Summary
Resource gathering andcrafting systemsin open-world games can often add a layer of immersion that provides the player with a greater understanding of the game world and setting. When implemented well, crafting isn’t just a gameplay mechanic, it becomes a staple of survival, a method of storytelling, and a strategic element in player progression.
The best open-world games with realistic crafting make the player explore for resources, scavenge parts and consumables, and experiment with recipes. They often require the player to understand the environment, or at least learn where specific resources can be found. Whether it’s forging weapons, cooking meals, orbuilding entire bases, the best open-world games that feature crafting entwine them into the game in such a way that it has a vast impact on realism.
Starting off this list, we have an open-world game with a breathtaking,underwater open-worldgame map.Subnauticais part survival game, part adventure, and part exploration game where crafting is the key to success.
The crafting process begins with exploring the map and locating resources to harvest, which is made challenging by the survival mechanics, requiring the player to ensure they have enough oxygen. The crafting progression is very realistic, and the player needs to craft certain items, such as a radiation suit, before they can gather radioactive resources, for example.
7 Days To Dieis a greatzombie survival game, with players needing to prepare for Blood Moon Night every 7 days, when zombies will continuously attack the player from 10 pm until 4 am. This makes crafting equipment, consumables, and base defenses a must-do activity for all players.
The crafting process is very realistic. Players must mine some resources such as iron or coal, and collect subcomponents by looting POIs, whilst surviving zombies. The ore needs to be refined before it can be used for crafting, and subcomponents need to be combined in the right workbench to craft items. Even crafting ammo is a multistep process in7 Days To Die.
The Forestis an open-world survival horror game, with the player needing to find a way to survive on an island following a plane crash. The problem is, that the island is inhabited by cannibals and mutant creatures. The enemy AI in this game is very smart, and will track the player down quickly if they are not careful.
The crafting system is quite basic, with the player constructing items from parts, without the need for crafting benches. However, the recipes are very realistic, and the player will need to find specific items on the game map to combine into a finished product. For example, to craft a water collector, they will need to first find a turtle, kill it and remove the shell to be used as a receptacle for catching water. Every time the player picks up can be used to craft something, or as an upgrade component.
From the get-go, aGreen Hellplayer needs to think about crafting. The crafting system is intrinsic to survival in this game. Indeed, this is one of the toughest survival simulators around, with not only the physical needs for survival coming into play, but also the psychological impact.
Everything the player needs must be crafted in this game. Consumables are extremely important, as they help the player manage their injuries, both physical and mental. Crafting is not a tertiary activity inGreen Hell, it is a requirement for survival.
Project Zomboidhas been an indie game hit, it has a massive following, and for good reason. Don’t let the fact that it is a 2D game fool you, it is far more complex than most AAA zombie survival titles, and it is the complex and realistic crafting system that is part of the reason for this complexity.
Everything the player needs to help themselves and their fledgling community of survivors to flourish must be crafted. This means exploring the open-world game map to find resources and components, some of which are rare.
One of the more recent titles on this list,Medieval Dynastyis an interesting game, part survival, part RPG, and part community management. The player starts as a peasant, and then begins finding ways to survive, recruit villagers,complete quests, and build a thriving community.
There is no combat aside from wild creatures in this game, instead the focus is on crafting and building. Everything must be crafted in the right season, and adequate stocks must be maintained to sustain villagers throughout the year. A relaxing game at times, but with enough urgency to keep it interesting.
Valheimwas a surprise hit, and has shown how low-budget game studios can still turn out influential titles. Inspired byNorse Mythology,Valheimis an adventure survival game with a cool take on character progression. The player must defeat a series of bosses, each of which unlocks the next tier of crafting materials and recipes.
The player can craft weapons and armor, as well as cook food, and build an entire base. This is where the realism comes in. Crafting in Valheim is about creating the things that are needed to survive, and to progress onwards to the next boss fight.
