Best Futuristic Open-World Games

Key Takeaways

Futuristic open-world games offer unique, immersive experiences with intricate urban environments and advanced technology.
Games like
Watch Dogs: Legion
and
Cyberpunk 2077
place players in futuristic megacities, rich in detail and featuring unique design choices rarely seen elsewhere.
Futuristic space exploration games, including
Starfield
,
Mass Effect: Andromeda
, and
No Man’s Sky
, allow players to explore vast alien worlds.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that these games offer some of the most immersive and futuristic open-world experiences out there. From the sprawling landscapes of Horizon Forbidden West to the procedurally generated universes of No Man’s Sky, each game presents a unique vision of what our future might look like.

In open-world games, players have the liberty to roam through expansive, awe-inspiring environments teeming with activities, fostering a unique style of gameplay that invites creativity. Often, it’s the game’s environment itself that initially captivates players, creating an immersive experience that can feel like a journey in its own right. This is particularly effective when the setting is futuristic, as these environments are less frequently encountered compared to medieval or fantasy landscapes within this genre.

Developing a futuristic open world poses special difficulties for game creators. They must design intricate cityscapes, sophisticated technology, and inventive architecture – elements that differ significantly from the natural environments typically featured in open-world games. The fusion of this genre’s limitless potential with the distinctive ambiance of a futuristic backdrop often leads to some of the most captivating and unforgettable gaming experiences on offer.

10 Watch Dogs Legion

A Fictionalized Dystopian London Of 2030

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice that Watch Dogs: Legion stands out among Ubisoft’s lineup as one of their unique open-world games set in a future-like London. This innovative decision gives the developers a chance to breathe life into their imagined, darkened version of the city we all know and love. In this game, London is under the iron fist of Albion, a ruthless private military corporation that has turned the metropolis into a spying hub after a series of devastating terrorist attacks.

The game effectively utilizes its futuristic cityscape as a setting, showcasing a modernized yet recognizable version of one of Europe’s most iconic cities – London. This setting provides a unique canvas for gameplay experiences. Players can almost effortlessly manipulate technology, ranging from security systems to vehicles. They can also employ devices such as the AR Invisibility Cloak, allowing for stealthy movements. Moreover, piloting colossal cargo drones offers an exciting and efficient means of navigating London’s expansive open world.

9 Death Stranding

Set In 2050, After A Series Of Cataclysmic Events Shattered Reality

Death Stranding presents a fresh gaming experience that asks for patience to fully appreciate, but once players get accustomed to its distinctive flow, it offers an unparalleled journey. The game reinvents one of the most frequent tasks in games – fetch quests – and makes it the heart of its gameplay. It integrates challenging, almost impassable landscapes, realistic and sometimes cumbersome walking dynamics, and the perils that come with being a courier in a post-cataclysmic era.

Amidst the ruins of a world plagued by the enigmatic phenomenon known as ‘Death Stranding,’ players assume the role of Sam Porter Bridges, a deliveryman charged with transporting vital supplies to scattered survivors. Despite its seemingly ordinary plotline, Death Stranding converts the simple act of traveling into a soothing and rewarding experience due to its unique gameplay features. The game’s advanced designs for weapons, vehicles, outfits, and accessories result in an awe-inspiring setting.

8 Cyberpunk 2077

Set In A Futuristic Megapolis, Night City, In America Of 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 offers a distinctive open-world adventure that surpasses others in its portrayal of the expansive Night City. CD Projekt Red’s bold imagination breathes life into this lively metropolis, filled with diverse and intricate characters. Night City seems like a pivotal character itself, offering a captivating setting for the intense storyline missions.

The city is broken down into numerous large districts, each with its unique character, as well as vast areas waiting to be discovered. From high-tech automobiles to complex weaponry and mechanical enhancements, every aspect showcases a remarkable commitment to detail, aiming to immerse players completely. This devotion to quality creates an engrossing atmosphere that portrays a future where technology and humanity intersect in a captivating yet ominous way.

7 Mass Effect: Andromeda

In Another Galaxy In 2185, Two Species Are At Constant War

The highly-acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy is admired for its captivating sci-fi universe, yet it received criticism for its narrow, linear game settings. In an attempt to rectify this issue, Mass Effect: Andromeda aimed to expand these limitations. This new installment is set in the Andromeda Galaxy and offers players vast, open environments to discover. Each world presents distinct challenges and enigmas, such as the home planet of the Angara species. As humanity seeks a new place to settle, many of these worlds are still wild and dangerous, concealing ancient Remnant ruins that could potentially transform them into livable territories.

In terms of its design, Andromeda showcases bold moves with eye-catching weaponry, spaceships, spacesuits, and the distinctive Nomad vehicle, each element enhancing the game’s distinct visual appeal. Although it has sparked debate among fans, this title’s daring exploration and design concepts represent a significant advancement in the series, signifying an important step forward for the franchise.

