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Greatest Open World Games Ever Made

Go anywhere. Do anything. Take over the world. Become a hero. Languish on the riches of the weak. In the greatest open world games ever made... anything's possible.

By Ryan EppsPublished 6 years ago 17 min read
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Okay, I exaggerate. Maybe not anything is possible, but from franchises like Elder Scrolls and Assassin's Creed, to powerhouse developers like Rockstar Games and Ubisoft, realistically there's no shortage of what you could do when presented with the ample amounts of abilities so available within the open world genre. Especially now, with the world churning into that virtual placeholder, literally and metaphorically strapping on a blinding helmet to cover our faces in the hopes of reaching that next, more powerful foe, open world gaming has been the mecca of optimal video game playability, storytelling, and performance. Otherwise known as sandbox gaming, open worlds allow players to enter a complete and utter fantasy land of their own free will and choosing.

Mod cars, collect weapons, rob banks, behead dragons, and become the very greatest of all your rivals; every choice and moral decision is yours for the choosing, sometimes even directly affecting the overall gameplay. This is continuous, adaptive playability. Despite that all-encompassing, god-like quality, not all sandbox games are of the same genre, platform, or even period. Each are different in their own intriguing way. I'm going through the history of the virtual sandbox, our playground in the matrix, where every wish and whim is at the mercy of selection keys and menu options. So choose your sword and dagger, or snag a rifle off the wall, but don't you dare forget to snag some grenades. You never know what can happen when playing the best open world games ever made.

Zelda is probably one of the most well known of all video game franchises, right up there next to the greats, like Mario, Pokémon, and even GTA. The Legend of Zelda, as a video game series, has been around since 1986, well before I was even born. Since then, there's been various multi-media releases, from TV shows, to picture books, and the legend seemingly continues to live on, whether by way of its past, or through the future of its own integrated gaming.

When gazing back in time while breathing into life the greatest open world games ever made, it's practically impossible to ignore Majora's Mask, since it's not only among the most striking in visuals, gameplay, and storyline of its time, but it also paved the way for the likes of future Zelda game components. It invented a new time-based concept, wherein Link had to live out the same three days in order to complete the game. Calling to it's namesake, Link was also able to don a host of various masks, which gave him abilities that mirrored certain creatures throughout the world. While it may have been one of the most annoying to beat, Majora's Mask still remains one of the most satisfying open world titles, not just for the layout and story, but for the crazy characters and possibilities that previous and even current Zelda games have holistically lacked.

It is, without a doubt, the most iconic of the best Grand Theft Auto games. Okay, so their fifth and most recent installment made them a quick buck ($1 billion dollars in 3 days; $800 million in just 24 hours), and what with its amazing graphics, superior control system, and endless amount of content, Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V should probably take the cake as one of the greatest open world games ever made, but I beg to differ. As Officer Frank Tenpenny, voiced by none other than Samuel L. Jackson, says to the main protagonist:

"Don't bullshit me, Carl."

You see, San Andreas is perhaps one of the most quintessential video games in existence. Not only did it stir up society by challenging how we view real life actions as opposed to those in the virtual world, the video game itself is a real-time image of modern day society. Every single player could somehow or another relate to the returned-home prodigal son, who's lasting vow is to uncover his mother's true killer. Like all open world games, you tend to spin off into multiple directions, weaving in and out of the storyline at will, while meeting new and more engaging people, and unlocking the secrets hiding under the surface of San Andreas in many more ways than you realize. Whether it's modding your recently stolen Sabre into a beast of a killing machine, dropping $1 million on red at the roulette tables in Las Venturas, stealing the jet pack hidden inside the game's satirical Area 69, plunging down Mount Chiliad toward certain death with nothing but a BMX bike, or simply combing the gang infested streets with your trusty homing rocket in hand (appearing like a complete psychopath without a care in the world), San Andreas offers it all and much, much more.

