In recent years, most open-world games have offered fresh and unique experiences for players to fully immerse themselves. Among them are true gems with one-of-a-kind gameplay mechanics that make them stand out in a crowded genre.
While gameplay mechanics aren’t the only factor that determines a game’s success, they definitely add excitement and satisfaction when you come across something truly cool. Here’s our top 10 list of open-world games that let you explore in super unique ways.
Subnautica
Instead of forcing you to survive on barren, ruined lands facing bloodthirsty monsters, Subnautica throws you into the deep ocean of a completely alien planet. Here, you’ll witness the vast beauty of an ocean filled with countless unique and strange creatures you’ve never seen on Earth.
The crafting system is the core of the entire game. You’ll explore surrounding waters, including darker, deeper areas, to gather resources used to build bases, gear, and weapons. Since the setting is underwater, you get an incredibly vast building area. Combine your endless creativity with the game’s building tools, and you can create an underwater base masterpiece.
Of course, the game won’t let you build in peace. In the deeper seas, huge and dangerous monsters await. But these areas also hold rare resources you won’t find elsewhere.
Biomutant
Biomutant is predicted to be a major open-world hit this year. From the trailers alone, players were immediately drawn to its sharp, vibrant graphics. Though it’s set in a post-apocalyptic world, the game’s landscapes are surprisingly colorful.
While boasting beautiful visuals, Biomutant focuses on delivering an engaging open-world experience through deep character customization. This means your small protagonist will have unique attributes tailored to your playstyle. Different customizations rewrite your character’s genetic code, unlocking distinct physical traits, powers, and abilities.
Ghost Of Tsushima
Ghost Of Tsushima is seen as a perfect send-off for the PS4. It’s one of the highest-rated open-world games in recent years.
Ghost Of Tsushima paints a stunningly beautiful Japan using top-tier graphics and cinematic visuals. It features stylish and fun combat mechanics with many cool moves to unlock. Plus, it has a unique system that lets players fully enjoy its breathtaking world.
Usually, players don’t spend much time soaking in open worlds because they’re busy following map markers to complete quests. Ghost Of Tsushima is different. It uses “wind currents” to guide you from place to place, so you don’t get lost and can fully immerse yourself in its stunning world.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
When it launched in 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a refreshing breeze. At that time, open-world games seemed saturated with Ubisoft’s formula of huge worlds packed with countless boring quests.
Breath of the Wild is different. Instead of grinding endless quests, it focuses on adventure. Your goal remains the same throughout: defeat Ganon. How you achieve that is entirely up to you.
The game lets you deeply interact with the environment, chopping trees to make rafts, drifting along rivers, just chilling. The climbing mechanics are top-notch. You can climb almost anything, giving a super satisfying feeling like there are no limits in the game.
Death Stranding
Death Stranding is the latest masterpiece from Hideo Kojima, the creator of the stealth-action Metal Gear series. It’s considered one of the most polished games in terms of visuals and story.
Describing the game sounds boring: you walk and deliver packages across a deserted future America. There’s some combat, but most of the time you’re trying not to fall and damage your cargo. You’ll need to plan optimal routes across rivers, mountains, and hills.
It offers a pretty “meditative” experience you won’t find in other games. Traveling from point A to B becomes an art form, requiring you to look ahead and carefully navigate, rather than just rushing like in typical RPGs.
Source: What Culture, translated by gearvn