6 Starfield

In The Year 2330, Earth Has Become Unsustainable For Life

Starfield distinguishes itself in the realm of space exploration games with its unique NASA-infused cyberpunk style, presenting a gritty portrayal of a colonized cosmos. Although it might not live up to some enthusiasts’ expectations for seamless gameplay, the game offers a vast array of discoverable planets, ranging from desolate terrains to bustling human settlements and sophisticated outposts.

In addition to its planets that are created dynamically, Starfield offers numerous significant celestial bodies teeming with extensive cities and settlements. The game’s elaborate crafting systems and customizable ship-building mechanics provide players the liberty to design and build spacecraft suited for various purposes such as combat, exploration, or commerce.

5 The Outer Worlds

Set In 2355, In An Alternate Timeline Of Human History

In an alternate future timeline, the game titled “The Outer Worlds” blends aspects of “Fallout” and a yet-to-be-released game called “Starfield“. This results in a humorous, action-packed space exploration journey with a touch of satire and a dash of retro-futuristic charm. As is customary for Obsidian Entertainment, the game promises intriguing characters, compelling quests, and versatile roleplay opportunities that provide ample freedom to players.

As a dedicated gamer, I must say that though “The Outer Worlds” may not boast the grandest expanse among its peers and might not strictly adhere to the conventional definition of an open-world game, it offers a captivating array of planets ripe for exploration. These celestial bodies are home to advanced metropolises, lively outposts, intricately designed spaceships, and sprawling space stations that will leave you spellbound. What truly sets this space odyssey RPG apart is its unique atmosphere and witty yet profound storyline, making it an unforgettable journey through the cosmos.

4 Borderlands 3

Set In The 29th Century, On Distant Planets Across The Galaxy

Among all the Borderlands games, Borderlands 3 truly sets itself apart as the epitome of the series. Boasting breathtaking graphics, an expanded universe, and numerous planets to discover, it delivers the most polished Borderlands adventure yet. Furthermore, it has been one of the most enjoyable cooperative games in recent memory.

The primary appeal of this franchise is its intriguing loot mechanism. With a multitude of weapons, each procedurally generated and boasting distinct advantages and capabilities, gamers are enticed to continue the hunt for the ultimate weapon of devastation. Notably, Borderlands 3 excels visually as well, presenting stunning vistas and futuristic settlements, adorned with the franchise’s characteristic post-apocalyptic, punk-influenced style. This dynamic, energetic gameplay keeps players eagerly returning for more.

3 Horizon Forbidden West

A Post-Apocalyptic World Dominated By Machines, In The Year 3041

In the game “Horizon Forbidden West”, humanity’s ancient times are blended with a futuristic spin, creating a world where instead of developing stone tools, early humans might have discovered coding and circuitry. Similar to its precursor, “Horizon Zero Dawn”, it offers an expansive, breathtaking open world filled with mechanical creatures to hunt, disassemble, and dominate.

In every novel machine, a fresh test awaits the players, compelling them to analyze attack patterns and locate vulnerabilities. With an astonishing array of distinct machines, fans of action games will find themselves immersed in countless exhilarating confrontations. To assist in these conflicts, Forbidden West provides a selection of advanced weapons, traps, and tools. The capacity to hack and command these mechanical beasts introduces an additional dimension, expanding the options for exploration within this expansive world.

2 No Man’s Sky

Takes Place Millennia After Our Era, After Humans Left Earth

No Man’s Sky delivers an expansive, procedurally generated universe for players to traverse, boasting a staggering 18 quintillion planets. Every planet can be touched down upon, investigated, and even modified into a personal headquarters, positioning the game as a serious candidate for the most sprawling open-world setting yet designed. Although its magnitude is clearly futuristic, the planets primarily revolve around exotic alien landscapes instead of high-tech locales.

In this game, since there are no pre-existing large cities to explore, players are given the ability to construct their own cities using versatile building tools. This freedom has resulted in the emergence of breathtaking player-created settlements like Hiya City, Colossal Archive City, Rainbow City, and Sky City. Consequently, the game world appears vibrant and dynamic, always changing through the process of exploration and creative problem-solving.

1 NieR: Automata

Set In 11,945 AD, After A Devastating War Between Humanity & Aliens

NieR: Automata takes place in a bleak future setting, approximately thousands of years from now. Humans have evacuated to the Moon following a devastating war against extraterrestrial forces, leaving Earth inhabited solely by robots. The planet is now a desolate wasteland, showcasing destroyed cities, expansive deserts, and submerged metropolises. The game masterfully depicts a world overrun by machines, combining melancholic emptiness with an original robot-themed design.

Characters assume control over 2B, an android on a mission to restore Earth for human civilization. This expansive environment features various captivating landscapes, which harmoniously blend with intense action-packed combat sequences. The narrative is deeply moving, adding depth to the experience, and it’s accompanied by a captivating soundtrack that amplifies the sensation of traversing this deteriorated yet enchantingly beautiful world.

2024-11-16 12:54