Best Open-World Games That Punish Being Nice, Ranked

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Summary

  • Games like Burnout Paradise and Gothic reward aggression over kindness, making it essential for players to embrace the chaotic nature of gameplay.
  • In titles like Bully and Cyberpunk 2077, being nice can put players at a disadvantage, requiring them to make pragmatic decisions instead.
  • Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 3 emphasize that being too nice can lead to exploitation, urging players to find a balance between morality and self-preservation.

Video games rarely reward kindness. While some action games allow players to avoid killing enemies, it feels strange to be considered ‘nice’ when you’re still physically harming them – likely causing serious injuries.

When games are designed to be wild and unpredictable, trying to play fairly just to be polite can actually ruin the fun. Players should embrace the chance to be mischievous or even a villain – it’s part of what makes these games so appealing! They let you show off your abilities and create exciting chaos, and that’s a big part of the appeal.

8. Burnout Paradise

There’s No Point in Being Nice When Being Aggressive Against Racers is Encouraged

The *Burnout* series focuses on aggressive racing and wrecking opponents to achieve high scores. Therefore, playing by the rules doesn’t really fit the chaotic, destructive nature of illegal street racing in those games.

Players should focus on pulling off the most impressive takedowns and staying ahead of the competition, no matter what it takes. The realistic crashes and fast-paced racing in *Burnout Paradise* make it satisfying to wreck your opponents, so don’t hesitate to do so!

7. Gothic

The Game is Already Hard Enough as is Without the Protagonist Being Exploited for Being Too Nice

Gothic isn’t a game that rewards honorable play. Even weak enemies can easily defeat players, especially when they’re starting out. This forces you to rely on cunning and less-than-noble strategies to succeed, even as you become more powerful.

Okay, so when you’re first starting out in the camps, you kind of have to be friendly to get by. But trust me, you can’t stay that way forever! You really need to power up and start standing up to those who are trying to take advantage of you. If you don’t, they’ll just keep coming back to steal your resources – you’ll become an easy target, and they’ll keep raiding you for ore. It’s way better to get strong and show them you won’t be messed with!

6. Bully

A Rockstar Game Where Being Nice is What Causes Jimmy to Fall Down the Social Ladder

The game’s title, *Bully*, immediately tells you this isn’t a story about a well-behaved student. Jimmy tries to be friendly with Gary, but gets betrayed and completely embarrassed by someone he thought was a friend.

This is a story about Jimmy seeking revenge on Gary for embarrassing him. He convinces different groups at Bullworth Academy to help him, and along the way, players will ditch class, fight, and generally act out – basically, everything a rebellious student would do.

5. Grand Theft Auto 5

It’s Not Fun to Try to Be a Good Guy in a Game About Crime and Violence

The *Grand Theft Auto* series doesn’t typically encourage good behavior, and the latest installment is no different. Players control Franklin, Trevor, and Michael as they commit crimes while striving for wealth and power.

Grand Theft Auto 5 truly shines when it depicts unpleasant characters clashing with one another. While Trevor is a fan favorite, his popularity comes from his abrasive and unpredictable personality, which makes him one of the most memorable protagonists in the entire GTA series.

4. Cyberpunk 2077

Night City is Vicious and Will Eat V Up if They’re Too Nice

V dreams of becoming a legend in Night City, but that won’t happen by always doing the right thing. They’ll need to commit crimes and make tough, sometimes morally questionable, choices to achieve their goal.

The game’s most compelling stories aren’t simple; they often show how actions can be seen very differently depending on who you ask. What one person considers a good deed, another might view completely differently, which really showcases the depth and complexity of the writing in *Cyberpunk 2077*.

3. Red Dead Redemption 2

Even With High Honor, Players Will Hate Abiding By the Law and Being a Good Person for Too Long

Playing with a high level of honor is the ideal way to enjoy Arthur Morgan’s story, but that doesn’t mean he should always be a perfect hero. In reality, being overly kind can cause people to exploit him, as vividly demonstrated by the terrible events at the Aberdeen Pig Farm.

It’s perfectly okay to increase Arthur’s Honor level, but don’t feel pressured to be a saint. A lot of the fun in *Red Dead Redemption 2* comes from causing trouble and breaking the law. Trying to be good all the time will actually cause you to miss out on some of the game’s most exciting and unpredictable moments.

2. Disco Elysium

Harry Will Be Taken Advantage of if He’s Too Nice and Forthcoming

Fans of immersive worlds will be captivated by the detailed setting of *Disco Elysium*, a story-focused RPG. The game features a compelling protagonist, Harry Du Bois, whose struggles with his own mental state create a truly memorable experience for players.

Although you can play as a kind officer, the game often forces you into uncomfortable positions where you have to appease prejudiced characters or deal with frustrating people just to get information. Some players might dislike constantly having to cater to those who are exploiting Harry, which is why occasionally acting as a more ruthless officer can actually help you move the investigation forward.

1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt Can’t Be Too Nice in a Savage World Full of Opportunists

One of the most impressive aspects of *The Witcher 3* is its storytelling. The game avoids simple right-versus-wrong choices, instead presenting morally gray situations where players must decide for themselves what’s best. Often, being purely kind or selfless doesn’t lead to the best outcomes.

Geralt, a monster hunter, lives in a grim world where people distrust his profession. Players need to be careful not to let manipulative characters exploit him. Instead of always trying to be helpful and solving everyone’s problems, players can avoid frustration – like the kind caused by characters such as Keira and Dijkstra – by making smart choices and not being a pushover.

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2025-09-21 07:35