7 Open-World Games That Prove Bigger Isn't Always Better

Summary

Open-world games range across various genres, leading to saturation in the market.
Some successful open-world games have thrived by scaling back their maps for better focus.
Small maps can still offer challenging and detailed gameplay in open-world settings.

Open-world gaming experiences have become widespread in today’s marketplace. Although the concept of an expansive, free-roaming environment dates back to classic games like King’s Quest, the genre has experienced remarkable growth in recent times. The open-world genre spans various genres such as shooters, survival games, horror, stealth, hack-and-slash, simulations, role-playing games (RPGs), and puzzle games, with each genre incorporating the open-world format at some point or another. Notable franchises like Halo and God of War have dabbled in this style, with varying levels of success, while series like Far Cry are essentially synonymous with open worlds. However, the proliferation of open-world games has also sparked criticism. With an increasing number of releases, the market is becoming oversaturated, making it challenging for any single game to distinguish itself from a crowd of similar titles.

One frequent issue with contemporary open-world games is that developers try to exceed expectations by creating increasingly vast landscapes. This competitive drive often results in maps larger than what the developers can effectively manage. However, it’s essential to remember that an excellent open world doesn’t necessarily need to be expansive; it merely needs to offer exploration freedom. In some instances, rather than expanding, it may be wiser to simplify. Some outstanding open-world games thrive in part due to their ability to maximize a smaller, less complex map.

7. Assassin’s Creed Mirage

9th-Century Baghdad

Many enthusiasts expressed that Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla attempted too much with its expansive map depicting early Medieval England. In an effort to surpass both Origins and Odyssey, it stretched the boundaries of what a game in the Assassin’s Creed series was capable of managing. Consequently, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage made a notable move to downsize. Instead of encompassing vast territories like its predecessors, Mirage immerses players in the city of Bagdad and some adjacent areas during the Islamic Golden Age.

In contrast to its larger predecessors that encompassed Egypt and Greece, this smaller version offers a more focused approach on the actual history within the game. It has been instrumental in introducing many Westerners to a less-explored period of Medieval history, often overlooked due to Eurocentric perspectives. Basim can visit locations that no longer exist today, and remarkably, the game also incorporates traces of Mesopotamian history.

6. Atomfall

British Exclusion Zone

In contrast to the humorously nicknamed “British Fallout,” Atomfall stands out due to its more condensed map. Unlike Fallout’s expansive maps that sometimes span multiple American states, England’s smaller size necessitated a reduction in scale for any open-world game set there. Consequently, Atomfall cleverly utilized this by setting its story in the Lake District. The game is based on an exclusion zone established after the actual Windscale Disaster of 1957, which confines its main character within an area made up of seven smaller maps. There are four primary regions to traverse and three additional hub locations that link them together. Each region is relatively compact, allowing players to become familiar with each location as they progress through the game.

Despite its diminutive nature, Atomfall compensates amply in intricacy and complexity. Navigating through each map might seem swift, but it’s seldom a breeze. The constant threat lurking around every corner ensures players stay alert. Fellow survivors, mutants, and colossal robots pose significant hurdles, particularly when resources are scarce. The compact maps also offer opportunities to meet captivating characters and uncover fascinating insights about the world’s past.

5. Dredge

Treacherous Open Water

In essence, Dredge is an intriguing game that places players at the helm of a fishing vessel in a puzzling island chain teeming with Lovecraftian sea beasts. The player enjoys considerable autonomy to traverse a compact map that offers minimal content, given its size. As the main gameplay element revolves around navigating a boat, it’s no surprise that much of the map consists of vast open waters, peppered with tiny islands here and there. However, this doesn’t mean the map is devoid of activity. The ocean can be treacherous, and Dredge skillfully employs this aspect to intensify feelings of isolation. Perils include natural hazards like water spouts and jagged rocks, as well as terrifying sea creatures rising from the abyss. Given that most of the game unfolds on a boat, there aren’t many moments where you feel entirely secure from any of these threats.

A significant aspect of the game Dredge is its dynamic day-night cycle, particularly the nighttime segment that fosters feelings of unease. Even when near a port, players must navigate reduced visibility due to fog, adding an element of danger from potential collisions with rocks during night drives. The eerie atmosphere intensifies because the protagonist’s job as a fisherman sometimes necessitates fishing after sunset in search of an elusive catch. Additionally, notorious sea monsters lurk in these waters, often requiring players to turn off their lights for navigation to avoid them. In this game where tension is constantly present around every corner, why bother with a large map?

