Open-world games come in many varieties, but most fall in line with fantasy-based realms and gameplay. There are many great open-world games featuring magic and swords. On the sci-fi side, there are typically a lot of bullet-based guns to wield. There aren’t as many open-world games that let players engage with science in bizarre ways.
This doesn’t mean throwing beakers and rulers at enemies, although that would be funny. Science can be applied to all types of weaponry, even guns, to make them wilder than any other open-world game. So, if players are looking to get into some uncommon combat with a tinge of science, look no further than these examples.
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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Science For The Win
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
Peter Parker is the ultimate scientist in the Marvel universe who manages to be smart, funny, and strong. This translates well in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 with all of the gadgety players can unlock for Peter and Miles, plus the webbing they shoot is also science-based.
There’s the Web Grabber, which can shoot webs in all directions to make bad guys cling together and cluster in one area. The Sonic Burst can weaken enemies and throw them off, giving players an opportunity to swing in and strike.
The Outer Worlds
Literal Science-Based Weaponry
The Outer Worlds
- Released
- October 25, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Space games like The Outer Worlds aren’t guaranteed to include futuristic weapons, but in this title, there are indeed wild versions of guns that fire lasers. There are elemental weapons too, to shoot things like fire to light enemies up. They’re fine weapons, but what players remember the most about The Outer Worlds are the literally named Science Weapons.
There’s the Gloop Gun, which can cause enemies to freeze in place with a sticky substance, and the Shrink Ray, which can miniaturize enemies. It seems like the sequel is doubling down on Science Weapons, so that’s a game science fans should keep in mind too.
Fallout 4
The Post-Apocalypse Is Full Of Wisdom
Fallout 4
- Released
- November 10, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
The Fallout series manages to delight fans of both sides of the coin, as players can shoot normal bullets or invest in energy-based weaponry. There's nothing like getting a laser gun and then zapping an enemy so brutally that they turn to dust. Fallout 4 takes things a step further by including customization options for weaponry, to let players tweak their guns and melee weapons to their heart’s content.
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One of the wilder weapons is the Junk Jet, which players can load with virtually anything from plates to toys. It’s always fun to see junk hit a mutant or bandit in slow motion and then have them explode. Players can also customize their Power Armor to become like the wasteland's version of a Terminator robot.
Horizon Forbidden West
A Bow Above The Rest
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Horizon Forbidden West is the second game in the series, giving players more ways to craft weapons and ammo to tank on robotic animals in the post-apocalyptic world. Aloy’s main weapon is a bow, which she can craft different ammo types for. She also has the Tripcaster, which can set traps that can do things like electrify enemies, and the Ropecaster to tie bigger robots down. There’s even a hacking ability to use these robots for good in battle, so overall, Aloy knows her way around machines.
Cyberpunk 2077
This Bullet’s For You
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077’s world is all about redefining what humans and robots are through cybernetics. Players can customize their bodies to be as organic or cybernetic as possible, adding things like blades that can come out of the arms. Beyond the body, there are various guns with status effects, like poison, to add more lethality to bullets. There are also some unique weapons, like Skippy, a talking pistol that shoots guided projectiles toward their target.
Sunset Overdrive
When Brands Become Sentient
Sunset Overdrive
- Released
- October 28, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
Sunset Overdrive is one of the more forgotten Xbox One exclusives. It was developed by Insomniac, who know how to make creative weaponry, as demonstrated by their Spider-Man games and the Ratchet & Clank series. This open-world city game puts a twist on zombies, as residents are transformed via a badly marketed energy drink.
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Players can learn to create weird guns like Nothin' but the Hits, a weapon that shoots records at enemies. There’s also the TnTeddy, which launches Teddy Bears at enemies strapped with dynamite or the Rivet Blaster, which can create a net of electricity to harm opponents. There’s not an uncreative weapon in this game, keeping players more engaged throughout.
Starfield
Star Wars
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield has similar energy-based weaponry to The Outer Worlds to zap enemies into the next century. The Equinox is a good example, as players will find them everywhere as a standard among soldiers and bandits. Lasers are common in space as players cruise from planet to planet on their custom ship, but there are also particle-based weapons. It’s a hybrid between bullet-based and energy-based weapons, and a standard is the Novalight pistol. Overall, Starfield has the best-feeling gun combat of any Bethesda RPG.
Destroy All Humans
Humanity Never Stood A Chance
Destroy All Humans!
- Released
- July 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Destroy All Humans is the perfect game for players who want to strike back against humanity. Crypto is an alien sent down to observe humans and to cause a little chaos. Crypto’s standard weapon is the Zap-O-Matic, which fires bolts of electricity at screaming citizens. There’s also a probing gun to scare enemies or remove their brains, which is a type of currency for aliens. Then, when all else fails, players can jump into their UFO and rain down destruction.
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