7 Open World Games That You Must Play.
We have been given Fallout 4, Star Wars: Battlefront and of course, game of the year; The Witcher 3, just to name a few. It’s going to be a hard year to top, but the way things are looking we’re hopeful to say the least. Here’s 7 open world that you must play.
The Division.
It’s hardly been six months since Siege was released and already we’ve been gifted the beta to the next upcoming Tom Clancy game (if you pre-ordered the game that is).
The Division is a little different from prior releases of the same franchise. Instead of the usual tactical first person shooter, it’s a third person, open world game with RPG elements and randomly generated loot. Similar to the likes of games such as Destiny and to an extent, Borderlands, we’re expecting to rack up some hours on this game.
It’s too soon to judge the game based on the beta, but aside from the odd game bug, The Division is looking to be pretty solid. Could this be the game that ends Destiny?
Dead Island 2.
So anyone who managed to play through Dead Island and/or Riptide will know how disappointing the games were. It’s possibly one of the best examples of a game with great concept but lacked in the execution.
With the release of critically acclaimed Dying Light in 2015, I’m sure publishers Deep Silver feel like they have something to prove and stepped their game up for Dead Island 2. Hopefully most of the old mechanisms will be scrapped for more fluent combat and more importantly, movement. There’s nothing worse than trying to outrun a horde of zombies when you move like Robocop.
However, while playing through Dead Island, I noticed how beautiful and rich the landscapes were, something I’m hoping carries through to the next installation. Deep Silver absolutely smashed E3 2014 with one of the best trailers I’ve ever seen. If you missed that, you can see it here.
No Mans Sky.
Quite Possibly one of the most anticipated games for 2016, No Man’s Sky offers something we’ve never heard of before, an infinite universe .
That’s something I’m narrowing my eyes at, the word ‘infinite’. There’s been many times we were promised something just to find out it wasn’t everything it was made out to be *cough* 400 hours of gameplay in Fallout 4 *cough*.
But from what we’ve seen, we might be safe to let our guard down with this one. We’re genuinely excited for the sci-fi space exploration game within an infinite, procedurally generated universe. If there was a Star Wars simulator, I can only imagine this is what it would look like.
Far Cry: Primal.
Far Cry 3 was great, Far Cry 4 (for me) was a bit of a disappointment, but Far Cry: Primal looks like it’s going to change the game completely.
I’ve never heard of a video game set in the stone age, never mind an open world sandbox RPG game. Forget your assault rifles, snipers and RPG’s, we’re going back to basic instincts.
Be ready to craft your own weapons such as clubs, axes spears and bows as you fight to survive against harsh landscapes and some very hungry predators. You’ll also be pit against other tribes too, so look forward to some barbaric tribe wars.
The third installation of a beloved franchise, developers Hangar 13 will be taking at shot at capturing the fans hearts.
The basic plot of the story, you’re a Vietnam war veteran seeking revenge for your friends, who were murdered by the mafia. The third person cover shooter will be set in New Orleans, I’m definitely looking forward to exploring 1960’s America once again and hunting down the Italian mob. Fans would be glad to know that Vito, the protagonist of Mafia II, will be making an appearance as one of your available lieutenants.
Homefront: The Revolution.
A change of pace from the previous Homefront title, The Revolution has players fighting the GKR (Greater Korean Republic) out of Philadelphia in an open world first person shooter.
You’ll have three districts to choose from, each having their own locations and enemy resistance with some being heavier than others. Instead of having your weapons given to you, players will have to scavenge parts to improve and modify their arsenal.
Along with the main story, there’ll be many other activities to complete, such as assassinating generals and other high ranking soldiers.
On top of this will be a multiplayer mode that almost looks like a hybrid of Battlefield and Call of Duty with large scale maps, modifiable weapons and other ordnance.
Ghost Recon: Wildlands.
Yet another Tom Clancy game, Wildlands is my personal most anticipated game of 2016. It looks absolutely amazing.
From what we’ve seen, Wildlands give you multiple classes to play as, such as a sniper or demolitions expert as you track down a drug lord and other high priority targets. How you do it, that is entirely up to you. When you’re not cleansing the world one bad guy at a time, you can roam the open world on foot, by bike or get a road trip going in a Jeep.
Another great trailer that really showcases some of the best that the game has to offer, you can see all of this below. I highly recommend you do so, and if you’ve already seen the trailer, watch it again. It’s awesome.
Top 25 Best Open World Games of all Time.
Best Open World Games: Satiate your wanderlust with the top 25 open world games to ever grace the medium of videogames. [Updated with games for Xbox One and PS4]
Best Open World Games.
The list has been updated to reflect new video game title releases along with past bonus video game selections.
Original article follows:
What is an “open world” game? Wikipedia defines it as a type of videogame level design where the player can freely roam through the world and is given considerable freedom to interact with objectives and the like.
I decided against including the likes of Deus Ex and the Thief series, which despite the freedom they offer to the player, are strictly linear titles—at least in terms of exploration.
Rather, the showcase you see before you is a collection of the best open world experiences in which you, the player, can explore freely and to your heart’s content while engaging in a myriad of activities unrelated to the “main story”, if there is one.
The Witcher 3.
Fans of western RPGs will no doubt have played at least one of the Witcher games. This series of Polish games based on the works of Andrzej Sapkowski has gained a lot of fans over the years, mainly thanks to its complex world and stories, incredible graphics and deep gameplay systems.
The third and final installment in the series sees a much older Geralt of Rivia – one of the titular Witchers – dealing with the invasion of the Northern Kingdom by the Nilfgaard Empire and the otherworldy threat of the Wild Hunt, spectral riders who’ve plagued humankind for ages. Offering a massive open world, hours upon hours of story content and sidequests, tons of NPCS to interact with and monsters to hunt, a living economy that adapts to different locations and events and improved gameplay, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is looking like a worthy conclusion of the series.
Just Cause 3.
Just Cause 3 is the third game in the long-running Just Cause series of third-person action games. Offering a vast, open world setting on a fictional Mediterranean island known as Medici, series protagonist Rico Rodriguez returns, this time to oust a dictator named General Di Ravello from power. The game’s map size has been confirmed to be similar to that of Just Cause 2, offering 400 square miles of content–but with increased verticality. The game will be the biggest, baddest entry in the series to date.
Infamous: Second Son.
InFamous: Second Son is a game that deserves to be on this list for its faithful recreation of the city of Seattle. Not only is there the Space Needle, there’s tons of recognizable landmarks that ring true to the city’s vast landscape, as we presented in our InFamous: Second Son Easter Eggs list not too long ago.
The city’s big, sprawling, and recreated in loving detail by the developers at Sucker Punch. What more could we ask for in an open world title?
Platform: Xbox 360.
There’s plenty of fun to be had in Crackdown outside of the game’s main narrative. With objectives and tasks that skirt the main story, players are free to roam throughout Pacific City.
While the main story strictly limits you to playing the good guy, you can wreak havoc with your superpowers and face the wrath of your employers, or use those powers for good by going after the bad guys.
Great responsibility may come with great power, but so does fun—and Crackdown offers it in huge amounts.
Xenoblade Chronicles.
Xenoblade Chronicles could be described as huge, complex, and a whole series of other adjectives—none of which would adequately describe everything it has to offer.
This gem of a JRPG, limited to the Nintendo Wii, not only offers an intricate story set in a meticulously put-together world but also highly customizable characters that serve to invigorate the JRPG genre. The game invites players to explore its vast and open world with a focus on doing whatever the hell you want whenever you feel like it.
JRPG fans couldn’t ask for a better, more immersive game.
Platform: PC, PS3, 360, PS4, XO.
The world is your racetrack in the Crew.
Instead of a series of self-contained challenges, The Crew offers up an open world where players are free to roam along with race challenges for their various vehicles and terrain locations.
Batman: Arkham City.
Platform: PC, PS3 & Xbox 360.
Not only does Batman: Arkham City surpass the likes of its genre-defining predecessor, Arkham Asylum, it also breaks new ground.
The game does away with the zones and transitions of the previous game in favor of the truly wide open setting of Arkham City.
Beyond progressing through the game’s main story, you can roam through the streets of Arkham City as either Batman or Catwoman, each with their own arsenal of gadgets and skills. There’s a variety of missions and open world sidequests that will keep you busy for dozens of hours.
STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl.
The atmosphere of STALKER is so thick you could cut it with a knife. And atmosphere is what defines STALKER.
It’s a first person, survival-horror game set within the radioactive wasteland of Chernobyl, where men known as Stalkers eke out a dangerous living by retrieving strange, reality-defying artifacts. They aren’t alone in the wasteland, which is haunted by mutant horrors and an assortment of nightmarish creatures.
This open-ended setting allows for players to perform a myriad of objectives for the wasteland’s human inhabitants while unraveling the mystery of Chernobyl.
Platform: PC, PS3 & Xbox 360.
Hardcore fans of the original Fallout may disagree, but the Wasteland has never been better realized than in Fallout 3. Like other Bethesda titles, Fallout 3 allows you to create your own adventure.
It is set in a vast landscape that would be relentlessly bleak were it not for the remnants of civilization and the hope of survival. Fallout 3 is absorbing, immersive, and beautiful in its desolation.
Saints Row 4.
Platform: PC, PS3 & Xbox 360.
Saints Row 4 is the open-world genre taken to its most logical conclusion. Which is to say that it’s entirely open and free for you to do whatever the hell it is you want to do without even the slightest boundary to keep you in check.
Instead of forcing you to play through a story that keeps you roughly in check by means of rules enforced by cops and the like, the game actively encourages you to break the rules by subverting the rules of engagement that typify open world gaming experiences.
You’re free to do what you like, when you like, and however you like. That is Saints Row 4, and it’s a blast.
Platform: PC, PS3 & Xbox 360.
Far Cry 3 has drawn comparisons to The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim in its encouragement of exploration, hunting, and crafting, the open world experience is actually quite different between the two.
While Skyrim allows the player to take the entire map at their own pace, regardless of their participation in the main quest line, Far Cry 3 is designed for the player to balance their exploring with making progress in the game. However, you will find pockets of time to wander about as you please, and indulging in what Rook Island has to offer will greatly aid you in your quests.
Far Cry 3 is proof that first person shooters can offer more in the way of exploration and world-creation beyond shooting people in corridors.
