Summary
- Oblivion Remastered is proof that the original game has aged gracefully despite advancements in gaming.
- Shadow of the Colossus remains an incredible game with its intriguing puzzle-combat encounters and unforgettable story.
- Bully's school simulation elements ensure that it will always be enjoyable for fans of Rockstar.
The open-world genre was evolving during the 2000s, with the launch of Grand Theft Auto 3 opening the floodgates for what this type of game could achieve. However, as most titles in this era will make perfectly clear, it would take a while for these sandboxes to become as engaging as they are today.
8 Great Open-World Games That Focus On Storytelling
Storytelling is often times the best part of a video game. Here are some open-world games that do it best.
This is why it's all the more impressive for big-budget open-world games from the 2000s to age gracefully. Somehow, despite all the advancements that have occurred in gaming, these classic sandbox titles remain amazing to play and will rarely frustrate players because of how well they have aged.
8 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
The Remaster Of This Game Does A Great Job Of Highlighting How Well This Title Has Aged
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Released
- March 20, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The rampant success of Oblivion Remastered made it clear that fans still have fond memories of this quirky Bethesda game. All this new release needed to do was spruce up the visuals and add some QoL upgrades, showing just how well the original Oblivion has aged.
The ridiculous conversations NPCs can have on the street have become funnier with time, and countless fans love exploring the colorful land of Cyrodiil. Becoming the Hero of Kvatch takes some effort, and the Shivering Isles DLC is arguably the best expansion Bethesda has ever developed.
7 Shadow Of The Colossus
A Serene, Beautiful Open-World Game With Intriguing Combat Scenarios
Shadow of the Colossus
- Released
- October 18, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
Just like Oblivion Remastered, Shadow of the Colossus is another title that just needed a visual upgrade to let new players understand the brilliance of this game. The core goal of taking out sixteen colossi in puzzle-combat encounters has aged very well.
The solution to beat every colossus in this game changes and is always riveting to unravel as players slowly but surely make progress. On top of that, the game features a truly unforgettable story, where it becomes clear over time that Wander is far from the heroic figure that he was portrayed as at the start of the game.
6 Bully
One Of Rockstar's Most Unique Open-World Games
Bully
- Released
- October 17, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox
It's a shame that Rockstar hasn't revisited the Bully universe for a while. The school simulation elements and the unique setting for a Rockstar game ensure that Bully will always be a treat for fans to enjoy, no matter when they check this title out.
10 Best Open-World Sequel Games, Ranked
These open-world games have refined and built upon their predecessors, cementing themselves as remarkable sequels that everyone should play.
The story follows Jimmy Hopkins, a student who must deal with betrayal from a classmate and garner the support of other cliques before eventually salvaging his reputation. Compared to other Rockstar titles, Bully proves to be an incredibly unique title. As such, it will likely take a long time before it begins to feel dated.
5 Grand Theft Auto 4
Niko Bellic's Adventure Makes For One Of The Best Story-Driven GTA Games
Grand Theft Auto 4
- Released
- April 29, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
In a series usually known for cathartic violence, many fans were genuinely surprised to see how mature and dark Grand Theft Auto 4's story was. Niko Bellic's struggles are something that many players will resonate with, and it's a shame that this character never really gets a happy ending, no matter what he does.
This unique take on Grand Theft Auto 4's story, coupled with the balance it strikes between realism and arcade gameplay, ensures that it'll be a fan-favorite GTA game for many years to come. The unique flavor of this title also sets it apart from other entries in the series, allowing it to age gracefully despite some of its dull colors.
4 Burnout Paradise
The Arcade Racing Goodness In Paradise City Feels Great Today
Burnout Paradise
- Released
- January 22, 2008
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Criterion Games
- Genre(s)
- Racing
Many gamers love it when racing games focus on wild, wacky arcade experiences instead of trying to look and feel as realistic as possible. Titles like Burnout Paradise make it clear that the simple act of smashing other racecars to a pulp will never get old.
Exploring Paradise City and wrecking other racers still feels fresh even today. Those who decide to give this title a chance will likely love nailing creative takedowns and making steady progress in the challenges they must face in order to progress.
3 Fallout 3
With A Few Mods, The Sole Survivor's Adventures Can Be Even More Riveting
Fallout 3
- Released
- October 28, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Fallout 3 had a monumental task on its hands, and most people feel that it rose to the occasion and let players enjoy an excellent open-world entry in what used to be a hardcore CRPG series. While the writing in the main story may be lacking at times, pretty much every other facet of the game is quite engaging to this day.
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In these games, the player's world slowly expands as they progress the story and build their character.
With a few mods, Fallout 3 will run on modern systems without any issues, allowing players to get lost in the vastness of the Capitol Wasteland as they try to locate their father. The memorable side adventures and excellent world design present throughout this title mean that Fallout 3 will always be a compelling post-apocalyptic open world, no matter how many years pass.
2 Assassin's Creed 2
Ezio's Adventures Are Great, Even If Some Aspects Of The Parkour-Driven Gameplay Take A While To Adjust To
Assassin's Creed 2
- Released
- November 7, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
The first Assassin's Creed was a great debut entry that established the franchise's lore, but it wasn't until the sequel came out that this franchise started forming an identity of its own. It helps that Ezio is one of the most charismatic and enjoyable protagonists in the series, and most fans will find his tale to be an easy one to get behind.
The parkour and combat may not be too polished when compared to more modern releases, but most players will find it easy to adjust to this game's mechanics after a point. The rest of the package holds up incredibly well and is more than worth checking out for any fan of the Assassin's Creed series.
1 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
The Features And Scope Of This Open-World Game Are Still Mind-Blowing To This Day
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Released
- October 26, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
San Andreas is one of the best open-world video games ever made. Since the title's release, CJ's adventures have become legendary, revolving around players exploring three massive cities in order to gather the allies they need to take Los Santos back from the Ballas.
What is still impressive about San Andreas is how immersive and massive the game is. The player must keep CJ fed without resorting to overeating, keep him fit at all times, and improve his stats so that he can get better at the many tasks in this game. It almost feels like an open-world RPG at times, with the focus on helping CJ develop from a scrawny gangster into one of the most capable characters in the series serving as a fun side project while players progress the plot.
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From Minecraft to Red Dead Redemption 2, open-world games have continued to innovate the freedom of how consumers choose to play.