Retro Games That Explored Open-World Ideas

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Key Takeaways

  • The Legend of Zelda set the standard for open-world hubs and hidden Easter eggs.
  • Elite pioneered space-based open-world games using procedural generation.
  • Body Harvest served as a precursor to GTA with open map missions and vehicle usage.

As someone who’s spent countless hours navigating the digital landscapes of gaming, I can confidently say that these pioneering titles truly paved the way for the open-world games we know and love today. From the vast deserts of Wasteland to the pirate-filled seas of Mercenary, these games pushed the boundaries of what was possible in a time when the very concept of an open world was still taking shape.

Modern video games often feature open-world environments, giving players the freedom to navigate expansive landscapes at their own pace and in their preferred manner. These games typically incorporate non-player characters (NPCs), combat sequences, and exploration elements, all of which contribute to an engaging and immersive gaming experience. The concept was initially popularized by the groundbreaking 1997 game Grand Theft Auto for PlayStation, a title that not only launched a highly successful series but also revolutionized the way video games were played.

Indeed, GTA wasn’t the pioneer in this area. The concept of an expansive, open-world setting, particularly one with a captivating narrative, has been a staple in video games for quite some time, surprising even those who are well-versed in gaming history. Here’s a list of eight influential games that paved the way for the open-world genre as it exists today.

Many of these game titles don’t fully fit the definition of contemporary open-world games, yet they incorporate various aspects that have been adapted by modern games, such as expansive levels or a central hub area reminiscent of open worlds.

8 The Legend Of Zelda

It’s Dangerous To Go Alone, Take This!

Back then, around 40 years ago, The Legend of Zelda stood out as something unique compared to today’s games. It revolutionized the gaming experience by offering a user-friendly design that players could enjoy right at home. Its most significant innovation was the open-world setting, which enabled Link to move freely in any direction and engage with various enemies, provided he had the necessary health or special items.

Initially, the first “Zelda” game played a significant role in popularizing intricate details that could only be passed among players, such as secret items or locations. Modern open-world games, complete with Easter Eggs or hidden features, owe a lot to it, and its ‘explore-anywhere-do-anything’ design has been preserved through “Breath of the Wild” and “Tears of the Kingdom”.

7 Elite

Space Is The Place In This Technical Marvel

  • Developers: David Braben and Ian Bell
  • Platform: BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, NES
  • Release Date: September 20, 1984 (initial release for BBC Micro)

Elite, an extraordinary masterpiece of computer programming, stood alone in its kind and paved the way for modern space-themed open-world games such as No Man’s Sky and Starfield. In this game, the open world was the vast expanse of space itself, allowing players to traverse galaxies, trade resources, and engage in combat with other spaceships. The game’s galactic map served as the central hub for exploration, while procedural generation – a mechanism still used today – brought its universe to life.

This game, known as “Elite,” was among the initial titles to incorporate wire-frame 3D graphics, but it stood out in numerous innovative ways. Players could amass more in-game funds by completing missions and objectives, a concept that has persisted in open-world games even up until now. The variety of missions and the opportunity for exploration and discovery made this game an exceptionally singular experience when it was initially released.

6 Body Harvest

A Proof-Of-Concept That Would Lay The Foundations For Greatness

  • Developer: DMA Design (now Rockstar North)
  • Platform: Nintendo 64
  • Release Date: October 20, 1998 (North America), October 23, 1998 (Europe)

Body Harvest, though appreciated for its science fiction action and earning decent reviews, didn’t garner much more attention. What truly sets it apart is that it was developed by DMA Design, the same team responsible for creating the initial Grand Theft Auto. Over time, this studio evolved into the gaming giant known as Rockstar Studios.

The game, set in a future where players act as soldiers fighting off an alien invasion, boasted an open-map design that enabled players to complete missions at their own pace and choice. Additionally, it incorporated vehicle usage similar to how Grand Theft Auto (GTA) would later do so. Although both games were released around the same period, this game could be seen as a precursor or trial run for the GTA series, demonstrating effectively how a contemporary open-world setting can create an immersive gaming experience.

5 Shadowrun

Cyberpunks Run Riot In This 16-bit Classic

  • Developer: Beam Software (SNES), BlueSky Software (Mega Drive)
  • Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Mega Drive
  • Release Date: May 1, 1993 (North America), March 1994 (North America)

One might contend that Cyberpunk 2077 wouldn’t exist without Shadowrun, an early video game that significantly shaped the Cyberpunk genre by fully embracing its aesthetic. This game was available on both Nintendo’s SNES and Sega Mega Drive platforms. Due to separate development teams for each version, there were minor differences between them, but they both allowed players a degree of freedom in shaping their character’s journey within the game world. In addition to the main storyline, it also offered numerous side missions, freelance jobs, and optional tasks, much like today’s open-world games.