Morrowind was a rare game for its time. Offering vast vistas and sublime greenery, Morrowind effortlessly captures the hearts and minds of players not only with the land, but with freedom it provided.
It is a massive, open-ended game that allows you to do what you want, when you want, wherever you want. You could be a warrior fulfilling an ancient prophecy, or a sneak thief who seeks only to enrich himself through the misery of others—or perhaps even a little bit of both. The choice is yours to make in Morrowind.
Just Cause 2.
Platform: PC, PS3 & Xbox 360.
Just Cause 2 sees the return of daredevil/action movie badass Rico Rodriguez in an open world adventure set in the diverse, tropical playground of Panau.
Panau is a fictional South East Asian country where violence is rife and where the physics enables Rodriguez to perform death-defying stunts with the game’s wide assortment of vehicles, weapons, and trick-enabling gadgets.
The game’s story isn’t big on its demands to your attention, allowing you to do whatever you please, whenever you please.
Red Dead Redemption.
Platform: PS3 & Xbox 360.
Red Dead Redemption is the Old West made anew with the fiction of Rockstar Games, and it’s every bit as bleak and unforgiving as it was back in the olden days.
It is within this unforgiving land that a man, John Marston, seeks redemption—not only for his life, but for his soul. And it is only within this land that such redemption is possible.
Needless to say, the game’s atmosphere is second to none, and it is host not only to John Marston’s story and those of his counterparts, but to the greater battle between the old and the new—the stolid Old West and the march of Progress.
Platform: PC & Xbox 360.
Minecraft is ultimately our number one pick for the best open world videogame ever made based on the simple fact that the world in which it takes place is that of our own creation.
It offers players the ability to build kingdoms, go on adventures, and craft narratives that far transcend anything created by a game developer. The world of Minecraft is a sandbox, and it’s ours to play in and to do as we like.
The game is what you make of it.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Platform: PC, PS3 & Xbox 360.
Skyrim is the fifth game in Bethesda’s ever popular series of role-playing games. Like its predecessors, Skyrim takes place in an open environment in which we’re given leave to explore the world as we see fit.
While the world of Skyrim is charming and consistently engaging, it doesn’t simply tell us a story—it offers us instead a chance to weave our very own tale.
Skyrim is interactive art at its finest.
Grand Theft Auto 5.
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360.
Grand Theft Auto 5 is by and large one of the biggest open world titles ever conceived. It’s bigger than GTA 4 and Red Dead Redemption combined, and brings to life the city of Los Angeles in the fiction of Los Santos.
Through years of hard-worn development and research, Rockstar has managed to create one of the most believable environments to ever grace the medium of video games.
Due to the fact that the game is new, and because it wouldn’t be very fair to GTA 4 to call it a lesser title compared to GTA 5, we’re naming this one a tie for first place on our list of the best open world games of all time.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag.
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS4, Wii U, 360, XO.
The sixth main installment of the Assassin’s Creed series, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, takes players to the open seas. While following the main overall plot of the series with the fight between Assassins and the Templars, there’s a real joy in taking up the pirate life with Edward Kenway.
Players will find that there is an emphasis on exploring the open waters, gathering a crew, sink opposing ships, and reap the rewards that come across their way. Outside of the sea life, players will also explore lands and fight using melee combat with stealthy takedowns.
Platforms: PC, PS4, XO.
The Fallout franchise has hit this list several times in the past and now with its most recent installment available in the marketplace, we can’t help but add Fallout 4. If you’re a fan of the franchise then it’s likely you’ve already picked up the latest release.
However, if you’re completely new to the franchise, Fallout 4 still marks as a great first entry to the series. Set during the events of a nuclear war, players manage to escape into a vault, only to awaken hundreds of years into the future. What’s left of your world is nothing more than decay and outsiders trying to make it by in this new world.
Each installment to the Fallout franchise manages to bring out an incredible wasteland to explore and Fallout 4 is no exception to that trend. You’ll come across old ruins, new structures, and a fleshed out cast of characters to meet along your journey.
Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, 360, XO.
The third major installment to the Dragon Age franchise, Dragon Age: Inquisition is an action role-playing video game where players take on the role of an Inquisitor who is on a grand journey to deal with the civil unrest within the continent of Thedas.
While developers have set the game to be on the same continent of the past two installments, exploration for Dragon Age: Inquisition is rather massive in comparison. For instance, it’s been noted that the game features a map that is already five times larger than the setting of the first installment of the series. With all that said, you’ll want to set aside some time to really dive into the video game.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, 360, XO.
Taking place after the events of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, players can enjoy the last installment of the beloved franchise in which was directed under Hideo Kojima. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain follows Snake as he goes through a new mission that takes him to a Soviet-occupied Afghanistan territory.
During the journey, Snake seeks his revenge on those who destroyed his forces during the ending of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, however, to do so, Snake will be exploring an open world environment. For fans of the franchise, this latest installment is seen to be a bit different in terms of the gameplay with this time around, developers have allowed players a little more freedom when it comes to completing objectives.
Horizon Zero Dawn.
Horizon Zero Dawn is the first IP developed by Guerrilla Games since their release of Killzone in 2004. This is an action role-playing video game title that is set a thousand years into the future.
Mankind has mysteriously fallen, with cities only a shell of a once thriving society. Now only small tribal groups remain where giant mechanical beasts roam the world freely in charge. The plot revolves around a female hunter named Aloy who sets out on a journey to explore the open world, meet with other tribes, and potentially learn of the reason mankind fell to being with.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Platforms: Wii U, Nintendo Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the nineteenth main installment to The Legend of Zelda franchise. This time around, players will be placed in a large open-world environment with the ability to play through the game’s dungeons in any order.
Within The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, players will take on the role of Link after he awakens from a deep slumber that lasted a hundred years. A mysterious voice alerts link to reach a ruined Kingdom known as Hyrule where he will learn of Calamity Ganon, the antagonist who had previously destroyed Hyrule, though, during the process, he had trapped himself within the buried kingdom.
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS4, 360, XO.
Much like the previous installment, Far Cry 4 makes our list. This time around, players take on the role of Ajay Ghale, a young Kyrati-American who travels back to his home country of Kyrat, a fictional Himalayan country.
During his travel, Ajay finds that this home country has been caught in a civil war that is controlled by a tyrant king, Pagan Min. A large portion of the game allows players to freely explore the Himalayan country and the wildlife that dwells within it. Furthermore, because the game has a few different storyline branches, gamers will likely replay the title a few times, offering a chance to explore a bit more of the world than before.
Watch Dogs 2.
Platforms: PC, PS4, XO.
After the success Ubisoft had with their new IP Watch Dogs, a sequel was released back in 2016. This time around, players are taken to the San Francisco Bay Area to explore and cause havoc by hacking various terminals connecting to city functions or personal smartphones. Much of the same gameplay mechanics are present, though the developers did make a few overhauls such as driving.
Click the next page button below to see our bonus picks!
10 Best Open World Games on Xbox 360.
Jam-Packed Open Worlds, So Much to Do: Where Should I Start?
Every year, open world games are becoming even more popular. Whether it be an action adventure or role playing game, many developers are trying their hands at the open world concept, but only a few have been able to truly get it down.
Below is a list of the ten best, must-play open world games available on the Xbox 360.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Skyrim is the fifth installment in the Elder Scrolls series, an open world action role playing game. Anyone who's had a chance to play any past titles in the series knows how great it is. Skyrim is no different and it's arguably one of the best titles you can play.
Giving you one of the biggest worlds to explore, adding adventure around every corner, making sure you never know what you will find, developer Bethesda Game Studios outdid themselves with this one. Your main means of travel include walking, riding a horse, and "fast travel," an option you can only choose after you've explored an area.
Through your adventures in combat, you'll have access to swords, shields, bows and arrows, and magic. Many different weapons can be found and you're even allowed to dual-wield them. You'll use magic in the form of a total of eighty-five spells, each one with its own unique use.
You’ll meet a variety of non-playable characters in this land. Some are friendly and others are aggressive. Your actions will have a big impact on how people treat you, as well.
Skyrim is a must-play game for people who like to explore, discover, and have great adventure. Just remember, you might wander into a pack of dragons.
Skyrim Trailer.
Saints Row: The Third.
Saints Row: The Third, developed by Volition, Inc., is the third game in the series and follows many of the same concepts of the first two. Set in a city called Steelport, this is your chance to be a gangster: not only be one, but be the leader of a gang.
As leader of the Third Street Saints, as in any gangster lifestyle, you'll be in a bitter gang war with other gangs. Not to worry, though: being who you are, I'm sure you'll have no problem taking over.
If you've ever had a chance to play any GTA game you'll notice these two games are similar in ways. What makes Saints Row so great is it distinguishes itself by going over-the-top. Even when you think you've seen it all, you'll be surprised by something else.
Though they have a similar premise, you shouldn't expect these two series to be a lot like each other. They both set themselves apart, which is truly great for you and me, the fans. Saints Row: The Third shows us once again how unique and different open world games can be.
Saints Row: The Third Trailer.
Set in a world that was struck with horrible disaster, Rage stands out from most other games on the list because it's a first person shooter.
In case you don't already know, its developer, id Software, is the same one that brought you the Doom and Quake series, so expect Rage to bring the same craziness those series have delivered over the years. Since it's about road rage, driving is an important aspect of Rage , probably a little more than most people expect.
Combat is still present, and a lot of fun, with many different guns and ammo types to choose from. Throughout this futuristic world, you'll meet normal people just like yourself but beware: hostile mutants are present.
Rage was sadly overlooked when it first came out in 2011 since so many other games came out that year. But a new IP like this shouldn't be missed. Rage will thrill and maybe even creep you out but in the end, you'll thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Rage Trailer.
L.A. Noire is a pretty special game, a little different than what we've seen before. It's set in 1940s Los Angeles where Cole Phelps (a World War ll veteran) now works as a detective.
You'll step into Cole's shoes as you go through this game. Being a detective is hard work, but it's nothing but fun when you step into this world. You'll be investigating fires, murders, theft, drug deals, and even interrogating people.
L.A. Noire , developed by Team Bondi, takes a step away from the action and puts you in a driven story within a thriving world. What you get out of the game is what you put in. Going to a crime scene and not doing your job properly, you ain't going to come up with many clues.
