties, encounter random enemies, and solve small puzzles.
Ghost of Tsushima’s main narrative and questline is the best thing about the game. It is a revenge-driven tale, with intriguing characters and plenty of dramatics. Its side quests, open world, and other activities are repetitive and distract from this. Focusing purely on the main narrative makes Ghost of Tsushima a better experience, and it leaves the other aspects for later, if you wish.
1Shadow Of The Colossus
Shadow of the Colossusis an awe-inspiring game with a gorgeous open world, some very creative art design, and a strong message at the core of its narrative. The problem is that outside of the visual splendor of its open world, there’s nothing to do. It’s empty.
Shadow of the Colossus allows you to go in any direction to find the Colossi, but there’s little reason to stray. There are no side activities, no inhabitants, no distractions, or events to observe. Instead, the open world is an excuse to ride your horse from point A to B. But one could argue that you shouldn’t have to ride across barren landscapes in the first place. A more linear approach, that removed the empty open environments, would speed things up and provide more player interactivity. The open world is a means to feel lonely and like you’re in a truly forbidden land, but nothing else.
