Summary
- Open-world games like Final Fantasy 15 struggle to maintain a coherent narrative due to abundance of distractions.
- Players can spend hours in Cyberpunk 2077 and Fallout: New Vegas immersed in captivating side activities.
- Games like The Witcher 3 and Yakuza 0 offer rich side content that rivals the main story in engagement.
Story-driven video games need to keep fans engaged with a well-paced and enrapturing narrative, which is why open-world games can struggle to make players follow a coherent narrative. The plot only progresses when players want it to, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
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In fact, some RPGs become all the more memorable when players can ignore the main story without the fun factor being diminished. Players will love spending a ton of hours just exploring the side content, which can even be better than the main narrative in some instances.
8 Final Fantasy 15
The Open World Is Massive And Chock-Full Of Distractions
Final Fantasy 15
- Released
- November 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Final Fantasy 15 suffered from development hell before finally releasing to mostly positive reviews with a few valid criticisms. The biggest one of the lot was how fractured the story felt, but this was something fans could work around because of how gorgeous the open world is.
Players will love losing themselves in the act of exploration as they set up camps, encounter tough monsters, and witness just how much love was poured into creating this sandbox. There's a reason why players love how the Royal Edition expanded upon Insomnia at the end, since it gave more avenues for players to explore and engage in some fun side content shenanigans before they made their way to the final stretch of the game.
7 Cyberpunk 2077
Night City Is A Dense And Captivating Environment Full Of Riveting Stories
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(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
While it's hard to ignore the main story early on when the plot hasn't even kicked into high gear, this is just a small portion of Cyberpunk 2077's playtime. After the Arasaka heist, the world truly opens up for players.
Fans love just how many distractions come up in Night City, letting them participate in various engaging side quests and unique activities. Sure, V may be on the brink of death and is running against time, but that doesn't stop players from placing the plot on a standstill for hours as they help locate rogue cabs, uncover a political conspiracy, and meditate with a mysterious figure, among other such things.
6 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Geralt Can Spend Hours Helping Townsfolk And Uncovering Secrets
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
When The Witcher 3 came out, fans were genuinely impressed by the sheer volume of content in this title. The hunt for Ciri could wait as players spent ages fulfilling monster contracts and participating in assassination plots.
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Along with this, the two expansion packs for The Witcher 3 also boast an impressive wealth of content that fans will be enamored by. Hearts of Stone introduces the best antagonist in the series, while Blood & Wine introduces a whole new region that serves as a breath of fresh air.
5 Fallout: New Vegas
DLCs And Side Content Ensure That Players Can Completely Ignore The New Vegas Power Struggle
Fallout: New Vegas
- Released
- October 19, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
New Vegas will become irresistible from the moment players enter the town of Goodsprings after being shot in the head. It's an amazing video game opening that sets the initial goal that the Courier has.
On their way to New Vegas, they'll help resolve local struggles, find companions willing to accompany them, and explore abandoned ruins. These distractions are fascinating in Fallout: New Vegas, and players can comfortably ignore the main story as they go through the several amazing expansions for this game that are in a class of their own.
4 Starfield
Players Can Spend Ages Exploring Numerous Planets
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Bethesda games are known for the amazing distractions in their game, so much so that the writing for the main story can be quite forgettable in comparison. The general consensus is that the side adventures that players can go on are infinitely better than the central plot.
Such is the case in Starfield, although the game hampers exploration somewhat with an overreliance on procedurally generated planets and loading screens. If players are willing to look past these issues, then they'll have a great time enjoying what Starfield brings to the table.
3 Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Ryoma Can Indulge In The Game's Side Content For Hours
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
- Released
- February 21, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Like a Dragon: Ishin! Is an excellent and faithful remake, although its reliance on old and familiar faces may be a bit too fanservice-y for some. However, the scintillating main story is not the only thing going for this open-world RPG.
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Players can also tend to Haruka's house while bonding with her, complete a wealth of combat challenges (which are almost a bit too plentiful), form bonds with the residents of Kyo, and complete various side stories. The sheer amount of extra content in this game is ludicrous and will push a person's playtime to immense heights, as opposed to if they were just powering through the main story.
2 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The Dragonborn Will Find It Easy To Ignore Their Legacy For Hours
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda Softworks
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Skyrim is the poster child of open-world games where the side content is the main focus. Sure, fighting Alduin is important and all, but there are so many distractions in the game that players will completely forget their destiny as a Dragonborn.
From going on an alcoholic bender that sends players to a different city all the way to the game's scintillating exploration where every corner hides a secret, there's no shortage of ways to ignore the main story in Skyrim. Some people can spend a ton of hours in this game before they even fight their first dragon, which shows just how loaded this game is when it comes to meaningful content.
1 Yakuza 0
Real Estate Royale And Cabaret Club Czar Alone Will Keep Players Occupied For Hours On End
Yakuza 0
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Yakuza 0 is arguably the best game in the series and the perfect entry point into this massive series. The stories of Kiryu and Majima as they become legendary in the series are quite riveting, and it helps that the side content in this game is off the charts.
Real Estate Royale lets Kiryu become a property dealer who can make bank, while Majima's Cabaret Club Czar is possibly the best side activity ever in a Yakuza game. This is just the tip of the iceberg, with the game featuring intricate karaoke sessions, a hilarious telephone minigame, numerous substories, and endless combat challenges for players to sink their teeth into.
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