Since the game is story-driven, it's really suspenseful, just like any great noir movie (think of Inception ). You'll be completely involved, wondering who did it and what's going to happen next, and for that reason, trying to take a break from the game can be hard to do.
L.A. Noire is a decent-length game, with plenty of side quests to do afterwards. Plus, the city is built with such historical accuracy that you may find yourself driving around to just look at it.
L.A. Noire Trailer.
Assassin's Creed Revelations.
Revelations is the fourth game released on consoles. Set in Constantinople in 1511 AD, you are put in the shoes of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, an assassin.
In this city full of poor people where the rich taking advantage and power-grubbers try to rule all, Revelations gives you a choice for how you want to play: Will you try to make your way through this world with pure might, strategy, or stealth? (Of course, all would be the best choice.)
An interesting thing about this game is that you can climb just about anything, which is great since the best way to get a view of the city is to see it from the tallest building—not by walking up stairs (elevators weren't invented yet), but by climbing all the way to the top.
Revelations (developed by Ubisoft Montreal) has got a great story, but might be kind of confusing to people who haven't played the older games in the series. But still, if you're just looking for something really fun and awesome to play, this game is for you.
Assassin's Creed Revelations Trailer.
Red Dead Redemption.
Red Dead Redemption is yet another unique game on the list. It's a Western, set during the old American West in its decline—not that that hasn't been done before, but this one is actually good.
Playing as a man named John Marston, a former outlaw, you will set out to make a good life for your family and yourself. Before you can, the government takes your wife and son hostage. The only way to get them back is if you turn into a bounty hunter, going after the same outlaws that were in the same gang as you were. Doing what any man would, you accept the offer.
Hunting to get animal skins for money and meeting some hilarious and sometimes crazy people along the way, you'll set out with hardly any help: you'll have to help others before you can get help yourself.
The story in Red Dead Redemption , developed by Rockstar San Diego, is a great length and has plenty of things for you to do and see. Just don't get too drunk at the saloon. And if you end up winning big at a card game, this will definitely be a game you'll be glad you played.
Red Dead Redemption Trailer.
Borderlands.
Borderlands mixes a first person shooter with a lot of RPG elements to bring you a big world to explore, with a ton of loot, if you're willing to find it (or fight for it).
One of the fun things about the game is the ton of weapons you can find, and customize—snipers, assault rifles, whatever—you name it and you can just about get a hold of it. You'll always be finding a new weapon stronger than the one you had.
The biggest thing going for this game, and what makes it so fun, is being able to play it co-op. You can play cooperatively with a friend or relative at your house or go online and play with a friend or a stranger. This makes the game as fun as it could possibly be.
Boss battles are also a great thing in the game: you'll fight human-to-giant-beast, always making sure that you're at your best. Enemies level up with you so they get stronger as you do, but great weapons should take care of that and let you slay anything while giving an evil laugh.
Developed by Gearbox Software, Borderlands is meant to be a crazy, funny, wacky game that is nothing but fun to enjoy with friends. And that's exactly what you'll get when you sit down to play it.
I have one recommendation: if you decide to get this game, you might want to get the Game of the Year Edition since it comes with all DLC for the game:
The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned.
Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot.
The Secret Armory of General Knoxx, and.
Claptrap's New Robot Revolution.
The DLC adds a lot more time you'll get to spend in the game.
Borderlands Trailer.
Bully: Scholarship Edition.
Bully , developed by Rockstar Vancouver, is probably the most unique and definitely one of the best on the list. Rockstar Games took it to the next level and did something no one had done before. Bully puts you in a boarding school where you have classes and just about anything a school has, including bullies.
Bully was originally released exclusively on the Sony PS2 but later ported to the Xbox 360 with new content added in making it much better than it was before. The new content includes classes, clothing, unlockables, and missions.
Bully brings fun to the table with laughs and crazy, unique, funny characters. Nothing is very violent—instead, this game gives us things to make us laugh. You'll be armed with plenty of things to prank people with, like itching powder and stink bombs. Fun.
There's a boxing gym you can go to to box other kids, a carnival, go-karts, and bike races. This is not the biggest map of any open world game, but it's definitely one that offers more re-playability than most that you'll find.
Unlike any other game on the list, Bully is one that is for any gamer, meaning anyone with any skill set or experience can sit down, spend tons of hours enjoying it, and still not want to put the game down.
Bully: Scholarship Edition Trailer.
Fallout 3 is similar to the Elder Scrolls series, being made by the same developer (Bethesda Game Studios) and being an RPG, but it sets itself apart with its story, combat, setting, and unique experiences.
This game puts you in a world that experienced a nuclear holocaust. Some people survived: some for the good, others for the worse. Fallout 3 has one of the best opening scenes of any game I've personally ever played, and it really hooks you in and makes you want to explore the game even more.
Once you get into the game and start exploring and things, you'll be amazed by what's waiting for you. Like other games, strategy is your choice and what you do will influence everything that happens.
You'll really have to explore this game. It's easy to get lost or even pass up something you might wish you had noticed later on.
Fallout 3 Trailer.
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition.
The Complete Edition comes with Grand Theft Auto IV , The Ballad of Gay Tony , and The Lost & Damned . GTA IV is the full game with the full experience, including everything from the older games in the series we've come to know and love, plus added new features and gameplay mechanics.
One of the biggest things the developer Rockstar North has worked on is the mechanics of the game and making the world feel real and open and accessible, from being able to call your friends in Liberty City to going bowling, playing pool, or even bellying up to the bar. In this game, things like running and driving are ultra-realistic.
What makes this Complete Edition so great is the downloadable content included. Both The Lost & Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony introduce you to two new protagonists. You can expect the same greatness from these two as you get from GTA IV . The story will intertwine between the three games, linking up each storyline in ways never seen before in a GTA title. Now these two episodes are DLC so it will take less time to complete the game.
Having all three in this complete package makes for a great deal, and some of the best open world fun you can find.
GTA IV Trailer.
What do you think?
Which is the best open world title, in your opinion?
Your Favorite Open World Game for Xbox?
Feel free to add any others you feel should be on this list in the comments section below.
Please leave a comment to tell me how you liked this article or how I could make it better.
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Best RPG Games for the Xbox 360.
by Simon Cook 4.
Call of Juarez and Watch Dogs should be in the list defidently.
I think just cause 2 is the best action open world game i played in xbox 360.
BEST GAME IS RESIDENT EVIL SERIES.
I'm actually really surprised that Mafia II isn't on this list. It's a beautifully done recreation of NYC in the 1940s and 50s. The missions are fun, but it's also a blast to just drive around in a '57 Chevy (or their version of it) listening to old rock and roll tunes. Sure, the game is packed with anachronisms, but they all serve to really bring you into the feel and vibe of the game. Top that off with great voice acting and animation, and you've got one excellent game that has a lot of replay value.
I really think this game deserves to be on the list, and it's a shame that it isn't.
You are very good keep in this way and you will best site.
Oblivion was 100x better than Skyrim. Everyone just jumped on the Bandwagon when Skyrim came out, because Berhesda wasn't all that popular until Fall Out 3. So Bethesda made the gameplay in Skyrim WAYY too much like Fall Out, and less like a better version of Oblivion- the way Oblivion was a a better version of Morrowind (which I'm sure many mainstream game players that jumped on the Skyrim bandwagon probably never even heard of, let alone played). Anyway, Skyrim was like a Worse Oblivion to me, simple tasks such as making potions was WAY more tedious than in Oblivion.
Also, I would say Fable, but there's kinda a designated route in Fable, it's not as much of an "open world" granted all 3 are great. Also, with the Fable games, at least with 2&3, there were WAYY too many glitches. If it wasn't such a fun game, I woulda put the controller down out of frustration and never finished them.
I don't know 18 months ago.
Red dead redemption.
jimpymanny 19 months ago.
I think watchdogs and GTA 5 is better.
Why not mentioned?
I think the best open world game in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phant0m Pain.
Kuan Leong Yong 22 months ago from Singapore.
For the older open worlds, I would also opt for FC3. As an article once wrote, the world feels alive and unpredictable. Well, unpredictable as far as a game could make it. The rest, including Skyrim, tends to be more structured. You can tell you're in a game, so to speak.
I agree Far Cry 3 was the best I've played. I like Far Cry 4, esp the little gyro copter but all the near out of body dream stuff was a little much for my liking..
Far Cry 3,4 were not on the list. Skyrim was great but a little redundant.
Far Cry 3 is by far the best open world game I've ever played. In my opinion, Far Cry 4 was okay. The story seemed to be lacking in certain areas. It never did grab my attention the way FC3 did, but it's definitely a matter of personal opinion. I know a plethora of people who prefer FC4 over FC3. However, both games within the FC series are still my favorite open world games of all time.
skyrim is The undisputed champion of all The x-Box games!
MrOpenWorldGameLover 2 years ago.
I think the best name for Open World Game ""MIQAEEL "".
I think you forgot gta 5, just cause 2,watchdogs and sleeping dogs and I don't like gta 4.
I think that Farcry was a good open world game. If its creators grouped up with bethesda and made a game similar in size to skyrim and all of the guns of farcry it would be the best game ever.
All the games are the truth. I love Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption. I could play these games all day. I have before. I lost a whole weekend playing. Love it. Great Lens.
Actiongames LM 4 years ago.
I love to get lost in Skyrim and Fallout. Nice lens by the way.
Hello / Good Job / But you left out the best open world of them all and that is Just Cause especially Just Cause 2. I love open world and Skyrim both Skyrim's were my favorites. Until Just Cause. Anyone how hasn't played it should absolutely awesome. Newfie0man.
JamesJGibson 6 years ago.
Thank you for the comments. With Arkham City, I was really debating on that. But I had not personally played it yet.
ImmatureEntrepr 6 years ago.
Great idea for a lens! There are some really great games here. Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption top the list for me. BTW, you left out Batman Arkham City. :) Squid Angel blessings for you!
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GamesRadar+
The 10 best open-world games of all time.
If you're looking for a game to get lost in, these are the best open-worlds you need to explore.
Go anywhere, do anything.
There’s nothing quite so satisfying as a great open-world. Stepping into a new Grand Theft Auto, Assassin's Creed, or Elder Scrolls is a thrill that eclipses most things in real life, mainly because you can steal horses and set fire to things without going to prison. The best open-world games are celebrations of freedom and choice, filled with a million-and-one tiny adventures.