Fallout 3 was one of the best games ever invented for the Xbox and PS3. Not to mention the loads and loads of hours offered by its DLCs, which were integrated months after the initial release, gamers were welcomed to a wasteland setting of the metro-D.C. area in which a host of mysteries laid in wait. Nope, there's no vehicles (or horses, like there are in Skyrim), but walking around the wastes, discovering bobbleheads, meeting friends (like Dogmeat), and losing said companions in the process, all adds to the joy of spending seven hours walking aimlessly through a radioactive wasteland of well-known attractions, like the Washington Monument, White House, and an aircraft carrier turned shopping center called Rivet City.

At its heart is a massive RPG style game that adds a hint of adventure to the mix, in addition to delivering a berth of content so exponential it's practically impossible to finish it all. This is the Skyrim of the apocalypse, wherein you play a young Vault dweller who has lived his (or her) entire life within the confines of Vault 101. Your father? He's an expert scientist working on the purification of D.C.'s water system and is voiced by the legendary Liam Neeson. Your mission is to find him after a disaster breaks out in the vault, which of course causes you to leave in a hurry—but, and here's the beauty of the game, this is only the main story line. The path to victory isn't always as straight and narrow as it may at first seem, nor do you have to choose the right path, either. The integrated karma system, which keeps track of your overall level of sanity as well, displays the player's moral sense within the game, but you're not tied down by it in any sense. I mean, just go blow up Megaton and you're pretty much the Devil already (but, oh, such a beautiful sight that carnage is to behold).

While it may seem unfitting when up against more noticeable, or mature sandbox titles, Minecraft still finds its place among the greatest open world games for presenting players with an almost LEGO-like concept: build until your fingers fall off. That's only a summary of Minecraft, but there's such an unbelievable level of detail and sheer scalability that it's practically unmatched. No other video game title has allowed for such freedom in the building and repairing of the world as this; it’s so incredibly extensive there’s YouTube channels dedicated to the crafting and finding of specific objects all throughout the Minecraft universe. I have to say, that’s nuts!

For a PC game with, might I add, some pretty low level graphics (that even almost look kind of like LEGOS themselves), Minecraft has pushed the envelope and harnessed this aspect of virtual industrialization in the face of its budgeted aspects. Designed by the Swedish Markus “Notch” Persson until fully adapted by Mojang, Minecraft utilizes a 3D procedurally generated world that specifies itself on themes of creativity, exploration, resource gathering, and combat simulation. While the game may not pack the same fervor, or fully loaded clip I might say, as GTA does, it still fares well by critics and fans alike; as of 2017, it’s the best selling PC game of all time and is second only to Tetris in the category of best selling (yes, out of all video games ever made). Not only is that remarkable for an indie-published and non advertised product, that’s unheard of in all video game lore. Beat that, Rockstar.

Like the opening of an epic heroic tale, InFamous draws players right into the action by introducing a promising character by the name of Cole MacGrath. After surviving a devastating accident that sends his home town of Empire City into a spiraling vortex of turmoil, Cole (through the player’s own design) must decide what path he wishes to fulfill. Garnered with extraordinary electric abilities, thanks to the same explosive detonation that still tears his home town from the inside out, Cole can either be a hero and save the crippled city from total annihilation, or become the very manifestation of that annihilating force.

Sucker Punch truly outdid themselves with this title, engineering one of the greatest open world games of its time, effectively generating a saga akin to the likes of other underrated sandbox video games, such as Prototype, Watch Dogs, and Just Cause. As it so happens, I’d consider all of those previously stated as among the honorable mention in the best sandbox games ever designed, because none meet the same standards or really capture the essence of the open world as much as InFamous did. Released in 2009, the superhero based title reworked how the open world could be played in such a way that changed the dynamic of your play through so much so that no one player had the same experience. This is due to the implementation of the Karma system, which was also featured in Fallout and Red Dead, but not so much that it effects how other in-game characters react to your presence, nor generates alternate endings like InFamous does. A sequel, named Second Son, was released in 2014 to some pretty well-received reviews, despite being overshadowed by more mainstream titles like Destiny, Infinite War, and Shadows of Mordor. No matter, InFamous still made its own name and infiltrated the scene by way of designating its own genre over the sandbox concept, which is truly masterful, given its BioShock-esque multi-endings.

