The open-world video game genre has witnessed remarkable success, yet it has also become somewhat oversaturated.Having spent countless hours immersed in these vast landscapes myself, I can’t help but feel that recent offerings have started to lack the excitement and engagement they once provided.
It’s important to clarify that not all open-world games deserve criticism; several titles excel in both their presentation and world-building aspects. Iconic releases like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 exemplify this standard of quality.
However, some games feature expansive maps that paradoxically feel empty and lifeless. To address this disconnect, I’ve compiled a list of open-world games that, despite their vast environments, struggled to create a vibrant and engaging experience for players.
10 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Post-Apocalyptic Hyrule Ain’t It
While both Breath of the Wild and its sequel have introduced innovative freedom to open-world gaming, I must admit that the world in Zelda: Breath of the Wild can feel surprisingly lifeless—despite that atmosphere being a deliberate design choice.
My initial hours were exhilarating, as I ventured out into the world with my glider and encountered various NPCs, towns, and villages. However, much of the game’s content revolves around Shrines, which can quickly become tedious to navigate, regardless of their creative puzzle designs. Ultimately, the world lacks the depth needed to keep players consistently engaged.
This is why I find myself gravitating toward the older Zelda games, which offered a more linear yet richly layered experience—with a variety of dungeons, boss battles, and meaningful puzzles that truly captivated players, even if some challenges, like the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time, proved exasperating.
9 Biomutant
It Could’ve Been Special.
Biomutant appeared brimming with potential. However, despite its ambitious features—such as diverse factions, a karma system, and weapon crafting—the game ultimately disappoints with an expansive yet uninspiring map characterized by dull landscapes and minimal loot or enemies.
The lush, ruined forest settings might captivate players initially, but the game’s repetitive mechanics can soon drain the fun out of this seemingly vibrant world.
8 Starfield
25 Years Down the Drain
Prior to the GTA VI hype wave, Starfield generated considerable excitement as a product of 25 years of development by Bethesda. Many hoped that this would surely fulfill its immense expectations. While it boasts numerous appealing features, the open world falls short in engagement.
The thousands of procedurally generated planets mostly offer barren landscapes, filled with recycled enemies and minimal resource diversity. An engaging open-world experience typically draws players into its environment, but in Starfield, the repeated layouts and muted aesthetics lead to a monotonous experience within just a few hours of playtime.
7 Just Cause 4
Less Imagination for Mayhem
Reflecting on my teenage days, Just Cause was a carefree escape into chaotic mayhem. My excitement was palpable leading into the fourth installment, but it turned out to disregard many elements that made its predecessors fun, diminishing its signature destruction physics and vibrant visuals for a darker atmosphere.
The world design in Just Cause 4 radiates a dull ambiance, lacking the playful chaos that fans cherish. Despite introducing new weather mechanics and varied sub-regions, the game feels stripped of its core identity, which detracts from the overall experience.
6 Test Drive Unlimited 2
Go Lifeless in Hawaii
Test Drive Unlimited holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of many, including myself, so expectations for its sequel were understandably high. Unfortunately, the expanded universe combining Oahu and an original Ibiza felt uninspired and dull, offering little beyond aesthetic updates.
While the first game had its limitations, it succeeded in providing a lively racing environment. In contrast, TDU 2 often felt empty; the multiplayer offered fleeting moments of joy but couldn’t compensate for the overall lifeless gameplay.
5 Hogwarts Legacy
An Uninspired Wizardry Tale
Hogwarts Legacy initially captivates with its expansive landscape, yet as time progresses, it becomes tedious.Despite the numerous puzzles and treasures scattered across its world, the overall experience is marred by a lack of variety among enemies and mission design.
Facing the same troll and spider types repeatedly while traversing the map feels monotonous. Although activities like Broom Trials and dark arts battles introduce brief excitement, they quickly devolve into repetitive tasks, failing to infuse energy into the game’s charm.
4 Horizon Forbidden West
A Visual Marvel with Nothing Behind It
As a fan of Horizon Zero Dawn, it pains me to admit that Horizon Forbidden West fails to deliver on its potential. Despite its breathtaking visuals and detailed world, it ranks among the more uninspired open-world titles of this generation.
The first game successfully conveyed a sense of isolation, but I expected more interaction and unique encounters in the sequel. Instead, the experience often devolves into repetitive tribal battles or machine encounters, failing to capitalize on its stunning environments.
3 Final Fantasy 15
Cross-Country ChocoBros Trip
Final Fantasy 15 introduced me to the franchise, pushing me to explore earlier titles. Despite its beautiful presentation and intriguing characters, it suffered from a disjointed narrative and shallow open-world design that detracts from the immersive experience.
The camaraderie of Noctis and his friends provides a certain charm, but the world of Eos feels largely unengaging, populated primarily by repetitive objectives, dungeon entrances, and bounty hunts devoid of depth and significance.
2 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
A Snoozefest Viking’s Tale
As an avid player of both Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey, I eagerly anticipated the release of Valhalla, motivated by my fondness for Norse culture. Unfortunately, Ubisoft delivered one of their most bloated and underwhelming open-world experiences.
While Valhalla’s map may be more condensed than Odyssey’s, it features a lack of meaningful content, resulting in a disappointing experience. Although the scenery can be stunning, the game is also rife with padding, encouraging unnecessary playtime while sacrificing depth. This transformed Valhalla into one of the driest entries in the franchise.
1 Foreshadowing
With My Freaking Mind!
The launch of Forspoken marked a low point for many in the gaming industry. Despite my initial optimism following the demo, the final product was hugely disappointing.
Forspoken presents a massive Isekai-world, yet it lacks the charm typically associated with such settings, filled instead with vast, empty spaces and unoriginal, repetitive side content.
While the combat mechanics and Frey’s magic parkour offer minor entertainment value, they ultimately can’t compensate for the hollow world. Players find themselves trapped in a monotonous cycle of collecting repetitive items and exploring uninspired locations.
It’s disheartening to witness the game’s initial reveal create high expectations, only for it to fall short, impacting not only its own legacy but the open-world genre as a whole.
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