Summary
- Open-world games focusing on gameplay mechanics over narrative offer engaging exploration experiences.
- Titles like Rain World and The Long Dark prioritize immersive worlds and hardcore survival gameplay.
- Games like Elden Ring and Blood West emphasize combat, offering diverse gameplay experiences in open worlds.
Many open-world games revolve around a dramatic central narrative. This can provide a core motivation to keep playing and, in many cases, has proven to be a popular approach. While gameplay is always present, it's not always the focus in games that prioritize a compelling story.
These games, however, focus heavily on gameplay mechanics. As a result, players can expect to spend more time engaging with mechanics and systems than they will reading through dialogue or watching cutscenes. Still, these games aren't necessarily bereft of narrative, as many still have stories that keep players engaged throughout.
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8 Rain World
Mechanical Exploration Of An Interconnected World
Rain World
- Released
- March 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Tobacco Reference
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Rain World features little in the way of spoon-fed narrative. Instead, this game gives players an immersive and wholly atmospheric world to explore. With its interconnected environments and deeply simulated ecosystem, Rain World is able to provide immersive exploration, which is kept engaging through a focus on gameplay.
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The gameplay itself is simple and intuitive, revolving around fluid movement and survival mechanics. The controls are easy to grasp, but Rain World is decidedly unforgiving. Its frequent hostility, while frustrating at first, makes for engaging gameplay once players get into a groove.
7 The Long Dark
Simulated Mechanics In A Survival Situation
The Long Dark
- Released
- August 1, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
The Long Dark's primary mode, survival, is not concerned with narrative. Instead, The Long Dark prides itself on meaningful exploration of a harsh, hostile world. This exploration is made engaging through hardcore survival mechanics that give weight to player decisions, punishing mistakes and poor planning.
The survival gameplay is straightforward and focused, centered around careful scavenging of its myriad locations. Best of all, once players have become accustomed to its harsh environments, The Long Dark becomes a surprisingly relaxing experience.
6 Mount & Blade: Warband
Simulated Warfare In An Open World
Mount & Blade: Warband
- Released
- March 30, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
As a sandbox game, Mount & Blade: Warband is naturally light on story. Instead, players carve their own narrative in its expansive world, as they seek out wealth, nobility, and conquest. The open overworld does allow players to explore freely, but the gameplay is heavily focused on combat.
This focus on gameplay works in the game's favor, as its combat is easily its most unique and engaging aspect. The ability to fight and command entire armies from the ground, issuing orders in real-time, can be an exhilarating experience, thanks in large part to the game's sheer sense of scale.
5 Blood West
An FPS RPG With Immersive-Sim Elements
Blood West
- Released
- February 10, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Blood West is an open-world first-person shooter that emphasizes stealth. However, it also takes clear influence from immersive-sims, offering players plenty of opportunity for expression in its dynamic combat encounters. This is thanks in large part to a variety of weapons, items, and RPG-like perks that players can utilize.
This all results in an experience that is decidedly gameplay-focused, complemented by meaningful exploration that's frequently dangerous thanks to an abundance of enemies. However, despite its focus on gameplay, Blood West offers well-crafted open-world environments that stand out for their blend of Wild West imagery and elements of eldritch horror.
4 Battle Brothers
Motivated Combat In An Open Overworld
Battle Brothers
- Released
- April 27, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Indie Games, Tactical, RPG, Strategy, Adventure
Exploration in Battle Brothers is limited to an overworld map, but still allows players to exercise agency. Players choose where they want to go at all times, pick missions at their own discretion, and can side with whichever factions they see fit.
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However, this strategy game remains a gameplay-focused experience, heavily oriented around turn-based combat encounters. This combat system is finely-tuned, offering gritty battles that can be brutal and unforgiving. Supporting this combat is a sturdy RPG progression system that allows for frequent customization, facilitating multiple strategies and increasing the title's replay value.
3 Borderlands 2
FPS Action In Open Regions
Borderlands 2
- Released
- September 18, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
With its looter-shooter structure, Borderlands 2 is a naturally gameplay-focused experience. Punchy gunplay and procedural loot elevate the first-person action. While Borderlands 2 does have a story to follow, the addition of co-operative play highlights its focus on gameplay over narrative.
Exploration is also motivated by loot, with frequent combat encounters to keep the pace. Played either alone or with friends, Borderlands 2 offers an experience that's perfect for fans of FPS action and open-world exploration alike.
2 Far Cry 5
Frequent Action In An Open World
Far Cry 5
- Released
- March 27, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Open-World
The Far Cry series is replete with open-world experiences that emphasize action over anything else. Far Cry 5 is no exception, offering an action sandbox that allows players to freely explore and take on enemy encounters in their own way.
The broad arsenal of weaponry and variety of vehicles facilitates diverse gameplay, frequently changing the pace and providing ample opportunities for player expression. While there is a narrative, the FPS action is clearly the focus of Far Cry 5.
1 Elden Ring
Combat-Oriented Exploration
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
As with their iconic Dark Souls trilogy, FromSoftware's Elden Ring is a decidedly gameplay-focused experience. Excelling with its unforgiving combat and impressive, large-scale boss battles, Elden Ring differentiates itself with a vast open-world to explore.
Despite the addition of open exploration and a core narrative thread, Elden Ring remains a combat-centric title, offering frequent enemy encounters and satisfying boss fights. Its open world doesn't always add to the experience, but for fans of free-form exploration that enjoy the harsh combat of Dark Souls, Elden Ring is sure to please.
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