But not all open worlds are created equal. The games collected here represent the very best of their genre. Entire cities, kingdoms, and continents are brought to life with staggering scope and intricate detail. If you have roughly 200 hours of free time and want to get lost in another realm, well, you've got plenty of options. These are our picks for the 10 best open-world games of all time.
Many of these titles – or their sequels – feature in both our best PS4 games article, and our best Xbox One games article, so be sure to check them out too. And there's always our best MMORPGs , because they tend to feature some lovely open worlds too.
10. Assassin's Creed Origins.
It's important to take breaks, people. Just look at what happens when Ubisoft decides to take a year off from releasing an Assassin's Creed game. You're left with 2017's Assassin's Creed Origins; a triumphant return for a series that had been floundering wildly in recent years, massively advantaged by a greater sense of scale and polish that an extra year in development clearly allowed.
Origins marks a transition for Assassin's Creed, from open-world action adventure to full on open-world RPG, and that makes Ancient Egypt one of the richest freeform playgrounds we've ever seen from the genre. There is so much to see and do, but none of it feels drab or lifeless, as Ubisoft's recreation of an entire country is invigorated with authentic hustle and bustle. Taking on such an iconic and eventful period as its new setting was a gamble for Ubisoft, but it's a leap of faith that's paid off in spades.
9. Fallout 4.
Fallout 4 could be on this list just for the sheer volume of content brimming from its open-world. The post-apocalyptic landscape is just as engaging and intriguing to explore as in previous games, but with a bit more personality than its predecessors. The desecrated Boston (much more colourful than the brown hellscapes of Fallout 3's Capital Wasteland) provides plenty of fascinating environments to explore; filled with bandits to kill, irradiated monsters to nuke, and abandoned treasure to plunder.
But the biggest draw of Fallout 4 is its determination to give players the ability to do whatever they want. Do you want to endlessly explore the open wasteland, experience a story full of quirky characters, or build up a settlement piece-by-piece? You can do all of those things and much, much more in Bethesda's latest nuclear playground.
8. Dragon Age: Inquisition.
In Dragon Age: Inquisition, you're the boss - and it feels good to be the boss. Your private army - the Inquisition - is one of the mightiest in the land, with the power to influence entire nations. At your war council, the political landscape of Thedas is shaped to your will. The council's three strategic advisers - diplomatic, military, and espionage - field requests from kings and peasants alike. Who you assign to each task will influence the outcome. Will you deploy spies to assassinate a rebel leader, or use diplomacy to help him change his ways?
Decisions such as these help convey the weight of your office, and sell the fantasy that you are having a greater impact on the world outside of how many monsters you kill. That's not to say killing monsters isn't enjoyable. Inquisition's flashy visuals and mix of turn-based and real-time combat is some of the best in the series. And the game is buffered with different customisation options for yourself and your party, to ensure you have the optimal crew for any situation. But Inquisition is at its best when you feel in command. It highlights all the most exciting aspects of governing, without all the bureaucratic red tape.
Play it on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360.
7. Grand Theft Auto 5.
Taken at face value, the open worlds of the Grand Theft Auto series are fairly ordinary, even with all the exaggerated stereotypes and sexual innuendos sprinkled around. But being able to go on a crime spree, start a rampage, or simply explore every nook and cranny of your surroundings - all without the consequence, cost, and physical exertion holding us back in real life - is what brings those otherwise mundane backdrops to life in exhilarating, empowering ways. Grand Theft Auto 5 is the current pinnacle of this design, with complete freedom to appreciate or desecrate the environment as you see fit.
Every aspect of GTA 5's world feels authentic. Michael's privileged boredom in the suburbs of Los Santos, Franklin's rise from the streets to a Vinewood Hills penthouse, Trevor's meth-fueled antics in San Andreas' arid deserts - it's all believable, despite the increasingly ludicrous missions you're completing. And once you've seen how the lives of GTA's protagonists play out, you can experience the world in a completely new way through GTA Online, the anarchic multiplayer sandbox we've all been dreaming about since the days of GTA 3.
Play it on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360.
6. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
It's strange to think of the typically linear Metal Gear Solid series working in an open-world setting, but it made the transition almost flawlessly in one try. While its collection of maps may not be filled with objective markers and countless side objectives like other games on this list, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain proves that less is more by putting the focus on its complex, intertwining systems.
Guards in MGS5 don't have preset patrol routes - rather, they mill about realistically, reacting to your movements, changing shifts as day turns to night, and moving from outpost to outpost in unpredictable ways. And you can get in there and really mess things up; through liberal use of one of several hundred guns, grenades, and gadgets, or by knocking foes out and conscripting them into your own army by strapping a balloon to their waist and sending them in the air at over 100 miles per hour. Infiltrate, fulton, manage upgrades, slink back into the shadows - it forms a highly compulsive cycle that will keep you coming back well after Kojima's characteristically kooky curveball of an ending.
Play it on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360.
5. Horizon Zero Dawn.
History matters. That’s the core tale Horizon: Zero Dawn has to tell us. All its ruins, audiotapes, and even the robots themselves are remnants of a civilisation that came before. Everything in Horizon’s open world threads into Aloy’s character and the main storyline, going way above and beyond merely having some cool-looking ruins that are meant to spice up the landscape.
Prowling around the world are robot beasts and tightly knit tribes, together presenting a blend of primal culture and advanced technology which sounds jarring but ends up being wonderfully natural. With a trading system that doesn’t just want your money but also needs you to prove your hunting skills before you’ll get anything decent, every bit of Horizon’s stunningly beautiful world is enthralling. A fact the creators obviously knew when they released its photo mode. Players all over the globe have created bewitching tableaus using this small extra tool that ends up pulling Horizon close to art.
The Elder Scrolls games set the bar for open world high fantasy. While most people love their first experience more than the ones that follow, it's hard to ever look away from the vast, imposing majesty of Skyrim. It’s a place you remember in a way unlike most other game worlds: once you’ve played it, you’ll never forget the distant sight of Whiterun, the towering mountains shrouded in cloud, or the icy streams that divide the land. It's fantasy storytelling writ large.
Almost everywhere feels unique, from humble farms to mighty castles, and you're constantly finding new areas to explore and marvel at. This means that, even after hundreds of hours of ignoring the story, you're never bored of the exploration, or of the thrill of unearthing something cool and exciting. Add in dramatic weather effects, a rich tapestry of historical conflict, that stirring, impossibly grand soundtrack, and - oh yeah - the occasional dragon, and it's clear why Skyrim is one of gaming’s greatest fantasy worlds.
Play it on: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS VR, Xbox 360, PS3.
3. Red Dead Redemption.
Rockstar has always been at the frontier of open-world games, hardening itself for an ambitious sojourn into the untamed Western expanse of 19th century America. It didn't exactly go according to plan for Red Dead Redemption, with troubled development delaying the game's completion and some wild bugs unleashing a fondly remembered (but unintended) plague of flying bird-people, but the end result came out cohesive and strongly evocative of a dangerous, raw America. For once, the geography of an open-world game didn't just space out objectives. Instead, it provided room for a proper Western to happen.
John Marston didn't escape the curse befalling most Rockstar protagonists - the guy walking away from crime, only to have one last job foisted upon him - but his flaky morality fit perfectly in a Wild West with its own set of rules and laws, all rickety at best. Marston moved through an unkempt civilization-to-be, sporadically intersecting with side quests and primary goals in a way that felt organic. And though discovery of all that wilderness was rewarding in itself, what made it truly fitting for an open-world game was the slavish devotion to the shape of a Western. There was all that space. Sometimes nothing happened at all. A tumbleweed would roll by. And then Marston would walk into an outburst of sudden violence, a kidnapping, a shootout echoing in a monstrous cavern. Red Dead Redemption filled its world wisely, remembering that calm and nothingness are valid, deliberate objects that can eventually bleed into the chaos of a developing country.
Play it on: Xbox One (backwards compat), PS3, Xbox 360.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
There is nothing like opening the doors to Hyrule as you leave the Shrine of Resurrection for the first time in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The oh-so-green horizon stretches into the distance tantalisingly as the sound of birds and the rustling of the long grass carries on the wind towards you. Regardless of where you intend to go in this expansive open world, you'll always end up somewhere entirely different. Maybe you'll catch a glimpse of a Bokoblin camp complete with treasure, or see a herd of wild horses in the distance. "Oh, I'll just do this first" you think, as you head off in entirely the opposite direction as your Sheikah Slate bleeps the arrival of another shrine. Hmm. Do I have enough stamina to climb that cliff? Oh, is that a rock shining in the distance? It might have Amber.
And it all just feels so alive. Fish swim in fast flowing streams, crickets creak from long grass in the evening. Every time of day feels different. No matter which level the sun is at, you'll always want to hammer that screenshot button. Even the rain is charming enough to make you feel like you should encounter Totoro holding a leaf above his head. This is a world so beautiful, grand and compelling that every step feels like an adventure. Oh and we haven't even mentioned the actual story.
Play it on: Nintendo Switch, Wii U.
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Above all else, Geralt has to get paid. He's not the chosen one here to save everyone from impending doom; he's not serving a higher purpose or following his destiny. Geralt is trying to find his daughter before The Wild Hunt catches up with her, but a noble purpose won't get him better gear or keep him fed, so he's always looking for work. With that one simple distinction, the side action of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt becomes more than just stat-boosting busywork and becomes something that genuinely adds to the character of the game and its star.
It certainly doesn't hurt that the world you're exploring is massive and interesting . Geralt encounters all sorts of people - the working stiffs, the middle class, the royals - and they've all got their own unique perspective on the world, the war, and the Witcher himself. Virtually everyone is worth talking to, and every location is worth visiting because they feel real; you're not just moving from place to place to tick off the next box on your To Do list or find the next best armor shop. Moving through the world has an authenticity many open worlds lack. It's grubby and funny and sweet and unfair and scary and familiar. Rather than just waypoints on the path to the dramatic final battle, The Witcher 3 feels like a journey worth taking.
Recommended.
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Upcoming Games of 2016: Open World.
Go where you want, do what you want.
Who doesn't love a great big explorable world to frolic about in? Open world games give you the freedom to really immerse yourself in the game world. Going with our series of articles talking about 2016’s releases, here are 5 open world games to keep you busy for a while yet.
Mirror's Edge: Catalyst (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – 24 th May 2016.
