Open-World Games With The Best Class Systems, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Detailed class systems in open-world games like Elden Ring offer diverse gameplay approaches.
Terraria’s four major classes aid in navigating treacherous biomes and felling imposing bosses.
In Dragon’s Dogma 2, vocations impact combat, altering gameplay experiences in different classes.

As a seasoned traveler who has traversed countless open worlds, I must say that the impact of character classes on one’s journey cannot be underestimated. Like a pair of well-worn hiking boots, each class provides a unique perspective and sets of skills that shape your adventure.

Open-world games are renowned for providing players with immense immersion and a great deal of freedom. Top open-world games encourage players to get engrossed in vast landscapes and surroundings, carving their own unique paths or meticulously exploring every nook and cranny of the world. This isn’t just a quest for game gimmicks and collectibles; it’s fueled by an authentic sense of curiosity and exploration that the game has successfully sparked within players.

As a gamer, I deeply appreciate the intricacies of open-world games, but it’s not just about the stunning landscapes or the meticulous details. The player character is equally important; they are our avatar, our representative in this virtual world. If we’re given the liberty to roam freely, it loses its charm if we don’t have the freedom to shape our protagonist as we see fit. Many open-world games, particularly those set in fantasy realms, offer elaborate class systems that allow for a multitude of unique gameplay experiences with each playthrough. These class systems in open-world games add an exciting layer of variety and diversity to our characters, making each gaming journey distinct and engaging.

8 Elden Ring

Classes Give A Great Start To Many Builds

As an avid enthusiast, I’d say that builds in Elden Ring serve as the bedrock of this extraordinary game. It’s not just about the bosses we face or the stories they tell, but how we strategize and overcome them using our unique, customized builds that make each player’s journey distinct. The lore is captivating, yes, but the tales woven into the gear we wield as players are what truly sets Elden Ring apart.

In simpler terms, classes serve as templates for creating various character builds in Elden Ring. Although they don’t directly impact the game mechanics or open-world exploration, they influence how your character evolves throughout the game, determining its final appearance and abilities.

7 Terraria

Each Class Has A Unique Set Of Equipment To Master

Initially, Terraria may seem like a peaceful side-scrolling game, but in reality, it proves to be quite challenging. This open-world adventure requires players to traverse dangerous biomes and defeat intimidating bosses. Although it’s not an easy task, choosing one of the four main character classes can make things significantly easier.

In simpler terms, Warriors excel at delivering significant close-combat damage, while attackers using ranged weapons can attack safely from a distance. Mages possess both the power of warriors and the range of rangers, but they must manage their energy (mana) for their skills. Summoners are versatile, offering a variety of adorable or formidable abilities, making them an ideal choice.

6 Elder Scrolls Online

Every Class Has Variety And Depth

In The Elder Scrolls Online, it’s the classes like the original ones that set the game’s foundation or the newer ones such as the necromancer or arcanist that significantly shape its identity. These classes essentially dictate how exploration and battle unfold within this MMO.

Traversing Tamriel’s vast open-world, customizing a specific character class, offers a wealth of diversity. Contrastingly, competitive multiplayer (PvP) builds often get confined to specific roles, but when it comes to less formal content like public dungeons and exploration, players have the freedom to create their desired class without compromising its effectiveness.

5 Dragon Age Inquisition

Classes Have A Variety Of Specialization

In contrast to the recently launched game, Veilguard, the open-world settings of Inquisition embrace a distinct approach. However, they share a similarity in that they offer substantial and gratifying combat experiences, with variations provided through character classes and specializations.

Inquisition strikes a balanced approach between the earlier Dragon Age games. The specializations in this game seem to significantly affect the character, unlike their minor role in Dragon Age 2. It’s very rewarding to navigate the open-world hubs with a specialization that gives depth to the protagonist.

4 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

Gameplay And Quests Are Exclusive To Certain Skill Combinations

In the realm of open-world games, few can match the eeriness or dangers of an alien world like that found in “Morrowind“. Players have more freedom to customize their characters in this game, and those familiar with the “Elder Scrolls” series often find it more beneficial to create their own class instead of using a pre-set one.

In this open-world game, your character class influences navigation and quest completion in various manners. Some guilds may require specific attribute levels to advance, which could pose challenges if your chosen class lacks those preferred attributes. For instance, a mystical conjurer might struggle to join the fighter’s guild due to their class not favoring the required attributes.

3 Ancient Domains Of Mystery

A Revitalized Classic RPG

Among the most notable roguelikes from the ’90s, which marked the rise in popularity of such games, is “Ancient Domains of Mystery“, an extensive open-world roguelike brimming with captivating features.

Characters’ classes significantly influence a player’s actions within the game environment and determine the routes they can take, whether for exploration or battle. Even when games share the same character class but differ in their statistical distributions, each experience remains distinct.

2 Dragon’s Dogma 2

Vocations Provide Dynamic And Fluid Gameplay

In Dragon’s Dogma 2, the professions you choose will significantly impact the outcome of battles, not only due to the distinct characteristics of each class, but also because of how they interact synergistically within a group consisting of your pawns and the Arisen.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my awe for this game’s expansive, verdant, and breathtaking open world. Traversing it from the perspective of an archer offers a unique adventure compared to venturing as a trickster or a warrior, each character presenting distinct strategies when encountering adversaries.

1 Tales of Maj’Eyal

An Excellent Roguelike With Many Amazing Classes

In simpler terms, “Tales of Maj’Eyal” is an open-world role-playing game similar to roguelikes, known for its exceptional degree of character class customization. This level of detail and complexity in even the most basic classes makes discovering both the game world and your character’s abilities equally engaging.

This game simplifies skill progression by assigning points into clear, easily understood skill trees that prevent it from becoming overly challenging or complex. Even a novice player unfamiliar with roguelikes or open-world games can effectively use the classes in this game, experiencing how different character choices significantly impact their journey through an expansive world.

2024-11-21 12:45