Best Open-World Games With Dynamic Player Progression

Many open-world games feature challenges and enemies that get harder the deeper players get into the map. In order to stay on top of the threats posed by these expansive worlds, players will have to grow stronger and upgrade their skills and gear.

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Different games have different progression systems for fans to explore, but the best ones give players enough variety to design and develop their characters however they’d like. These open-world games let players rise to the challenge in a number of creative and engaging ways.

10

Star Wars Outlaws

Call A Friend

Open-World

Action-Adventure

Released

August 30, 2024

ESRB

T For Teen // Violence, Simulated Gambling, Mild Language

Ubisoft’s open-world Star Wars adventure puts fans in the shoes of Kay Vess, a thief looking for the next big score. Unlike the impressive Jedi protagonists of other games, Kay is a small-time swindler, who must use her wits and stay on her toes to survive.

Star Wars Outlaws has a particularly unique and immersive form of progression. As Kay travels the galaxy, she will meet other criminals from different walks of life, with different specialties. By forming connections with these individuals, collecting equipment, and honing her talents, Kay can learn some of their tricks and unlock special abilities and upgrades, making her a bigger force to contend with in the criminal underworld.

9

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Industrial Revolution

Systems

Released

May 12, 2023

ESRB

Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes

When it comes to innate character progression, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom doesn’t have too much. Like its predecessor, the game relies on collectible shrine rewards; Link can trade four of them to a goddess shrine in exchange for an increase to his maximum health or his stamina. There are plenty of other remarkable powers that the hero of Hyrule will gain over his adventure, though.

Each Champion Link aids will reward him with a special new power to aid in combat and traversal, as well as a spectral version of them that will help in combat. Additionally, as Link explores further both under and above ground, he’ll find new outfits with their own special abilities, as well as valuable new pieces of tech that can be worked into potent new vehicles and structures or fused to weapons for a massive edge in combat.

8

The Witcher III: Wild Hunt

Honing The Hunter

Released

May 19, 2015

ESRB

M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content

The Witcher 3 was a major success story for the Witcher franchise, channeling the incredible abilities and combat prowess of the legendary Geralt of Rivia like never before. As players venture through the game’s rich fantasy world on their quest to find Ciri, they’ll find countless ways to improve Geralt’s abilities and make him a Witcher truly worthy of legend.

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As players increase their level in The Witcher 3, they’ll be able to equip higher-level weapons and gear, making them better at fighting off the various monsters threatening the world. They’ll also unlock additional skill slots for various passive upgrades, as well as powerful Mutagens that allow Geralt to tap into strange alchemical powers.

7

Ghost of Tsushima

Walking The Line

Systems

Released

July 17, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity

Jin Sakai learns tricks and techniques from many sources during his quest to liberate Tsushima from the Mongols. Over the course of the game, players will hone the character’s samurai training, learning new stances and sword techniques to cut down foes in honorable combat. But they’ll also develop stealthy and underhanded techniques, underlining the extreme lengths Jin is willing to go to in order to free his home.

One of the most remarkable forms of character progression in Ghost of Tsushima is Mythic Tales. These special sidequests bring the legends and folklore of the island to life, letting Jin learn powerful sword techniques like the Heavenly Strike and the Dance of Wrath. Jin can also unlock weapons and armor wielded by legendary figures, giving him access to some of their mythical prowess in the field of battle.

6

Red Dead Redemption 2

Practice Makes Perfect

Released

October 26, 2018

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Red Dead Redemption 2 has a very simple progression system compared to its open-world compeers. There are no skill trees or point progression systems to worry about, but if fans play the right way, they will get stronger. There are only three attributes to worry about: health, stamina, and Deadeye.

Each attribute has a rechargable bar and a Core representing how advanced Arthur is in that stat. In order to enhance these skills, Arthur must do actual physical actions in the game, exercising and practising in order to improve. This reflects the game’s dedication to realism and detail; eating well and exercising regularly will lead to a healthier Arthur who can do more in combat.

Putting In The Work

Released

March 20, 2006

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Oblivion has a particularly intricate approach to leveling up. As might be expected from an Elder Scrolls game, players gain more points in specific skills as they use them; wielding a sword in combat will improve players’ Blade stat, for instance, while the Armorer skill increases as the player repairs and maintains their gear.

Improving skills will automatically unlock perks at certain thresholds, activating bonuses and abilties in the skills players specialize in. Fans can also progress by finding and closing Oblivion Gates, which will grant them the ability to bestow powerful enchantments on their weapons and armor.

Military Research

9/10

Metal Gear Solid 5 The Phantom Pain

Stealth

Action-Adventure

Shooter

Adventure

Released

September 1, 2015

ESRB

m

Players of Metal Gear Solid V have numerous options at their fingertips for enhancing their equipment and abilities. As players make their way through this iconic open-world stealth playground, they’ll have to devote resources to upgrading various aspects of Mother Base. Doing so has multiple tangible benefits, improving the effectiveness of weapons and tools in Snake’s arsenal and leading to more powerful air strikes as well.

AI companions like D-Dog and Quiet will also become more powerful as players progress; fans will have to spend time with them and improve their relationships in order to make them more effective. As with so many other aspects of Metal Gear Solid V, players have numerous options to explore in order to become stronger and progress through the game.

3

No Man’s Sky

Carving Out A Corner Of The Galaxy

Adventure

Action

Survival

Released

August 9, 2016

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood

With a theoretically infinite number of planets for fans to explore, No Man’s Sky is the sort of game a dedicated player could sink hundreds of hours into. Luckily, Hello Games has numerous ways for fans to grow in power and resourcefulness as they play. The most prominent form of progression is in the form of new ships; as fans explore more planets, they’ll get the opportunity to upgrade their vessels, and trade or salvage more advanced models as well.

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In addition to expanding the fleet, fans can also unlock new forms of weaponry, more advanced Exosuit technologies, and planet-bound vehicles to aid in exploration on hostile worlds. Players can also build up their base and take over a settlement to truly leave their mark on the surrounding galaxy.

2

Fallout: New Vegas

Cashing Out

Released

October 19, 2010

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs

Fallout: New Vegas made some improvements over the way leveling up works in its predecessor, Fallout 3, leading to a more dynamic and involved experience for fans. The game’s perk list focuses on perks that give fans new abilities and gameplay options to experiment with, keeping things engaging and giving players something to look forward to as they increase their various skills.

In addition to intrinsic character progression, fans will also unlock more powerful weapons and armor as they advance through the Mojave Wasteland, and they’ll also progress in terms of how their actions impact the world around them. Building up reputation with the various factions of Fallout: New Vegas can yield considerable benefits that can pay off in surprising ways.

1

Elden Ring

Rising To Legend

Released

February 25, 2022

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Elden Ring might be FromSoft’s first open-world soulsborne game, but it’s no less difficult than the games that came before. In order to survive and thrive in this inhospitable realm, players will have to level up and find powerful new weapons to help them take down Shardbearers and claim the Elden Ring for themselves.

There are numerous different playstyles available to fans of Elden Ring; players can improve their Strength or Dexterity to expand their arsenal of weapons, or boost Faith or Intelligence to wield magical spells and incantations. Fans are free to improve their stats however they’d like, and they can even unlock the ability to fully respec their stats, letting them change on the fly if they want to experiment with different builds.

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8 Open-World Games That Exceeded Expectations

Open-world games have taken over the industry, with nearly every major developer trying to put their own spin on the genre. While some titles fail to stand out, others completely defy expectations, delivering experiences far better than anyone anticipated. So today on GameRant, we’re ranking the top 8 Open-World Games That Surpassed Expectations.