Not all video games need to boast massive budgets, inhumane crunch hours, and so much detail that developers break their backs to let players enjoy state-of-the-art tech in their games. Sometimes, it’s perfectly fine for smaller studios to try their hands at various gaming genres instead.
The AA moniker is unfairly looked down upon, with people feeling like these games lack both the creativity of indie projects and the big-budget spectacle of AAA gaming. However, as the following open-world games will make abundantly clear, this sphere of gaming can still lead to some interesting results that are worth checking out.
Maneateris a violent game thatlets players control a sharkthat slowly gets stronger by chomping down on people and fish. There’s no discrimination here, especially since the shark needs to get stronger to take their revenge on the shark hunter who killed their mother.
Despite the gameplay loop itself being somewhat bland, the presentation for this title is surprisingly excellent and will leave fans hooked early on. Based on how much players can tolerate repetitive gameplay, they can reach the end of a satisfying video game where players slowly get stronger and eventually get their revenge.
Players willloveSableand its zen exploration, placing them in the shoes of the eponymous protagonist who must go through a Rite of Passage to be accepted by her clan. She is set loose in a world full of puzzles that can be explored on her trusty hover bike.
Uncovering the mystery at the heart ofSableis pretty engrossing and will keep players engaged for hours on end. The exploration is relaxing, and players can tackle challenges at their own pace to really elevate the experience.
One of the hardest open-world games players can get their hands on,Outwardcan be frustrating, especially in the early goings. The survival mechanics are punishing and will cause players to face a variety of negative situations over and over again.
However, players must learn from their mistakes and learn the best ways to survive and earn gold. Paying off the Blood Price is easier said than done and only marks the beginning of a heroic experience that is way bigger in scope than most people would expect.
Obvious inspirations aside,Palworldhas done a great job of letting fans experience a monster-catching game with unique mechanics from another developer. Acquiring Pals and assigning tasks to them to help their base become stronger is way more captivating than most people would assume.
The idea ofPokémonwith guns sounds absurd, butPalworldmanages to make this workin so many fun ways. It helps that the open world encourages exploration and lets players acquire a ton of valuable resources to make valuable progress.
The Witnessis one of the most overlooked open-world games players can get their hands on. Players find themselves on an island full of puzzles that let them explore and solve these brain teasers at their own pace.
The game is clearly inspired byMyst, with players getting lost in an open world that is brimming with numerous mysteries. Given how the developer of this game, Jonathan Blow, is credited for sparking the rise of indie gaming, it’s easy to see whyThe Witnessalso displays his brilliance in a well-executed game with tight and refined areas.
No Man’s Skyfaced a tough launch before eventually salvaging its reputation to become one of the best open-world games for players who prioritize exploration over everything else. This amazing adventure takes place in several unique biomes and planets as they find resources, establish bases, interact with other sentient creatures, and strive to reach the center of the galaxy.
Even after reaching what is supposed to be the end of the game,No Man’s Skyhas so many things to do that players can be lost in this title for ages. It’s the perfect example of how plentiful content can make up for simple gameplay mechanics to let players enjoy a fun title.
Warhorse Studios is one of the most impressive developers in modern times, given how they decided to make a realistic medieval open-world game as their very first title. Despite some issues,Kingdom Come: Deliverancewas a promising title that showed what this developer was capable of.
The sequel isa polished and engaging experiencethat makes combat against multiple people less frustrating while also letting Henry’s journey end on a satisfying note. It’s an excellent open-world RPG that any fan of this wildly popular genre mashup should check out.
The fact thatOuter Wildsmanaged to captivate so many people despite its 22-minute time loop shows just how satisfying this adventure game is. Players find tidbits of information and useful clues scattered across the galaxy that do a great job of filling in the blanks and clueing players in on what they have to do.
The fact that exploration itself will drive progress in a satisfying manner while still making players feel a sense of accomplishment is a huge part of what makesOuter Wildstick. It’s one of the best video games ever made and shows that AA gaming should not be slept on.
