Most Experimental Open-World Games, Ranked

Open-world games usually follow a formula that can get stale after a point. It’s easy to see why most Ubisoft games and other cookie-cutter titles have become so unpopular nowadays, given how most people are tired of a sandbox formula that has failed to evolve for years.

This is why experimental open-world games should be encouraged, no matter how risky they may be. Sometimes, these games falter, while others receive well-earned praise for rekindling fan passion for a genre that has been done to death by most AAA developers.

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8

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst

Tried To Combine First-Person Parkour With A Small Open World

Systems

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst didn’t need an open world, so it’s hard to give EA credit for integrating one into a first-person parkour game. The implementation feels unique at first. Players loved the unique art style as they traversed locations and try to reach certain locations in record time.

However, this sandbox approach gets stale after a point, turning it into one of the most lackluster open-world games. Most people argue that Mirror’s Edge should have stuck to the linear level-based gameplay. However, an argument can be made that an open world would work for the game if it was grander and let players carve their path during traversal instead of being guided by a waypoint system. This system took away a lot of fun from the movement, but was necessary to explore a world where the correct path wasn’t always obvious.

7

Biomutant

A Unique Take On What A Classic Open World Can Be

An AA studio attempting to make an open-world game with a unique storytelling approach made Biomutant appealing at first glance. However, the lack of polish, boring combat, and monotonous narration were too grating for players to deal with after a point.

These drawbacks are a shame, since Biomutant brought some fresh ideas in an attempt to stand out despite implementing tried-and-tested design choices across most of the experience. Unfortunately, the experiment failed, and Biomutant was forgotten by the masses.

6

A Short Hike

A Small, Cozy Open-World Game About Getting Cell Reception

A cozy take on an open-world game where the only thing that matters is traversal, A Short Hike is worth checking out for players who want to enjoy a unique sandbox title. All players need to do is reach the top of a peak to get cell phone reception, which they do by gliding, climbing, and jumping to ascend.

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Players can acquire golden feathers to improve their character’s traversal abilities better, letting them reach greater heights as they interact with several charming characters along the way. The game may be brief, but A Short Hike does just enough to let players enjoy its unique take on an open-world game.

5

The Matchless Kungfu

Players Decide The Kind Of Zone They Can Implement To Expand The Open World

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

Players who don’t mind a game with no predefined goal will love what The Matchless Kungfu brings to the table. Death is another beginning as players control another protagonist, who may have the tools to make real progress or is hindered by certain limitations.

The world is constructed by the player, letting them acquire resources and interact with NPCs to set up more blocks that expand this sandbox organically. All of this, coupled with a turn-based fighting system and a focus on wuxia elements, make it clear why The Matchless Kungfu is one of the best and most experimental open-world games.

4

Middle-earth: Shadow Of War

The Nemesis System Was Groundbreaking

Systems

Released

October 10, 2017

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Shadow of War seemed like a generic open-world game at first glance, but what set it apart from other titles in the genre was the experimental Nemesis system. Players loved dominating orcs and sowing seeds of discord in Sauron’s army. Captains would either aid or betrayi the player, making for a unique experience in combat more often than not.

Exploiting fears, calling upon friendly orcs, and using the suite of abilities in Talion’s arsenal were necessary to emerge victorious in this fun open-world game. Even now, the Nemesis system feels great to mess around with. It’s a shame that it was patented to prevent other developers from putting their unique spin on this concept.

3

Kenshi

A Freeform Sandbox Game Where Players Can Do Whatever They Want

Kenshi is a hard game to get into, as players are dropped into a world with little to no guidance. The game takes freeform design to new heights as players try to get strong enough to head out of the starting settlement without being killed by the game’s weakest enemy.

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It’s up to the player to slowly figure out the game’s systems and enjoy the most optimal start possible to build up their legacy in this hostile world. It takes a while, but patient players will realize in no time why Kenshi is all the rage and enjoys a substantial fanbase to this day.

2

Outer Wilds

The Small, Self-Contained Galaxy Is A Ton Of Fun To Explore

Systems

Released

May 28, 2019

Developer(s)

Mobius Digital

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

One of the greatest open-world sci-fi puzzle games available, Outer Wilds is a title that players will relish from start to end. The game uses information as the currency that drives the player’s progress, allowing them to unlock paths on planets that seemed impossible to land on or traverse at first glance.

As players slowly uncover the tidbits of knowledge to help them figure out what to do and where to go, the game’s small yet beautiful galaxy feels more compelling to explore than ever. It can take a while, but players will find it impossible to put down the controller when the experimental nature of Outer Wilds finally clicks with them.

1

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A Refreshing Take On Open-World Systems

Systems

Released

March 3, 2017

Developer(s)

Nintendo EPD

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Fans worried about the open-world approach that Nintendo was taking for a new Zelda game, only for Breath of the Wild to shatter all expectations and become one of the greatest sandbox titles of all time. Players loved the synergy of the many systems present in Breath of the Wild and how they interacted with the game in a manner completely unlike most other open-world games.

An argument can be made that the powers in Tears of the Kingdom were more experimental, but Breath of the Wild set the entire foundation. The unique manner in which it used classic open-world tropes to let players enjoy a marvelous experience helps Breath of the Wild stand out as one of the most experimental and engaging games in the genre.

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