Summary
Open world games have long offered playersvast explorable landscapesthat are often filled with lore, loot, and side content. However, there are certain games that take a unique spin on this formula,turning open world exploration into a challenge itself. The worlds in these games aren’t mere backdrops, but serve as active participants that encourage tactical and decisive exploration.
These examples are some of the best games that feature worlds that arenot only dangerous to traverse but also offer a sense of accomplishmentwhen facing the fear of the unknown.
Exploration inElden Ringcan feel incredibly daunting as the game grantsfull agency to players on how they wish to traverse the worldand progress through the story. The game also tends to surprise players with numerous enemy mobs and mini-bosses guarding various regions of the Lands Between, such as bridges, dungeons, and often times access tolegacy dungeons.
The Lands Between is also home to numerous dungeons that can catch unprepared players off guard if they venture into one unprepared. While exploration is central inElden Ringto acquire valuable gear, it does come at the cost of facing the dangers of curse-stricken lands.
The danger of exploration in theOuter Wildscomes from the changing nature of the solar system and theimpending doom that awaits at the end of each 22-minute time loop. Each celestial body in the Outer Wilds alters as time progresses, making exploration a priority to gather clues to understand time loop phenomena.
While the changing solar system and the ticking time raise player anxiety, embracing the fear of the unknown and mustering the courage to explore the volatile solar system is key to appreciating the beauty ofOuter Wilds.
Dredgeis an indie open-world game set on a small archipelago where the players must make money byfishing a variety of fish species and selling them during the day. However, as night befalls, the once peaceful ocean turns into a dangerous body that challenges exploration.
Players choosing to explore these treacherous waters must contend with whatever the night throws at them,including dangerous sea monsters and hallucinationsthat raise the player character’s panic meter. Nighttime exploration is crucial as it provides a wider context to the game’s lore, and players can catch rare and exotic fish species that net larger profits when sold.
Subnauticacan be aterrifying experience for players with thalassophobiaas it turns the worst fears of the oceanic depths virtually real. Despite the looming threat deep within the ocean, the game mandates players to explore thedepths of an alien ocean to collect resources and ultimately discover a way to escape the planet.
Exploration inSubnauticais intensified by its survival mechanics, hostile sea creatures, and an overwhelming sense of isolation on an alien planet.
InDeath Stranding, exploration takes the center stage, requiring players to deliver goods across the United Cities of America. The game ups the ante with Timefall,an altered version of rain that ages living things and corrodes deliveries, and the looming threat of BTs that can attack players if detected.
As the delivery distances increase, players must plan their routes carefully and stock up their inventories for any unforeseen consequences, such as BT threats and combat with MULEs (bandits).
6Metro Exodus
Explore Post-Apocalyptic Russia & Combat Radiation, Bandits, And Mutants
InMetro Exodus, life outside the tunnels shows no promise as Artyom expected. The surface, while vast and empty, is nowhome to radiation pockets and mutated monsters. Despite the dangers, the player must conduct exploration activities to progress through the main story and discover weapon upgrades.
Players can choose to explore the world during the day when the monster threat is minimal, but bandits are out in the open looking for their prey, or use the cover of the night as bandits sleep and monsters prowl the land.
