Open-worlds have become a prominent feature of AAA gaming. Just a quick look through some of the most anticipated releases of the last five years will show numerous games that have utilized the improvements in hardware and game engines, to break through the invisible walls of linearity and provide players with enormous maps filled with side quests, towns, loot, and secrets.
The open-world sub-genre of gaming certainly has its fair share of skeptics, however, as many players feel that open-worlds add needless content that detracts from what could have been a fantastic linear experience. These skeptics exactly aren't wrong, as there have been plenty of recent releases that implemented fairly pointless open-worlds, just to appeal to modern gamers. Despite the drawbacks, there have been some games that have been able to succeed in the tricky juggling act of creating a compelling narrative in an open-world environment. Far Cry 6 looks set to be one of these games, but until it releases, here are 10 others that provide excellent story-driven experiences.
10 Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
It's safe to say that the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain didn't have the smoothest of releases. The game was being developed in the midst of issues between Konami and Kojima Productions, which resulted in the game's ending being rushed.
The rushed ending is a shame, but Metal Gear Solid V still tells a fantastic story that will appeal to both new and old fans of the series. Kojima Productions' game didn't just earn its eye-watering 95 Metascore for its story though, as The Phantom Pain also provides players with an incredible open-world that successfully implements stealth gameplay in a way that feels natural - something that many open-world games fail to do.
9 Horizon Zero Dawn
Horizon Zero Dawn was one of the many excellent PlayStation 4 exclusives released in the second half of the console's lifecycle. The game didn't remain as an exclusive for too long though, as, in a highly unorthodox move for a Sony exclusive, Horizon Zero Dawn was released on PC in 2020.
Guerrilla Games' action-RPG features a captivating story set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, where animal-like robots now rule the land. The game's inclusion on this list will come as a little surprise to people who follow award shows, as Horizon Zero Dawn was flooded with writing accolades. Wins for the game included Best Storytelling from the Golden Joysticks Awards, Outstanding Achievement in Story from the D.I.C.E. Awards, and Outstanding Achievement In Videogame Writing from the Writers Guild of America.
8 Yakuza 0
The Yakuza series takes players to Japan and, as the name suggests, centers around Yakuza, which is the Japanese word for gangster or an organised crime organisation. Unsurprisingly, this theme results in the series' story take many grim twists and turns, as the organization's traditions and business ventures often put players in life or death situations. Like many Japanese games though, Yakuza doesn't take itself too seriously.
Intertwined with the sinister story are some of the most bizarre and enjoyable side quests and side activities in all of gaming, ensuring that the weight of the game's story never feels too heavy. The frequent change of pace is extremely well done, as it always feels welcome rather than jarring. Yakuza 0 is the best place for new players to start with the series, as it is the first in the Yakuza timeline.
7 Death Stranding
Death Stranding is proof that people shouldn't waste too much time predicting what a game will be like before it releases; as when the reveal trailer was shown at IGN in 2016, not many players would have guessed that the gameplay would consist of delivering parcels like a sci-fi Amazon delivery driver.
Consequently, it's safe to say that Kojima Productions' Death Stranding divided opinion before it released, so it's worth doing extensive research before deciding whether or not to buy the game. Those that do find themselves enjoying the gameplay are in for a treat as the seemingly mundane delivery tasks are supplemented by an incredible story that will drive players to complete the game.
6 Watch Dogs: Legion
Much like the aforementioned Death Stranding, Ubisoft's Watch Dogs series has divided many players; the games are beloved for their fantastic concepts and settings but criticized by some who believe that they haven't reached their high potential. This is reminiscent of Ubisoft's first Assassin's Creed game, which was seen as a disappointment at the time of its release, though its potential was clear for everyone to see.
Watch Dogs: Legion still doesn't manage to reach the heights that the series seems to be destined for, but it is a step in the right direction for the franchise and will satisfy fans of the game's concept.
5 Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City, much like The Dark Knight, is the magnum opus of a trilogy that exceeded even the most optimistic expectations of DC fans. Arkham City's developer, Rocksteady Studios, was faced with a daunting task when creating the game, as it had to follow the BAFTA's Game of the Year Batman: Arkham Asylum.
Rocksteady Studios managed to exceed expectations by improving upon Arkham Asylum's most acclaimed feature, its combat system, while also implementing an incredibly immersive open-world. The open-world allowed Rocksteady Studios to add side-quests to the story which wonderfully supplemented the game's main narrative.
4 Assassin's Creed Valhalla
One of the many reasons why Ubisoft has become a juggernaut of the gaming industry is due to the company's shrewd adaptability. When the PlayStation 2 saw the gaming industry ditch the platforming mascots of the 90s in favor of realistic shooters, Ubisoft did the same; putting their limbless hero Rayman to the back of the line in favor of franchises like Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell. Ubisoft has kept up with modern times with their Assassin's Creed series, which has cemented a place for itself among the many other modern open-world adventures that are currently dominating the industry.
The latest title, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, takes players back to 873 AD during the Viking invasion of Britain.
3 Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V is currently the joint-third highest-rated game in Metacritic's history, with a 97 score that puts it alongside some of gaming's most memorable titles like Metroid Prime and Halo: Combat Evolved.
Despite how beloved the game was upon release, it has started to become a source of frustration for fans, as due to the success of the game's online feature, there wasn't a new GTA release during the eighth generation of consoles. This frustration shouldn't take away from the game's campaign though, which is incredibly entertaining thanks to the three main characters who are all extremely well-written and well-acted.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
The disappointment over Grand Theft Auto VI not hitting stores during the eighth generation of consoles was significantly lessened by the release of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 blew fans and critics away with its incredible open-world that offered levels of realism never before seen on such a large scale. Furthermore, Rockstar provided players with one of their most powerful stories yet, centered around gaming's new favorite anti-hero, Arthur Morgan. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One releases of Red Dead Redemption 2 stand alongside Grand Theft Auto V on Metacritic, with scores of 97.
1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Anyone wanting to know why Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most highly anticipated titles in recent memory, and why the released product has caused such controversy, need to look no further than The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
CD Projekt and CD Projekt Red set the bar extremely high in 2015 not just for themselves, but for the entire gaming industry with the release of The Witcher 3. The game supplemented its breathtaking open-world with main and side narratives that encapsulated players and engrossed many of them to an extent that they had not previously reached in gaming.