Published on November 18th, 2021 | by Sunit Nandi

Open-World Games to Enjoy Getting Lost In

There are certain moments in life that are capable of bringing complete and utter joy. For some people it might be feasting out on their favourite food, for others, it might be going for a run and recording a new personal best time. For video games fans though, finding yourself wandering around a beautifully recreated virtual world is one of those moments. Sitting down and letting yourself get completely submerged in the game, and letting any cares of the real world ascend from your shoulders.

However, not all video game open-worlds are created equally. It is an incredibly difficult undertaking for a developer to make a game world that is both fun to explore, and also that feels like it’s truly lived in. Yet, if they do get it right, then it can feel so real, that even once you’ve turned your console off and put down your controller, you’re almost convinced that life continues for the inhabitants inside the game.

Not all who wander are lost, especially when its in a great game. Image Source.

If you’re looking for a new open-world game to get stuck into, then here are some classics of the genre that if you haven’t been fortunate enough to play, you need to run out and get them now. Remember to follow our 3 tips for improving video gaming experiences as well, to truly get the most out of the occasion.

Batman Arkham Knight

It’s hard to imagine now, but there have been long periods of time when Batman has been very uncool with the mainstream public. Then acclaimed director Christopher Nolan came along and made The Dark Knight trilogy and, since then, Batman has been solidified as easily one of the most popular superheroes. He was due a brilliant video game then, and developers Rocksteady Studios stepped up to the plate, and knocked it out the park with their Batman: Arkham series.

Batman Arkham Knight was released in 2015 for PS4 and Xbox One, as well as Windows. The game is the last in the series, and Rocksteady had really nailed the open-world setting of the game by then. Getting to navigate Gotham City as Batman, stalking amongst the shadows, and taking out unsuspecting crooks is a spectacular gaming experience. Also, the combat in the game is so smooth that it almost feels like an elaborate deadly dance that Batman inflicts on his opponents, as you ramp up the combos, meaning you’ll never tire of seeking out new baddies to takedown.

Grand Theft Auto 5

We were always going to have a Grand Theft Auto title on the list, and seeing as the fifth instalment is such a magnificently rendered version of Los Angles (or Los Santos as it’s known in the game) it would’ve been criminal not to feature it. GTA 5 was released by Rockstar Games back in 2013, and has featured on many different consoles since then, and is even being remastered soon for the PS5. The game continues to sell huge amounts, nearly ten years on from its initial release, and a large reason for this is that the setting of the game is so entertaining to explore.

Los Santos is a liberating place to kick back, you can drive a car as fast as possible amongst busy high-ways, you can nick a jet-ski and go skimming across the blue ocean, or even take a jet fighter to the skies and loop the loop high above the ground. It really is a complete playground for users, and in 2019, Rockstar even included a huge casino for online players.

Lovers of online casinos need to check out Casinos.co.za, which is a website dedicated to negating the stress of finding a suitable fit for your gambling experience. It’s a place where you can play live casino online, and as they are all recommended by their experts, you know each choice is quality. They’ve even included step-by-step guides to getting started, and what bonuses you can expect when joining up, making it a great online world to spend some hours in.

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo released the critically acclaimed Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in 2017, on the Switch console, and the game quickly cemented itself as one of the top open-world games ever made. The setting of Hyrule is a majestic land that is home to everything from snow-topped mountains to smoking volcanoes.

The game is hugely popular with both children and adults, and that’s because it allows you to complete the story at your own pace, and in any order you like. It’s this freedom that means you can just wander across the map with no real plan, and genuinely discover places of interest as you go. It leaves you feeling like a true adventurer out combating forces of evil in a lush and layered world.

Marvel’s Spiderman

Marvel’s Spiderman was released on PS4 back in 2018 to huge fanfare, with some reviews going as far as saying that finally a classic hero gets the game he deserves. And whilst a lot of the focus was given to how much the controls of the game are perfect, allowing you to feel fully in charge of Spiderman’s every move, even more attention was given to how incredible the virtual New York of the game is.

The games developer’s were Insomniac Games, and it’s clear from how richly detailed the in-game New York is, that they spent lots of sleepless nights staying up and putting the hours in, getting it just right. One of the notable landmarks of the city includes the One World Trade tower, which is the tallest building in the game, and incredibly fun to jump off. There’s also a masterfully recreated Times Square that has all the glitz and glamour of its real life counterpart.

Tags: open world, video games

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.