The Best Open-World Games With Short Main Stories

Key Takeaways

Short open-world games offer immersive experiences in 10-15 hours or less, leaving players craving more.
Options for base-building, exploration, and co-op make titles like State of Decay 2 unique and replayable.
The variety of endings, personalization, and consequences in short stories like The Outer Worlds keep gameplay fresh & engaging.

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for exploration and a knack for finding hidden stories within the digital landscapes of games, I must say that these titles have truly piqued my interest. From the mystical worlds of “Sable” to the curious happenings of “Firewatch”, each game offers a unique experience that caters to different tastes.

This compilation showcases several compact open-world games that offer rich, intricate world design, engaging side missions, and succinct yet impactful main stories. One of the standout features is the way these concise narratives leave players eager for more, keeping them hooked until the very end, stimulating continued gameplay even after the main story concludes.

In essence, what makes open-world games captivating is their ability to offer intense, absorbing experiences without requiring extended playtime. Players might invest countless hours navigating these expansive worlds or, alternatively, focus on the concise narrative of the primary storyline.

Some semi-open worlds like Journey to the Savage Plane will also be considered.

8 State of Decay 2

A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Survival Simulator

Main Story Length: 10–15 hours

In State of Decay 2, those who have survived a zombie outbreak must band together to create their own society and protect themselves from threats. Although the main narrative isn’t extensive, the game provides multiple campaign options and an open-world setting, ensuring endless replayability. Additionally, players must engage in base construction and resource management, enhancing the post-apocalyptic atmosphere of the game.

In State of Decay 2, you have a wealth of options at your disposal. You can construct and enhance living spaces within your bases for optimal comfort, gather a multitude of items from scavenging, and the chance to play cooperatively with up to three players allows you to experience the game solo or with friends.

7 The Outer Worlds

Space Exploration Driven By Player Choices

Main Story Length: 10–15 hours

In the game titled “The Outer Worlds“, players find themselves entangled in a plot that could potentially destroy a space colony. This role-playing game is highly appreciated by its fans for its clever, humorous dialogues, its decision-making mechanics, and its captivating main narrative. Moreover, “The Outer Worlds ” subtly explores the concept of flaws, adjusting the gaming experience based on player abilities and shortcomings, thereby making it highly customizable to individual players.

Although the main tale is brief, the multiple potential outcomes make this an engaging game worth revisiting. Each new decision leads to a unique outcome, ensuring the narrative remains captivating and intriguing for gamers.

6 The Forest

A Mysterious Horror-Survival Experience

Main Story Length: 10–15 hours

In a chilling twist, the lone occupant of a downed aircraft finds themselves battling to endure on an uncharted island teeming with carnivorous beings. The haunting narrative of The Forest seamlessly blends spine-tingling horror aspects into a survival game, where the immersive first-person perspective underscores the overwhelming sense of seclusion and fragility within its expansive open environment.

Though brief, the core narrative is captivating and harmonizes flawlessly with the immersive forest setting, where each tree serves multiple purposes such as constructing a camp or igniting a fire. This game caters to various gaming preferences, offering elements like crafting, tactical combat, base construction, and exploration of diverse environments nestled within its expansive woodland landscape.

5 Rage 2

Chaotic Combat In A Post-Apocalyptic World

Main Story Length: 8–12 hours

Rage 2 offers an engaging first-person shooter experience set in a dystopian landscape, where you play as a ranger seeking justice amidst the ruins. Players find the gameplay exhilarating and fulfilling, with numerous drivable vehicles and arsenal of collectible weapons adding depth to the extraordinary open world.

The vast, open environment serves as an ideal setting for gameplay in Rage 2. It’s vibrant, features diverse landscapes, and is filled with intriguing abandoned buildings. This game offers thrilling, fast-paced action that doesn’t require a deep, involved storyline.

4 Journey To The Savage Planet

An Offbeat Space Exploration Story In A Semi-Open World

Main Story Length: 6–10 hours

In this unconventional tale, we embark on an adventure with a corporate explorer as he ventures to the enigmatic planet ARY-26 for potential human settlement. The world is partially open for extensive exploration, featuring psychedelic landscapes and peculiar creatures at every turn. Notably, the witty writing in ‘Journey To A Wild Planet‘ is exceptional, filled with humorous events that add a touch of humor to the main storyline.

In ARY-26, though the main tale is concise, players can delve deep into the game world at their leisure. There’s a wide area to traverse, and they can craft items from found resources. It may be brief, but it offers plenty of fun experiences.

3 The Pathless

A Mystical Action-Adventure Tale

Main Story Length: 6–10 hours

This game narrates the journey of a hunter and her feathered ally, an eagle, as they strive to remove a curse plaguing the realm. Players are captivated by the vibrant, expansive environment filled with various stunning landscapes such as mountains, forests, meadows, and snowy terrains. The Pathless further provides two unconventional abilities to master: archery and bird training (falconry). The gameplay features intricate systems for flying and shooting, offering distinctive viewpoints while navigating this realm.

As a gamer, I find myself deeply immersed in “The Pathless,” a game that may be brief in length but is rich in experience. Instead of rushing through the narrative, players leisurely follow the tale, allowing them to cultivate a heartfelt connection with the eagle companion and appreciate the stunning vistas at their own pace.

2 Sable

A Uniquely Artistic Journey

Main Story Length: 6–10 hours

As a gamer, I can’t wait to embark on my journey through the breathtaking desert landscapes of Sable. In this game, I’ll be stepping into the shoes of a nomadic protagonist, seeking my place in the world. The art style is unique and captivating, making each moment spent in Sable an unforgettable experience. The story, though brief, masterfully blends adventure with introspection, offering a compelling mix of excitement and self-discovery.

The captivating graphics are enhanced by a fully-fledged soundtrack from Japanese Breakfast, thereby making the experiential depth of Sable all the more profound. This game invites exploration at one’s leisure, enabling each detail to be appreciated in its own due course.

1 Firewatch

An Exploration-Focused Wilderness Story

Main Story Length: 4–6 hours

In the wild expanses of Wyoming during the 1980s, a fire tower guard keeps tabs on his forest domain while unraveling peculiar occurrences. The interconnected open-world layout of this game facilitates extensive exploration, giving players freedom to progress through an engaging narrative at their own speed.

Although the main storyline of this game is quite brief, it carries a deep impact. With its contemplative, emotionally charged perspective and breathtaking visuals, delving into the wilderness to decipher the mysterious happenings offers a thoughtful, absorbing, and somewhat eerie experience.

2024-11-28 06:34