The realm of open-world gaming has evolved significantly since its inception in the 8-bit era. While expansive worlds have long captivated gamers, it was during the sixth generation of consoles that the genre truly started to flourish. A groundbreaking title like Grand Theft Auto 3 demonstrated the potential of vast, bustling environments where players could freely explore, interact, and engage with a living world.
As open world games became increasingly popular, developers began innovating around the concept, though not every title succeeded in making a lasting impact. Over the last twenty years, a myriad of open-world action games and RPGs have attempted unique approaches, but many have ultimately fallen short of player expectations or failed to generate excitement.
Revamping some underappreciated titles could foster innovation within the genre, helping to diversify the landscape beyond the domination of franchises like Grand Theft Auto. Below is a curated list of open-world games ripe for a fresh start.
9 Rage
A Mad Max-Inspired Adventure
Given the success of the Mad Max aesthetic, where survival in a chaotic post-apocalyptic domain reigns, it’s surprising that few games have embraced this style beyond the obvious choices like Fallout and the Mad Max title. One noteworthy attempt was Rage, developed by id Software and published by Bethesda in 2011.
Set in a desolate wasteland, Rage combines vehicular combat with exploration, allowing players to modify their vehicles for races and skirmishes against foes. Despite receiving a sequel, many critics felt the original fell short due to its lack of direction, resulting in a vast but somewhat hollow world. A more focused remake could help highlight its strengths.
8 Sunset Overdrive
A Whimsical Action Experience
Imagine mashing together the chaotic energy of 90s Nickelodeon game shows with a third-person shooter. This is precisely what Sunset Overdrive delivers—vibrant, fast-paced fun where players must maintain momentum to enhance survival and unleash style-based powers. The game encourages continuous movement, radically reshaping how players experience urban landscapes.
Despite its colorful chaos, Sunset Overdrive struggled to resonate widely with gamers. A remake with refined gameplay mechanics could highlight its strengths while addressing elements that detracted from its potential, such as the dialogue tone.
7 Sleeping Dogs
An Unconventional Crime Narrative
While most open-world crime games are set in familiar Western cities and rely on cliché narratives, Sleeping Dogs, released in 2012, broke the mold by transporting players to the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, immersing them in the world of triads and unconventional fights.
Sleeping Dogs emphasized melee combat alongside typical driving and shooting elements, drawing comparisons to the Batman: Arkham series for its engaging brawls. Although it received acclaim, it underperformed in sales, a fate perhaps due to the overwhelming presence of franchises like GTA. Ideally, a remastered version would appeal to those seeking a focused alternative.
6 Watch Dogs
A Technological Thriller
Launched in 2014, Watch Dogs emerged as a promising new franchise from Ubisoft, infusing a modern technological narrative into the crime sandbox genre. Players navigate a near-future Chicago, wielding a smartphone capable of hacking into the city’s infrastructure.
Despite its initial success, subsequent titles, especially Watch Dogs: Legion, suffered from diminishing returns and a convoluted storyline. Revisiting the original game could streamline its concept and restore its status among fans, as it remains an intriguing premise for today’s players.
5 The Saboteur
Stylish Warfare in WWII
The 2009 title The Saboteur offered a unique blend of stealth and action set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. Players control Sean, a race car driver who becomes an underground operative, liberating districts by sabotaging enemy bases and restoring color to the city.
While the gameplay was praised for its style, technical issues held the game back from achieving greater success. A modern remake could refine its mechanics and reinforce the stylistic approach that initially drew players in.
4 Just Cause
Rediscovering the Original
While Just Cause 2 gained immense popularity for its expansive open world and exhilarating mechanics, the original Just Cause often gets overlooked. Released in 2006, it laid the groundwork for high-octane gameplay with its unique parachute and grappling hook mechanics.
The first installment includes compelling gameplay, but it lacks the refinement present in its sequel. A revival, potentially integrating successful features from Just Cause 2, could revitalize interest and appeal to both new and returning players.
3 Red Faction: Guerrilla
Destruction Redefined
In the Red Faction series, the emphasis has always been on destruction, particularly in Red Faction: Guerrilla, released in 2009. While the original game allowed for terrain destruction, the third installment redirected its focus onto creative building demolition and strategic environmental manipulation.
Players are equipped with a variety of methods, from explosives to melee weapons, to tackle missions creatively. However, it’s worth noting that Guerrilla has not been revisited since its release, making it prime for a remake that emphasizes its robust destruction mechanics while enhancing gameplay elements.
2 Gravity Rush
An Unexplored Gem
Gravity Rush, with its unique gravity manipulation mechanics, offers an innovative approach to movement in an open-world environment. Players control Kat, who can alter gravitational forces to navigate a stunning world, walk on walls, and creatively engage in combat.
Originally launched on the PS Vita and later remastered for PS4, the franchise didn’t achieve commercial success, perhaps due to its niche origins. A broader, multiplatform remake could shine a light on this remarkable title, bringing its captivating narrative and mechanics to a wider audience.
1 The Technomancer
Harnessing Technology in a Unique Narrative
The 2016 title The Technomancer aims to blend action RPG dynamics akin to Mass Effect with intriguing technological elements. Players take on the role of Zachariah, a character powered by lightning abilities that allow for creative combat and interaction in an expansive world.
Despite its captivating premise, The Technomancer suffered from a lack of engaging features and depth in its storyline. A remake could explore the Technomancer concept more thoroughly, potentially transforming it into a standout title in the genre.
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