Summary
Monsters have intrigued humans for millennia with their mythos, surviving all the way from ancient civilizations to the present. The creatures established in folklore and religion have now become figureheads for the majority of fantasy media. With the number of different legends and attributes of monsters from all over the world, it is no surprise that they feature a lot in video games.
When it comes to fantasy world-building, open-world games prove an immersive way to throw players into the mythical action, giving them the chance to become mages, defeat beasts, and embark on epic quests. These are some of thebest open-world games that don’t just feature monsters but have fighting them as part of the main gameplay or story.
The term “monster” does not encapsulate zombies, dinosaurs, robots, or demons in this case, as they have their own respective lists. MMOs have not been included.
Skyrimhas one of gaming’s most memorable open worlds, be it for the notorious bugs, the charmingly dated visuals, or the story and gameplay. Regardless of the reason, good or bad, there’s no doubt that the game still has a degree of replayability over a decade on.
Skyrim’s very premise and the main questrevolve around slaying dragons, with many others requiring the player to defeat beasts. Whether questing or not, it’s pretty difficult not to come across any enemies. The land is littered with classic horror monsters (werewolves, vampires), giant insects, and trolls, to name a few. The Lurkers on Solstheim (DragonbornDLC) are particularly dreadful.
There are few fantasy worlds more intricately built and as widely beloved as Tolkien’s Arda. Middle-earth has become one of the most legendary locations, being central to the epicThe Lord of the Ringsseries.From book to film, it’s only natural that thefranchise should reach the consoles.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Waris the sequel toShadow of Mordor,allowing players to roam an open Tolkien-slash-Jackson-inspired world on a mission to defeat Sauron. Along the way, they will face mythical monsters from Graugs to Hell-hawks to Wargs while also navigating the slimy leagues of Orcs.
Dragon’s Dogma 2has had some criticism regarding its story and pacing, but it would be unfair to let that overshadow where the game excels. The in-depth character creation, pawn system, and freedom of ways to tackle quests are beyond what many RPGs have to offer.
Coming across monsters on travels is not uncommon; players will run into foes both big and small, from the reptilian Asp to the hulking Cyclops. Despite being many recognizable creatures,Dragon’s Dogma 2brings them to life in a way that makes each fight feel cinematic.
7Xenoblade Chronicles 3
An Interesting Blend Of Sci-Fi And Fantasy
Xenoblade Chronicles 3follows a group of misfits, soldiers, and friends from two nations at war as they embark on a quest to uncover the source of the conflict. Beyond the classic RPG elements - the class progression, day/night cycles, and side-quests - there isa poignant story at play.
The monsters inXenoblade Chronicles 3are unusual; imagine Pokémon or fauna fromAvatar: The Last Airbender,but bigger and more menacing. There are all sorts of creatures, from weird animal and dinosaur hybrids to entirely new creations, which fit right into the vibrant world.
It’s no surprise that players looking to fight monsters turn toMonster Huntergames- it’s in the name. The franchise boasts an impressive number of titles, withMonsterHunter Wildsbeing the most recent release, fully embracing the open-world genre in ways the previous games hadn’t.
Beyond the joys of not having to endure loading screens,Wildshas a lot else going for it. The game includes dynamic weather systems and biomes, and detailed beasts which, regardless of gameplay, are something to be admired. While it might be far from the original games, it’s definitely worth a try for those looking for some monster-focused combat.
One of the main gripes that players had withFinal Fantasy 15’s open world was its lack of interactivity; for all the vast space, there was surprisingly little to do. Fortunately, this is something that Square Enix seemed to take into account when developingFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
InRebirth,players are rewarded for exploring with plenty of things to discover. More often than not, this also involves hunting and fighting monsters and coming across giant bosses. With its unique mythical-slash-modern world, the monsters inRebirthare just as distinct, making for some exciting battles.
Shadow of the Colossusis known for its “boss rush” style gameplay, with little to do but search for the next between battles. To bring a girl, Mono, back to life, players must track down and defeat sixteen Colossi in the Forbidden Land in an interesting mix of exploring,platforming, and solving puzzles.
The Colossi are not the typical kind of monster like Wyverns or Minotaurs, but rather huge (colossal, if you will) structures that appear like animals fused with architecture - a towering mix of fur and stone. Each Colossus has a weakness, requiring some strategy on behalf of the player.
The world of theWitcher 3is rich with monsters thanks to the “Conjuction of Spheres”, which allowed them to cross over into the Continent. As much of the plot revolves around Ciri stopping the White Frost, it’s no surprise that players will have no shortage of encounters with both strange and familiar creatures.
If players are desperate to avoid conflict with them entirely, they can run away andignore the side quests/contracts, though with a monster-hunting protagonist and an entire in-game bestiary, it’s one of the main appeals of the game. Combat is also fun; each beast has its own mechanics to consider.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomcontinued to build on the success ofBreath of the Wild,making the familiar map much more diverse on land, underground, and in the sky and enhancing a lot of the mechanics. Another notable difference is the variety of enemies.
WhileTears of the Kingdomisn’t primarily about fighting monsters, the main goal being saving Zelda and defeating Ganon, there are plenty of encounters to be had. Some monsters are cute, some are intimidating, but they are all unique and whimsical - extensions of the fantastical world.
Highly anticipated,Elden Ringmet and exceeded expectations, marking a big moment in gaming history upon its release in 2022. With world-building from George. R. R. Martin and writing by FromSoftware’s Miyazaki (credited for theDark Soulsfranchise), there was never any doubt as to what an epic titleElden Ringwould be.
Not only are the environments incredibly beautiful, but the many monsters in the game have their own grandiose designs and backstories, with tragic Demigods and native abominations alike standing in the player’s way.Some of the bosses are notoriously difficult, but that’s not necessarily a negative; the challenge, or, more so, overcoming it, is the trademark intention of the developer.
