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INTRODUCTION
What are open-world games? Are they better than storyline games? Games should be free to explore because, at some point, you get bored with the storyline. Storyline games continue to this day, but open-world games are relatively new. The first open-world game was around 1979. These games have completely changed how games are seen. In those games, players are free to finish their games in different ways with no restriction. They are able to interact with living worlds and create their own stories.
We are going to explore 5 open-world games that are full of innovation and have a big impact on future games.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
It was developed by Nintendo EPD in 2017 for Wii U and Nintendo Switch. After the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011), it took five years to develop this game. The game sold 34.51 million copies by March 2025, making it the best-selling Zelda game.
The story
The story of this game can be ended in a nonlinear way, which is really important for open-world games. The famous character Link goes to save Princess Zelda and stop Calamity Ganon from destroying the world. From the start, the player is free to explore the open world of Hyrule. He can collect items and complete objectives such as puzzles and side quests. When the players explore a particular area, the names of the areas are added to the map.
Gameplay
In this action-adventure game, players are free to explore the kingdom of Hyrule while controlling Link. Yes, there is instruction, but it still encourages fans to explore freely. In this game, we can run, climb, swim, and glide with a paraglider. Items like weapons, food, and others can be gathered from the environment, and these items have multiple uses, like wooden weapons can light fires, and wooden shields can collect incoming enemy arrows. Players can gather wild fruit or collect parts of defeated enemies, which can be cooked in combinations for food or elixirs. Elixirs can replenish health and stamina or boost strength or resistance to heat or cold. Side quests, quests, and shops that sell materials and clothing can be found next to towns and villages, and horse stables serve travelers.
The big impact that this game brought
This game introduced a physics engine to the Zelda series, which helps players solve problems in different ways. There is no one solution. The physical properties of most objects are defined by a “chemistry engine,” which helps objects interact differently.
Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V was released on 17 September 2013. It was developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. In this game, fans are free to explore San Andreas’s. On the big map, you can explore the countryside and the city. The city, called Los Santos, is based on Los Angeles. GTA V can be played on many consoles like PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. GTA V is one of the most well-known open-world games ever made.
The story
We are exposed to three protagonists. Most of the time, they are under pressure from corrupt government agencies and powerful criminals.
- Trevor Philips (drug dealer and gunrunner)
- Michael De Santa (retired bank robber)
- Franklin Clinton (street gangster)
Most of the missions involve shooting and driving gameplay.A “wanted” system is in place if a player commits any crimes.There is also Grand Theft Auto Online in multiplayer mode, which contains up to 30 players. They engage in cooperative and competitive games.
Earning
GTA V is the fastest-selling entertainment product in history, earning $800 million in its first day and $1 billion in its first three days. GTA V got a lot of praise for its multiple-protagonist design, open world, presentation, and gameplay.
Gameplay
Players in the game have set objectives; the more you complete, the more the story progresses. Outside of the missions, players are free to do whatever they want to do: drive a car, fly planes, or open their own business. The players are free to explore the biggest map after the beginning without restriction, but the more progress they make in the story, the more gameplay content is unlocked. This map contains urban areas, beaches, and random events. The NPCs have dynamic personalities.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 was released in 2018. This action-adventure game was developed and published by Rockstar Games. It is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. This game is known for being one of the most immersive open-world games ever seen. Rockstar gathered all of its studios to make this game, and even with that, it took 8 years. The unbelievable detail they put into animal behavior, NPCs, etc., makes this game superior.
The story
The game represents the United States in 1899. Players play as Arthur Morgan. He is an outlaw and a member of the Van der Linde gang. Throughout the story, he faces the challenges of the Wild West, surviving against government forces, rival gangs, and other adversaries. The player is also free to explore the immense map.
Gameplay
The game includes shootouts, robberies, hunting, horseback riding, and interacting with non-player characters. A bounty is placed on the player’s head if they commit any crimes. Since it represents late 1899, there are no cars; the most common thing is horses, and there are many breeds of horses. You also have to take care of the horse. There are two modes: single-player and online multiplayer.
