10 Games With Procedurally Generated Quests That Don't Suck

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the games listed here are truly remarkable examples of how procedural generation can elevate the gaming experience to new heights. From the dark and gritty streets of Shadows of Doubt to the strategic depths of XCOM 2, each game showcases unique ways in which procedural generation enhances immersion and replayability.

Game development can greatly benefit from the use of procedural generation, a technique that’s been employed since the 1980s to create games.

This tool is versatile; it allows for the effortless construction of extensive virtual landscapes or merely introduces some diversity. By employing an intricate algorithm, it combines minute components to form larger entities, such as merging smaller environments to create a larger, cohesive map.

If not executed well, it might result in games that seem repetitive due to a lack of variety. Wouldn’t you lose interest in exploring a vast open world if every building looked identical? The effectiveness of procedural generation hinges significantly on the quality and abundance of the components used.

In terms of adventures and tasks, the structural elements could range from randomly generated spots to fully customized stories. No matter how intricate or straightforward these structures are, what truly counts is whether the missions themselves are enjoyable.

10. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

Endlessly Old School

In , almost everything was procedurally generated initially.

Despite not having the user-friendly interfaces and custom-designed dungeons that later games in the series boast, it offers an immense amount of playability due to its thousands of dungeons and numerous towns to explore.

After all, procedural generation allows the map to be several thousand times the size of Skyrim.

In this game, the primary storyline remains constant, yet the secondary tasks are randomly created. If you’re in need of gold or wish to become part of a guild, the missions you’ll undertake will lead you to diverse locations, frequently offering several different endings.

For example, you may have to search a unique dungeon for a random but specific ingredient, or you may have to use a spell to unlock a chest that contains one of several surprises. Never quite knowing what you’ll get keeps things interesting between the main quests.

9. No Man’s Sky

A Whole Universe Awaits

Boasts an expansive, seemingly endless layout. So vast that even with all players exploring simultaneously, they would never reach its boundaries. Initially, upon release, the variety of activities within this colossal game were strikingly limited.

In numerous aspects, it could be classified as a misstep in procedural generation. Fortunately, a significant amount of fresh content has been incorporated since then, including multiple new side quests as a part of that update.

Since most areas of No Man’s Sky’s universe won’t be explored by players, it’s necessary for the game to generate mission locations randomly or procedurally.

Specifically, Non-Player Characters (NPCs) offer personalized missions based on their unique traits such as personality, species, and homeworld, often accompanied by a storyline to justify why they require your assistance with the task.

In these adventures, while the specific tasks might not stand out as exceptional, the intricate blend of elements within the game makes them captivating.

8. Wildermyth

Algorithmic Game Master

This game is a strategic role-playing title that employs procedural narrative elements, offering numerous options for the player. As you progress, your choices shape a distinct, ever-evolving tale, leading you on different, randomly generated missions.

The unique nature of each mission sets them apart, even when the actions involved might become routine, due to the distinct objectives they present. To illustrate, the motive behind clearing an area from adversaries could vary significantly.

The events depicted in the narrative may similarly influence gameplay, providing buffs or abilities that are earned based on decisions made within the storyline.

7. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

Enemies You Love To Hate

The game is renowned for its Nemesis System, a unique gameplay feature that involves Sauron’s Army being made up of Uruks – stronger Orcs than usual – who are procedurally generated, displaying distinct personalities, acting independently even when off-screen, and retaining memories of their encounters with you.

In this setup, the system automatically generates a variety of quests based on the enemies it generates. The Uruks may appear in various spots, necessitating unique strategies due to their diverse abilities, including resistance to certain skills and even invincibility to specific ones.

Occasionally, Uruks may challenge each other for power, and as a player, you have the opportunity to intervene in these conflicts, leading to a more intricate and lively gameplay experience.

6. Deep Rock Galactic

How Deep Does It Go?

You’ll be venturing into collapsible caverns, completing tasks such as extracting a particular mineral or safeguarding a robot while encountering aggressive extraterrestrial enemies.

In these missions, the playing field is often a randomly generated mine. Since the success of the mission hinges on the mine’s structure, the missions themselves are also created in a random manner.

With a range of tools available, you have the ability to modify the landscape, but be aware that this process can consume significant amounts of time and resources, such as ammunition. To make the most efficient use of these limited resources, it’s crucial to carefully plan using your map before proceeding.

The process isn’t overly complicated, yet it performs exceptionally well in blending with the terrain alteration, ensuring that each mission keeps you actively engaged and alert.

5. Invisible, Inc.

See The Unseen

This game is a turn-based experience, with each mission featuring a unique layout that’s randomly generated. Since direct confrontations with enemies aren’t possible here, the layout assumes significant importance as it determines how you navigate and strategize.

The unpredictable nature of the task constantly requires your alertness since it’s always uncertain whether your arrival at the designated spot will lead to an easy mission or encounter numerous guards stationed at strategic points.

In addition, there’s a complex system for hacking, enhancing the gameplay experience. Finding cameras and various electronic devices becomes vital because it helps in acquiring intelligence and maintaining the secrecy of your operatives’ whereabouts.

4. RimWorld

Rebuild In The Unknown

This game is a colony simulator with an emphasis on procedural generation. The terrain, characters, and incidents that unfold within it are all dynamically created. Your objective is to eventually escape from the planet you find yourself marooned on, but the specifics of your journey can change drastically.

The sequence of events is shaped by an AI narrator, who might, based on the chosen AI, attempt to structure the events in a captivating narrative fashion.

As events unfold, characters you meet along the way might offer you randomly created missions to accomplish in return for prizes. These tasks are not overly complicated, but they provide an enjoyable extra layer to an already largely randomized gameplay experience.

3. Darkest Dungeon

Don’t Let The Torch Go Out

This game is a challenging, turn-based, rogue-like adventure through randomly generated dungeons. Since the layout varies each time, it provides many opportunities for surprise attacks and hidden dangers.

As time spent in the dungeon increases, resources deplete faster and challenges become progressively tougher as your torch grows dimmer. Since the game features permadeath, even minor mishaps can escalate into tense scenarios for your characters.

The challenges posed by procedural generation in these quests are quite intriguing for those who enjoy tackling complex problems.

2. Shadows of Doubt

Piece Together The Chaos

This game functions as a detective mystery, where the entire city, its inhabitants, and the case you’re investigating are dynamically created through procedural generation, continuously evolving as you progress through play.

Investigations frequently involve intricate situations brimming with distinct clues that aid in solving them. You might encounter items such as fingerprints, notes, murder weapons, testimonies of witnesses, and assorted evidence scattered throughout the environment in a manner that maintains logical consistency without revealing the solution right away.

Due to its procedurally generated nature, certain clues might take you down blind alleys or to irrelevant things, enhancing the overall sense of immersion.

1. XCOM 2

Moderation Is Key

The game employs procedural generation for mission creation. While it may not offer anything exceptionally innovative in this regard, it excels in its implementation.

A significant portion of the procedural elements consist of sizeable, manually crafted scenes, which slightly reduces their distinctiveness but ensures a consistent level of quality across the missions, something that’s not always present in procedurally generated content.

In other words, while the procedurally generated elements of the gameplay contribute significantly to the experience, they do not define or embody the core essence of the game itself.

As a devoted admirer, I’d rephrase it like this: “I believe that by replacing a handful of meticulously crafted settings, the game could function seamlessly. And at times, this is precisely how procedural generation should be employed.

2024-12-12 18:09

10 Games With Procedurally Generated Quests That Don’t Suck