Besides the over the top zombie DLC that completely changed the world itself (in so many ways that even your horse became an undead victim), Red Dead stands as the most idolized western video game adaption to date. Having begun with Red Dead Revolver back in 2004, the franchise took off by storm, even though this initial title meant relatively nothing to the fans as much as Redemption did in 2010, and the sequel (slated for late 2018) is probably one of the most anticipated games of the year.

Redemption not only took elements from the prior Red Dead game, it also accepted many other Rockstar traits from franchises like Grand Theft Auto, Max Payne, and even Midnight Club. How, you might be wondering, since it's based in the late 1800s, but it's simple: animals, various weapons, a sleek shooting power up for slow motion targeting, far wider map with a host of upgrades, and a precise consideration on the player's overall freedom. Unlike any other Rockstar game, Red Dead Redemption brought out its entire bag of tricks, allowing for players to become John Marston by hijacking train coaches, robbing small town banks, hunting the most ruthless predators and bounty hunting criminals whose records are ten times worse than even yourself. It's one of the greatest open world games and is pleasure to behold when exploring the landscape alone. Just be careful, there are cannibals out there, and one time I even stumbled upon a man crying over a female corpse, moments before blowing his own skull clean off. I tell yeah, if video game moments can change your life, that one certainly did it for me.

As one of a few action adventure stealth-based video games, Metal Gear Solid has enjoyed quite a bit of fame over the past several years for developing the most intricate spy stories, some of which harken back to the likes of classic Tom Clancy and 007, yet far grittier. The franchise itself has been ongoing since 1998, when fans and players alike were first introduced to Solid Snake, a truly badass individual with not only a host of secrets to bottle up, but even more demons to keep at bay. Solid Snake, himself, would probably be one of the single most interesting and thought provoking video game characters ever created.

In The Phantom Pain, Solid's fifth installment, players are actually sent 10 years back in time from the events of the very first game and are left at the helm of a mercenary by the name of Punished "Venom" Snake in 1984. The game itself has amassed critical reception, due to the high level of freedom implored, in-game modifications and enhancements to both weapons and characters, plus interwoven concepts that drive the entire storyline in one, almost organic process. It takes a while to get used to, as do most Metal Gear games, because of their sophisticated mechanics, which is one of the reasons why it's a top tier franchise. But, Phantom has truly driven this aspect home, enlisting itself among the greatest open world games by way of imploring character development as you, the player, sees fit—rather than through linear, mono-layered formats. It's actually one of the most complex open world video games ever made, and whether or not you're into the whole spy genre, it's worth at least a good three hours of some kick ass fun. That's all it takes to get hooked into the murky mercenary underworld of this highly vivid Metal Gear installment.

While the game's fanbase looks to the bright side and prays that the future brings more quality entertainment than in previous years, as some are hoping Assassin's Creed: Origins will save the franchise, their past is sadly much more promising. Their first two games set a standard for the genre and opened up a whole new level of playability, similar to Prince of Persia, though far more advanced and integrated into the plot. Interweaving both past and modern worlds into a slick, ever-adapting open world game may seem like a stretch, but the guys over at Ubisoft certainly knew what they were doing. With adaptions like Far Cry and Watch Dogs under their helm, it's safe to say they're one of the most prominent game developers of our time, much of which is in due thanks to the initialization of Assassin's Creed.

Released way back in 2007, their first game was a surefire testament to the overall story and makeup of the ongoing saga. Despite the lackluster sequels that brought fans to eras of the Civil War, colonial pirates, and Imperial China, the first two games were set during the Third Crusade and Italian Renaissance, respectively. Fans especially adored the two-tier plot, which even integrated the way you played the game; in modern time you could search throughout the Animus testing room for clues that could later unlock deeper secrets hidden in the fabric of your ancestor's past, for which the Animus machine taps into. All in all, watching the layers upon layers of history unfold right before your very eyes, and unlocking the secrets of this ongoing feud between the Assassins and the Templars only adds to the flavor of two of the greatest open world games. Having spawned innumerable sequels, in addition to a feature film, it's safe to say that Assassin's will always have a home in the best of the best sandbox games.

