Most Complex Open World Games

Open-world gaming is all the rage in modern times, with the majority of sandbox games striving to make these experiences as approachable as possible to attract big sales numbers. This can make most open-world games feel similar to play, which has been a growing source of frustration in the gaming community.

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8 Best Open-World Games For An Over-The-Top Story, Ranked

Open-world games are famous for presenting players with many exciting elements. Here are some titles with an over-the-top story.

This is why players love open-world games that strive to be more complex, with their mechanics, storytelling, and other elements featuring a level of richness that fans have been craving for a while. The most interesting open-world games are the ones that aren’t afraid to be as complex as possible and draw players in with their deep gameplay systems.

8

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

A Mechanically Rich Game Full Of Deep, Intricate Synergies

Systems

Released

May 12, 2023

Developer(s)

Nintendo

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

There’s a reason why Tears of the Kingdom took a while to come out, with its new powers being so incredible that the game needed to be play-tested to kingdom come for any bugs to be wiped out. When this much-anticipated sequel to Breath of the Wild came out, fans were left with their jaws on the floor when they interacted with Tears of the Kingdom‘s mechanics firsthand.

Developers were left puzzled at this technical marvel that managed to run on the aging Switch without any problems. Ultrahand, Fuse, and Ascend, among Link’s other powers, can be used to change the way players interact with this game, helping them appreciate the technical complexity of a title that is perfect for beginners and experts alike.

7

Elden Ring

The Iconic FromSoftware Gameplay Feels Just As Complex And Rewarding In An Open-World Environment

Elden Ring is one of the most successful video games ever released by FromSoftware. Their tantalizing action RPG model was perfect for a sandbox that let players mold the Tarnished in whatever image they saw fit.

However, players who wanted to make a sound build that made the most of Elden Ring‘s systems needed to track a ton of metrics. They had to spend Runes wisely, acquire equipment that was perfect for their build, and ensure that their weaknesses were covered if they wanted to get through The Lands Between without dying over and over again.

6

Project Zomboid

For A Game About The Zombie Apocalypse, The Gameplay Is Deeper And More Complex Than Players Would Expect

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Project Zomboid

Systems

Released

November 8, 2013

Developer(s)

The Indie Stone

Project Zomboid has slowly transformed into one of the most tantalizing open-world survival games players can get their hands on. The way players develop their character turns the title into a post-apocalyptic Sims of sorts that is pretty engaging in its own way.

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Best Ubisoft Open-World Games That Are Not Part Of A Gaming Franchise, Ranked

Ubisoft is home to gaming franchises with numerous entries, but these standalone open-world games require no prior experience to fully enjoy.

However, this also means that players must be smart about the skills they level up. Focusing too much on combat without prioritizing survival will lead to players struggling to cobble together resources, while the inverse will lead to them succumbing to a zombie attack in no time.

5

Don’t Starve Together

Cooperating With Others And Trying To Survive By Any Means Necessary Is Quite Challenging

Don’t Starve was pretty complicated as is, so it’s genuinely shocking to see that the co-op spin on this title managed to be even more overwhelming for players. A basic understanding of the gameplay system is a must for players who must band together to survive at all costs.

Wasting precious day hours can lead to a group being mauled by a terrifying monster in no time. This makes it a must to optimize one’s approach in the game and understand how the game’s systems work if players don’t want to succumb to a monstrosity because of their ill-preparedness.

4

STALKER: Shadow Of Chernobyl

The First Game In The STALKER Series Is Tough Yet Engaging

The STALKER games are some of the most hardcore experiences players can expose themselves to, with many people considering the first title to be a blast to play through even now. Shadow of Chernobyl gets a ton of things right and makes it clear why players can’t get enough of this harrowing title.

Players must adjust to Shadow of Chernobyl‘s systems, acquiring only the bare necessities so that they aren’t over-encumbered in no time. Identifying anomalies, killing mutants, and ensuring that their health pool is high at all times is a must for players who want to experience the ultimate STALKER experience.

3

The Matchless Kungfu

Jump Into A Title That Can Be Overwhelming As Players Slowly Come To Grips With How The Game Works

• Platform: PC
• Release Date: November 6, 2024
• Developer: HuanMos Game

The Matchless Kungfu is a fascinating Wuxia open-world game that is unlike anything players have ever seen before. The fact that players can help expand the world based on their progress is a unique way to help the open world expand naturally as players slowly understand how this game works.

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Best Open-Worlds In Yakuza/Like A Dragon Games, Ranked

These are some of the best open worlds in the Yakuza/Like A Dragon franchise with features that sets them apart from the rest.

Featuring a unique combat system, freeform gameplay, and unlimited freedom, it’s easy to see why players may be overwhelmed by this game in no time. It’s advised to take it easy and slowly learn how the game works before doing anything too risky, since failure puts players in a tough spot that will cause their frustrations to boil over in no time.

2

Kenshi

Players Are Dropped Into A World With Nothing To Their Name And Must Carve Out A Path For Themselves

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Kenshi

Systems

Released

December 6, 2018

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Kenshi is one of the most engrossing open-world games players can get lost in. Unlike most other titles where players have a pre-defined goal, Kenshi wastes no time in dropping players in the middle of nowhere and forcing them to get good by learning from their failures.

Players will soon realize that they’re woeful in combat until they level up their stats and acquire good gear, which can take forever. Optimizing one’s approach to getting over this early gameplay hurdle is a must, especially since most players won’t get to interact with a dense, engaging world if they’re constantly being killed by Bonedogs over and over again.

1

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

Become Anything From A Mercenary To A Lord Based On How Adept Players Get At The Game

The Mount & Blade series is known for letting players carve their path in a medieval world, and Bannerlord is no exception. Every gameplay pillar of this title must be understood by the player if they don’t want to be stuck as a lowly mercenary for too long.

Serving a lord and eventually forming a kingdom of their own is a huge part of what makes Bannerlord such a magical experience. It takes a while for players to acquire the knowledge required to become a flourishing kingdom, mandating a ton of patience before Mount & Blade 2 finally clicks.

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8 Open-World Games With The Most Classes, Ranked

These open-world games feature a variety of classes for players to choose from, contributing to a diverse playing experience.