Open-world gamesare abundant in the industry, and sometimes fans of specific series fear when their games become open-world. Sometimes, turning the next game into a pre-existing series means stripping it of creativity and making a worse product, as was the case with something likeDynasty Warriors 9. Other times, it can help revive or innovate a series, as withGod of War’s Norse Saga andThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Still, instead of turning long-standing franchises and their next titles into open-world games, possibly turning it into an unrecognizable experience for its fans,it could be time to look at a bunch of one-off titles that started as open-world. It’s a part of their core identity, and many games already have quite a following despite only one title. Many of these titles treat the open-world formula differently than AAA developers do, and these unique perspectives should be given more attention.
10Immortals Fenyx Rising Is A Charming Open-World Action RPG
Unfortunately, Its Sequel Has Been Canceled
While Ubisoft isn’t exactly famous for being innovative or unique when making its open-world titles,Immortals Fenyx Risingdoes something different compared to a lot of other open-world action RPGs. Its world is vibrant and seems to almost glow with its cartoony artstyle. Combining this with solid combat, an impressive skill tree, and solid exploration,Immortals Fenyx Risingis a great experience in a Greek Myth-inspired world that hasn’t got the love it necessarily deserves.
Immortals Fenyx Risinghas always felt like an afterthought for Ubisoft, especially withAssassin’s Creedbeing its golden goose, and having another open-world Greek RPG releasing two years beforeFenyx Rising(Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey).With all theturbulence that Ubisoft has suffered, it has canceled a plannedImmortals Fenyx Risingsequel, which is a shame, too. It was a game that did almost everything well, from its aesthetic to its gameplay and the size of its open world, and really should be a formula shown off more.
9Outer Wilds Is A Beautiful Paradox
And Has A Formula That Needs To Be Used More
There are plenty of relaxing walking or exploring sims out there, likeABZÛandJourney, and whileOuter Wildsdoesn’t have combat, it is not one of these games.Exploring the handcrafted solar systemin Outer Wildscan be breathtaking and relaxing, but the game also has many stressful sections, and it sometimes feels like it can evokeevery human emotion at once. It isn’t a game for everyone, butunique experiences likeOuter Wildsneed more attention.
A part of what makes the game so special is the distinct lack of hand-holding, quest markers, or even obvious objectives.Players arethrown into a solar system and must figure out what to do.Although this approach won’t appeal to everyone, especially given the game’s stylized aesthetic, it is executed exceptionallywell. While overwhelming at first,Outer Wildsis truly a special title that feels like more can be done with the formula in a different solar system.
8Bully Could Continue Rockstar’s Stellar Record
And Give More Attention To A 2000s Gem
Rockstar has a record of excellence stretching from all the back in the early 2000s, whenGrand Theft Autostarted to become a household name, and hasn’t let up since. WhileGTAandRed Dead Redemptionhave taken all the plaudits,many have forgotten about Rockstar’s gem set in a school, of all places,Bully.Bullytakes place in the worst school in the world, in which players take control of Jimmy Hopkins as they try to navigate adolescence.
It has all the markings of what makes a Rockstar game great, and does quite a few things uniquely compared to the studio’s other titles thanks to its setting. Getting up to high-school high jinks can be a great laugh, the characters are memorable, and the overall tone of the game is spot-on. With Rockstar needing another project whenGTA 6finally releases,perhaps returning to the world ofBullycould be the perfect next step.
7Sunset Overdrive Is A Vibrant, Wacky Ride
And Is Criminally Underrated
Sunset Overdriveis an expressive, vibrant, and extremely fun titlethat has been underrated ever since it launched back in 2014. It never really took off, despite being a game that mastered the art of fun-factor with the pace of its gameplay and the wackiness of its open-world. This could partly be due to its being an Xbox One launch title, although the chaos it brought and its core focus on being as fun as possible is something that Insomniac should bring back, but it makes sense as to whySunset Overdrivehas been left on the shelf.
Sunset Overdriveprotagonist andSpider-Man’s Peter Parker are both played by Yuri Lowenthal.
Insomniac had plans forSunset Overdrive 2, but with its focus onMarvel’s Spider-Manand other superhero titles, a name likeSunset Overdriveisn’t as appealing to both the studio and its investors.It also doesn’t help that the love forSunset Overdrivehas come years after, probably being too late to save the IP, especially because it was an Xbox title made by a studio working with PlayStation. Still, the chaotic fun ofSunset Overdriveshould be revisited in a just world.
6Ghostwire: Tokyo Brings A Haunted Tokyo In All Its Glory
And Its Intriguing World Deserves Another Title
Ghostwire: Tokyobrings spirits to Japan’s capital and puts the player in the middle of a ghastly mystery, surrounded by ghosts, as the name suggests.Its open world brings Tokyo to life, which is ironic considering all the death, but the vibrant streets of Shibuya aren’t the only thing that makes this game shine. Its expressive animations for attacks are brilliant, it presents a great mystery with its writing, and its supernatural theme made for some great enemy designs.
