Best Games That Become Great When They Open Up

A key reason many people enjoy playing games more than watching movies is the ability to shape their own experience as they play, instead of just passively watching a story unfold. While most games immediately let you control your character and make choices, some developers choose to extend the introductory portion for various reasons. This means the game doesn’t truly open up and give you full freedom until you’ve spent a significant amount of time learning the world, the characters, and how to play.

It may seem a bit slow-paced at first, but this approach helps draw players into the game world and teaches them what they need to succeed, reducing frustrating Game Over screens. The excellent games listed below are examples of titles that require several hours of playtime before fully revealing their potential, which ultimately makes the experience even more rewarding.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Once Arthur Escapes The Snowstorm, The World Becomes His Oyster

Few people dislike Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2, but many players struggle with the first hour or so, often called the ‘snow section’. Before you can freely explore the huge open world, complete Stranger Missions, and hunt for rare animals, you’re guided through a more structured part of the story. This section is meant to introduce you to Dutch and his diverse group of companions, who will be with Arthur throughout his journey.

Aside from a few brief encounters with bandits and an exciting chase through the snowy mountains with wolves, this section of the game is often considered quite slow and somewhat boring. After escaping the snow, players are finally free to explore the world as they please, and while the game becomes fantastic from that point on, it’s unfortunate that many stopped playing during the opening part, as it doesn’t accurately reflect the rest of the gameplay experience.

Persona 5

School Life Can Be Boring, But It Gets Much Better Once The Phantom Thieves Are Introduced

It’s well known that Persona games always start with a detailed tutorial before you can begin forming Social Links and exploring Dungeons. However, in Persona 5, this introductory section is particularly lengthy. Atlus wanted players to truly feel like the protagonist-a new student at a high school-entering a completely unfamiliar environment. Therefore, the first few hours of Persona 5 focus on finding the train station to get to school, and getting to know classmates in an effort to make friends.

The story really begins when Kamoshida, the cruel gym teacher, threatens the main character with expulsion. From then on, players gradually unlock social activities to enjoy during the day, and they also have to complete dungeons within certain time limits to progress. Persona 5 is famous for its endearing characters, engaging turn-based battles, and sleek style, but the initial few hours can be a bit challenging.

Kingdom Hearts 2

A Brand New Protagonist Who Doesn’t Stick Around For Too Long

Since Sora was the main character in the original Kingdom Hearts, most fans expected the sequel to continue his story. That’s why it was so unexpected when a new protagonist, Roxas, appeared at the start of the game in a strange place called Twilight Town. Instead of battling Heartless in a magical Disney world, Roxas spends his time skateboarding around town and doing small jobs to earn money – a big change of pace!

Looking back, it was a surprisingly daring move for Square to begin the game with a slow and unremarkable section, but this choice ultimately makes the introduction of Sora much more impactful. As soon as Sora obtains his Keyblade and pilots the Gummi Ship, the game opens up, allowing players to explore at their own speed. Although this might suggest the Roxas portion was unnecessary, he actually becomes increasingly important as the narrative unfolds.

Cyberpunk 2077

The Journey Doesn’t Officially Begin Until V And Johnny Finally Meet

Night City is a truly captivating and unforgettable open world, ranking among the best in gaming. However, the initial hours of Cyberpunk 2077 only offer a glimpse of its full potential. After character creation and meeting Jackie, the story quickly centers around a large heist that V is reluctantly involved in. Because of this focus, much of Night City remains inaccessible early on. Players can explore a limited number of shops and acquire some weapons, but most of the game world doesn’t open up until the heist is completed and, crucially, when the iconic Johnny Silverhand takes residence in V’s mind.

Now that you’ve started playing as Johnny and have a clear goal, the game world is your oyster! You’re free to do almost anything – from tracking down dangerous Cyberpsychos and completing jobs, to getting to know the huge number of characters living in the city. The exciting heist early on is a fantastic introduction to the kinds of experiences you’ll have throughout the game, but things only improve as you progress. It’s a truly open experience!

Resident Evil Village

Ethan Needs An Hour Or Two To Fully Adjust To The Nightmare He Finds Himself In

Unlike other Resident Evil heroes like Leon and Chris, Ethan isn’t an experienced police officer or a highly trained soldier capable of taking down hordes of zombies with just a pistol. Instead, Capcom wanted to portray him as a regular person who keeps finding himself in terrifying situations. That’s why the beginning of Village – the first hour or two – feels like a practice run, allowing both Ethan and the player to familiarize themselves with the controls and gameplay, giving them a better chance to survive the dangers ahead.

After navigating the unsettling, straightforward path to Miranda’s village, players will find themselves in a chaotic fight against a swarm of aggressive Lycans – a situation reminiscent of the start of Resident Evil 4. Having survived several close calls and the village’s monsters, the game world expands, revealing new areas filled with resources and hidden secrets. Village stands out as a unique installment in this classic survival horror series, largely due to its fantastical look and enemy designs, but it remains a bold attempt that many fans have come to enjoy – especially after the initial tutorial is complete.

Final Fantasy 13

Square Enix Definitely Could Have Inserted The Open-Area A Little Earlier In FF13’s Story

During the initial hours of playing Final Fantasy 13, the game initially leads players to believe the entire experience will be a straightforward, guided path filled with battles and story sequences. It’s true that the game largely sticks to this pattern for roughly 10 to 15 hours. Eventually, players gain the freedom to customize their party’s composition as they see fit. However, this is just the beginning of the game expanding. Once players progress to chapter 11, they unlock Gran Pulse, a sprawling open area to explore – marking the first time the game isn’t strictly linear.

It’s clear this game has a slow start, but it eventually becomes incredibly fun once you invest a significant amount of time into it. For instance, when exploring Gran Pulse, players begin to strategize about character pairings and Paradigms to build a team capable of defeating tough enemies, creating a captivating and rewarding gameplay cycle. There are also plenty of side quests to keep you engaged. Final Fantasy 13 is the best example on this list of a game that drastically improves as you unlock more features and tools, allowing you to fully enjoy the experience. However, it takes over 10 hours to reach that point, which is why this game is often considered somewhat controversial.

2025-10-05 08:35