Summary
- Open-world games offer players the freedom to explore diverse maps and customize their gear and weapons.
- Some games feature a linear progression system for gear, while others require constant weapon switching based on challenges.
- Players must experiment with different weapons and tactics to succeed in combat and choose the right weapon for each enemy in various open-world games.
Many game genres have adopted the open-world style of map design and gameplay. From looter shooters to deep, immersive role-playing games, the open-world game map design empowers players to explore, discover, and enjoy activities outside of the main story.
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Some open-world titles have a linear progression system when it comes to gear, equipment, and weapons, with the player slowly upgrading as they play through a game. Others throw heaps of equipment and weapons at a player, requiring them to use the right gear for the right tasks, and the right weapon to take down specific enemies. This can lead to constant weapon switching in some games.
A Huge Array Of Weapons And Gadgets
Metal Gear Solid 5 The Phantom Pain
9/10
- Released
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September 1, 2015
The first entry on this list is a game that is part of one of the best action adventure franchises of all time. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain puts the player into the shoes of Snake, and is set during the Cold War. Gameplay takes place across a diverse range of open-world maps, including Africa and Afghanistan.
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The player is free to customize their gear and weapon loadout as much as they wish. They can choose from many different weapons and gadgets, including rocket launchers, assault rifles, and tranquilizer guns. The key to success is choosing the right weapon for the task at hand.
7
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Stealth And Assination In Feudal Japan
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the 14th game in the franchise, and follows on from Assassin’s Creed Mirage. It features a high-quality open-world map, as has come to be expected from the franchise. The player has the option of choosing either Naoe the shinobi, or Yasuke the samurai to play as, and this choice will have a deep impact on gameplay and playing style.
The combination of playing two separate and distinct classes in tandem, each with its own range of weapons, means that players need to consider which weapon is best to use, and with which of the two characters, when tackling a challenge.
6
The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
A Need To Experiment With Different Weapons
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a game that features a large, visually pleasing open-world game map. Combat is a big part of the game, but it also relies heavily on the player exploring the game world, and also completing puzzles.
One of the most unique gameplay features of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the way that items can be fused. This means that new weapons can be created, as the player finds new items to try fusing. This encourages the player to switch weapons often to try out their newly crafted creations.
5
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Different Weapons Needed For Different Enemies
The most expansive game in The Witcher franchise to date, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt features one of the most detailed and visually pleasing game worlds seen to date. Following the continuing adventures of the monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, the game provides the player with a huge array of weapons, including crossbows and bombs, as well as Geralt’s iconic swords.
As fans of the franchise will know, Geralt carries two swords. A steel sword and a silver sword. He has to switch between these two weapons in combat depending on the enemy he is facing, with the silver sword being more effective against monsters, and the steel sword being a more viable weapon when facing human opponents.
4
Elden Ring
Vast Open-World Map And Challenging Combat
Elden Ring is an open-world role-playing adventure game that is famed for its tough, unforgiving, and often brutal combat mechanics. The world-building is exquisite, with aspects of the design and lore being contributed to by the fantasy author, George R. R. Martin.
Tactics make up a big part of the combat in Elden Ring, and the game encourages players to think about their actions and choose the right weapon to fit the tactics they intend to employ in a fight. Should they try and stay ranged and switch to a bow or spear? Or close into melee range using a sword or similar weapon? Each weapon has its own set of abilities, making the right choice crucial.
3
Red Dead Redemption 2
Weapons Have Unique Characteristics
Widely renowned as one of the best open-world games to date, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers almost complete agency to the player, providing a truly non-linear game experience with a whole host of activities to enjoy.
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When it comes to weapons in this game, each has a specific use. Shotguns are great up close, but useless at longer range. Rifles are great at range, but the right rifle needs to be used, such as a smaller bore rifle when hunting small game. And of course, the pistols. Should the player wield a high-damage but slow-to-draw pistol? Or something a little less damaging but faster to draw? Or maybe a different pistol in each hand? Switching to the right weapon at the right time is critical.
2
Fallout 4
Weapons Need To Fit The Challenge
Gameplay in Fallout 4 takes place in an open-world rendition of a post-apocalyptic Boston. A world filled with mystery, danger, and things to discover. As the sole surviving vault dweller of Vault 111, the player embarks on a quest to find out what has happened to their child.
There is a huge range of weapons available in Fallout 4, and although many are considered lackluster at best, once the player has accrued a decent selection, they need to make tactical choices based on the best weapon to use at the time. The choice to enter into melee range or stay at longer range is the primary one, but there are other considerations, such as how much noise a weapon makes, what kind of damage an enemy is vulnerable to, and a host of other choices.
1
Borderlands 3
Chaotic Looter Shooter
The Borderlands franchise is synonymous with overwhelming the player with the sheer volume of weapons they loot and can choose to keep and use or get rid of. Playing as a Vault Hunter means exploring the open-world map across different planets, and completing challenges such as killing fanatical cult leaders or monsters.
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There are multiple damage types in Borderlands 3 including corrosive, fire, and cryo. Furthermore, some weapons have gimmicks or traits that can trigger when used. The game encourages players to switch weapons to the right damage type, or even just to manage their ammo stocks efficiently.
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