Best Open-World Games With Exploitable Mechanics

Summary

Ambitious games like Dwarf Fortress and Elder Scrolls 5 have exploits that help players progress more easily.
Bethesda games like Skyrim have popular exploits involving bucket blinding and gold duplication.
Yakuza and Disco Elysium also feature fun exploits to enhance the gameplay experience.

There are moments when people playing games might want to discover shortcuts or loopholes to simplify their gameplay experience, particularly in demanding open-world games that could initially seem overwhelming.

It’s fortunate that these games boast devoted fanbases who have found methods to manipulate the system to their advantage. Utilizing these workarounds helps make progress less aggravating, giving an increasing number of players the opportunity to fully appreciate what makes each of these expansive open-world games unique and captivating.

Dwarf Fortress

An Ambitious Open-World Game Loaded With Exploits

Dwarf Fortress represents an exceptionally intricate colony simulation game that is highly probable to captivate enthusiasts of RimWorld. This game boasts a procedurally-generated vast landscape that supports immersion in either Fortress or Adventure play style.

The Fortress mode includes a destructive tactic called breaking down the drawbridge, which instantly eliminates any opponents beneath it. On the other hand, Adventure mode is relatively new yet packed with various exploits such as wearing multiple shields to absorb damage and enhance abilities. Players can also drain one unit of water from their waterskin and replenish it by filling from a nearby formed pool, gaining an additional three units of water.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Bethesda Games Are Known For Their Exploits, And Skyrim Is No Exception

Bethesda games, known for having their share of amusing glitches, are famously no different with Skyrim joining the ranks. One entertaining trick players often indulge in within this game involves setting a bucket on a merchant’s head, causing them to become blind. This hilarious incident provides an opportunity for the Dragonborn to steal everything visible without the witnessing eyes of the merchant.

In addition to the main feature, players have the ability to craft fundamental swords and goods quickly, enabling them to accumulate a significant number of levels with ease. Furthermore, players can find various methods to multiply their gold and amass wealth rapidly.

Yakuza 0

All Yakuza Titles Feature Fun Ways For Players To Break The Game, Including This Lauded Prequel

Experience the acclaimed Yakuza series with Yakuza 0, an engaging introduction that promises an enjoyable journey for newcomers. The captivating narratives of Kiryu and Majima will hook you, and mastering the game’s mechanics only makes their stories more enjoyable.

One illustrative instance of this behavior occurs when gamers deliberately forfeit against Mr. Shakedown so they can receive a bigger reward upon defeating him later on. Other straightforward methods include advancing the side-story more quickly by fleeing momentarily, allowing players to transition to the next stage of the mission. This technique is something experienced fans of the Yakuza series may recognize.

Disco Elysium

Save-Scumming And Instant Outfit Changes Make It Easy To Pass Most Checks

In Disco Elysium, the absence of traditional combat allows players to fully immerse themselves in the storyline and focus on solving the mystery at hand. This requires numerous successes in White and Red skill checks, which can be challenging if the probabilities aren’t in the player’s favor, making it an engaging and potentially difficult experience.

Luckily, the traditional tactic of rapid saving and loading allows players to avoid excessive frustration during challenging skill checks, as they can simply revert back if needed. Additionally, players have the option to accumulate skill points and strategically use them when tackling difficult skill checks; however, labeling this a ‘exploit’ might be a bit of an exaggeration.

Elden Ring

Various Exploits Let Players Farm A Ton Of Runes In No Time

Just like many games developed by FromSoftware, Elden Ring includes its share of strategies or shortcuts that some players employ to make the game less challenging. One such strategy, commonly used among experienced players, is called Rune farming. This involves intentionally warping to a late-game location and luring enemies to fall off a cliff close to a Site of Grace, repeating this process over and over again to gather runes quickly.

This feature accelerates the progression of players through numerous levels swiftly, making game navigation smoother. Moreover, players can sprint without depleting their stamina by alternating between standing and crouching movements, thus conserving this resource tactically in battle scenarios.

Fallout: New Vegas

The Skilled Perk Is Broken And Can Help Players Reach Level 100 Of Each Skill With Greater Ease

As a dedicated fan, I can attest to the fact that delving into the universe of Fallout: New Vegas is like uncovering hidden treasures. It’s no secret that resourceful players have discovered various shortcuts to simplify their gameplay in this captivating title. Although most of these ‘shortcuts’ are typically useful for speed runs or tough challenges, there’s one trick that significantly eases the experience during a regular playthrough.

The Skilled trait increases a player’s skill level by 5 in all areas, but decreases XP gain by 10%. If players decide to create a new character after leaving Doc Mitchell’s house, they can choose the Skilled trait again for the same benefit without the drawback. In the game “Old World Blues”, there’s an Auto-Doc that allows players to enhance this bonus by 15 points, making it much easier to max out multiple skills.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Alchemy And Mutations Can Be Exploited To Turn Geralt Into A Whirlwind Of Death

For those finding The Witcher 3’s combat less engaging, increasing the difficulty level could be beneficial. This is when Geralt needs to employ all of his skills effectively to tackle demanding combat situations.

In my experience, the alchemical enhancements prove incredibly handy in this game, urging players to engage in elevated Toxicity levels for optimal damage output and maintaining Geralt’s stamina even as he unleashes potent attacks and powerful Signs. On another note, there’s a notorious trick where gamers can return to the starting zone, repeatedly slaughter cows to amass useful resources. With a high-level Geralt, you can even fend off the dreaded chort that appears when this exploit is overused.

The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

There Are Plenty Of Ways To Break Both This Game And Its Predecessor

Similar to its previous version, The Tears of the Kingdom likewise offers numerous exploits for players to simplify their gameplay experience. Although many have been addressed in update 1.2.0, there remains a dependable method for replicating items that players can effectively employ.

To execute this action, players should locate or create a platform with a slight fall. Subsequently, they need to choose the object in question and simultaneously let go and toss it off the edge. If performed correctly, the item will multiply itself, and this process can be repeated as needed until the players amass an abundant supply of a scarce resource.

2025-09-10 13:57