The open-world gaming genre has gained immense popularity, offering immersive experiences that blend various gameplay elements. This creativity allows developers to craft expansive environments filled with rich lore and dynamic worlds. However, the success of an open-world format isn’t universal across all games. While many industry leaders push for every title to adopt this model due to its commercial viability, a more structured and linear approach can sometimes yield a superior gaming experience.
This viewpoint is particularly relevant for the games outlined below, which, while enjoyable, could have thrived in a linear format rather than compounding their narratives with unnecessary open-world design.
10 Final Fantasy XV
A Not-So-Epic Road Trip
Open-world JRPGs are relatively rare, and while they hold potential, many benefit more from a semi-open or linear structure.Final Fantasy XV exemplifies this dilemma. Although the game aims to deliver a grand adventure with friends on the open road, the sprawling world often feels like a hindrance rather than a help. Its pacing suffers significantly during the first half, with much of the experience feeling overly tedious.
As the game progresses into a more structured second half, it reveals what a consistent linear approach might have accomplished. The open world lacks vibrancy and engaging content, making it feel like a design choice that was made more for the sake of being open than for genuine gameplay enhancement.
9 Ghost of Tsushima
Samurai Killer, With Lots of Filler
Though Ghost of Tsushima is an accomplished open-world title, it suffers from excessive bloat common in the genre. While players can revel in its stunning visuals, the abundance of map markers and lackluster side quests can detract from the overall experience. A more cinematic approach akin to Uncharted could have preserved the game’s beauty while avoiding the fatigue of repetitive tasks.
In this case, the engaging narrative would have been better served by minimizing filler and focusing on a streamlined experience.
8 Horizon Zero Dawn
More Dinos, Less Distractions
Horizon Zero Dawn shines with its strong female protagonist and a riveting storyline, yet much of the optional content falls flat. Activities such as collecting metal flowers and exploring bland bunkers lack depth and excitement. Without compelling side quests to enhance the narrative experience, many players might find themselves wishing for a more linear storyline that sharpens the focus on Aloy’s primary quest, enriching the overall gameplay.
7 Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain
A Shift for the Series
The introduction of an open-world format in Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain marks a pivotal transformation for the franchise. Unfortunately, while the open setting allows for creative freedom, the lack of meaningful landmarks makes exploration feel hollow. Missions outside the main narrative often come off as repetitive and uninspired.
A more curated and cinematic approach, possibly drawing from the modern Hitman series, could have provided a more engaging and fulfilling experience.
6 Hogwarts Legacy
Ten Points From Gryffindor
As a lifelong Harry Potter enthusiast, Hogwarts Legacy has been both a joy and a disappointment. While the magical moments within the castle are captivating, once players venture beyond its walls, they find a less engaging world filled with uninspired countryside and combat mechanics. The game seems to indulge in an open-world format that stretches its narrative thin, leading to a gameplay experience that might be better suited to a more focused structure.
5 LA Noire
Just Let Me Work My Case
Within LA Noire, the open-world design ultimately feels superfluous. As detective Cole Phelps, players embark on a journey filled with intriguing cases, yet the sandbox elements seem tacked on. Driving around collecting vintage cars and responding to random crimes fails to enhance the immersive experience, making a linear format more appealing.
The engaging narrative and gameplay mechanics could have thrived with a more structured approach that eliminates unnecessary distractions.
4 Cyberpunk 2077
The Pity About Night City
Despite the significant improvements introduced to Cyberpunk 2077, its open-world design still leaves much to be desired. The game features an intricate city to explore and captivating side quests, yet the open-world mechanics often come across as superficial. Stilted NPC behavior and mundane crime events diminish the potentially rich experience of navigating Night City.
It’s tempting to speculate how much richer the game could have been with a more linear narrative that focused on storytelling rather than sheer scale.
3 Ghostwire: Tokyo
Spooky But Sparse
Shinji Mikami’s Ghostwire: Tokyo promises an intriguing premise but ultimately suffers from typical open-world pitfalls. The game incorporates numerous collectibles and optional quests that fail to provide meaningful engagement. Despite its atmospheric setting, it often does not reflect the true vibrancy of Tokyo.
A more linear design could have improved the pacing and impact of its standout moments, allowing players to better appreciate the overall experience.
2 Star Wars Outlaws
The Ubisoft Formula Should Be Outlawed
Star Wars Outlaws has strong narrative potential and character depth, but it is hampered by cliched open-world design. The concept of a mercenary in the Star Wars universe captivates, yet the gameplay is undermined by lackluster mechanics and repetitive mission structures. The game could greatly benefit from a departure from the established Ubisoft formula, offering deeper engagement and a more dynamic gameplay experience.
1 Days Gone
Undead Content Overload
Days Gone appeals to many with its evocative setting and engaging gameplay reminiscent of The Last of Us, but the open-world elements often feel like a chore. Players are bombarded with typical side quests and survival mechanics that can drag out the narrative unnecessarily. The engaging storyline is frequently overshadowed by tedious distractions, leaving gamers yearning for a more concise and compelling experience.
In summary, these titles illustrate that not all games benefit from an expansive open-world format. Sometimes, a carefully structured narrative can offer players a far more engaging and fulfilling journey.
Leave a Reply ▼