The original Mirrors Edge was either an underrated classic of the early previous generation of consoles. So it's only fair that the game gets a follow up on the current generation in Mirrors Edge Catalyst. And in a very obvious move, the game now goes open world. Here's to hoping they maintain that “bright on white” aesthetic and fixed the unintuitive combat in the sequel.
No Mans Sky (PC, PS4) – June 2016.
As far as PS4 console exclusives go (Sorry Xbox fans), few are anticipated more than No Mans Sky. Not technically an open world sandbox, it's more of an open universe space sim with procedurally generated planets and systems for you to explore. Getting out of your vessel and roaming around a bright uncharted world on foot has its own peculiar charm to it that appeals to the explorer in all of us. Mind you, I don't expect there to be much of a plot, except the ones you make in your head as you zip across the universe.
Far Cry Primal (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – 23 rd February 2016.
From the high peaks of the Himalayas, we TARDIS our way to… Caveman times? I can dig it. This seems to be a rebuttal to all those who said Far Cry 4 was just Far Cry 3++, additions without innovation as it were. Now the game seems to change things up by swapping out modern weapons and doodads with “modes”. My favourite so far is Beastmaster mode, which allows you to tame and direct animals to ruin other people's day. But this is still Far Cry, so expect to do a lot of climbing high things and killing wildlife to craft upgrades for yourself.
Dying Light: The Following (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – February 2016.
I normally wouldn't put a expansion along with a list of complete games, but The Following is an absolutely massive chunk of content which thoroughly dwarfs several other games. Showing us an unseen chapter of our protagonists life, and opening up a new section of map, The Following is more Dying Light and if others enjoyed the game as much as I did, that's enough to get you back in there, hunting zombies, for a few hours more. Just remember to drink a lot of water before starting though.
Tom Clancy’s The Division (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – 8 th March 2016.
Yes, I know the game is going for a more MMO feel with its mechanics and plot, but that doesn't stop it from being a PSN open world MMO. Roaming around the frost covered city, looking for resources and/or allies and banding together as others try to kill you is always fun. Around every corner you could find adventure or bullets fired at you, and that's what makes survival in the Division so much more satisfying.
Mafia III (PC, PS4, Xbox One) - TBA.
A sequel to the classic game Mafia and the less well-received Mafia 2, Mafia 3 goes back to its open world roots. Players take on the role of Lincoln Clay who basically wants revenge for his murdered friends and is out to go against the local mobs. Studio Hangar 13 hopes to successfully recreate the feeling of exploring New Orleans during 1968.
Firewatch (PC, PS4) - 9th February.
Firewatch is a survival game set in the wilderness of Wyoming. What sets Firewatch apart from other games in its genre is the presence of a person on the other end of a handheld radio who is set to be the protagonist's only emotional support throughout the whole ordeal. The main aim of Firewatch is to keep the wilderness safe and exploring it.
Crackdown 3 (Xbox One) - TBA.
A sequel to one of the craziest open-world franchises ever made, Crackdown 3 is all set to turn the dial all the way up to 11. Engage in insane open-world heroics with your superpowered characters and destroy more or less the entirety of the city with your friends with Crackdown 3's co-op gameplay.
Fable Legends (PC, Xbox One) - TBA.
Microsoft's latest attempt at bringing the Fable franchise back to relevance, Fable Legends focuses on co-operative gameplay right from the get go. The art style retains much of what made the first three Fable titles special, and on the gameplay side of things, Legends seems to big on streamlining mechanics quite a bit.
Sea of Thieves (PC, Xbox One) - TBA.
Ever wanted to be a pirate over the open sea? Sea of Thieves aims to let you do just that. Made by Rare, Sea of Thieves has a big focus on multiplayer. Much like Destiny and The Division, Microsoft calls Sea of Thieves a shared-world game. Sea of Thieves will also include tools that allow players to make their own storylines to play with their friends.
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The 25 best Xbox One games.
What are the best Xbox One games to buy? Take a look at this list and all will become clear.
The cream of the crop.
In case you missed it, Monster Hunter World is pretty popular right now. It\s sold well, and is good, but it's best Xbox One games good?
Well, not quite. There's been some online problems on Xbox One and while it's good, it's not really a hall of fame job. It was a similar story with the recent Vanishing of Ethan Carter, an atmospheric supernatural murder mystery that, like Monster Hunter World, is highly recommended. However, when you've only 25 places to fill they've got to go to the best of the best.
That means things like Assassin's Creed Origins and Wolfenstein 2 most recently. They're also two Xbox One X Enhanced games so if you have a 4K TV and an X, then those are great games to show everything off.
In terms of upcoming Xbox One games, Coming up soon we'll have Monster Hunter World on Jan 26, and Far Cry 5 on March 27, along with this little selection over the next couple of months.
Mar 13 - The Crew 2.
Mar 23 - A Way Out.
'Spring' - State of Decay 2.
'Spring - Crackdown 3.
Only time will tell if any of those will make it into the 25 best Xbox One games list.
For the meantime, though the best Xbox One games is still full of classics like Fallout 4 , Cuphead , Titanfall 2 , Minecraft and Gears of War 4 . If it's an essential Xbox One title it's here, and as there's only 25 places competition only the best get a look in. Every time something new comes alone we review it, appraise it and then, if it's good enough, it might be added here.
25. Final Fantasy 15.
The Final Fantasy name isn't exactly synonymous with Microsoft's console, but we're happy just the same as Final Fantasy 15 is easily one of the best RPGs of the year. It blends the vast open-worlds of Western RPGs with Final Fantasy's hallmark over-the-top anime absurdity to great effect, crafting a world based on the highways and byways of Middle America while filling that world with ferocious monsters, massive crystals, and powerful magic. There are times when Final Fantasy 15 feels like an idiosyncratic mishmash of ideas, but when you throw everything together - the strange world, the thrilling, real-time combat, the lovable characters who stick with you for your entire journey - it becomes something much greater than the sum of its parts. It becomes one of the best Final Fantasy games in ages; a game well worth the wait.
24. Cuphead.
After delays that led to maybe just a touch of apathy, Cuphead is here and has instantly become one of the best shooters all time (according to our review). While the presentation is crafted beautifully from 1930 cartoon art - things like Betty Boop shorts and Disney's Silly Symphonies - this takes gameplay cues from sources like Mega Man, Contra, Metal Slug, and Gunstar Heroes. The levels aren’t huge but it’s the challenge, not the size that matters here as you dodge bullets and learn enemy patterns. Everything tests your skills and reactions in a range of interesting ways and, most importantly, are a joy to beat.
23. Halo: Master Chief Collection.
*braces for complaints* Yes, we are well aware of the problems that plagued this particular entry, but now that it works, there's no doubting the craftsmanship here. Bungie's genius meets 343's love in a package that truly does justice to an industry-shaking legacy. Buffed-up, revarnished and back in the shop window, The Master Chief Collection leaves us to wonder if Halo always looked so lovely. And you know what? It more or less did.
Is that mug a Mimic? How about that chair? Or even that corpse. There's nothing quite like exploring Talos-1, just waiting for its terrifying alien predators to appear when you least expect it before splatting them senseless with a wrench. But that's only the beginning of the joys of Prey. Before long, you're expertly juggling Neuromods, experimenting with new abilities and attempting to stay out of sight of horrific Typhons and the frankly intimidating Nightmare. Prey requires to explore every inch of its space station, heading into tunnels when you'd rather go the other way and hunting down corpses of those who came before. Add in the twisting narrative that gradually unravels before you and this is an instant addition to our best Xbox One games list. Just remember your GLOO gun. You'll need it.
21. Rainbow Six Siege.
The first few minutes of a Rainbow Six: Siege match feel more like a slasher film than an all-guns-blazing FPS. The pitter-patter of combat booted feet sounds through the roof. Defenders erect Home Alone defences. Was that the whine of a rappel buckle? It's a sense of tension that beats most horror games. And once all hell does break loose, you're suddenly thrown into the midst of deep, strategical, brutally unforgiving warfare. Ripe with tactical options and built for "one more go" appeal, this is by far Xbox One’s smartest multiplayer shooter.
20. Halo 5: Guardians.
Halo's always been a balance of campaign with multiplayer, but this entry's a tad lopsided. The story of Locke chasing Chief isn't quite the era-defining moment we were hoping for but, luckily, it's the series-best multiplayer that gets our visors misty. Halo 5: Guardians offers so very much to prospective online warmongers. Arena is a return to the Halo of old, tense cerebral skirmishes that are an oasis of sanity in a sea of crude shooters. If you fancy some madness, then you have Warzone - mega-battles powered by a desperately addictive card-collecting system. And more's being added - 343 just reintroduced Big Team Battles and a new version of classic map, Blood Gulch for free. We're home.
19. Ori and the Blind Forest.
Imagine a lavish, beautiful storybook world… that slams shut on your stupid, bleeding fingers for seven brutal hours. This is Ori and the Blind Forest, the result of Microsoft handing a group of retro fanatics enough money (and freedom) to make a worthy successor to the platformers of old. Not only is this a pitch-perfect update to the formula set up by Metroid and Castlevania, combining mechanical satisfaction with tear-jerking narrative sequences, it's also quite probably the best-looking 2D game of all time. So yeah, it's pretty special.
18. Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
With a bigger, richer world and more tightly honed mechanics Shadow of War is a great sequel - the combat is more immediate and satisfying, the environments more detailed varied, and everything combines beautifully. It's also one of the best Xbox One X enhanced games if you want to show off all that power. This is a big game though - seriously, seriously huge. 15 hours or so will finish the prologue; another 25 odd will unlock the rest of the map, so don't pick this up for a quick fling - you need to commit. The series' nemesis system that defines the series has had expanded to create a twisting narrative of encounters, defeats and victories as you meet and battle various orcs - yours and their progress defined by who wins the fight. This time it's also been expanded to include castles you can storm, building and training an army up to the task. Even if you don't like Lord of the Rings, it's a massive and exciting open world to explore.
17. FIFA 18.
It's another step on for FIFA 18 this year, with some great tweaks to the action: taking a shot from a distance now has more impact, crosses are improved with a genuine whip added to the ball. AI's been improved as well with far more individual character and personality to different star's playing styles and, while lower league team don't feels quite as good, teams do have different feeling tactics when you play them. The continuation of the single player Journey also continues to impress with an exciting and even occasionally touching campaign as you follow his career. It's this mode that gives FIFA 18 the edge over PES this year as it's leagues ahead of any comparable mode you might find in similar games. And, finally, the monster that is FIFA Ultimate Team is improved by Squad Battles which let you progress better without spending real money. A welcome addition if chasing cards and coins is big part of your life.
16. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus.
Wolfenstein: The New Order is one of the most unique, brutal, brave, hilarious, and intelligent shooters of the generation so far. MachineGames' sequel, The New Colossus, confidently doubles down on all of that. Moving BJ Blazkowicz's very personal war further into the alternative-universe '60s, and transposing it to an America under Nazi rule, The New Colossus is uncompromisingly relevant. It's a smart, sensitive, and emotive discussion of callousness, prejudice, and cruelty, that nevertheless knows how to be fun at all times. A biting portrait of human failures and social horrors, that does its biting with big robot teeth and hatchet blades. It's a game that exemplifies heart and brains throughout, but never with more unremitting flair than when it comes to the noble art of tearing Nazis to shreds with bloody and balletic style.
15. Battlefield 1.
We were worried DICE had set themselves up for a fall with a WW1 shooter, when Battlefield 1 was announced. Taking on one of the most bloody and tragic conflicts in human history isn't typically the best starting point for a fun game. But the anthology format is a masterstroke, using different perspectives to capture the sensational action of conflict, while sensitively showing the human cost of war. The story of the British chauffeur turned tank driver alone is more emotionally nuanced than anything we've seen from Battlefield before. But this isn't some weepy drama – it's a WW1 epic, an overwhelming shooter like nothing else on Xbox One, with 64 player multiplayer mode to keep you coming back. It's a gamble that paid off. Just be careful how you Tweet about it next time, OK EA?
14. Rocket League.
Nobody expected this to be quite such an explosive success but then think objectively and put the words ‘cars’ and ‘football’ together and suddenly it all makes beautifully insane sense. Both local and online modes for its petrol fuelled madness makes Rocket League multiplayer gold. Slews of DLC - Back To The Future’s DeLorean anyone - since release and now a new Xbox One/PC multiplayer option means it’s now bigger and better than ever, and there’s no better time to put your hand on your wallet and foot on the gas. Make it one of your life… goals.
13. Rise of the Tomb Raider.
Don’t be fooled by its frostbitten landscapes; this is the kind of barn-burning action-adventure that, until recently, only (ahem) other consoles used to get. Pivoting effortlessly from digital sightseeing to cinematic survival, then into stealth before exploding into brutal action, this is truly blockbuster stuff - appropriate for one of gaming's biggest icons. Amidst a gaming landscape packed with open worlds that sap full weeks of your life away, that Rise of the Tomb Raider packs all its thrills into a dizzying ten hours isn't just welcome, it's an accomplishment - this is non-stop fun. Except when Lara's murdered by your fumbling fingers. That's not so nice.
12. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
Let's face it. Resident Evil had gone a bit like a foot left out of the fridge too long. A bit, well, off . After the glorious heady heights of Resi 4 defining the third person shooter as we know it, it all got a bit mediocre. Well 2017 is the year Resi got its groove back and you should be very afraid. Turning the franchise on its head, Resident Evil 7 is a first person survival terror-fest that sees you sneaking through a decrepit Louisiana mansion hunting for your missing wife. Texas Chainsaw Massacre style fiends? Check. Horrific body horror? Check that too. Add in a story that'll leave you forgetting to breathe for a little too long and Resident Evil 7 manages to be an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that reinvents the franchise. Sure you'll recognise those green herbs but this is a new brand of horror that just demands you creep through its hallways even if it feels like you should run in the opposite direction.
11. Forza Motorsport 7.
Improved AI, collisions, handling - what Forza Motorsport 7 gets right reads like a list of everything a racing game should do perfectly. Cars all feel great to control, giving you the confidence you need to push the handling to its limits - drifting on cue, or hugging the rails when you need dig the tires in. In fact, throughout, this a game that tweaks and adjusts everything the previous installment got wrong. It’s all about delivering the best player experience and creating a game that’s both realistic and fun. Some of the progression is a little demanding, with numerous barriers to surmount as you collect cars and win events, but there’s nothing that really take the shine of one the greatest racers currently available.
10. Gears of War 4.
It was during Act Four, when the storm was raging, bullets were flying from all sides, blood was gushing all over us as we chainsawed close-up enemies and then tried to aim at those sniping us from afar, when suddenly the music rose at the perfect moment. It was as if God himself was singing 'I'm really sorry for Gears of War: Judgment'. Apology accepted. A bloodbath with real brains, Gears of War 4 adds an army of new monsters, each demanding fresh tactics to dispatch and bringing new ideas to how we approach combat. It means the first sequel since Gears 2 that can surprise newcomers without sacrificing the excellent cover-shooting that made the series famous. Bloody essential.
9. Titanfall 2.
Any FPS that lets you run along walls and then double jump into a giant mechanical Titan instantly has our attention. Titanfall 2 does that and so much more. “But where's our single-player?” we moaned, when the first Titanfall came to Xbox in 2014. “Fine!” retorted Respawn. “How about for this sequel, we tell the story of a pilot and his Titan? One where you steadily unlock Titan weapons that look powerful enough to burn the universe in half? How about a stage wherein you can travel through time at the touch of a button? How about several hours of dizzyingly paced, ideas-stuffed action that makes every shooter since we made Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare look lazy?” Well that certainly shut us up. Throw in Bounty Hunt, a capitalist nightmare of an essential multiplayer mode, and we promise never to accuse Respawn of laziness again.
8. Overwatch.
Well if Valve aren't going to bother making Team Fortress 3, we'll have Blizzard do it instead. The World of Warcraft studio had never made a shooter before, so it makes no sense at all that Overwatch is one of the best multiplayer FPS' ever. A ridiculously varied cast of colourful heroes, each with powers that should logically break the game (Tracer can travel back through time for crying out loud!) Yet it all checks and balances, letting us fire bows and arrows, sky dragons, walls of ice and whip chains through the air for hours and hours without ever feeling like its cheaty or unfair. Months later, and still the only flaw we can find is Tracer's horrid cockney accent. By this logic, if Blizzard ever offer to make us dinner, expect world hunger to be eradicated within the hour.
7. Destiny 2.
After the endless, life absorbing life sink of the original game what could Destiny 2 possibly do to beat it? The answer is actually obvious: more of the same, only richer, more accessible and. just. more Destiny. The sequel takes nearly every element of the space travelling, gun collecting, number raising MMO and polishes it to a fine sheen. You can see almost every area where Bungie learned from the last game, making the areas you explore richer with things to do, adding depth to both the systems that progress your character, and hte activities you take on to do so. Few games mix combat, multiplayer and character progressions so well and it's an addictive draw as a result.
6. Grand Theft Auto 5.
Gaming's biggest blockbuster deserves its place at the head of the list. GTA 5 was already an excellent, brutal, beautiful open-world game, and is made even more so on Xbox One with a visual tidy-up, a glut of new content and the addition of first-person pedestrian-beating. With the addition of online Heists to make its online component even more enticing, Rockstar edges closer to making a game world so vast and varied that you could start to do away with anything else. Which, come to think of it, was probably the plan all along.
5. Minecraft.
As simple or as complex as you want it to be, Minecraft is the perfect example of a game that lives up to the hype. Whether you just fancy pottering around in creative mode, or jumping into survival to take on various blocky nasties in your quest for the End, Mojang's masterpiece always feels perfectly yours and unique. This is a world worth just wandering in for eternity. Plus, the constant evolution with new packs, new textures and gameplay tweaks means that Minecraft is always moving forward. If you thought it was just about stacking up green blocks, it's time to catch up.
4. Assassin's Creed Origins.
Assassin's Creed Origins is the long awaited reboot the series has needed. And ye gods, is it ever exactly what we hoped for. It's also a flagship Xbox One X Enhanced game so a great way to show off your new console. Remodelling Assassin's Creed into a true open-world RPG, full of creative stabbing, character stats, and malleable gameplay (What is best in life, Conan?), the ancient Egyptian adventure is a vast, sprawling, actual, bona fide country of a game, packing with detail, side-quests, and secrets to tackle your own way, at any time you want.
With the overhauled combat now fuelled by a fully customisable gear system (Want twin daggers that put people to sleep, and a poisonous shield? Or a sword that buffs your health, and a bow with controllable arrows? You can have all of these things), any hint of the old series’ weary gameplay is long gone. Packed with wit, warmth, and a staggering scale of options, it's really rather fitting that the game that goes back to the beginning of the story is also the one that gives Assassin's Creed a fresh start.
3. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
If we didn't know better (or should that be worse?), we'd say Konami took the Hideo Kojima brand off of his last stab at MGS 5: The Phantom Pain because it feels quite so different to his previous efforts. Yes, it's packed with the off-kilter jokes, mechanical ingenuity and conspiracy theories so wild they're seemingly drawn from the darkest of the internet's depths - but at it's core, this is a very different kind of Hideo Kojima game.
2. Fallout 4.
We sort of knew what we were getting. It's big, it's buggy, it's Bethesda. Fallout 4 is a natural evolution, bringing with it the often aimless exploration, gentle humour and moral greyitude of the last two instalments, while propping it all up with a new-gen veneer. They might not be enormous shifts, but main character voice acting, better gunplay and (shock) not having to look inside crates to loot them all make this a streamlined version of a now-classic formula. Frame rate dips and occasionally horrifying glitches rear their heads as usual, but it's difficult to feel too bad when there's simply so much going on. Once again, Bethesda has crammed several games' worth of joyously inconsequential stuff in here, resulting in one of the most compulsive, moreish games of this generation. Get stuck in, and you won't emerge for weeks.
1. Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
One of the most immersive RPGs ever made - a standout, mutable storyline, endlessly satisfying detective-cum-hitman Contracts, and side quests deeper than many games' main campaigns. The Witcher 3's world is one of the few game spaces to deserve that title - full of political intrigue, folklore and gross beasts to slice into ribbons. And all of that's failing to mention CD Projekt RED's raft of free DLC, and a couple of expansion packs - the first of which, Hearts of Stone, is responsible for this shooting up to the highest reaches of this list. Beautiful, rewarding and essential, this is a game we'll remember for years and years to come.
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Exploring Survival Games on Xbox One.
