Summary
Open-world games, particularly in the AAA space, often give players predictable, repetitive gameplay loops that work as a backdrop to dramatic narratives and character progression. While this can be more than serviceable, especially when done well, some open-world games emphasize freedom not just in exploration, but in problem-solving.
This is typically achieved with systems-led design. By offering players a series of interconnected systems to interact with, they can often devise their own solutions to obstacles. Other games encourage creativity through dense character creators or crafting mechanics. However, these games not only encourage creativity, but reward it; in these titles, it often benefits the player to be creative, rather than taking the most obvious route.
Kenshiis an open-world RPG that excels with its sandbox structure,encouraging player choiceand creativity via a refreshing lack of hand-holding. In the game, players are given little in the way of direction, instead tasked with setting their own goals and pursuing them in whichever way they see fit.
Kenshiis alsoan unforgiving experience, taking place in a harsh and hostile world that’s unafraid to punish the reckless. As a result, players that can adapt quickly and think of creative solutions to problems are more likely to not just survive, but thrive, inKenshi’sopen world.
Blood Westis an open-world FPS with a focus on stealth and clearimmersive-sim influences. The game’s world, a rich mash-up of eldritch horror and the Wild West, provides a series of open environments for players to explore, packed with interesting locations, loot, and combat encounters.
Enemies inBlood Westare incredibly deadly,right out of the gate, putting a laser focus on stealth. However, there are plenty of ways to approach encounters, and the abundance of unique loot facilitates creative strategies.
Featuring frequent combat and meaningful base-building,Terrariamanages to be a unique survival-craft experience. The game’s open-world is alsoa joy to explore, thanks to densely populated caves and memorable landmarks.
Crafting is a tremendously accessible experience inTerraria, thanks to a slick user-interface. As a result, it’s easy to be creative. Players are also encouraged to build bases not only for show, but to house the various NPCs, providing ample motivation to get creative. In addition, fighting many of the game’s myriad bosses is much easier with a player-built arena, further rewarding creativity.
With its emphasis on resource management and character abilities,Caves Of Qudfrequently encourages players to get creative with what they have. This is more so becauseQudis a dangerous place to be, densely populated with dangerous denizens, hungry creatures, and hazardous plant-life. As a result, those that can adapt and get creative are simply more likely to survive.
More notably, however, is the game’s character creator.Caves Of Qudfeatures an abundance of options when it comes to creating characters, allowing players to experiment with a slew of wild mutations and cybernetics. Players that can exercise a little creativity in character creation, discovering synergies and creating powerful builds, are also more likely to find success inthe science-fantasy worldofQud.
The Outer Worldsis an open-world RPG from the minds of Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky, creators of the originalFallout. The game features the expressive character progression and questing that fans ofFallout: New Vegaswill be familiar with, paired perfectly with aFirefly-esquesci-fi Western world.
The Outer Worldsfacilitates a wide variety of character builds, allowing players to make use of powerful technology, stealth their way through encounters, or progress through brute force alone. There are plenty of opportunities to get creative with combat encounters, as well as the game’s abundance of dialogue options.
In keeping with other entries in the franchise,Fallout: New Vegasprovides players with an open-world RPG that’s packed with points of interest to explore and quests to complete.New Vegasalso features the characteristically expressive character creation ofFallout, allowing players to create a variety of unique protagonists to play as.
It’s the abundance of quests present inNew Vegasand, more specifically, the myriad ways in which they can be approached, that allows players to get creative. There are often multiple solutions to quests, and plenty of room for decision-making throughout most of them, consistently granting players the opportunity to express themselves.
Gloomwoodis a stealth-focused immersive-sim that takes place in a large, interconnected city with a dark Victorian theme. Open exploration is not only a part ofGloomwood, but integral to success, as players will have to manage their resources with scrutiny to survive. This is thanks in large part to the game’s survival-horror influences, channelingResident Evilalongside its clear inspiration,Thief.
The immersive-sim gameplay is what allows players to get creative, but the lethal nature of the game’s enemies forces players to take advantage of this freedom to succeed; the more creatively players can solve a given problem, the fewer resources they’re likely to expend. In addition, players with few resources on hand will naturally have fewer options, putting even more emphasis on creative problem-solving.
