Open-world games have come a long way, especially when we’re talking about graphics, world design, and gameplay mechanics. However, I have come to realize that just because a game is new doesn’t mean it’s better. I think everyone has played at least a few modern open-world titles that weredisappointing.
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Yes, they often have big maps and impressive visuals, but if there is nothing interesting to do, then the whole purpose of the game is defeated. In fact, I would say some last-gen open-world games put a lot more thought and effort into making their worlds interactive and immersive compared to their modern competitors. I think most people would agree that this is truly impressive when you consider the hardware limitations developers had to work with even just a few years ago.
Stardew Valley
A World That Changes Even When You’re Not Progressing The Story
If you have played Stardew Valley at least once, you probably know that this is one of those game worlds that feels extremely alive without needing the most realistic graphics ever. I think its interconnected systems are far more impressive than what we’ve seen in plenty of other visually sophisticated open-world games. In Stardew Valley, villagers follow their own schedules; they visit different locations depending on what time it is, what day it is, and even the weather conditions. I love the fact that they don’t just stand around waiting for you to start interacting with them.
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This makes the entire experience feel more immersive, especially when you add that each season lasts 28 in-game days and affects resources like crops, fish, and some events. In other words, missing an opportunity means you have to wait until the following year, just like you would in real life. Last but not least, the community itself changes as you progress through the game. For example, when you restore the Community Center, villagers start gathering there again, so your actions have real consequences for the world around you, and everyone within it.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Environmental Detail That Still Rivals Modern Adventures
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Image via: Guerrilla Games
Image via: Guerrilla Games
Image via: Guerrilla Games
Horizon Zero Dawn was released in 2017, but its open world remains very impressive, especially considering the hardware it was designed for. The sheer variety of environments that players can explore is sometimes overwhelming: forests, snowy mountains, and all kinds of deserts. However, what sets these locations apart is how much detail they contain. For example, forests are filled with the appropriate vegetation and everything else you might need to feel like you’re actually there.
However, my favorite things about the game are the weather and lighting systems. We have rain, snow, fog, and changing daylight conditions, which are pretty impressive even by today’s standards. Moreover, the way the machines are designed is very realistic, as you can even see their moving components beneath their armored exterior. Generally, Horizon Zero Dawn has always felt more modern than its release date suggests. I’d say that this amount of visual detail is extremely difficult to maintain in a world as big as this one, so this title will always feel next-gen to me.
Mad Max
Vehicle Combat Driven by Actual Physics
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Image via: Avalanche Studios
Image via: Avalanche Studios
Image via: Avalanche Studios
Driving in Mad Max is absolutely next-level. It isn’t just the way to move from one objective to another. In fact, I would argue that this vehicular combat is still better than what we’ve seen in many newer open-world games, and this is mostly because of how much freedom it gives you. You don’t just shoot at enemy vehicles until they explode; you can use the harpoon to rip off their armor, tear away wheels, and even drag opponents off course.
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Exploring these in-game worlds will present players with plenty of realistic challenges and features for full immersion.
If you want to ram into others, you really have to think about your speed, positioning, and the force of the collision, because these factors can all make a big difference. This happens because vehicle battles aren’t entirely dependent on predetermined situations and scripted sequences. Avalanche Studios has confirmed that the combat you see in the game is physics-based, so encounters can develop differently depending on how you interact with other vehicles.
What’s even more impressive is that you can combine different attacks to disable your opponents. Moreover, the Magnum Opus, Max’s car, can be upgraded with all kinds of engines, tires, and offensive equipment, which is an extremely sophisticated system that remains impressive to this day.
Mad Max
7/10
Released
September 1, 2015
Red Dead Redemption 2
NPC Behavior That Still Feels Ahead Of Its Time
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Image via Rockstar Games
Image via Rockstar Games
Image via Rockstar Games
Every open-world game features NPCs because, to be fair, cities have to be filled with something so we don’t die of boredom. However, their presence does not always make a difference if they aren’t doing anything particularly interesting anyway. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 manages to make even ordinary interactions extremely meaningful. Arthur can greet or antagonize strangers, which means that things can often escalate into confrontations, because how NPCs respond really depends on the situation.
Just like in Stardew Valley, townspeople follow everyday routines, including working, traveling, and socializing, which makes the game very immersive. However, what’s even more impressive is that NPC behavior directly affects gameplay. For example, committing a crime can cause people to report Arthur to the authorities, but if you intervene on time, you may avoid the consequences. Moreover, just like in real life, characters can react to your appearance and behavior. Even a walk through town can go in a completely different direction than you initially expected depending on your reputation.
In any case, Rockstar has demonstrated an amazing attention to detail with Red Dead Redemption 2. It also features around 200 animals, and some of the most convincing mechanics include predators hunting in packs and scavengers feeding on carcasses. Very few other games have managed to make their world as convincing as Red Dead Redemption 2.
Enemy AI That Adapts To Your Tactics
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Image via: Konami
Image via: Konami
Maybe one of the biggest complaints about open-world games is that enemy AI is so often really bad, and this goes for modern releases as well. However, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain addressed this problem back in 2015. It introduced an AI system that actively responds to the player’s preferred tactics. To give an example, if you constantly eliminate enemies with headshots, soldiers eventually start adapting to your strategy by wearing helmets to protect themselves. Similarly, those who frequently infiltrate bases at night will start encountering guards equipped with flashlights and night-vision goggles.
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This is an incredibly creative approach that doesn’t even require increasing enemies’ health or damage or anything else, because simply making them adapt to your strategy is enough to not only make the game more challenging, but also to reflect the real world a little bit more. Moreover, players can interfere with enemies’ ability to prepare for their tactics. For example, you can send friendly soldiers to destroy their equipment and reduce their use of helmets and body armor.
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