4. The Forgotten City

A Lost City Full of Secrets

The Forgotten City, initially developed as a mod for the expansive game Skyrim, was surprisingly self-sufficient and maximized a compact area even then. The remake strips away the rest of Skyrim to establish its own identity. Apart from the opening and closing sequences, the entire game unfolds within the title location – an ancient Roman city inhabited by a small group of individuals uncertain about their arrival. Despite its modest size, the labyrinthine design can make it appear larger than it actually is. The primary objective is exploration, which plays a crucial role due to the central predicament: a curse that transforms anyone into golden statues upon committing a sin, with the added challenge that no one is entirely certain what constitutes a transgression.

Beyond finding yourself trapped in a continuous timeline, you’re free to roam the city, engage with its residents, and delve into their stories at your leisure. This exploration is crucial for uncovering the truth behind the city’s curse. The more you traverse the city, the more hidden truths will come to light. A comprehensive investigation could unveil various useful items, creative problem-solving methods, hidden passages to seemingly off-limits zones, fascinating tidbits about daily Roman life, an immersive journey into ethical thought, and, of course, the secrets that lie within the city itself.

3. Immortals Fenyx Rising

A Mythological Island

As an ardent admirer, I’d like to share my excitement about Ubisoft’s delightful spin on Greek Mythology, which originated as a sideline during the creation of “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.” Given its humble beginnings, it wasn’t destined to be grandiose. Yet, it didn’t need to be. The entire game unfolds on a solitary island (except for puzzle segments in Tartaros), divided into four distinct regions, each representing one of the four gods I must seek out (Aphrodite, Athena, Ares, and Hephaestus). My ultimate mission is to rejuvenate these gods to assist in the battle against Typhon. However, Ubisoft grants me the liberty to decide when and in what order I accomplish this quest. I can tackle each region individually or hop between them, and there’s still plenty more content to explore!

In the compact yet action-packed world of “ Immortals Fenyx Rising,” famously recognized as the Golden Isle, you’ll find an abundance of adventures for Fenyx to conquer. Puzzles, side quests, covert boss battles, and a plethora of collectibles are hidden throughout this island. To make things more challenging, the island is teeming with mythical beasts that will put your skills to the test. The game seamlessly integrates numerous activities and humorous references to Greek mythology, even delving into some of its lesser-known and eccentric tales. Essentially, you’ll find almost constant excitement as you traverse this captivating setting.

2. Praey For The Gods

Frozen Island Of Death

In this unique indie game developed by No Matter Studios, a nameless protagonist finds herself marooned on a perpetually frozen island. Upon encountering the first of eight bosses reminiscent of ‘Shadow of the Colossus’, she gains freedom to traverse the island at her leisure. Although the map might be compact, it’s brimming with intricate details that can make navigation tricky, if not downright disorienting. The labyrinthine layout, coupled with frequent blizzards, often leaves players stumbling unintentionally. This game, titled ‘Praey for the Gods’, is also a survival title. The protagonist must locate sustenance and shield herself from the cold. Exploration is not just advisable but essential for finding food sources, gathering resources, and discovering shelter.

The island serves as a highly secluded backdrop. The protagonist largely finds herself isolated, yet amidst this solitude, she encounters numerous ancient ruins and remains of past inhabitants. Keen-eyed explorers may discern hints about the island’s past and the divine beings she is destined to confront. Occasionally, she discovers caves or old buildings concealing hidden treasures, along with puzzles that reward her with useful items for her voyage.

1. Subnautica: Below Zero

Alterra’s Secret Sector

Subnautica is renowned for its meticulous depiction of marine ecosystems on the alien planet 4546B, making it simple to overlook that the map wasn’t particularly expansive. Contrary to many open-world sequels aiming to surpass their predecessor’s map size, the subsequent game Subnautica: Below Zero took a different approach. The map in this game is notably smaller than the original, yet it doesn’t feel that way during gameplay. Despite reducing the map size, Unknown Worlds successfully created an extremely detailed environment teeming with unusual sea creatures and distinct biomes, some of which straddle the line between breathtakingly beautiful and eerily terrifying.

Similar to the initial game, the map’s relatively small area is compensated by its employment of depth. Being a subaquatic exploration game set in Sector Zero’s waters, the player is enticed to uncover means to plunge deeper, unearthing additional information about the planet and Alterra’s covert activities.

2025-04-24 00:37

7 Open-World Games That Prove Bigger Isn’t Always Better