Best Games Where You Can Do Anything You Want

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Certain games excel by concentrating on a single core mechanic. The Devil May Cry series, for instance, prioritizes fast-paced, visually impressive combat without unnecessary additions like side quests or crafting. And that’s perfectly fine – some game series are stronger when they don’t try to follow every popular trend.

Some games excel by offering players incredible freedom and a huge range of things to do, all while remaining well-made and focused. While this ‘kitchen sink’ approach doesn’t suit every game, it works brilliantly in these cases. If you’re looking for games with lots of variety – whether you enjoy action, role-playing, or something else – these are great options.

Minecraft

Sump Out The Bucket Of Digital Bricks

When you need a relaxing escape, Minecraft is a fantastic choice. You can start a new world and then freely explore, collect resources, and build anything you imagine – from a charming village to towering structures. You can even invite friends to join in! While there’s some action to be had, especially at night, Minecraft is primarily a creative building game with endless possibilities and no pressure from a storyline.

Stardew Valley

Pixelated But Innovative

Stardew Valley is similar to Minecraft, but played from a top-down perspective and with more intricate details. You create a character and start a new life on a farm, and while there are quests and characters who give you tasks, you’re free to play however you like.

The game focuses on building and managing a farm with plants and animals, but offers a lot more to do too. You can explore mines for resources and battle creatures, go fishing, or even find a spouse through various in-game relationships.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Need A Vacation?

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest major installment in the Yakuza series, and it takes players to Hawaii for the first time. You’ll be able to explore Honolulu and its surrounding areas, filled with criminals, businesses, and plenty of fun side activities.

Beyond battling opponents in turn-based combat, players can enjoy a variety of other activities like taking photos, delivering food, and even scuba diving. A major addition is a whole island players can sail to, where they can farm land and construct buildings – it’s the most detailed side activity the game has ever offered.

Dark Cloud 2

An Endless Time

Dark Cloud 2, a fantastic game for the PlayStation 2 developed by Level-5, provides players with a ton of engaging content. While the playable party was smaller than in the original Dark Cloud, the main characters, Max and Monica, had diverse combat abilities. They could upgrade both close-range and long-range weapons, and Max could control and customize a powerful mech. Monica had the unique ability to transform into any monster she encountered. Beyond battles, players could collect resources to rebuild towns across different time periods in a fun, arcade-style mini-game. The game also included enjoyable side activities like fishing and golf.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Chill Out And Be Free

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a newer game by Level-5, offering a wide range of things to do. Players choose from three main classes – Paladins (fighters), Miners (gatherers), and Blacksmiths (crafters) – which determine how they progress. While combat classes level up similarly, each class otherwise offers a unique experience. Between battles, collecting items, and creating new gear, players can also personalize their own home, and can enjoy all of these activities solo or with friends.

Dreams

If You Can Dream It, You Can Build It

Dreams features a playful campaign created by its developer, Media Molecule, but the game truly shines because of its incredible creation tools. The developers have significantly improved upon the level creation tools they first introduced in LittleBigPlanet, a 2D game. With Dreams, players have the freedom to build any kind of game they imagine, in either 2D or 3D, and the possibilities are truly amazing.

The game clearly takes inspiration from popular titles like Call of Duty, Final Fantasy 7, and Crash Bandicoot. Even though Media Molecule has moved on to a different project, players are still actively making and sharing new creations within the game.

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist Of Memories & The Envisioned Land

Presto, Change-o!

If you’re new to the Atelier series, Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is a fantastic place to begin. It offers helpful difficulty settings to tailor the experience to your skill level. While the game introduces a lot of information upfront, the core gameplay quickly becomes intuitive and enjoyable.

Players will become alchemists in diverse environments, assisting local villagers by gathering materials and battling monsters. They’ll craft a variety of items, from furniture like desks to useful potions, with a flexible alchemy system that can be tailored to their skill level. Players can also personalize their workshop to create a comfortable and inviting space.

Retro Game Challenge

The Ultimate History Adventure For Gamers

Released in North America in 2009, Retro Game Challenge for the DS isn’t well-known, and it’s become even harder to find information about online. The game is unique because it’s a game within a game, telling the story of a young boy in Japan as the Famicom (Nintendo’s original console) first became popular.

The console and games aren’t real, but players will experience a variety of them, from classic platformers to games inspired by Zelda. The experience goes beyond just playing – it also captures the feeling of discovering games through friends and magazines. It’s a wonderfully immersive trip back in time, letting players feel what it was like to grow up with these early consoles, and offering a diverse range of games and activities to enjoy alongside the experience.

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2025-10-29 05:06