Best Open-World Games To Play If You Love Reading Lore

Key Takeaways

Games like Skyrim, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Witcher 3 offer rich lore beyond the main story.
Lore in these games adds depth to the world, including conflicts, creatures, and deities.
Titles like Elden Ring delve deep into their lore, creating intricate worlds with extensive history.

As a long-time enthusiast of immersive storytelling in video games, I find myself deeply captivated by the intricate lore and world-building found within these three masterpieces: The Witcher, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Elden Ring. Each one offers a unique perspective on humanity, deities, and the consequences of our actions.

One of the standout features of open-world video games is their adaptability across various genres, gameplay mechanics, side missions, and narrative depth. There are numerous open-world games that aim to offer players an engaging experience, often skirting (or completely avoiding) the intricate lore and backstory of the protagonist and their associates.

For players who enjoy delving deep into a game’s backstory and world-building, there are numerous titles that cater to this preference. These games offer rich, extensive lore for those wanting to fully immerse themselves in the universe they’re exploring. Here are some top picks for open-world games that are perfect for avid readers of lore.

5 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Gods, Dragons, Demonic Deities, And Ancient Magic

Dragons, ancient magic, and Daedric princes, all play important roles in the events unfolding in Skyrim
Completing previous instalments of the franchise can help players understand the lore better

Individuals who’ve finished playing “The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim” are likely aware that the primary political strife revolves around a longstanding war between the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks. However, it’s important to note that the game’s narrative is deeply rooted in over thousand years of history, drawing heavily from previous series installments. Moreover, the age-old struggle between the Nords and Dragons is also extensively chronicled. In your role as the Dragonborn, you’ll embark on a quest to vanquish Alduin, the dragon lord.

In “Skyrim”, the game deeply roots its storyline in an age-old conflict while also delving into less familiar aspects concerning deities and religion. Characters like Azura, Molag Bal, Sanguine, and Sheogorath frequently meddle with various side quests and global happenings within the game world.

4 Cyberpunk 2077

Wars And Corporate Greed Lie Behind This Futuristic Masterpiece

Multiple worldwide conflicts led to the decline of society as people knew it
Corporations took over governments as the leading power in the world

In the storyline of ‘Cyberpunk 2077’, the timeline closely mirrors our own until the 1990s. However, after this decade, numerous events drastically alter the course of history. For instance, the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War, followed by the circulation of nuclear weapons on the black market, and the concerning influence of the ‘Gang of Four’ (NSA, CIA, FBI, DEA) in U.S. politics, lead to a catastrophic economic and societal breakdown.

In a world plagued by global conflict, including nuclear exchanges and biological warfare, Western civilization began to crumble. With governments collapsing and humanity teetering on the brink of annihilation, ruthless corporations such as Arasaka seized power and grew into the colossal entities they are in 2077. No matter which game ending players select in Cyberpunk 2077, understanding the grim history of this dystopian world will undoubtedly make their gaming experience more immersive and enlightening when they play again.

3 The Witcher 3

Monsters And Men, Sharing One World After The Conjunction Of The Spheres

The Conjunction of the Spheres allowed vicious creatures to inhabit The Continent
Magic and sorcery wouldn’t have existed in the world without this event

Individuals who’ve pondered if the realm depicted in The Witcher 3 was consistently tormented by monsters or if it ever harbored a semblance of normality can find their answers in the Conjunction of the Spheres. This catastrophic occurrence significantly altered the universe where The Witcher is set, resulting in various non-human, dangerous creatures becoming trapped on The Continent (where humans reside). Unfortunately for humanity, this invasion included fearsome creatures like ghouls, vampires, and graveirs, along with more reasonable beings such as gnomes and dwarves.

The Alignment of the Celestial Bodies not only brought magic into existence but also paved the way for the emergence of sorcerers and sorceresses. In essence, although the Alignment of the Celestial Bodies was undeniably a catastrophe for mankind, it unwittingly laid the foundation for the “Witcher” series. As Geralt, Vesemir, and Ciri would have been unemployed as Witchers if there were no monsters to slay, their fates would have been drastically different without the Trial of the Grasses. Therefore, whether good or bad, the Alignment of the Celestial Bodies created an entirely new realm of opportunities in the “Witcher” universe.

2 Horizon: Zero Dawn

Humanity’s Hubris Led To Society’s Downfall

Humanity faced mass species extinction, leading to the development of artificial terraforming machines in the form of mechanical creatures
The game is set about 1,000 years after the initial events of this fictional world take place

Beyond just being an engaging game, Horizon: Zero Dawn serves as a powerful warning about the perils of human overconfidence and its potential impact on our species’ longevity. The narrative unfolds roughly a millennium prior to when players embark on their journey as Aloy. In the early 21st century, humanity grappled with an urgent crisis characterized by climate change, rampant ocean pollution, and the rapid extinction of various species worldwide. For decades, scientists sought a resolution, ultimately developing mechanical creatures to restore Earth, which had become nearly lifeless except for humans.

Over numerous centuries, human settlements endured repeated devastation by earthquakes, famines, and political turmoil, which ultimately culminated in mass extinction events. The survivors banded together to form clans, leading humanity to revert to a state not far from primal existence. Activities such as trading, hunting, gathering, and other primitive survival skills became the foundation of society. Although Horizon: Zero Dawn is a fictional work, its portrayal of a world facing extinction-level threats mirrors our current reality as a species, making players ponder and reflect on these themes as they traverse the game’s expansive landscape.

1 Elden Ring

Deities, Empyreans, And An Ever-Deteriorating World

Queen Marika the Eternal removed the Rune of Destined Death from the Lands Between, making its inhabitants immortal
Marika gave birth to several children, some of which were Empyreans, destined to replace her at some point

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the rich tapestry of stories that unfolds within Elden Ring. To fully grasp its depth, one would need an entire essay to unravel its threads. In essence, this game transports us to the Lands Between, realms believed to be under the guardianship of the Greater Will – a divine entity responsible for maintaining balance between order and chaos. The Erdtree, a colossal golden tree with omniscience and protection, serves as the conduit through which the Greater Will communicates its decrees in myriad ways. Queen Marika the Eternal, one of its vessels, bestowed immortality upon her realm – a gift initially seen as a blessing but later revealed to be a curse.

Marika’s first wedding to Godfrey, the First Elden Lord, prospered and deteriorated, leading to multiple offspring. Similarly, her second marriage to Radagon produced more potential successors. These children, referred to as Empyreans, were meticulously selected by a higher power, with some accepting their fate and others refusing it.

2024-09-25 04:33