Summary
Open-world games with fantasy settingsare quite prevalent in modern times, but this genre amalgamation took a while to get going. After all, sandbox games still had a long way to go before becoming mainstream in the early 2000s, with studios like Rockstar and Bethesda showing the promise of a well-developed open-world game.
Sandbox games with predominantly fantasy settings were somewhat rare in the 2000s, but there are enough titles for players to try out the open-world fantasy games from this genre. Some of these titles may be acquired tastes, but fans will love what these games have to offer once they manage to get them running on modern systems.
Two Worldspromised to capture the same hype as games likeMorrowindandOblivion. While bugs and some heavy eurojank prevented players from liking this title back when it came out, fan reception has waned since then.
Players loved the charms of this fantasy world and how players could be distracted by endless sidequests. The eurojank of this title has added to its allure in the eyes of many, letting fans witness what a competent open-world fantasy game from the 2000s would look like.
Prince of Persia’s 2008 reboot mixed fan opinions down the middle, who just wanted the formula fromThe Sands of Timetrilogy to be improved on. Instead, what fans got was an easy yet stylish open-world action game with cinematic combat and unique platforming mechanics.
Despite being a bit too accessible at times, 2008’sPrince of Persiabrought a ton of new ideas to the table that fans have grown fond of over time. Trying to unleash cinematic combo enders in battles became surprisingly riveting after a point, while the bond between the Prince and Elika was surprisingly riveting.
One of the most brutal open-world games that fans can get their hands on,Gothicis not a title for impatient players. After some compelling worldbuilding that introduces players to the elaborate prison system ofGothic, players control a disgraced criminal who is chucked into a hostile world where anything can kill them in a few hits.
This forces players to ally with a camp and learn techniques as soon as possible to deal with the dangers of the open world without being smashed to pieces. This early-game difficulty is a huge part of what makesGothic’s progression so riveting, turning this into a riveting open-world fantasy game that fans will love.
Oblivionis one of the best fantasy open-world games of all time, and fans were glad to get their hands onOblivion Remasteredto enjoy what Cyrodil would look like with a modern graphical touch-up. The 2006 classic obviously holds up even now, with fans loving everything from its amazing sense of freedom to the bizarre nature of its dynamic elements.
Hearing people have inane conversations in a simulated world full of dangers is a huge part of what makesOblivionso special. The 2006 version of this game has a greater selection of mods to choose from than the remaster, giving players an excuse to check out the original title if they haven’t already.
Barring the story,Gothic 2was a massive improvement over its predecessor. The sense of wondrous exploration was enhanced in the sequel, and it helped that the side quests featured way better writing. This meant that players were encouraged to explore the world ofGothic 2and slowly but surely overcome its challenges.
The combat is tough yet rewarding, which is the biggest draw of the game, and it does a great job of rewarding the player’s progress. Even if fans feel like the main story isn’t as riveting as the first Gothic game, this sequel makes up for it in other departments and is hailed by many as the best Pirahna Bytes game ever made.
To this day, there’s something aboutMorrowind’s magical exploration that keeps fans coming back for more. Since this game lacks a ton of streamlining that makes modern open-world games feel a bit too similar, players can enjoy a genuinely unique experience once they get off the boat and enter Seyda Neen.
It refreshing to follow directions given by other people instead of following markers on a map, which enhances this game’s immersion. Combat may be dated, but this is made up for with the best writing to feature inanElder Scrollsgame, getting players invested in the Nerevarine’s adventures as they become strong enough to defeat gods. This is especially refreshing given that players struggled against lowly bandits early on in the game.