The desire for self-preservation is ingrained deeply within our human nature. Even in the most dire of situations, there’s a primal instinct that kicks in when mortal danger arises. Thankfully, most of us don’t face true peril on a regular basis… but there’s no denying the adrenaline-fueled thrill that comes from pushing to overcome steep odds. In the gaming world, it’s this struggle – the risk and reward – that’s such a big part of what makes survival games so satisfying.
More recently, the Xbox One has seen an explosion of interesting and unusual takes on the survival genre, with offerings ranging from the cutesy to the utterly cataclysmic. Join us as we dig into some of the most popular survival experiences on Xbox One and examine what makes them unique. Some of the titles on our list are RPGs, some are roguelikes filled with permadeath, and some might even surprise you.
No survival game round-up would be complete without Fallout 4 . This open-world trek into a nuke-decimated Boston is brimming with deadly mutant factions, sentient killer robots, and more salvageable junk than you can possibly carry. Roaming the irradiated terrain and causing mayhem in frenetic slow-mo gunfights is a blast, but the option to settle down and build home bases to house your growing cadre of post-apocalyptic pals is an interesting new wrinkle that adds plenty to the already deep experience. Welcome to your new hobby; see you in a few years!
Now a well-established household name among gaming enthusiasts, Minecraft – with its colorful, minimalistic, and limitless sandbox worlds – wields the power to absorb your free time. It’s a more kid-friendly, lighthearted survival game to be sure, but the core elements are first-rate in the genre. Exploring randomly generated biomes and gathering resources to craft tools and items to help you carve out your foothold in the monster-filled realm feels fresh with each playthrough, and that’s not even considering the fun that comes from simply building sprawling virtual strongholds to your heart’s content. Minecraft will give you back what you put into it, only tenfold.
Venturing into prehistoric territory for its latest installment, the Far Cry series trades guns for bows and spears in this survivalist jaunt to 10,000 BC. Cannibals, wild beasts, and warring tribes round out the massive change of scenery for the series. Taming critters – like owls, badgers, and tigers – is a nice touch, too, while the need to frequently hunt for food and resources to expand your tribe will keep you busy between stretches of exploration and combat. “Primitive,” as it turns out, can be a good thing.
Rather than having you hunker down in one spot to survive the apocalypse, The Flame in the Flood sends you on a winding, forward-moving trek down a river full of promise, danger, and intrigue. This indie roguelike survival adventure proves that your environment can be a formidable friend or foe indeed. With your dog companion Aesop in tow, prepare to craft and scavenge between precarious runs on your rickety raft.
Will you succumb to the elements or live to fight and forage another day? In The Long Dark , this question comes with a mix of clever and curious nuances, like whether or not you’re burning calories faster than you can put them into your gut. Blowing winds, howling wolves, freeing temperatures, and other perils of the remote northern wilderness compound in this thrilling bid to stay alive… but the numerous nitty-gritty details of this grim adventure are what take things to the next level.
A grim, peculiar storybook realm awaits your exploration in Don’t Starve , a survival adventure that sports arcane magic, eerie monsters, and mystery-filled wilderness in ample volume. From the Edward Gorey-inspired art style to the horrific ways the harsh world can kill you, there’s lots of spooky charm woven into this unusual game. Of course, surviving doesn’t come easy… but uncovering new oddities and crafting useful tools to extend your tenuous hold makes each run an entertaining one.
With New York City ravaged by a pandemic bio-terrorist attack, you’re a part of the special agent team called-in to restore order in The Division . Exploring this authentic virtual cityscape puts a semi-futuristic urban spin on post-apocalyptic survival. Blending MMO and shooter elements with rescue missions and rebuilding efforts, your quest to wrestle the city back under control from vagrant factions is a fun challenge that feels authentic in surprising ways.
Tackling tasks for a zombie-obsessed cult is only one of the many fascinating pursuits found in this all-terrain upgrade to Dying Light . The dead walk the earth in staggering numbers here, but your new wheels give you a fun way to take them down in satisfying splatterpunk fashion. Scavenging junk and gas to keep your buggy intact adds an intense new depth to the parkour- and pew-pew-tinged gameplay, too. Just be sure to watch your back when the sun goes down.
If building settlements, riding deadly dinosaurs, and cobbling together greatness from the rocks and sticks at your feet sound like it’s up your ally, ARK: Survival Evolved is a deliciously oddball game worth checking out. Despite its work-in-progress state, this Xbox Game Preview title is shaping up to be a real mammoth of a good time, thanks to an enthusiastic player base and lots of crazy things that can unfold across each survival encounter. This is definitely one to keep tabs on.
12 of the Best Open World Games.
There used to be a time when the majority of games were linear, whether it be a 2D platformer or just a game confined to hallways. But that’s no longer the case, and now it seems that the majority of new games are open world games. In my opinion, those are the best kind. Open world games provide a sandbox experience where players can do, basically, whatever the hell they want to. Some of these games are miserable failures (I’m looking at you, Two Worlds) while others change the way we play video games.
So without further ado, here are 12 of the best open world games to date.
1. Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Last year’s Dragon Age: Inquisition swept the gaming community by storm, engulfing everyone it touched with its incredible, vast open world. Aside from unraveling the well-written story, you’re tasked with slaying 10 dragons — all of which are uniquely designed to create different challenges. With over 100 hours of gameplay, there was never a shortage of things to do in the world. As part of the Inquisition, you’ll take down waves of demons, spiders, bears and dragons, and build relationships with other characters in the world. Crafting is an essential part of your success, requiring you to track down unique materials scattered about the world. Combat is pleasing, and leveling is gratifying. Dragon Age: Inquisition is the only RPG to hold my attention for over 100 hours.
2. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is widely regarded as the best game in the series (and yes, that includes last year’s Elder Scrolls Online). Like Dragon Age: Inquisition, the land in Skyrim is under assault by dragons which has created a Civil War (also like in Inquisition). But the major selling point of Skyrim is its rich history. The fiction contained within is incredibly dense, and if you’ve played the other games in the series, you’ll appreciate the tales that allude to it. Each character is expertly designed and unique, and everyone will find one that they’ll want to hold on to. The world is huge, and would allegedly cover 14 square miles in real life.
3. Far Cry 3.
I’m going to say Far Cry 3 is the best open world game in the series, since Far Cry 4 is basically just a clone of Far Cry 3 but in another setting. Far Cry 3 is great — killing tigers, clearing out bases, riding boats and hunting sharks are all things to do. The tropical world — named Rook Island — looks great, and exploration is rewarded. Crafting causes the necessity to seek out specific animal types within the world so that you can upgrade your wallet, weapon holsters and rucksacks, and all animals are in specific areas that you have to seek out (don’t cheat and look on Google…it makes the game better).
4. Fallout 3.
Here we are nearly 6 years after the release of Bethesda’s Fallout 3, and the gaming community is still wanting more of the series. There has yet to be an announcement for Fallout 4, but you can bet that Bethesda is secretly working hard on getting a Fallout 4 out in 2015 or 2016. Fallout 3 was a fantastic post apocalyptic setting, and the story was crafted so that you didn’t have to play its predecessors to enjoy. You basically create your own story as the Vault Dweller, starting the day that you first get your Pip-Boy 3000 in Vault 101, a bunker that was designed to keep survivors during a nuclear war. The world around Vault 101 is filled with mutant humanoids and mutant animals, and mutant mutants — seriously, some of these things are pretty damn ugly. But there’s a lot to explore in Fallout 3, and the massive open world was an impressive achievement for the Xbox 360/PS3 era of gaming.
5. Grand Theft Auto 5.
If you didn’t play Grand Theft Auto 5, you’re simply not gaming right. It’s undeniable that Grand Theft Auto 5’s open world is beautiful, and the story is the best of the series so far. GTA 5 takes place in Los Santos, a Los Angeles-themed setting which takes over 12 minutes to travel from one side of the map to the other. There is well over 30 hours of gameplay to keep you busy, and that’s not including the GTA Online mode that will keep you busy afterwards. Aimlessly puttering about the open world and causing havoc is when GTA 5 is at its best, and there’s plenty of havoc to be caused.
6. Crackdown.
It’s hard to include Crackdown in this list of the best open world games because of how long ago it was released, but its undeniable that it was a unique experience upon its release. It took the Grand Theft Auto model of gameplay and added the element of leveling up your character’s abilities by collecting orbs scattered about the world — some of which were truly difficult to reach. It takes place in Pacific City, starting players off in the Agency hub with no powers. The goal of the game is to wipe the enemy gangs off of the face of the earth, and you’ll do so in over-the-top action fashion.
7. Burnout Paradise.
To this date, Burnout Paradise is the best open world car game to date, in my opinion. I spent numerous hours roaming around Paradise City with friends, tracking down every last gate, billboard and jump. Driving around in the open world looks great and feels great, and no other car game has captured my attention for so long. Unfortunately, the Burnout franchise is in jeopardy, as the studio head Alex Ward left in 2014 after he wanted to steer away from the racing genre. EA still owns the license I believe, but I don’t see a new Burnout coming anytime soon, especially given 2014’s mass influx of racing games.
Skate 3 remains the only reason that I miss my Xbox 360 now that I have an Xbox One. Skate 3 was the last open world skateboarding game to be released, and that was way back in May 2010. Here we are five years later, and it’s unlikely that we’ll see another Skate game, since the developer studio Black Box has been disbanded and closed. At least we have Skate 3 to play, which allowed players to create their own skate spots and skate parks on the fly, anywhere in the massive open world. Exploration is essential to players, since tracking down the best skate spots is so rewarding. If there’s one game I spent the most time with on my Xbox 360, it was Skate 3, the best non-RPG open world game to date.
9. Red Dead Redemption.
I skipped all of the previous Red Dead games until Red Dead Redemption was released. Rockstar Games’ cousin to GTA was an open world western action-adventure game that was also released in May 2010. The game is set during the decline of the American Frontier in 1911, and you’re tasked with bringing justice to the gang that kidnapped your wife and son for ransom. It is a visually stunning western-set world, which was filled with bandits and, eventually, took the horror route with a zombie plagued version (also badass in its own right). They’re two of the best open world games.
