Summary
Open-world gaming can feel rather regimented at times, with the bulk of these titles aiming to draw in as large a market as possible, which usually entails that they don’t take too many risks. This is why there aren’t too many titles in the genre that can surprise players.
This is why most people are pleased when some games make an effort to catch fans unawares with their video games. Excellent gameplay mechanics, riveting stories, and unexpected moments play a key role in helping these open-world games stand out for how surprising they are.
Expectations for licensed games weren’t all that high whenMad Maxcame out, which is whyfans were surprised by how engaging this title was. The melee combat sports a brutal twist on theArkhamformula, but what really caught fans off guard was the vehicular combat.
The Magnum Opus will become one of the most iconic vehicles fans will love by the time they’re done withMad Max. Upgrading this vehicle is integral for players to make it through the wasteland and its many hostile inhabitants.
Ubisoft’s reliance on tried-and-tested mechanics was growing thin on players, which is whyFar Cry 5felt like a breath of fresh airin comparison. It may still be a by-the-numbers open-world FPS in many ways, but the developer did just enough to evolve the formula.
Fans appreciated how the game didn’t rely on watchtowers anymore and let fans explore a non-linear narrative. It was an evolution of the Ubisoft formula that was much-needed and helpedFar Cry 5stand out as one of the better games the developer had made in quite some time.
Fans didn’t have high hopes for aMiddle-earthgame, since licensed IPs didn’t exactly boast the highest quality at that time. However,Shadow of Mordormanaged to stand out courtesy ofits stellar combatand the Nemesis system.
Hacking down orcs by the dozens and forcing orc chieftains to bend to Talion’s will continues to be riveting to this day. It also cements just how sad Monolith Productions' closing was, since they always strove to innovate in their video games.
Death Strandingis a video game that many people didn’t get back when it launched. For them, the idea of playing a pretty delivery simulator wasn’t all that riveting, but this game slowly brings out its A-game and surprises players when they least expect it.
In no time, players will find themselves invested in the game as they balance their load, make shortcuts, and ensure that their delivery is as swift & efficient as possible. This surprisingly high quality is precisely why so many fans are hyped for a sequel, despite the mixed reception this game enjoyed at launch.
An indie game that had no business being so riveting,Outer Wildsis a must-play for fans of puzzle games who want to enjoy something special. The best part is how accessible this game is, using the simple act of exploration to drive progress.
The knowledge players acquire will help fuel progression in a meaningful way. It’s a huge part of what makesOuter Wildsspecial, with fans raving about this title long after they finished both the base game and the DLC.
Born from the ashes of aTrue Crimegame set in Hong Kong,Sleeping Dogswowed everyonewith its amazing style and action-packed combat. Wei Shen’s adventures as an undercover cop lead to a ton of brutal moments as he sees firsthand what the Triads are capable of.
The amazing gameplay takes notes from classic Hong Kong action flicks, with players being able to participate in stylistic gunfights and hijack other vehicles on the street. All of this is supported by a combat system that lets players use the environment for brutal takedowns as they beat down the many enemies standing in their way.
Even with the high expectations associated with most FromSoftware games, no one expectedElden Ringto be such a masterpiece. The open world was truly gorgeous and promoted organic exploration, letting players find a ton of secrets in their journey.
It helped the Tarnished become strong enough to deal with the many enemies that stood in their way. Fans were genuinely amazed by how well FromSoftware nailed the open-world genre in their very first attempt, making it clear that the people in this studio are cut from a different cloth.
Breath of the Wildis one of the best video games ever made, and fans couldn’t believe just how revolutionary this open-world title was. Sure, expectations were high, but some previews led fans to believe that the game would be a bit more niche than they anticipated.
All of these worries were blown away when fans experienced the sheer freedom andbeauty ofBreath of the Wild’s sandbox. In a refreshing move, the combat also pulled no punches and let players enjoy one of the hardest games Nintendo has ever released.
