Open World Games 101: What You Need to Know

Open World Games 101: Everything You Need to Know

The gaming industry has come a long way since the introduction of cartridges, consoles, and polygons. The games we play today have transcended their humble beginnings and taken us on incredible journeys through the land of pixels and polygons. More than ever, gamers are given many choices, each with a unique universe to explore.

Open-world games are not new in the gaming industry but have become increasingly popular in recent years. These types of games allow players to explore a vast and immersive world at their own pace. But what exactly makes a game an open-world game? And how do they differ from other types of games? Keep reading to find out.

What Are Open World Games?

Open-world games are video games that allow players to freely explore a virtual game world. These games are designed to give players the freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want.

Typically, the game world is open-ended, meaning there are no specific rules or objectives to follow. Instead, players can choose to roam around the game world and engage in various activities, quests, or missions as they please.

When Did Open World Games Begin?

The concept of open-world games has been around for decades. The earliest example can be traced back to the 1981 game, “Ultima”, which allowed players to explore an expansive fantasy world freely. However, it wasn’t until the release of “Grand Theft Auto III” in 2001 that open-world games gained widespread popularity.

Since then, open-world games have evolved significantly, offering players more complex and immersive worlds to explore. Some notable examples include “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim,” “Red Dead Redemption 2”, and “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.”

Features Of Open World Games: What Sets Open World Games Apart?

Now that we know what open-world games are, let’s look at their defining features.

Large and Diverse Game World

One of the main characteristics of open-world games is the size and diversity of their game worlds. These worlds are usually massive, sometimes even thousands of square kilometers in size. They also offer various environments, from vast deserts to dense forests, bustling cities to serene countryside.

Non-Linear Gameplay

Unlike traditional linear games with a set path and story for players to follow, open-world games offer non-linear gameplay. This means that players are free to make their own choices and decisions, affecting the direction of the game’s storyline and their overall gaming experience.

Player Freedom

As mentioned earlier, open-world games allow players to explore, interact, and play the game as they please. This can include activities such as riding a horse through the countryside, crafting weapons and armor, or even just taking in the beautiful scenery.

Dynamic Environment

Open-world games often feature dynamic environments that change according to player actions or other factors. For example, weather conditions may change, or NPCs (non-player characters) may react differently based on the player’s choices.

Types of Open World Games

Open-world games can be classified into various sub-genres, such as action-adventure, role-playing, and survival. Some games may also combine elements from different genres, making them a hybrid of sorts. Here are some popular types of open-world games:

1. The Classic Open World Games

This type of game allows players to explore, discover, and progress at their own pace. Players can roam around a huge map and tackle quests and activities as much or as little as they want. Classic open-world games are characterized by their flexible gameplay and non-linear narratives.

Titles such as The Elder Scrolls series, Fallout, and the Grand Theft Auto series embody this type.

2. Action-Adventure Open World Games

Games in this category perfectly blend action, exploration, and storytelling. They feature outstanding cinematic narratives that are driven by the protagonist’s quest. Action-adventure games usually have a massive world map filled with various activities and side missions to engage with.

Batman: Arkham, Assassin’s Creed, Genshin Impact, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are fantastic examples of games that fall under this category.

3. Survival Open World Games

These games offer situations entirely different from your usual gameplay experience. They usually pit players against the harsh realities of nature or other terrifying threats that lurk within the game world.

Players must gather materials, craft, hunt, and farm their way to survive these types of games. Titles such as Minecraft, Ark: Survival Evolve, and DayZ are great examples of games that take survival gameplay to the next level.

4. Role-Playing Open World Games

As the name implies, role-playing open-world games provide a unique experience for people who want to immerse themselves in fantastical worlds by creating their characters and letting them develop throughout the game’s storyline.

These games usually have a huge world filled with engaging quests, different factions to join, and powerful enemies to defeat. Games like The Witcher 3, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Dark Souls are among the popular titles in this category.

5. Sandbox Open World Games

Sandbox games offer players complete and total freedom to experiment with the game’s mechanics, characters, and environments. They enable players to explore their creativity in a limitless world by placing the game’s tools into the player’s hands.

Titles like Minecraft, Terraria, and Roblox possess this kind of gameplay.

How To Know If You’ll Enjoy Open World Games

Open-world games are not for everyone. Some people prefer a more linear and guided gaming experience, while others thrive on the freedom and exploration of open-world games. Here are some factors to consider if you’re unsure if open-world games are right for you:

• Do you enjoy discovering new places and environments in video games?
• Are you someone who likes to have the freedom to make your own choices and decisions in a game?
• Do you prefer immersive, lengthy narratives in games?
• Are you comfortable having multiple activities and quests simultaneously available in a game?
• Do you enjoy listening to ambient sounds and background music while playing?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then open-world games may be right up your alley. However, if you prefer a more structured and linear experience, you may not enjoy the open-ended gameplay of these types of games.

Embark On Your Open World Adventure

Open-world games provide a unique and enriching gaming experience that allows players to explore, discover, and create their own stories. With their vast worlds, non-linear gameplay, and player freedom, these games offer endless possibilities for entertainment.

So why not try out an open-world game today and embark on your very own epic adventure? Who knows where it might take you?