Summary
- As gamers age, they tend to gravitate towards games that feature mature storytelling and themes.
- Titles like Days Gone, Pathologic 2, Yakuza 0, and Cyberpunk 2077 offer rich, mature experiences.
- Some of these games balance dark, emotional narratives with lighter, humorous moments for adult players to enjoy.
Gamers can usually attest to the fact that games hit differently as they get older. Mindless, action-packed experiences are fun as a child, but players will more often than not want to check out titles that are more introspective and mature as they age up.
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These open-world games offer near-infinite playtime with content that goes beyond the main quests.
This applies to the realm of open-world games, but finding something appropriate purely for adults can be challenging given that most titles aim to appeal to large audiences. For those looking for open-world games with mature tones, here are some of the best options available.
8 Days Gone
A Surprisingly Mature Story That Starts Slow Before Getting Into Things
Days Gone
- Released
- April 26, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action, Adventure
A lot of people ripped Days Gone apart for having a beginning that's so slow that it caused them to drop the game. This is a real shame, however, since the game really opens up in both the story and gameplay departments after players get past the first few hours.
This lets players experience a mature story with chilling moments and emotional reunions, with Deacon St. John almost operating like an anti-hero of sorts. With the upcoming remaster, more mature gamers should give Days Gone a shot to see what they're missing out on.
7 Pathologic 2
A Theatrical Horror Game With Surreal Storytelling
Pathologic 2
- Released
- May 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
Pathologic 2 is a surreal experience that kids may find hard to appreciate, especially since the gameplay is very hard and will punish a player's mistakes. However, seasoned gamers seeking out a unique open-world experience will likely love what this title brings to the table.
Trying to find the source of a plague affecting an unnamed town that is full of colorful characters makes Pathologic 2 a blast to play. As hardcore as the game may be, the mature tone of this title, coupled with its unique nature, makes it perfect for adults.
6 Yakuza 0
A Mature Story Where Players Can Take A Break With Some Immature Moments
Yakuza 0
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
Yakuza 0 is an excellent entry point into the series, detailing both Kiryu and Majima's stories before they became the Dragon of Dojima and the Mad Dog of Shimano, respectively. The combat is great, and the storytelling is likely to appeal to fans of the game's crime drama elements.
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As dark and brooding as the game's main story may be, adults can always take a breather with the hilarious substories and side content. A lot of this content is mature and makes for a fun time, encouraging players to laugh at the wealth of wacky moments that Kiryu and Majima regularly find themselves in.
5 Grand Theft Auto 4
Boasts The Most Mature Story Out Of Any GTA Game
Grand Theft Auto 4
- Released
- April 29, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
Most gamers assume that Grand Theft Auto games come with over-the-top stories that promote mindless fun over everything else. This is true for most titles, but Grand Theft Auto 4 tackles a mature narrative that adult gamers are likely to appreciate.
Niko Bellic's struggles in Liberty City are far from jovial, even if the title has its fair share of hilarious moments in line with GTA's classic humor. However, the emotional ending makes it clear that this is one of the darkest Grand Theft Auto games that adult fans can check out.
4 Cyberpunk 2077
The Dark Themes Of This Story, Coupled With The Depth Of The Side Content, Make It Perfect For Adults
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
Cyberpunk 2077 boasts one of the best narratives in modern gaming. The dystopian nature of Night City and its capitalist hellscape is something that leads to a ton of philosophical questions and eye-opening observations, especially with the many fleshed-out side quests that provide a deeper look at the world and its twisted nature.
The main story itself deals with several mature themes, with V and Johnny Silverhand's psyches merging to the point where the protagonist starts losing their identity. This is just one of the many mature plotlines in Cyberpunk 2077 that makes it a great game for adults to enjoy.
3 Disco Elysium
The Storytelling Is Deep, Political, And Emotional
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Disco Elysium's narrative is rife with political themes and philosophical questions, and it's set in a rich world full of tantalizing lore for players to uncover. All of this is mixed with a dash of humor to keep players engaged for the long haul, although the narrative's complexities may be lost on young gamers.
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Meanwhile, adult gamers are likely to have a blast controlling Harry Du Bois as they solve a tricky murder. The emotional high points of the narrative can be relatable for those who have dealt with heartbreak and the idea that the world is moving on without them, and these are just a few of the many mature threads that the narrative explores.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
Arthur Morgan's Story Is As Layered As They Come
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
A huge reason why fans can't get enough of Red Dead Redemption 2 is because of its incredible narrative. Arthur Morgan's journey of redemption is tear-inducing on a High Honor playthrough, even though the Low Honor Arthur is also riveting in his own right.
Those familiar with Rockstar's games may not be used to the narrative's slow pace, but most won't mind once they see just how emotional and engaging the game's narrative is. All of this combines to help Red Dead Redemption 2 stand out as one of the most mature open-world games that gamers can check out.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
A Dark Fantasy Open-World RPG That Is Full Of Mature Themes
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the best dark fantasy video games ever made. The mature world of this title is full of death and destruction, especially given how the conflict between the Northern Realms and Nilfgaard is at a boiling point.
The horror of war isn't the only thing explored in the title's narrative, with the game's side quests also doing a great job of fleshing out the world and forcing players to make a ton of choices where nothing is black or white. This mature storytelling ensures that adult gamers can have a great time with what The Witcher 3 brings to the table.
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