Summary
Many open-world games feature set mechanics and systems that have clear solutions. The repetitive nature of some open-world games and the clear-cut rules that they follow often results in predictable gameplay that can be approached from a consistent angle.
This isn’t always bad; there are a great number of straightforward open-world games that can offer satisfying experiences. However, there are other open-world games that encourage more creativity and expression. Furthermore, these titles reward players that are able to adapt, and they encourage players to do so via dynamic worlds and obstacles.
Blood Westis an open-world FPS that excels with its immersive-sim elements. Though it focuses rather heavily on stealth gameplay,Blood Westis packed withopportunities for player expression. Various items, weapons, and perks make combat encounters frequently exciting, and the addition of stealth complements the action well.
A side effect of the lightweight immersive-sim design is thatBlood Westfrequently challenges players to adapt. Being spotted by an enemy immediately forces a reaction, and in larger encounters, players will have to act fast to be successful. In addition, the game’s character flaw system can also reward the more adaptive players — and punishes those that ignore it entirely.
STALKER: Shadow Of Chernobylis a strange boiling pot of visceral gunfights, supernatural imagery, and hardcore survival. In the game, players make dangerous treks across hazardous locales, constantly beset upon by bloodthirsty creatures and aggressive factions.
The dynamic nature of the world also results in a tremendous amount of emergent gameplay. Reacting to the myriad dynamic dangers at play is core to this gameplay, and it’s a loop that rewards adaptive players, not the reckless.
Mount & Blade: Warbandis an open-world sandbox that champions player agency with its large-scale battles. These battles are complemented by sturdy RPG systems and army management, allowing for a great deal of customizationand player expression.
There’s a great degree of planning involved inMount & Blade. However, adapting strategies on the fly and being able to be reactive is also integral to success. It’s as much about having a strategy as it is about executing it.
The Long Darkis a hardcore survival game that focuses its efforts on providing stark, stylized visualsand a tranquil atmosphere. It’s not free of tension, though, as its aspects of simulation and detailed survival mechanics ensure staying alive is no simple task.
Thanks to a variety of dynamic dangers and truly hazardous surroundings,The Long Darkrewards those that can adapt to their environment. A healthy dose of RNG also ensures players can’t rely on consistent loot, allowing for dynamic scavenging that’s frequently high-stakes.
Kenshiis a sandbox RPG that takes place in a truly dangerous open world. With its expansive deserts, roaming mobs, and unpredictable NPCs,Kenshiis a frequently hazardous place to explore. In addition, the game starts players with almost nothing, tasking them with setting their own goals and working from the ground up.
Since players have very little to work from, they’re often forced to adapt, resulting in an experience that rewards creative problem-solving and flexible play. Itcan be an inaccessible experienceat times, butKenshi’sopen world rewards players that take the time to understand it.
Adaptive play is wholly necessary inBattle Brothers, where combat is brutal and injuries are often lethal. Battlefields are dynamic with multiple terrain types and a vast array of enemies, not to mention the morale system that adds constant pressure to drawn-out battles.
The turn-based natureof the game gives players plenty of time to react, but their decisions must often be adaptive, especially when fighting against the odds. Threats simply cannot be ignored inBattle Brothers, not when the odds are even or worse, and players that rush in bull-headed will often meet a swift end.
Caves Of Qudoffers a traditional roguelike experience set in a dangerous science-fantasy world. The dynamic nature of the above and underground landscapes allows for frequently emergent gameplay, and this unpredictable nature ensures players are often forced to adapt.
The traditional gameplay only adds to this, offering turn-based combat thatemphasizes creative use of resourcesand careful management of abilities. With its blending of hand-crafted and procedural content and immense variety of threats, both living and inanimate,Caves Of Qudconstantly asks players to adapt and rewards them with their lives.
Fallout: New Vegasis an open-world role-playing game that excels with its expressive character creation anddiverse, dynamic environments. Above all else, however,Fallout: New Vegasshines with its expressive quests, of which there are many.
These quests often ask players to adapt — and reward them for finding quick and creative solutions to the problems they pose. This is supported by the game’s abundance of skills and perks, which often force players to adapt based on a figurative roll of the dice.
