Summary
One of the greatest things aboutopen-worldgames is that they offer a ton of possibilities to players, and they can take place in various settings. While somedevelop in revolutionary war settings, others opt for more peaceful fantasy environments that focus on discovering the world and meeting NPCs.
Some developers even go as far ascreating open-world games with no main story, relying instead on polished game mechanics to deliver an entertaining experience to players. In any case, it’s undeniable that this genre is vast and will likely keep rolling out the hits for years to come. Here are some of thebest open-world games where choices really matter.
Assassin’s Creed Odysseyis arguably one of the greatest installments in the franchise. While this and other titles in the series pale in comparison to the perfect Ezio Trilogy,Odysseymanages to deliver a wonderful experience to players and keeps building on the RPG system that was implemented inAssassin’s Creed Origins.
Throughout the game, players will have to make various decisions that will ultimately impact several aspects of the game. Although there are other titles with more choices and more serious consequences, those present in this title are interesting, to say the least.
Released in 2014,Dragon Age: Inquisitionis probably one of the best installments in the series, if not the best. The story focuses on The Inquisitor, who players can control as they journey to settle the civil unrest on the continent of Thedas and close a mysterious tear in the sky known as “The Breach”.
WhileDragon Age: Inquisitionis already a great game in and of itself, using some of themods that make the game even bettercan help further improve the experience players have with it.
Cyberpunk 2077
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
Few games have managed to portray a futuristic, dystopian society as masterfully asCyberpunk 2077. Not only does this title have amazing graphics, outstanding combat mechanics and a lot of things to do, including main and side quests given to players by NPCs, but the narrative is also compelling, and players will be invested in V’s fate in no time.
Those who have already completed the game once might want to check out some of the best ways to make theirCyberpunk 2077 playthrough as hard as possibleto up the ante. The choices V makes really matter and can even determine the ending.
TheFalloutfranchise has always been known for having complex dialogue trees that give players tons of options regarding how they want to treat others.Fallout 4is not the exception, as it lets players choose pathways that involve violence, intimidation, or pacifism.
There are alsovarious factions spread throughout the Boston Commonwealththat players can choose to side with or fight, and this will greatly determine the ending that they get. All the different endings that result from this are interesting, but, naturally, some are more so than others.
Few games have elevated the literary works they’re based on as beautifully asThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Taking on the role of Geralt of Rivia, players will get to explore the continent and the Skellige Isles to talk to different NPCs, reunite with friends and face off against dangerous mythical creatures, some of which are based on real-life folklore.
Even when they’re not involved in a fight to the death with some monster, players will find there’s no shortage of things to do, and playing Gwent is a great example. Those interested in playing a few matches will want to check outall the Gwent decks inThe Witcher 3to find the right one for them. This title has 36 different endings, and players' choices will greatly determine which one they get.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimcompletely revolutionized what RPGs set in fantasy open-worlds were at its time and elevated theElder Scrollsfranchise to an even higher position than it already had.
Throughout the game, players’ choices will greatly impact many elements of the land of Skyrim, such as the Jarls that rule in different towns, villages and cities. Another great thing aboutSkyrimis that it allows for creating various builds that can range from Thief to Battlemage. There are alsogreat weapons to create a Warrior buildand decimate enemies with powerful swings of a sword or a greathammer.
WhileGrand Theft Auto 5remains the most popular and profitable title for Rockstar Games, it’s undeniable thatRed Dead Redemption 2offers a more compelling narrative and is arguably the developer’s best release so far.
Focusing on Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, this game will take players on a wonderful journey in the American Wild West in the last years of the 19th century. While there aren’t as many choices inRed Dead Redemption 2as there are in similar titles, Arthur’s Honor level, which is determined by his behavior over time, will define whether his demise is heroic. If players are interested in hunting, they’ll findmany animals that are very challenging to take down.