10. Saints Row IV.
Saints Row IV is simply a bat-shit crazy version of Grand Theft Auto IV. The story is absolutely ridiculous, as you, a former leader of a gang, become president and are forced to take down an alien invasion. It’s over-the-top fun, and the open world is heavily themed. It doesn’t exactly look the greatest, but the amount of ridiculous fun you can have in the world makes it one of the top open world games. The majority of the game takes place within a simulation world, with the player often attempting to hack the simulation to attempt to escape it. Seriously, it’s bat-shit crazy. Fun, but bat-shit crazy.
11. World of Warcraft.
The best open-world PC game to date is still the incredible world in World of Warcraft that was designed by the folks at Blizzard Entertainment. To this date, World of Warcraft still has the highest number of players of any MMORPG. Many have tried to take down this giant of a game — the most recent attempt being the miserably failed WildStar from Carbine Studios — and all of which have been largely unsuccessful. Players are dedicated to WoW’s rich history and unique locales that they’re now familiar with. As a whole, World of Warcraft is the best open world game for PC ever a made, and there are even random pop culture references scattered about the world, rewarding players for their exploration.
12. Dying Light.
Techland’s Dying Light, which just released yesterday, is surprisingly a great game. I honestly wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I do (as January games are typically complete and utter duds). But this open world is so dense and filled with the undead, and it has a great deal of verticality to it, that traversing around is a thrill. The island as a whole doesn’t feel very big, but running around is still a thrill, and if you haven’t had a chance to check out Dying Light just yet, I highly suggest that you do so.
Bobby Bernstein.
Owner Nerdmuch, who believes the Back to the Future is the greatest trilogy ever made.
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5 Comments to 12 of the Best Open World Games.
These are worth mentioning in your post.
I am Big Fan of GTA V. The Best open World Game Ever.
I haven’t played gta 5 till now.
Apparently I’m not “gaming right” because I refuse to game on inferior consoles instead of the PC.
Best Survival Games for Xbox One.
Survival games are games that require the player to stay alive as long as possible in an often hostile environment. Managing everything from food, habitation and crafting essential tools — staying alive isn't just a song by the BeeGees. The night is dark and full of terrors, so huddle by the light with us as we take a look at the best survival games currently on the Xbox One.
Updated February 22, 2017: We updated this story to include Resident Evil, Astroneer and more; and refreshed some of the descriptions.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
Back with screaming success, Resident Evil returns to Xbox One in the fictional town of Dulvey, Louisiana. Moving on from catastrophic global infection, Biohazard brings the survival horror back home, and it gets up close and personal in Capcom's first foray into a Resident Evil first-person romp. Skulking around the abandoned plantation house, will you survive long enough to solve the mystery of the messed up Baker family?
As the atmosphere drips alongside the antagonistic bioorganic ooze, the most eagle-eyed players will find themselves with more items than they can shake a broken shotgun at. Those less-nosy may well find themselves in sticky situations, where ammo and healing items are in short supply, and combining items and crafting is an absolute must.
The first-person perspective adds a perfect new level of trepidation and squirming horror as the action is in your face and relentless. The downtime moments are well-paced and perfect for resolving the nerves before the next big bout. Everything you loved about the original series is back, with a shove into the modern age for current-gen consoles, boasting incredible photo-realistic graphic environments and a storyline bringing concepts of some the Resident Evil game offshoots into the main series.
Astroneer - Game Preivew.
Set during a space-faring Gold Rush, you'll land on procedurally-generated planets and suck the lands dry for their valuables. Terraforming the landscape and using the materials you find will enable your little spaceman to build his base on the planet and loot it for rare materials to sell.
The vibrant, random worlds have their own biomes and areas with their own resources and are littered with research opportunities. Monsters are currently few and far between, making Astroneer a charming survival exploration game where the only threat to your survival right now is running out of oxygen. Updates are being made all the time, with an active development team working hard to add new content and mechanics to the game. If you were looking for something a little like No Man's Sky for Xbox One, this should be your first port of call. Astroneer is available on Xbox Play Anywhere, enabling you to purchase once and play on any compatible Microsoft device.
ARK: Survival Evolved - Game Preview.
There is always some kind of aggressor in most survival games, something you have to protect yourself from. Giant, carnivorous dinosaurs notwithstanding, Ark: Survival Evolved will pit you against prehistoric terrors and your own kind. If you're not already suffering from hunger, or broken bones, perhaps a pervasive and persistent disease will hamper your efforts? By the way, the only way you can cure that disease is going to the icy North-most part of the island and fighting some incredibly strong and hostile animals. Good luck with that.
Survive with friends — make or join clans who can help you build bases to work from, shared clan XP helps you level up faster so you have access to better items. Or go it alone, forsake the safety of numbers and set out to discover the mysteries of the island by yourself. Updates have cleaned up laggy framerates, and the Scorched Earth DLC adds more areas and monsters to survive.
Don't Starve: Giant Edition.
If a Tim Burton-esque hand-drawn art style and slowing losing your sanity are high up your "things you like" list, then Don't Starve has a treat for you. Unlock a variety of characters with their own unique skills to explore and survive the encroaching night. Will you fall foul to Zombie Pigmen at the full moon's midnight, or would you rather take your chances with a giant Deerclops? Build Doo-dads and Whatsits, sport the most spiffing mustache and stay alive gnawing on petals. Who thought going insane would be so . dark?
The Shipwrecked DLC offers further content in monsters, items to craft, places to go and things to stave off hunger with, all on a deserted island. Have you ever eaten rock slime? It's really good this time of year. The challenges ramp up the longer you try to survive, perhaps by the end you'll be begging for madness. The game is available as a bundle with DLC, or both items can be bought individually through the Xbox store.
The Flame in the Flood.
Traveling by foot or by raft, you and your dog embark together on a perilous journey through a post-society American wilderness. Procedurally-generated terrains hold precious resources to be found in order to make food, craft tools and create medicines. A beautifully sorrowful hand-drawn art style and originally composed soundtrack compliment this incredible story wonderfully.
Scout and her companion dog Aesop are on a mission to find out why everyone has gone from the flooded lands, but the gentle river can turn to rapids in moments — drowning is a very real threat. Thought provoking and heart warming, The Fire in the Flood will test your survival skills and patience, but it's a trip worth taking.
How to Survive: Storm Warning Edition.
Seven small archipelago islands, a mental survival guide and zombies. Lots of zombies. You'll have to craft tools and find shelter as you try to ward off hordes of zombies and rabid animals. Choose from a wide range of blunt weapons to protect yourself with, and keep your basic human needs in check or suffer a penalty.
Subnautica - Game Preview.
Splash-landed on an oceanic world, Subnautica is one of only a few games that will give you the ability to make reasonably high-grade tools from the very start. The only problem is retrieving the resources in order to make those tools. Jacques Cousteau you're not, and exploring the vast oceanic alien world will be mightily difficult without crafting the things to get you there without dying. Build and power sub-aquatic habitats or gaze out of your glass walls as a Sea Leviathan swims by.
Still currently part of the Xbox Preview Program, updates are being added all the time to flesh out the experience, by adding in the story characteristics and goals. Over the last year, we've seen great changes in minor in-game details, the removal of some lesser -used (and lag-creating) features, such as being able to deform the alien environment, and added content and context to the crash landing on the planet. We now have some storyline. You're not the only pod to have crashed on the planet, but where are the others?
Different sea biomes relinquish varying resources that you'll need to craft Sea Moths, to take you through the depths of the ocean. You'll need to craft a deep sea base, so you can investigate what lies beneath, and a Cyclops to take you deeper than you've ever been to find alien artefacts.
Subnautica is still a work in progress, but you'll certainly feel reeled into this alien world, hook, line and sinker.
Minecraft: Xbox One Edition.
Minecraft may look like a poorly-made building game with no character but you're wrong! Punch wood, make tools and get into a safe place before dark, because when the sun goes down the hostile monsters appear. Create a farm to feed you, build yourself a hideout so no monsters can reach you, or plumb the very bowels of the earth for rare materials for crafting better weapons and armor. With the addition of PVP arenas and (hopefully sometime soon for Xbox One) Realms there is suddenly a lot more to do in Minecraft than ever before.
Constantly updated with new features and items to craft, the sky isn't your limit — only your imagination. You can import saves from your Xbox 360 game and download textures and character skins to customize your experience fully. Want your world to look like it's all made of candy while frolicking as Doctor Who? Now you can.
Fallout 4 - Survival Mode.
Including this may be a bit of a cheat, but Fallout 4's Survival Mode kicks up the game's difficulty. The introduction of illnesses necessitates the use of antibiotics, there's no longer a fast travel option, and healing in beds for less than seven hours doesn't heal HP. This is truly the most brutal survival experience. Healing items have less effect and may even make you sick. Ammunition has weight, and the carry weight for you and your companions has been reduced. With all this and more, the odds are highly stacked against you.
Winner of more than fifty Game of the Year Awards, Fallout 4 is Bethesda's most ambitious game yet. Also supporting free mods, you can tailor your experience just the way you want it. Nuclear war has destroyed the world. It's time to rebuild, and the fate of the Wastelands is in your hands.
We Happy Few - Game Preview.
Ever wondered why everyone back in 1960's England was all about being groovy and mellow and just a bit too cheerful? If We Happy Few is anything to go by, in this pseudo-alternate reality it's because they were all taking mind-altering drugs. Blinded to the grimness of reality, society has settled into a well-meaning and relatively content denial, until a small group decided to stop taking their tablets. You must blend in with the citizens of a retrofuturistic London, where not taking happy pills is cause for alarm.
As the newest addition to the Games Preview roster there are still certainly kinks to be worked out, but We Happy Few will hopefully continue to shape and deliver an already very compelling world and theme.
7 Days to Die.
This zombie survival horror has it all, including tower-defense mechanics, a first-person perspective and . zombies. Build a fortress to protect from the undead (or other players), craft and repair clothing and tools, mine, loot and explore.
The open world environment offers a rich and diverse post-apocalyptic wilder land to set up camp within, and every seven days, zombies appear. If you haven't spent the interim seven days preparing for the undead onslaught, you're dead meat, literally. With heavy emphasis on crafting and teamwork, getting a gang together to survive the invasion is imperative. Should you survive, the clock timer resets and you're back to another seven days of gathering, fortifying and preparing.
Have your say.
Survival games certainly have their own corner of the market, and especially thrive on PC. What are your favorites? Are there any we missed you think should be on the list, or are there any you'd like to see on Xbox One? Take to the comments and let us know your favorite survival games.
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