Top Open-World Games With the Most Incredible Ruins You Can’t Miss!

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Summary

  • Ruins in open-world games add depth to storytelling through histories of past civilizations.
  • Games like The Sinking City and Elden Ring incorporate diverse ancient and modern ruins.
  • Horizon Zero Dawn and Fallout: New Vegas showcase how nature and decay shape ruins.

It’s undeniable that the top open-world games carry an air of historical authenticity. These virtual worlds seem occupied, even if they are uninhabited at present. A powerful method to achieve this is by incorporating remnants of past civilizations.

The remnants of structures can play an essential role in crafting compelling environmental narratives and assume diverse shapes. They could be the crumbling remains of eras we view as ancient, such as Greek antiquities or fantasy ruins from times long past, or the decayed vestiges of modern society depicted in distant video game dystopias.

1. The Sinking City

20th Century & Ancient Alien Ruins

In a world on the brink of an apocalypse, The Sinking City unfolds within the once bustling town of Oakmont, now largely deserted due to widespread flooding. The remnants of buildings are gradually being reclaimed by the sea, with marine life seemingly feasting upon them. Massive coral growths encrust the once-solid brick structures, while decay has set in for wooden edifices.

Beneath the decaying structures of a 20th-century fishing village that now stands in ruin, there lies another kind of antiquity at the ocean’s depth. These are the remnants of temples, built ages ago in reverence to eldritch beings beyond comprehension. Primarily, this site is consecrated to Cthylla and the Fertile Mother.

2. Mad Max

The Ruins Of 21st Century Society

Mad Max is often overlooked as a fantastic open-world game set in post-apocalyptic Australia. Despite the landscape being primarily vast deserts, the remnants of pre-disaster civilization serve as intriguing landmarks for exploration, making the experience even more rewarding.

In these remains of recognizable buildings like Underdune’s airport, along with the corroded frameworks of once-affordable homes, a player is subtly reminded that this landscape was once their domain. This realization brings an undercurrent of vulnerability, amplified by the sight of grand human achievements, such as colossal ships and aircraft, now merely rotting relics in the barren landscape.

3. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Layers Of Ancient Greek History

In simpler terms, “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” has been picked as a fitting portrayal of a series renowned for its grand ruins. This series is deeply rooted in history and the heritage left behind by our ancestors, which explains why the games often explore the remnants of civilization prior to their specific historical settings.

In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the remnants reveal a rich tapestry of history that these games delve into. It’s essential to remember that what we see today is just a part of a larger story; towns and cities frequently stand on the remains of their predecessors. This concept is vividly depicted in the ruins of Minoan, Mycenaean, Atlantian civilizations, as well as other ancient structures dotting the vast open world set in 5th century BCE Greece.

4. Fallout: New Vegas

What Is Left Of 20th Century Las Vegas

In terms of video game ruins, Fallout stands out with some of the best, and this description could fit any game from the third installment onwards. However, the decayed elegance of Fallout: New Vegas has a unique allure. The developers at Obsidian have skillfully blended the retro-futuristic atmosphere of the Fallout series with the design influences of 1950s Las Vegas.

As a gamer, I can’t help but be drawn to the allure of the ruins in Fallout. Not every game lets you rummage through the abandoned rooms and corridors of a forgotten society, but Fallout: New Vegas certainly does. The environmental design and hidden documents within the game are essential components of its storytelling and world-building, making each exploration an exciting piece of the puzzle.

5. Horizon Zero Dawn

The Ruins Of Southwestern USA

Instead of saying it could have been the second game in the series, Horizon Forbidden West, consider phrasing it as: The second installment in the series, Horizon Forbidden West, might have been a fitting choice, but nothing compares to the allure and enigma of those initial modern human ruins. What makes the Horizon games unique is their depiction of nature reclaiming these structures. While there’s certainly decay, what stands out is the breathtaking sight of nature healing these buildings.

Instead of portraying a grim, post-apocalyptic scenario, the Horizon series offers a hopeful glimpse into what nature might flourish as modern civilization crumbles. The unique decay of each ruin, depending on its location, enriches the game’s world-building aspect.

6. Elden Ring

The Ruins Of The Lands Between

While several fascinating ruins on this list originate from the dissolution of our contemporary civilization, the game Elden Ring allows players to explore intricate fantasy ruins dating back to ancient times instead. From awe-inspiring clifftop temples and structures in the open air, to the oppressively gloomy and confined catacombs, much of Elden Ring’s world-building revolves around abandoned structures, narrating tales of past tragedy and arrogance that caused society’s decline.

In these ancient ruins, the adversaries you may encounter are frequently well-adapted to their surroundings. You might come across nearly lifelike stone beings protecting hidden areas, and former ruling powers in the remnants of their fallen kingdoms.

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2025-02-13 07:07