8 Open-World Games Where You Build a Team to Dominate

Open-world game structures have gained immense popularity across various gaming categories, ranging from RPGs to TPS and FPS games. Previously linear series are also transitioning into open-world environments. A well-designed open world allows players to roam freely and rewards them with intriguing discoveries. The possibilities within open-world games are immense, and innovative titles continue to push the boundaries of this genre.

In these games, some emphasize lone action heroes, while others prefer a multi-character approach using an expansive open world. A common layout for open-world games is forming a team, either for a specialized task or to join forces against a cataclysmic threat. There are numerous variations of this pattern, and certain open-world titles have excelled at capturing the sensation of assembling a formidable team under the player’s control. Here we highlight the top open-world games that center around team building.

8. Watch Dogs Legion

Start the Process for a People’s Revolution

In simpler terms, Watch Dogs Legion is the third game in Ubisoft’s series of open-world hacking and action titles. This time, the story unfolds in London where you build a covert Dedsec group by recruiting everyday people from the city. Each character has their unique professions, dividing them into distinct archetypes that come with various abilities for both combat and exploration.

The game offers a permanent death mode, implying that once a team member perishes, they’re gone for good. This makes the gameplay more intense since it may be challenging to find replacements for team members with unique abilities. Unfortunately, while it claims to present a dynamic urban military, many characters end up being repetitive and lacking distinct personalities. Nonetheless, Watch Dogs Legion remains an enjoyable open-world team strategy game.

7. The Godfather 2

Growing The Crime Family

One strength of the game “The Godfather 2” lies in its seamless integration of the mafia crime family theme within its gameplay mechanics. A significant aspect of the gameplay involves the recruitment and elevation of trusted associates, often referred to as “Made Men.” This process primarily focuses on seizing control of illegal enterprises from rival gangs. Over time, players can recruit four starting henchmen, and later, promote their preferred individuals, creating an underboss with two capos reporting directly to them.

As a gamer, I find myself in a world where boosting my unit’s abilities hinges on their unique specialties. It’s crucial to handpick three of these enhanced comrades for each mission and free roam, as they become my trusted allies. My objective is clear: to seize control of the businesses under a rival family, culminating in an epic showdown at their very compound.

6. State of Decay 2

Become Vital to the Management of Survivors

As a fanatic, I can attest that State of Decay 2 offers an exceptional perspective on nurturing and governing a band of survivors amidst an open-world zombie disaster. Each survivor possesses distinct characteristics influencing their base attributes and battle effectiveness. In this thrilling scenario, it’s essential to address the survivors’ basic needs – such as morale and hunger – while expanding the base for their protection.

In State of Decay 2, I get to manage any character I choose, and I can also bring along an AI-assisted ally during scavenging or missions. Understanding a survivor’s abilities and limitations significantly impacts my strategies when facing obstacles. Plus, the game motivates me to experiment with different characters as mastering tasks boosts their skills and reputation within our community. Essentially, my team plays a crucial role in shaping my experience within the game.

5. Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War

Build a Warband of Orcs to Rival Sauron’s Army

In Middle Earth: Shadow of War, they’ve expanded upon the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor, enabling players to assemble a unique orc army, each with their own characteristics and talents. The randomness in the procedural character generation results in a wide array of entertaining combinations, creating some unforgettable adversaries and allies.

Constructing an orc force under Talion’s leadership is crucial to weaken Sauron’s armies from within, ultimately leading to the collapse of their strongholds scattered across the game map. With the initial microtransaction system eliminated and the process of creating an orc army re-adjusted, Shadow of War stands out as a captivating open-world strategy game that offers a rewarding army-building experience. The Nemesis system ensures that the game remains engaging for multiple playthroughs.

4. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood

Hired Assassins

In Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, players were given control over creating an assassin group for the first time in the series. Following on from Assassin’s Creed 2, this game, named Brotherhood, assigned Ezio with the mission of forming a new guild of assassins to aid in dismantling the powerful Templars. Players accomplish this initially by freeing Borgia Towers, and later by recruiting locals who are often saved from harassment by guards.

Hired killers are utilized not only to aid in gameplay but also to accomplish secondary missions through the Brotherhood system. This helps the player earn experience and small rewards. Despite all characters performing similar functions, the Brotherhood system was innovative for its time because it was rare to see team-based mechanics in open-world games. It significantly impacted the development of future games with similar team dynamics.

3. Kenshi

Become a Wasteland Warlord and Battle Other Wasteland Warlords

In Kenshi, the game’s expansive, open-world environment empowers players to shape their own progression and objectives. A significant portion of a player’s overall power stems from the companions they can amass and the communities they can foster among them. These companions can range from robots to fishermen, and even samurai assassins, reflecting the diversity of their allegiances.

Kenshi’s approach emphasizes self-improvement through hands-on training for both experience and skills. Consequently, it’s up to players to decide how they want their recruits to be trained and developed. If a player wants their team to excel at stealth, for instance, they must practice techniques such as sneaking, lock-picking, and so forth. This flexibility allows players to create a squad with distinct specialties that can thrive in the challenging open-world environment. Over time, they can even establish their own wasteland outpost, asserting control over it.

2. Dragon’s Dogma 2

Create a True Pawn Patrol to Battle Adversaries

In Dragon’s Dogma 2, while the pawns may seem replaceable characters, crafting a team that complements your chosen job roles, and having the freedom to switch this team as you explore different character classes, can be an incredibly enjoyable aspect of the gameplay mechanics in this RPG. Even though the roster of pawns might change frequently, they are given distinct personalities through their barks and voice lines.

In the sequel to Dragon’s Dogma, titled Dragon’s Dogma 2, the pawn system has an extra layer of complexity due to the introduction of Dragonsplague. This illness exclusively targets pawns, causing significant changes in their personality and behavior. Thus, players must pay close attention to their team dynamics since this ailment can greatly impact pawn behavior. Additionally, Dragon’s Dogma 2 stands out as an engaging action RPG with a dynamic and intricate open world that reacts to player actions.

1. Baldur’s Gate 3

Get Tactical with a Quirky Team of Different Tactics

In the grand scheme of things, Baldur’s Gate 3 could be about saving or ending the world, but for me, it’s all about the companions I gather along my journey. Just take a peek at any conversation among fans, and you’ll quickly realize how deeply these characters have touched us. This speaks volumes about the richness of their personalities and the impact of player choices on their reactions.

A typical gamer might not adore every character in the main cast, but finding preferred characters during gameplay is challenging to avoid. Exploring each character’s narrative can also uncover hidden facets of their personalities, leading players to see their allies in a fresh light as they advance through the game. The game combines a compelling story and well-crafted characters with an intuitive turn-based combat system that smoothly adapts D&D into video game form, making it one of the top open-world team-focused games available.

2025-03-21 04:35