Best Open-World Games That Feature Giant Creatures

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Best Open-World Games That Feature Giant Creatures

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours traversing sprawling game worlds, I can confidently say that there’s an undeniable thrill in standing toe-to-toe with colossal creatures that make you feel like a speck of dust in a cosmic arena. The sheer size and scale of these behemoths is awe-inspiring, and the challenge they present is as exhilarating as it is daunting.

There is something about facing down a creature that’s double, triple, or even dozens of times the player’s size and not backing down but digging in one’s heels to stand tall that’s romantic and terrifying in equal measure.

In many video games, enormous characters or creatures are common, often found within expansive open-world settings. However, it’s uncommon for these games to truly excel at this feature. Yet, the gaming industry is diverse, offering outstanding titles across a wide range of categories for those who seek them out.

6 Skyrim

Dragons And Giants

When discussing colossal beasts, it’s often The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim by Bethesda that springs to mind first. Upon exiting character creation, players are immediately greeted with the spectacle of Alduin, the Worldeater, crashing down, a scene that inadvertently spares their character from the guillotine. While dragons dominate Skyrim’s landscape, there are other formidable opponents as well.

Giant fortresses house colossal creatures that pose an almost unbeatable obstacle during initial stages, capable of launching players high into the sky with just a single strike from their club. Accompanying these giants are equally massive mammoths. Within Dwemer dungeons, players encounter giant dwarven robots such as the Dwarven Centurion, towering over the player and effortlessly flattening the Dragonborn at lower experience levels.

5 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Leshens, Chorts, And Trolls

In the game “Witcher 3,” while the creatures may not match the size of those found in other games on this list, they certainly offer some formidable opponents. To begin with, the Griffin that assaults Geralt and Vesemir during the initial tutorial offers a glimpse into the larger beasts players will encounter throughout their adventure.

Among the largest beings you’ll encounter are Leshens and Fiends, but don’t underestimate Golems and Elementals; they can match their size in impact. Generally tranquil, Trolls might become aggressive if provoked. Additionally, there are Werewolves and Ice Giants, but their appearances are confined to specific side quests. The DLCs introduce colossal creatures such as the Cyclops, who make an appearance during the introduction of Toussaint when Geralt is approaching.

4 Dragon’s Dogma 2

Dragons, Griffins, And Minotaurs

For enthusiasts of Dragon’s Dogma, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a devoted sequel enriched with all the colossal monsters from the original game, and more. Battling titanic beasts forms the crux of the DD2 experience, and the design of these confrontations has been carefully considered. In contrast to many other games where players merely stand close to the monster’s feet and strike with their sword or axe until it collapses, DD2 offers a unique feature that allows both players and companions to climb onto the backs of these monstrosities to inflict damage. This adds an uncommon level of interactivity, making the gameplay experience quite engaging.

In Dragon’s Dogma 2, you’ll encounter a variety of colossal beings such as Ogres, Minotaurs, Cyclops, Griffins, Drakes, Chimeras, and yes, Dragons. Unique adversaries like the Medusa and the Sphinx, which belong to the large creature category, are also part of the game.

3 Horizon: Forbidden West

Mecha-Monsters Galore

In the gaming world, I can confidently say that Horizon: Zero Dawn was a force to be reckoned with when it came to creature diversity, boasting everything from the tiniest Burrowers to colossal Thunderjaws, machines reminiscent of dinosaurs. But here’s the kicker – in Horizon: Forbidden West, they didn’t just rest on their laurels; instead, they expanded the roster, offering me even more monstrous machines to conquer!

Water-dwelling creatures called Tiderippers are similar to the Loch Ness monster in myths, emerging from their watery abodes. On land, you’ll encounter colossal metal elephant-like beings known as Tremortusks. The action doesn’t stop there; Slaughterspines, Dreadwings, Slitherfangs, Rockbreakers, and many others can be found roaming the game world.

2 Elden Ring

Giants Of The Lands Between

Elden Ring is filled with enemies, big and small, that are more than ready to put the Tarnished in the dirt, given half the opportunity. The very first ‘giant’ creature players will likely see in the game are the Trolls just before reaching Stormveil Castle. The Golem Warriors and Archers seem like a hundred-foot-tall statues that move. Wandering Mausoleums might not technically be targetable, but they are creatures that move in the over-world semi-autonomously and give the same larger-than-life feeling as the giants in Shadow of the Colossus.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that most bosses in Elden Ring are colossal, making me feel like an ant facing off against a mountain. The Fire Giant, with feet as big as my character, Tarnished, is the biggest creature we can battle. Even the final boss, the Elden Beast, is an otherworldly behemoth that looms over me as I approach it. In Shadow of the Erdtree, FromSoftware added Furnace Golems – these are giant, fire-breathing buckets who roam freely in the Shadow Realm.

1 Shadow of the Colossus

David vs Goliath

In contrast to other open-world games, Shadow of the Colossus uniquely emphasizes colossal creatures, setting it apart from its peers with a singular focus. The gameplay revolves solely around locating and vanquishing titanic beings towering hundreds of feet high, reducing them to smaller forms. This game could very well be the depiction of David versus Goliath in gaming terms. To underscore this further, the world around these Colossi is eerily vacant, with no other enemies present within the entire game.

In every interaction with these colossal beasts, players must figure out the solution to ride on their backs and defeat them by striking their vulnerable points. Simultaneously, they need to hold tight onto the handholds because the Colossi will constantly attempt to toss them off. Shadow of the Colossus stands as a benchmark for giant creature battles, seamlessly combining atmosphere, size, and emotional impact in a manner that few other games have been able to replicate.

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2024-09-24 18:33