Shadowrun could be aptly summarized as striking an ideal balance between the gritty futurism of Blade Runner and the fantastical role-playing of Dungeons & Dragons. In this game, players are submerged into a complex future scenario where magic and cutting-edge technology intertwine. Navigating the game environment was essential for gathering information, leveling up, and acquiring weapons. However, the journey was self-directed, with no one dictating the path. The game’s world is inhabited by various races and tribes, providing a sense of freedom that mirrors open-world games prevalent in today’s gaming landscape.

4 Hunter

Ahead Of Its Time In More Ways Than One

  • Developer: Paul Holmes
  • Platform: Amiga, Atari ST
  • Release Date: 1991

Hunter‘s current experience seems reminiscent of an early premonition about Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. The comparisons are clear; a solitary warrior traverses a treacherous terrain, deciding whether to travel on foot or by vehicle. He carries a variety of weapons and interacts with other characters and enemy soldiers, and multiple strategies can be employed to accomplish objectives. What stands out most is the game’s overworld, which shares striking similarities with modern games. It serves as an expansive, open environment that significantly contributed to the development of the sandbox genre.

The game incorporated a day-night cycle and provided an unprecedented level of immersion compared to other games during that period. Despite being developed by a small team, it made a significant impact upon release due to its numerous distinctive qualities and vast scale. As a result, both critics and gamers enthusiastically praised the title for its unique features.

3 Sid Meier’s Pirates!

Set Sail On The Wide Open Seas

  • Developer: MicroProse (designed by Sid Meier)
  • Platform: Initially released on Commodore 64, with ports for Apple II, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, MS-DOS, NES, and others
  • Release Date: 1987

Sid Meier rose to fame with the “Civilization” series of games, but it was this title, which bears his name in its title for the first time, that initially established his unique style of immersive simulation games. This game, with a pirate theme, was groundbreaking for its vast open-world map that facilitated non-linear exploration during its era. The decisions made by the player influenced the game’s outcome, as it had multiple endings.

In this game, an assortment of mini-adventures and optional quests, ranging from saving missions to fighting and treasure searches, paved the way for the structure seen in contemporary Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption titles. Players have the opportunity to assume roles as a pirate, pirate hunter, or privateer throughout the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. The game granted players significant freedom, not only allowing them to sail across oceans but also offering them the choice to determine their moral compass. They could switch from the peaceful profession of privateering to a more violent pirate lifestyle at any time.

2 Mercenary

Fight Your Way To Freedom In This Futuristic Action Adventure

  • Released: 1985
  • Developer: Novagen
  • Platforms: Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, Amiga, Commodore 64, Commodore 16/116, Commodore Plus/4, ZX Spectrum

The game titled “Mercenary” didn’t let technical limitations of its era dampen its lofty goals. With 3D graphics at its disposal, it breathed life into the sprawling planet Targ, where players were left stranded and had to navigate through combat and resource gathering to find a way home. The game was also notable for employing the sandbox mechanic and using vehicles for exploration purposes.

The game additionally explores the function of AI, as the user frequently engages with an intelligent computer character named Benson, who provides a sequence of dry, humorous comments throughout the gameplay. Notably, Mercenary became highly popular and was adapted for numerous platforms, resulting in two follow-up installments.

1 Wasteland

A Breakthrough In The RPG Genre

  • Developer: Interplay Productions (designed by Brian Fargo)
  • Platform: Apple II, Commodore 64, MS-DOS
  • Release Date: 1988

Initially, computer-based role-playing games adhered to a fixed, sequential path from point A to B. However, upon its release, Wasteland broke this mold by introducing a dynamic game world where the player’s actions persisted and previous locations could be revisited with progress intact. This revolutionary approach included a variety of NPCs for interaction, a mechanic later adopted in the Grand Theft Auto series.

The style of play closely resembled that of traditional tabletop role-playing games, and the player’s character possessed several traits that could be improved by participating in combat or employing various abilities. The game presented a narrative set in a devastated landscape, which was structured around an open-world setting reminiscent of the Zelda series. Within this world were survivors who had lived for centuries following a global nuclear catastrophe. This title served as a pioneer for post-apocalyptic open-world gameplay, a feature that has since become synonymous with the Fallout franchise.

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2024-11-17 07:06