Being made by Tango Gameworks, which has an impressive library of highlights likeHi-Fi RushandThe Evil Withinseries,the quality ofGhostwire: Tokyoshouldn’t be a surprise.Perhaps a title set in other cities in Japan, like Kyoto, Osaka, or Sapporo, could be on the cards, although Tango Gameworks is in a bit of an odd spot. After being closed by Microsoft despite all the award-winning, Tango Gameworks was saved by Krafton, and while it has the IP rights toHi-Fi Rush, doing more withGhostwiremight be a problem.
5No Man’s Sky Is One Of The Best Redeption Stories In Gaming
And Could Be Grounds For A Sequel
No Man’s Skystarted as a game that promised the world (or rather the galaxy) and couldn’t deliver, but after years of hard work,the game’s reputation has been built back up and the title is now the game that is what it promised to beand then some. There aren’t many space-faring adventures as well-made asNo Man’s Skyout there, and after almost ten years, it could be time for Hello Games to make a sequel. With all the lessons it learned fromNo Man’s Sky, it could do even better.
No Man’s Skywas released in 2016, made by British studio Hello Games.
Very few games do space exploration as well asNo Man’s Sky, with its base-building, vast procedurally generated universe. It would be interesting to see what Hello Games could do with another title and if it goes even bigger or more dense with a new universe. More can be done with theNo Man’s Skyformula, and with its reputation mended, it would be the perfect time to capitalize on making the IP into a series.
4Days Gone Is A Solid Zombie Open-World Game
And Has The Foundations For A Superior Sequel
Days Goneisn’t a masterpiece, but as open-world zombie games go without a franchise, it isn’t another survival game like7 Days to DieorDayZ.Days Gone’s open-world is one of its highlights, and the atmosphere and detail of its worldis what makes it appealing. Exploring the world with a motorbike and facing hordes of zombies makes for a great gameplay cycle, and a sequel or series could use this to make the IP something more than it is right now.
Days Gonehas been critiqued for its technical issues, bland characters, and repetitive missions, all of which could be improved with a sequel, and this could produce something really special that stays with people.Days Gonehas produced somewhat of a cult following in the years after its release, and that could mean a sequel is possible, especially after the success of the remaster. This is despite a rejected sequel pitch, andDays Gone 2could be the upgradeneeded to make the IP great.
3Kenshi Is A Unique Experience No One Else Can Replicate
And Kenshi 2 Could Be A Massive Success
Kenshiis one of the most fascinating stories in gaming,being made by Chris Hunt over twelve years, resulting in a highly creative visionwith a uniquely detailed world that has captured many who have played the game.Kenshi’s post-apocalyptic lore is some of the most captivating in gaming; its sandbox nature is harsh, and despite all its difficulties,Kenshiis addictive. Still, it is hampered by being developed by one person, given its scale.
Kenshi 2has been announced, and the hope is that, with more experience, more funding, and possibly an actual team,Kenshi 2could be a truly revolutionary title, given the creativity behind the original. Everyone makes difficult action games, but a sandbox, strategy title likeKenshion a larger scale could start a new trend. WhetherKenshi 2will be that big is up for debate, but there’s no denying that the unique and painful world ofKenshideserves more.
2Valheim Isn’t Fully Out And Is Changing The Survival Genre
A Harsh, Norse World With Unique Building
Valheimis still in early access, and it is already changing the survival genre in a big way. It is famed for its difficulty, the beauty of its lighting, the complexities of its building, and the brilliance of its progression. That’s all on top of a great setting that makes the most of a Viking-esque world.PlayingValheimcan often feel like time is racing by in the blink of an eye, especially with friends, and after its full release, even more could be done with it.
Valheimis special; Its open world is split into distinct biomes that offer a gradual challenge, and this challenge makes progression satisfying.This is a powerful formula, since the progression affects everything, from what can be built to what tools the player has at their disposal. Adding more to this after release could makeValheimmore than just a great game and turn it into a great IP, mainly because of how revolutionary it could prove to be.
1Wartales Is A Massively Underrated Mercenary Sim
And Its Sandbox World Gives Players So Much To Do
Wartalesis an underrated indie gem that allows the player to take control of a group of mercenaries as they venture around an unforgiving world. The gameplay is difficult, tactical, and turn-based, somewhat similar to something likeBanner Saga,andits co-op gameplay makes it a brilliant game to play with friends. The freedom and amount to do inWartalesmakes it a perfect sandbox open-world game to whittle away time.
In many ways,Wartalesfeels like it continues the subgenre thatMount and Bladestarted, except turn-based, andWartalescould become a series similar toMount and Blade. Its co-op really sets it apart, allowing players to develop their band of mercenaries together.It’s also unlike most open-world games thanks to its sandbox nature and freedom, and for those who want a slower, more tactical take on the open-world genre,Wartalesis one to look out for.
