Open-world games give players a much larger sense of freedom to explore and even roleplay in large and expansive sandboxes. When utilized correctly,an open-world experiencecan give gamers more replay value and playability than linear games do.
In addition to a wealth of side-quests and missions,open-world gamesare far better equipped to provide gamers with world-building techniques like environmental storytelling by dotting clues or non-playable characters around their maps for the player to interact with.
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What was once a sub-genre has become a genre to itself and the market is flooded with games that use similar mechanics and very often many games don’t quite resonate with reviewers as they did with the fans. Let’s take a look atopen-world games that deserved better Metascores.
Updated on July 08, 2025 by Michael Llewellyn:Brandnew video games are usually expensive upon launch. So as a gamer it’s important to get a good idea of how good a title is before they part with their cash. That’s why a site like Metacritic is so important to the consumer. It tallies up as many scores as possible into an average so players have an idea how good that game actually is. The only trouble with a Metascore is that it very rarely includes the improvements made to a title after launch and there are times when a game is simply misunderstood.
Platform:Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, and PS4
Developed by:Radical Entertainment
Often compared to the more polishedInfamousseries on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4,Prototypeis a game that combines the powers of the Hulk and Venom in one anti-hero.Released as something of a follow-up to the excellentHulk: Ultimate Destructionon the PlayStation 2 and Xbox,Prototypeused many of the same mechanics as that game.
However, it wasn’t held back by the constraints of being a Marvel superhero and players could get as violent and as bloody as they wanted. TheBiohazard Bundlehas bothPrototypegames in one package or they can be purchased separately. It was panned by critics because it felt more like a last-gen port than the HD remaster it was promised to be. That aside, its framerates have definitely seen a boost and the power fantasy is as fun now as it was when it was first released in 2009.
Platform:PS4, Xbox One, and PC
Developed by:Omega Force
Released in 2018 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC,Dynasty Warriors 9and was the first time the series used an open world setting. In addition to the open world, the gameplay mechanics are a step up with combat flowing much better than its predecessors.
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The more open environment gave the developers Omega Force more flexibility to tell the story of theRomance of the Three Kingdomsin a more cohesive manner than ever before. Visually, the game looks great, and exploring a historical recreation of the Chinese countryside with a dynamic day and night cycle is quite the experience for fans of the time period.
Platform:PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch
Developed by:Tripwire Interactive
As a gory open-world title that puts the player in the shoes of a man-eating shark,Maneaterisn’t exactly a spiritual successor toEcco the Dolphin.However, as a game that offers a surprising amount of upgrades and customization, thisopen-world actioner is surprisingly deep.
It’s true that the game’s staying power doesn’t quite hit the heights of aGTAgame, butManeateris the perfect kind of title to play in short bursts. Additionally, the underwater swimming mechanics are easy to control and a joy to use, andthe environment is packed with side quests.
Developed by:Avalanche Studios
Just Cause 4was released on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC in 2018. Just like its predecessors, the game features a truly massiveopen-world sandboxfor the players to experience and perform insane stunts.
The stories intheJust Causeserieshave never been a strong point for the series but the game is so open to experimentation players can create their own narrative.Just Cause 4has a slightly smaller world to explore than the third entry in the series but the landscapes are more varied and detailed.
Platform:Xbox One, PS4, and PC
Developed by:Ubisoft
Assassins Creed: Unitymay be the series’ most infamous title when it comes toits issues at launch. It was released with endless bugs and a controversial system treasure system that required its players to download an app. This resulted in some terrible PR for Ubisoft and the reviews from fans critics alike were less than kind.
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Thankfully, Ubisoft has fixed the majority of these issues and what was once a game far too ambitious for the systems it released on is an excellent entry worth revisiting. The historical setting of Paris is incredible and the weather and lighting effects still look good to this day. Furthermore, the combat system is one of the most complex and technical in the series. Those who are lucky enough to own an Xbox Series X/S will also benefit from a 60fps boost.
Platform:PS4
Developed by:Ryo Ga Gotaku Studio
Developed by the Ryo Ga Gotaku Studio the same team that createdtheYakuzaseries,Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradisewas released on the PlayStation 4 in 2018. It’s based on the manga franchise of the same name and also incorporates many aspects and quirks of what makesYakuzaso great.
Players are able to explore a post-apocalypticMad Max-style city called Eden. While the city isn’t as detailed or as complex as the ones seen inYakuzait’s just as fun and players can participate in all kinds of amusing side-quests. Additionally, the combat system is fast, brutal, and entertaining makingFist of the North Starworth a look for fans ofbeat-em-ups and open-world action games.
Platform:Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, Nintendo Switch, and PC
Developed by:Volition
Originally released on the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in 2009,Red Faction: Guerrillais ascience fiction open-world action gamedeveloped by the creators oftheSaints Rowseries. It’s not as crazy or as satirical as that series, however, and the setting of a colony on Mars feels more unique.
The story of an uprising against an oppressive government isn’t anything new but the fun comes from the destructive environments. The true star of the show is giving the player a sandbox that they can destroy, collapse, and blow up to their heart’s content.
Released in 2015 for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and the PC,Mad Maxis anopen-world action-adventure gamefrom the creators of theJust Causeseries. It’s based on the post-apocalyptic films of the same name starring Mel Gibson and Tom Hardy and features some of the best car combat sincetheTwisted Metalseries.
Furthermore,Mad Maxis packed full of side quests to keep the most adventurous of players busy for hours and the hand-to-hand combat is brutal.Mad Maxis one of the best movie-licensed games availableand criminally overlooked.
Platform:PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC.
Developed by:WB Games Montreal
Batman: Arkham Originswas released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, and the PC in 2013. It serves as a prequel totheArkhamtrilogydeveloped by Rocksteady and isfar more deserving of critical acclaimthan it received.
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Developed by Rocksteady’s understudies at WB Games Montreal, ArkhamOriginsfeatures an improved fighting system over its predecessors. Even the low-level villains like the martial artists put up a great fight against Batman. In addition, the boss battles are by far and a long way the best in the series with the fights against Deathstroke and Bane being the standout fights.
Platform:Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
Developedby: Techland
Released in 2015,Dying Lightis an open-world survival horrorreleased for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC formats. Players are able to explore the world using some of the best parkour mechanics ever seen in a video game allowing players to avoid zombies and other monsters that occupy the city of Harran.
The developers at Techland worked very hard to make improvements to the game through the use of patches and DLC by adding cars.Dying Lightis undoubtedly a much better game than when it was first reviewed. The title now benefits from a 60fps boost on the Xbox Series X/S making the experience so much smoother.
