Summary
Anygame with a massive open worldneeds to let players enjoy a sense of exploration. However, some developers feel that relying on this gameplay pillar itself isn’t enough and pair it with some form of a combat system to keep fans engaged.
This may be effective in its own way, but most people would agree that games with amazing open worlds don’t need to make combat a priority. It can just be an accessory to augment an amazing sense of exploration as players explore every nook and cranny of this virtual world to find a ton of side content and special secrets, among other things.
No Man’s Skybecame the poster child of false promises back when it launched. Sean Murray and Hello Games were put through the wringer early on, but the company decided to continue their development and make this game bigger and grander than ever.
This was a winning effort, with the reputation ofNo Man’s Skyturning around after the initial speed bumps to become one of the best open-world exploration games of all time. The survival elements aren’t too overbearing, allowing players toexplore one of the many planets in the galaxyand enjoy a sense of intergalactic adventure that other titles have struggled to replicate. In fact, on easier difficulty players can have a very relaxing journey with little to not combat at all.
Death Strandingconfused many fans when it came out, especially since they expected a combat-stealth hybrid system akin to theMetal Gear Solidgames. Instead, what this title prioritized was the act of walking itself, with players being compelled to deliver packages while avoiding BTs whenever possible. Aside from boss battles in the story, combat is entirely optional. In fact, players are highly encouraged to avoid killing anyone as dead bodies eventually become BTs, which can then cause an instant game over if they come into contact with a roaming NPC.
This alienated many fans at launch, butDeath Strandinghas slowly established itself as a game ahead of its time that fans are surprisingly fond of. The hype forDeath Stranding 2shows thatthis focus on exploration has been a hit, even if this title does allow players to defend themselves in combat encounters from time to time.
Morrowindis one of the biggest upgrades inThe Elder Scrollsseries, establishing the template that would eventually help this title transform into one of the greatest open-world games ever made. Exploration is the beating heart ofMorrowind, with the varied landscapes of Vvardenfell being a joy to explore.
Since this game predates modern open-world design, players have to explore the old-fashioned way, following directions and information from dialogue to figure out what to do. This sense of exploration overshadowed everything else in the game, including a combat system that was varied but still somewhat unsatisfying to interact with.
Outer Wildsdoes a great job of turning its small and intimate galaxy into an open world of sorts. Players love how great it feels to make slow and steady progress in this world, as players make the most of the twenty-two-minute time loop to uncover information and make progress.
Knowledge is the currency that drives progress in this game, rewarding the simple act of exploration and deduction in this game. It’s easy to see whyOuter Wildsdoesn’t need a combat loop, given how engaging this title already is.
A Short Hikeis one of the simplest and most relaxing open-world games players can get their hands on. This short yet sweet adventure features the simple goal of reaching the top of a mountain to get cellphone reception.
In a bid to achieve this goal, Claire must find golden feathers that improve her ability to fly and climb. This slowly but surely helps her reach greater heights and eventually complete a unique open-world game that is all about exploration.
Disco Elysiumtakes its time to introduce players to Revachol, a politically rich and intriguing setting full of things to do. The amnesiac detective and his trusty sidekick must explore this city to find leads into a mysterious killing.
The rich characters and amazing storytelling ofDisco Elysiumcan be enjoyed with the simple act of exploration alone, showing that not all RPGs need to rely on combat to engage fans. By the end of this title, players will fall in love with the city and empathize with the main character’s struggles, without dealing with any kind of combat loop.
Sableis a fun indie game where players control the eponymous protagonist going through her Rite of Passage. She must explore the desert planet of Midden and find an elusive mask by completing puzzles and platforming challenges.
As one would expect, combat is completely absent from this title. Instead, players must explore the open world on their hoverbike and slowly make progress to reach their end goal. Exploration is relaxing and rewards players with meaningful progress every time, makingSableperfect for players seeking out a satisfying open-world adventure.
Sunless Seais an excellent title with Lovecraftian themes whereplayers explore the unterzeeand uncover several unique stories in the process. The captain must upgrade their ship to explore longer distances without needing to refuel.
Combat is present in this game, but it can feel rather awkward, while exploration is as natural as can be. Eventually, after getting the highest-tier upgrades, enemies just get in the way of the exploration as players wait patiently for their attacks to recharge before peppering their foes with cannons and moving on.
