8 Open-World Games That Hook You In The First 5 Minutes

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It’s perfectly okay for a game to start slowly. In fact, many excellent games build up gradually. Players are often willing to be patient with a quirky or slow beginning if they believe the game will eventually be rewarding. We see this in titles like *Persona 5* and *The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess*, where the initial pace is deliberate but ultimately leads to a great experience.

Some open-world games instantly grab your attention, often within the first five minutes. It doesn’t necessarily mean players are actively playing right away, but something about the game immediately draws them in. These games are excellent examples of that.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Entering The Great Plateau

At the beginning of *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*, Link awakens after a long sleep and emerges into a vast, changed Hyrule. The game starts players on the Great Plateau, where they’ll assist a mysterious figure in collecting items that will become essential tools for their journey. These items grant Link new abilities, like freezing water or slowing time. Although players need to complete tasks on the Plateau before continuing, it’s a large area that effectively introduces them to the challenges and adventures awaiting them across Hyrule.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Taking Down Sandman

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 starts with a sudden crisis: Sandman attacks the city, disrupting the normal lives of both Peter and Miles. Although you can’t explore all of New York City right away, the game lets you swing around and battle enemies at a fast pace, and you’ll quickly experience one of its most impressive moments.

Okay, so the game does a really smart thing at the beginning – it eases you into the whole switching-between-Spider-Men thing and makes it feel natural, explaining why we’re doing it to save people. And honestly, after that intro, things just go completely crazy – which, let’s be real, you *expect* in a Spider-Man game!

Donkey Kong Bananza

Mining For Success

At the beginning of *Donkey Kong Bananza*, you play as Donkey Kong alone in the mines, breaking rocks to find Banandium. Although the early mine levels aren’t as open as later stages with Pauline, learning how to destroy parts of the environment makes this introduction a good starting point.

It’s rare to find games where you can completely destroy the environment, especially with such satisfying results. That’s what makes *Donkey Kong Bananza* so much fun. For Switch owners, this game is an absolute essential.

Elden Ring

Preparing To Die

Okay, so getting started with a FromSoftware game like Elden Ring? It usually throws you right into the deep end. I always end up face-to-face with a ridiculously hard boss way before I’m prepared, and Elden Ring is no different – it loves to do that before you even get a feel for the world. But honestly, that’s part of the fun! There’s just this awesome mystery to every FromSoftware game that always pulls me in.

These kinds of games, often called ‘Soulslikes,’ are really captivating because it’s enjoyable to discover new things and explore their worlds. Plus, if you get stuck, you can team up with other players online, and there’s a friendly community always ready to help.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Minus Sixty One

Hideo Kojima’s games are known for their long introductory cutscenes, but *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* begins differently. Players start as Sam and Lou on a mountain in Mexico, and the game immediately focuses on the journey back home, set to Woodkid’s “Minus Sixty One.” Gameplay primarily involves walking and avoiding dangerous falls, but the environments are stunningly beautiful. This opening perfectly highlights how much this sequel has improved over the original game.

Middle-earth: Shadow Of War

Capitalizing On The First’s Success

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor laid the groundwork for its sequel, Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Shadow of War builds directly on the gameplay fans already know and love. Players can choose to sneak into orc strongholds and take enemies down quietly, or engage in direct combat with swords and other weapons.

The story builds to a large-scale battle that feels as epic as the fight scenes in *The Lord of the Rings* movies. It follows a familiar pattern, but that’s enjoyable, and the beginning effectively sets the stage while still keeping some elements unexpected.

Red Faction: Guerilla

Another Smash ‘Em Up

Red Faction: Guerrilla was a pioneer in open-world gaming, letting players destroy almost anything in the environment. You play as part of a rebellion on Mars, using mining tools and explosives to fight for freedom. While the planet itself remains intact, buildings and vehicles can be completely demolished – a satisfying feature whether you’re using a sledgehammer, setting charges, or crashing a vehicle. It’s a mechanic that remains incredibly fun.

Cat Quest 3

Don’t Mewtiny This Pirate Captain

Most open-world games don’t let you freely sail a ship across a vast world, but *Cat Quest 3* is a notable exception. Players can explore the game’s map by sea, searching for treasure, battling monsters, and discovering secret dungeons. It’s also a relatively simple open-world game, making it a great choice for newcomers to the genre.

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2025-09-19 17:07