Players love open-world games that strive to do something different to appeal to the masses. From unique action gameplay to fun genre mashups that should've worked but end up paying major dividends, there's no shortage of ways that open-world games have tried to stand out.
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While roaming these games' massive maps, be wary of the terrifying creatures you may encounter.
Some open-world games strive to feel as lived-in as possible, and the inclusion of NPCs is a must if developers want to achieve this goal. Giving these NPCs a creepy personality helps them become all the more memorable, with the game making it perfectly clear that there's something wrong with the world and its inhabitants.
8 We Happy Few
The Delusion Of The Citizens Is Off-Putting
We Happy Few
- Released
- August 10, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
We Happy Few had a few issues that prevented it from being a successful game that would channel the mystique of the BioShock series. However, there's more to this title than what meets the eye, making it a treat for players who manage to ignore some of the frustrations stemming from its gameplay.
If players refuse to take the Joy pill for too long, then other NPCs will notice that something's wrong with them. Seeing Joy-addled NPCs talk about the player and engage in confrontations with them is eerie and makes it clear that this dystopian world is nowhere near the utopia that other residents claim it to be.
7 Watch Dogs 2
The Background Of Certain NPCs Is Quite Weird
Watch Dogs 2
- Released
- November 15, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action, Adventure
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Watch Dogs 2 made some major changes to the formula, addressing fan complaints and making it clear that Ubisoft is willing to listen. Hacking is more fun than ever, with some background checks being pretty disturbing.
Players who make it a point to scan the NPCs will find some horrid actions carried out by the populace. It's a simple yet great way to add some character to the world, and gives players an incentive to mow down pedestrians who are nowhere near as innocent as fans assumed them to be.
6 Deadly Premonition
A Weird Game With Weird NPCs
Deadly Premonition
- Released
- February 23, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
Players who want to play what feels like a fever dream of a game that takes inspiration from unique shows like Twin Peaks will love what Deadly Premonition brings to the table. As bizarre as this game may be, its unique edge is precisely why fans can't get enough of the mystery at the heart of this title.
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As fans would expect, the NPCs in this title can be downright surreal at times, with their weird dialogue and creepy behavior adding a ton of flavor to this world. The Raincoat Killer's sinister presence, Brian the Insomniac's creepy mumblings, and the intimidating mask worn by Harry Stewart show just how weird the town's residents are. This is just a small part of the weird charm that makes Deadly Premonition a must-play for people seeking out a unique open-world game for them to sink their teeth into.
5 L.A. Noire
The Facial Expressions Can Range From Hilarious To Disturbing
L.A. Noire
- Released
- May 17, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Team Bondi
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
L.A. Noire was a game ahead of its time when it launched, featuring a level of facial animation that fans had never seen before. While analyzing facial expressions was fun back in the day, it's clear that this game has aged poorly in this department.
The problem stems from the fact that some NPCs look downright unhinged with their exaggerated facial expressions that keep on looping until players decide how to move forward. It's funny and creepy at the same time, adding to L.A. Noire's charm and making it one of Rockstar's more unique open-world games.
4 Pathologic 2
A Game That Prides Itself On Its Odd World And Weird Characters
Pathologic 2
- Released
- May 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ice-Pick Lodge
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Pathologic 2 is one of the weirdest open-world games players can get their hands on. This title is not for the faint of heart, especially given its creepy atmosphere and high difficulty.
While trying to uncover the mystery behind a plague ravaging a small town, players will come across several scary and surreal NPCs who add to the game's oppressive atmosphere. The weird-looking Worms and the sinister Herb Brides are just a few of the many creepy NPCs in the game. It's a huge part of what makes Pathologic 2 so special and cements it as a unique open-world game that fans can check out.
3 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
The Uncanny Conversations In This Game Can Be Odd For People Not Used To The Radiant AI
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Released
- April 22, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Radiant AI was one of the biggest buzzwords surrounding Oblivion when it launched. Players loved the idea of NPCs organically conversing during their travels, but they had no idea just how hilarious and creepy these conversations could be.
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The time-consuming nature of open-world games means that backtracking rarely holds much appeal. Thankfully, these games got the memo.
Seeing civilians engage in everything from friendly banter to over-the-top arguments before simply going about their way adds to Oblivion's charm. Sure, the flow of these conversations can be unsettling, and the thousand-yard stare of these uncanny valley NPCs may send chills down a player's spine at times, but this is precisely why Oblivion is hailed by many as a quirky video game that fans can enjoy to this day. That being said, the insistence of the Adoring (also annoying) fan can be creepy for some people.
2 Cyberpunk 2077
This Dystopian World Breeds Some Creepy Personalities
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
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Night City is a place where innocence dies, and people either die with it or accept the cutthroat nature of this city. So, it's easy to see why this game is littered with creepy and unhinged NPCs who have lost their morality or reason in the quest to become powerful beyond their wildest dreams. Adam Smasher's intimidating presence, pretty much every member of Maelstrom, and Alt Cunningham's unnerving virtual presence are great examples of the same.
The cyberpsychos V finds in Night City show the dangers of cyberware, and other hedonistic NPCs show just how little human life means to them. These creepy NPCs add to the worldbuilding of the game and help Cyberpunk 2077 stand out as one of the most immersive open-world games fans can get their hands on.
1 Fallout: New Vegas
A Wasteland With Odd, Creepy NPCs Scattered Across The Mojave
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Players who want to enjoy a mix of old and new Fallout will find New Vegas to be right up their alley. Given how excellent this game's writing is, it's easy to see why players would find their fair share of creepy and eccentric characters in the series.
From sentient ghouls who can be downright unhinged to horrible members of Caesar's Legion who carry out horrible atrocities in the name of "justice", there's no shortage of weird NPCs to find in this game. Their creepy nature is a huge part of what makes the Mojave one of the best Fallout worlds for fans to explore, and nowhere is this more apparent than when players see Mr. House's real body and see just how deluded his thirst for power is.
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