Open-World Games With The Best Small Town Feel

An open-world game and a small town feel are two concepts that seem at odds with each other. Open-world titles, by their very nature, offer players a vast, explorable map and an expansive world setting to wander in, whereas a small town feel is only possible in a close-knit, interconnected community where everyone knows everyone else.

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But that does not prevent talented developers from combining the two concepts into one game, delivering an experience few have had the chance to enjoy. The gaming landscape is vast, and a mish-mash of opposing genres makes for interesting titles and cool concepts.

5 Outward

Unique Open-World And An Excellent Combat System

Outward is an often overlooked open-world indie RPG set in a fantasy world featuring a unique combat system and surprisingly deep lore. Players start in Cierzo, a small town with humble beginnings and a cozy marketplace where everyone knows everyone and the lives of the citizens are intertwined.

Once players leave, they'll find that almost all locations in the world of Outward share this sense of closeness, and while every major city has its own unique flair, the sense of camaraderie remains the same. Monsoon is found in the marshes, and even though the city is expansive, the structures aren't urban in style and retain their small town feel. In Berg, this is even more the case, as both the residents and the city's aesthetic are tribal in nature. Outside the cities, it's just the player and the wilderness, with nothing for company other than a sense of adventure, nature, and the occasional troglodyte.

4 Tchia

Cozy Adventure Game Set In An Archipelago

Tchia is an open-world adventure game that captures the essence of what it's like to live in a small town with a community of people who all know each other intimately through shared experiences and a common past. The game features gorgeous, artistic visuals and is set in a vast, explorable archipelago.

The islands are lush, colorful, and alive with things to do and people to meet. Exploration and discovery are the main goals in Tchia, but during the moments when the player wants to stock up, rest, and recover and visits a settlement to do so, there is a sense of belonging that's only possible in a setting where Tchia and all the people she meets are part of the same tribe. With the occasional local festival, celebration, and a helpful word here and there, Tchia nails the small-town charm with ease.

3 A Short Hike

Indie Mountain Climbing RPG

A Short Hike is a curious little indie gem set in a unique top-down open-world setting. The goal of the game is simple: climb to the peak of the mountain. Claire, the protagonist, starts at the base of the mountain and needs to gradually make her way to the peak, facing challenges along the way. A curious quirk of this game is that it's technically possible to climb the mountain without any power-ups, level-ups, or abilities, making it a rare title that lets the player play on their own terms, allowing them to interact as little or as much with the game's mechanics as they want.

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While the gameplay is very good, it's the excellent storytelling and the gorgeous setting that sets A Short Hike apart from similar titles. From the camps to the cabins to the tiny little huts some NPCs call home, the game's environment exudes a quaint and cozy feeling often characteristic of indie games. The relaxed pace allows players to soak in the ambiance without a need to rush to the next objective. Though the world is condensed, the sense of exploration and adventure is there in spades. The road to the peak is dotted with the occasional hiker looking to make the climb as well, a hermit enjoying nature, or a lost villager looking for help, all contributing to the sense of close-knit community that a small town feel is all about.

2 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The First Open-World Game In The Zelda Universe

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is an open-world action-adventure game set in the kingdom of Hyrule. The map is vast, and while there are certain locations like the Hyrule Castle, Goron City, and Zora's Domain, the vast majority of the game world and its residents ooze small town vibes.

Of the four large settlements, Gerudo Town and the Rito Village both have the feeling of living in a small, close-knit community. Gerudo Town, found in the desert, is a collection of mud huts, shops, and underground domiciles with a harmonious undertone that signifies that all residents in the town are like family members. In Rito Village, even though the overall structure of the building is large in scope, it's not industrial like Goron City and retains a lived-in, homey feel to it.

1 My Time At Portia

3D Farming Simulation RPG

My Time At Portia is a 3D farming simulation RPG set in the cozy town of Portia, where players take on the role of a new farmer just beginning to put down their roots in town after inheriting their father's business. While farming and helping expand the town is the main point in My Time At Portia and a significant part of the gameplay loop, interacting with the residents of Portia, building relationships, and even finding a romantic partner all play a huge role as well.

From something as simple as completing fetch quests to as complex as helping set up the town's local festival, everything is meant to increase the player's sense of belonging to Portia. While the game is open-world, and players can venture out to farm resources and defeat monsters, Portia is at the heart of the game and the place players will always return to no matter how far out they go. The emphasis on social bonds and the role of the player in the town's development reinforce the feeling of being part of a thriving yet intimate community.

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