Often in open-world games, players take on the role of some god-like character with overpowered abilities, the world's strongest plot armor, and the power to heal themselves to full health after a few seconds out of combat. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, as these games can be a great deal of fun. However, it can also be a nice change to play an open-world game where the main character isn't overpowered.
Instead of being one-person armies, these characters are either normal or, at least, as normal as they can be in their circumstances. As they cannot rely on raw overwhelming power, players will often find that their decisions matter more, and moments of victory achieved with good planning and skill feel even sweeter.
Not being overpowered is not the same thing as being underpowered. Sometimes, you are just powered.
7 Foxhole
Fight As An Ordinary Soldier, Get Killed By Artillery, & Spawn As A New Soldier
Foxhole
- Released
- August 4, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Foxhole is an MMO based on World War 2 and sees persistent wars fought between two sides in conflicts that can last well over a month. Unlike other MMOs, where players level up a character, unlocking new powers and better stats, no character is special in Foxhole and after each death, players will spawn as a new ordinary soldier.
It is incredibly easy to die in Foxhole, especially on the frontlines, where an unlucky artillery shell can strike from afar. This is part of the realism and fun, and thankfully, it doesn't take too long to spawn. With death always so close, players quickly learn to duck behind trenches, run from tanks, and be wary of anything slowing them, such as mud. Players don't have to fight as they could instead play as a medic, drive supplies to the front, or produce equipment in the backline. Whatever they do, they are one normal soldier or worker, contributing to a wider war effort.
6 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Snake Goes Down Quick If He Is Not Smart And Quiet
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
- Released
- September 1, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
When one thinks of open-world games that do not make them feel like a walking tank, survival tends to be the first genre that comes to mind. However, stealth is just as capable of delivering these types of experiences, and MGSV: The Phantom Pain is the best open-world variant. While you can technically go guns blazing, you are making the game way harder for yourself, as Venom Snake's skills lie in infiltration.
You are encouraged and, at times, forced to carefully plan your missions, using all the tools at your disposal to avoid detection and quietly complete your goal. If you are caught and have to shoot your way out, be prepared for a reset, as Snake is far from bullet-resistant. As the campaign progresses, you will gradually grow more confident in your skills, but you will likely never reach a point when you can mow down an enemy base without even trying to use stealth.
5 Project Zomboid
A Game That Asks Players How They Will Die?
Project Zomboid
- Released
- November 8, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- The Indie Stone
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Project Zomboid can certainly be considered a game where characters are overpowered or special, as it asks players the question of how they will die. The only thing separating the player's character from the hordes of zombies is that they aren't currently dead. In this top-down open-world game, players must use every tool at their disposal to survive for as long as possible.
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New zombie games are always on the horizon, and 2026 will not be an exception, as a few major titles have already been announced.
Zombies will see or hear the player and form large hordes to hunt them down. As a regular human with no special abilities, players must also battle against the harsh realities of living in a post-apocalyptic world, some of which sound rather mundane but are actually super fun to interact with. For example, these truly human characters must fight against boredom, thirst, and even depression. While they will never become overpowered, characters can level up and acquire new perks, but this is entirely realistic, as doing things typically makes you better at that skill.
4 Red Dead Redemption 2
Arthur Is Capable With A Gun, But He Lives In A Ruthless And Realistic World
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Rockstar's open-world games tend to toe the line between realism and absurdity, with GTA generally leaning towards the latter. In comparison, Red Dead Redemption 2 almost feels like a Western sim, and that goes beyond the inclusion of long animations for even the simplest of acts. Arthur Morgan is a skilled gunslinger who can get the better of anybody in a duel, and he will fight dirty since he knows that one wrong move could bring his life to an end.
Talented as he is, Arthur is never remotely presented as some unstoppable force with no equal, and his death can come quickly and suddenly during firefights. Arthur is a rare case of an open-world protagonist who is neither overpowered nor underpowered, and even mechanics like Dead Eye are limited and reflect his extensive experience as an outlaw.
3 Arma 3
A Realistic Modern Military Game Where You Play As Regular Soldiers
Arma 3
- Released
- September 12, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bohemia Interactive
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Tactical
Arma 3 is a modern military sandbox game, where players take on the roles of everyday soldiers, tank crews, and drone operators. As one of the most realistic war games, no player is invincible or special. As a sandbox game, players can do almost anything they like, including both online and single-player modes.
There are also player-made scenarios and game modes, and at no point will players feel overpowered. Even inside the best vehicles, there are always specific threats to be aware of. Players must be smart and on their toes to stay alive.
2 Death Stranding
Save The World As A Courier, Not A Fighter
Death Stranding
- Released
- November 8, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Platform(s)
- iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action
Death Stranding is a unique open-world game with an atypical hero who isn't much use in a fight, but a great porter. In the eerie post-apocalyptic world, Sam Bridges must reconnect distant cities to the Chiral Network in order to get America back on its feet.
Best Semi-Open World Games
Semi-open world games are a middle ground between open-world and linear games, with multiple large maps that function as individual instances.
To do so, he must traverse treacherous terrain and battle against the elements to make deliveries. Many aspects of the logistics must be considered, as Sam does not have any superpowers. Players will also engage in building mechanics, and there is combat in the game, although they will find themselves quickly overwhelmed. Death Stranding is also known for being one of the most atmospheric open-world games.
Death Stranding 2 also fits, although you do feel a bit more powerful in that game.
1 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Henry Starts As A Blacksmith's Son & Can Never Fight Large Groups Of Enemies
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
- Released
- February 13, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is widely regarded as one of the best medieval games of all time and is known for its strict adherence to realism. At the start of the game, the main character, Henry, is no more than a blacksmith's son, barely capable of wielding a wooden training sword. As the story progresses, his prowess improves tremendously, but as armor actually works in this game and cannot be sliced through like in other depictions of the era, no fight will ever be easy.
At most, Henry can take on around 3 enemies at once in the endgame, provided that he has full-plate armor and a top-tier weapon, but this is still a push. While this realism may not be for everyone, each fight feels incredibly satisfying, and so do other aspects of the game. For example, at the start, Henry cannot read, and the way in which he learns is surprisingly fun. Even though his status rises throughout the story, Henry remains humble and is ultimately a pawn in the larger game between nobles.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 also qualifies, as Henry starts pretty weak in the sequel.
Open-World Games With The Best Stories
The focus in open-world games is often placed on explorations and player freedom, but some titles manage to tell awesome stories, too.