Yup. You've played it before, creating multiple saves and various different play throughs in the tens to twenties. You've guffawed over victories, cried over lost companions, and bashed controllers to pieces for the unexpected deaths, especially worsened by the fact that you hadn't saved in over an hour, thereby wiping all of your progress in one seemingly fell swoop of an iron great sword, or even worse: an arrow to the knee. The most tragic of all events, though, is what makes the game so incredibly exciting: those nerve wracking on-the-road encounters, from a seemingly random line of guards transporting a prisoner through the wintry snow, to an unexpected appearance of an overpowered dragon dive-bombing right into your face.

Instead of lumbering around that magnificent landscape with a controller, nowadays you can literally immerse yourself into the realm, lore, and magical wonder that is Skyrim VR, wherein the same intricacies and detail in nature coalesce with a brilliance in storytelling to bring together something of a fairytale, or dream come true. A virtual quest, one that cannot be won by failure, only choice; gain prominence as the true and promised Dragonborn, or wreck havoc across the realm. It wouldn't be one of the greatest open world games ever made if the choice wasn't up to you. Just be thankful of old Alduin for breaking you out of that death sentence before you run off to vanquish him. Oh, and I highly recommend turning yourself into a werewolf for some hilarious town destruction.

Out of all the most recently published open worlds, Ghost Recon has the most massive map, beating Grand Theft Auto V's Los Santos by about 120 square miles! In totality, Recon's map equals about 13 miles, which is impressive to say the least, but that's nothing when it comes to the greatest open world games ever made. The only title to beat this record is Just Cause 3, which has a rough estimate of over 400 square miles of in-game landscape.

We haven't seen a Ghost Recon since 2014, but Wildlands certainly lives up to all expectations—and then some. Packed to the brim with unbelievable content, from weapons and vehicles, to mods and cool gadgets, the world of drug smugglers and military police forces is yours for the taking; if only you're prepared for the absolute worst. You're not playing Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto, this game calls for a little more finesse and sneaking, while also imploring the use of tactical technology, like drones and radar scramblers, plus team-based objective completion. It is called Recon, after all. Traverse the endless terrain filled with massive lakes, fields of salt, and climbing mountains, all of which take you to some truly beautiful settings streaked with even more heart-pounding fun when being chased by bands of paramilitary forces, guerrilla terrorists, and drug smuggling kingpins. They don't call it the Wildlands for nothing, I can tell you that much.

As a bonus finale I present to you not only one of the greatest open world games ever made, but one of the most expansive, thrilling, trippy and eye opening virtual worlds ever designed. When entering into LSD: Dream Emulator, you have to subtly wonder to yourself: am I hallucinating? You might be, or practically are, since the game is based on one of the developer's own personal dream journals, for which he had been documenting for well over a decade. Only in the late 90s would a game both named and modeled after hallucinogenic properties become a smash hit, then never see the light of day ever again.

Published and released back in 1998, though only in Japan, Dream Emulator was praised for an ingenuity in storytelling and excellence in graphics (at the time, of course). The hierarchy of levels was also well received, given that players truly had to explore and find specific items or doorways in order to reach proceeding levels, each of which only became the more difficult as you progressed. Oh, and every gamer would experience the game differently; so, that key Jeff found on level 5 would actually be a song, or skull, or even letter for Ashley, and the next level they entered, though still 6 for both of them, would be entirely different. That's quality open world sandbox playability right there. Due to its high rarity and references to the hallucinogenic compound known as LSD, Dream Emulator gained a massive cult following over the years after its initial release and is still considered the most iconic exploration game, in that the virtual universe is seamlessly unending. Not to be cliché or anything, but you're bound to get lost in it; the question then remains: is it all a dream, or an hallucination?

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About the Creator

Ryan Epps

A cosmic adventurer rendering wayward letters into infinite lengths of conception and prose, like quantum streams of pneumatic information

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