Summary
- Open-world games offer expansive skill trees for player customization, enhancing exploration and gameplay variety.
- Assassin's Creed Shadows features two protagonists with complementary playstyles for engaging progression.
- Horizon Forbidden West introduces six skill trees for players to specialize in combat, stealth, and survival.
One of the many appealing things about open-world games is the ability to build up the protagonist over a vast and sprawling adventure. Many open-world titles give players a skill tree, letting them choose specialized abilities and powers to perfectly suit their playstyle as they embark on their large-scale journey.
Variety is key to several aspects of the open-world genre. By giving players access to expansive and dynamic skill trees, these games encourage exploration and experimentation right down to the player characters themselves.
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8 Assassin's Creed Shadows
Two Branching Paths
Assassin's Creed Shadows
- Released
- March 20, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
The latest entry in Ubisoft's iconic Assassin's Creed franchise finally brings players the Japanese setting they've been requesting for years, with a twist. Assassin's Creed Shadows has two protagonists that players can freely swap between: the stealthy ninja Naoe, and the proud samurai Yasuke.
These two protagonists offer different approaches to combat, and players will have to carefully consider which character is right for which mission. As in many other Assassin's Creed games, both characters have skill trees that players can progress through over the course of the game. Perfectly building out complementary playstyles for Yasuke and Naoe over the course of the game can make for very satisfying and engaging player progression.
7 Far Cry 3
Getting Inked
Far Cry 3
- Released
- November 29, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
Despite releasing over a decade ago, Far Cry 3 is still considered by many to be the best entry in the series, and its influence on subsequent games in the franchise cannot be denied. The title strands players in the tropical Rook Islands with the murderous pirate captain Vaas. In order to survive and overcome his troops, players must channel the spiritual power of the protagonist's special warrior tattoo.
There are three separate skill trees in Far Cry 3's tattoo, and each governs different aspects of the gameplay. Fans will have to balance long-range combat, close-up brawling, and stealth, prioritizing their preferred approach while trying not to get too locked in. There are a lot of options when it comes to building up a Far Cry 3 protagonist.
6 Fallout 4
Filling Out The Chart
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Fallout 4 made the controversial decision of streamlining the level-up progress from previous games. While its predecessors had a list of skills to invest points in, with related perks to unlock along the way, Fallout 4 has a simple skill tree that players can invest ranks in each time they level up.
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While the approach is simple, the options are extensive. Each of the skills on the tree is bound to one of the seven core S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Traits that govern each character, so players can specialize in specific traits and get a suite of useful abilities to help them build their character. This sort of variety lends itself well to repeated playthroughs, letting fans experience the full gamut of what makes them special.
5 Ghost of Tsushima
Know Your Enemy
Ghost of Tsushima
- Released
- July 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
Samurai Jin Sakai's quest to liberate his home from Mongol invaders is not an easy one. The honorable warrior must turn to underhanded tactics in order to succeed against such an overwhelming force. This dichotomy is represented well by his skill tree. By studying Mongol foes and increasing his renown throughout the island, Jin can unlock a variety of new tactics and techniques.
Some of the skills Jin unlocks represent his honorable samurai training. Jin has a variety of swordfighting stances, which are more effective against certain types of foes. He can call out enemies in a standoff, thinning the crowd before an all-out melee begins. But he can also opt for stealth and subterfuge, crafting bombs and throwing knives to eliminate his foes from the shadow and leaning into a dishonorable path that clashes with his upbringing.
4 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
A Tale of Two Spiders
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the first Insomniac game to make both Spider-Men playable, letting fans swap between Miles and Peter as they explore New York. Fans gain skill points that they can spend freely, working their way up to more powerful moves for taking down criminals and supervillains alike.
To reflect the expanded cast of protagonists, players have access to three separate skill trees in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Miles and Peter each have unique powers and abilities setting them apart, especially when the infamous Symbiote enters the equation. There's also a third tree for shared skills, giving both Spider-Men powers and techniques they can utilize to keep the streets of New York City safe.
3 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
In The Stars
Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
Skyrim took the open-world genre by storm in 2011, and while its star has fallen to some extent over the years, it remains impressive. The way the game handles skills is particularly remarkable. Skyrim has 18 skills governing things like archery, one-handed weapons, and the use of heavy armor. In order to increase these skills, players must practice them in-game, raising their skill level in real time.
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Once players have built up enough experience from raising these skills, they can invest points in the 18 different relevant skill trees. Higher experience in a skill unlocks potent perks like zooming in with a bow, unleashing special attacks with various melee weapons, and getting more defense out of armor and shields.
2 Cyberpunk 2077
Updates and Upgrades
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
The benefits and setbacks of artificially upgrading the human body are central to the themes of the Cyberpunk genre, and the efforts of Cyberpunk 2077's protagonist to prevent a malfunctioning AI chip from killing them play into this idea very well. Over the course of the game, players will visit their trusted Ripperdoc to gain additional enhancements and abilities to help them take on the corporate overlords of this crumbling neon dystopia.
Cyberpunk 2077's recently overhauled skill tree lets players create and customize a dynamic character along any specialization lines they choose. Cyberpunk 2077 has five core skill trees, governing things like raw physical strength, technical ability, and reflexes. Each tree offers distinct and unique perks to let players shake things up on the battlefield through creative, strategic use of technology, raw skill, and firepower.
1 Horizon Forbidden West
Adaptating and Improving
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
Horizon Forbidden West expanded on its predecessor in a wide variety of ways, introducing new locations to explore, weapons to use, and robotic monsters to fight. To navigate this wide new world, Aloy has access to a massively overhauled suite of skills and abilities to help hone her into the ideal survivor.
Aloy has access to no fewer than six separate skill trees for specialization in things like combat, stealth, survival, and expertise in the machines of the old world. These skill trees are packed with passive boosts, active skills, and even new combat techniques for specific weapons and tools. Aloy can also use the skill trees to unlock Valor Surges, especially powerful activated abilities that can turn the tide of battle in an instant.