Random events
- Ambushes
- Crimes
- Pleas for assistance
- Ride-by shootings
- Public executions
- Animal attacks
Side activities
- Dueling
- Bounty hunting
- Searching for collectibles (rock carvings)
- Playing poker
- Blackjack
- Dominoes
- Five-finger fille
This game is so realistic that the weapon you choose and the placement of the shot have an impact on the quality and value of the meat. The weather and the clothing you’re wearing also have an impact on the character. Even the amount the character consumes has an impact on their weight. Less weight equals less health and more stamina, and the opposite is also true. In the game, you can even take baths, use weapons, and more details are available. There is also an Honor system in place; if you do good deeds, you’re going to get different advantages.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an action role-playing game. It was developed and published by CD Projekt in 2015.
The story
Geralt of Rivia is the character controlled by players, a monster slayer known as a Witcher. The motive of Geralt of Rivia is to look for his adopted daughter (Ciri), but she is on the run from the Wild Hunt. Geralt must make decisions that change the state of the world and lead to 36 possible endings. Weapons and magic are the main ways to damage enemies. We can interact with non-player characters. There are also quests to acquire experience points and gold. Gold is mainly used to increase Geralt’s abilities and purchase equipment.Sometimes players control Ciri, who can teleport short distances.
The game received a lot of praise for its narrative, world design, combat, and visuals. There are some minor criticisms due to technical issues, but overall it is a good game.
Gameplay
As always, Geralt can walk, run, roll, and dodge, but for this series they added jumping, climbing, and swimming. You can find multiple regions like Velen, Novigrad, and Skellige.
Players can use a variety of weapons, bombs, crossbows, and two swords (one steel for humans and one silver for monsters). Blocking and countering enemies with swords has an impact on sword endurance over time, which requires regular repair. Two melee attacks are possible: light and heavy. Light attacks are fast but weak, and heavy attacks are slow but strong.
Geralt has five magical signs that use stamina:
- Aard (unleashes a telekinetic blast)
- Axii (confuses enemies)
- Igni (burns enemies)
- Yrden (slows enemies down)
- Quen (temporary protective shield)
When the main character levels up, they receive ability points. These points can be used in the skill trees: combat, signs, alchemy, and general.
- Combat (enhanced attacks, new fighting techniques)
- Signs (use magic more efficiently)
- Alchemy (improve crafting abilities)
- General (variety of functions like vitality, increasing crossbow damage, and more)
Side quests are available after visiting a town’s noticeboard. Other activities like horse racing, boxing, and card playing are available.
Elden Ring
Elden Ring was developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It was released on February 25, 2022, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It is known to be one of the hardest games.
The story
Players customize their character. The main goal is to repair the Elden Ring and become the new Elden Lord. Players are free to explore the open world. Players have different types of weapons and magic spells to engage enemies.
It received a lot of praise for its open world, gameplay systems, and setting. The game sold million copies, making it one of the best-selling games of all time.
Gameplay
On the big map, there are six main areas, but there are also many hidden places like dungeons, catacombs, tunnels, and caves, which are explored to find useful items. At the start of the game, players are required to choose a class that determines their starting spells, equipment, and attributes. Players are also able to summon NPCs to fight enemies. In Elden Ring, you can even use crafting mechanics. The frustrating part is that when a player dies, they lose all collected runes, which they can lose forever. From the start, all the directions that you take are meaningful. Most of the combat you find is hard, but it is rewarding.
Online multiplayer mode is also available in Elden Ring. Players join in parties to fight bosses, or they play player versus player (PVP).
In Conclusion
All of these games are masterpieces in their own ways, but the most important thing is that they have given games a new path. If I give my personal opinion, I prefer GTA V compared to Red Dead Redemption 2 or Elden Ring because Elden Ring is really complicated. I prefer something simple, and Red Dead Redemption 2 feels like you have to live in old times, which I don’t prefer.
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