Best Open-World Series With Overarching Stories That Last Multiple Games

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that these series have left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. Each one offers a unique and immersive world that transports us to different times, places, and even dimensions.

Game creators often aim to design games that are accessible for newcomers, ensuring their latest releases appeal to a broad range of players. This accessibility is achieved by creating standalone games, meaning each game’s narrative doesn’t depend on the player having prior experience with the developer’s previous works. A notable example of this approach can be found in the Grand Theft Auto series, where each game takes place within the same universe but can still be enjoyed independently due to the lack of interconnected narratives between them.

For those seeking a sprawling game series where titles intertwine, options may be limited as many developers often mimic Rockstar’s style due to it being a more secure choice. However, there are a few established franchises that span multiple games and share an ongoing narrative. Here are some notable examples.

8 Gothic Series

Gothic 1, 2, And 3

As a gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about my immersive journey through the Gothic series. This epic open-world RPG takes you straight into a medieval fantasy realm, right in the heart of a brutal conflict between humans and the Orcs. My character is no stranger to hardship, as I find myself incarcerated within an oppressive mining colony. Under the thumb of a ruthless king, I’m forced to laboriously mine ores to finance our war efforts. The majority of my tale unfolds within these grim confines and the tumultuous events that ensue.

In the sequel to Gothic 2, the narrative picks up right where the first game left off, delving into the world beyond the mining colony and offering players a chance to traverse a wider expanse. Although its graphics and controls may seem outdated, games like Gothic 1 & 2 have earned classic status for good reason. The progression of power is fulfilling, the leveling-up system is engaging, and the role-playing experience is exceptional. Unlike its predecessors, Gothic 3 adopts a brighter tone and more optimistic fantasy atmosphere.

7 The Elder Scrolls

Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, & Online

The Elder Scrolls is renowned as one of the most celebrated role-playing game (RPG) series in history, encompassing five single-player open-world titles, numerous smaller releases, and an entire massively multiplayer online game (MMO). Each game is set within the fictitious universe of Tamriel, a realm teeming with dragons, daedra, and an intricate lore that transcends four distinct time periods.

Each installment of the series offers a complete narrative with an introduction, development, and conclusion that can be enjoyed independently. However, these stories are set within the expansive realm of Tamriel, offering insights into the ongoing struggle between the Thalmor, the Empire, and assorted smaller factions. The Aedra and Daedra are recurring forces in every game, subtly shaping the world through their actions, which can be beneficial or detrimental, but always unforeseeable.

6 Marvel’s Spider-Man Series

Marvel’s Spider-Man 1, 2, & Miles Morales

2018 saw Sony launch with the captivating “Marvel’s Spider-Man”, a game that created quite a stir within the gaming world, further establishing Insomniac Games as a dominant force in the industry. The narrative centers around an adult Peter Parker navigating a stunningly detailed New York City, and his endeavors to protect its citizens from various perils.

Following the tremendous triumph of the initial game, Insomniac introduced a spin-off titled “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales” in 2020 and a full-length follow-up, “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2“, in 2023, garnering widespread praise. The games, including the original, are set within the Insomniac-designed universe known as Earth-1048, capitalizing on the multiverse concept that is a hallmark of the Marvel universe.

5 Batman: Arkham Series

Arkham Origins, Arkham Asylum & Arkham City

In 2009, the game titled “Batman: Arkham Asylum” was introduced, marking the start of the series that follows Batman’s narrative. In this game, Batman grapples with escaped inmates from Arkham Asylum, most notably The Joker. Subsequently, “Batman: Arkham City“, released 18 months later, is recognized as the ultimate Batman game, earning critical praise and paving the way for future open-world games with its groundbreaking standards.

In the game titled “Batman: Arkham Origins“, the story unfolds prior to the events depicted in “Arkham Asylum“. Here, players assume the role of a young Bruce Wayne who is yet to fully master the skills necessary to become the hero that Gotham City desperately needs. The “Arkham” series as a whole offers an engaging blend of stealth gameplay, interactive combat based on reactions, and the strategic employment of various gadgets, ensuring a dynamic gaming experience.

4 Assassin’s Creed Series

AC 1, 2, 3, 4, Brotherhood, Revelations, Black Flag, & Many More

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that no other franchise comes close to the intricately woven tales spanning numerous games like the one and only Assassin’s Creed. The foundation of this series revolves around an innovative device known as the Animus, a creation of the sinister megacorp Abstergo, which enables individuals to revisit historical events through their ancestors’ eyes. Although Ubisoft has scaled back on the ‘Present Day’ aspects in the latest Assassin’s Creed installments, the central concept remains intact.

Beyond each Assassin’s Creed game lies the ancient struggle between the Assassins and Templars spanning centuries. The Assassin’s Creed series has consistently adopted an open-world design that has grown in complexity over time. Originally focused on stealth, the series has evolved into a role-playing game (RPG) experience. Players are drawn back by the large, intricate maps at the heart of the gameplay.

3 Horizon Series

Horizon Zero Dawn & Forbidden West

In “Horizon Zero Dawn” and “Forbidden West,” the story follows Aloy as she traverses a colorful, verdant post-apocalyptic world where most original humans have perished. The remaining survivors are in a primitive stage of civilization, resembling tribes.

The Forbidden West is the immediate follow-up to Zero Dawn, picking up right where the previous game left off and leading Aloy into the western territories of Banuk lands. The Horizon series, with its gripping narrative, has emerged as one of Sony’s most successful franchises and a PlayStation icon. Remarkably, both games are now playable not only on PlayStation but also on PC.

2 Red Dead Redemption Series

Red Dead Redemption 1 & 2

The Red Dead Redemption series is a collection of open-world role-playing games set during the Wild West era, when lawlessness was rampant and trains were becoming increasingly popular. In the first game, you follow John Marston, once an outlaw with the Van der Linde gang, who participated in almost every criminal act they committed. The story follows his journey as he departs from the gang and sets off on a path to find redemption by navigating the world independently.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the main character is Arthur Morgan, who’s part of Dutch’s outlaw gang and a close friend of John. The narrative unfolds during a period when John was still an active member of the group. Arthur is a complex character, with a kind heart yet carrying flaws, older than John but also more cautious. Both games are modern masterpieces, often ranked among the best open-world games ever made.

1 The Legend Of Zelda Series

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom

Following Mario, The Legend of Zelda stands as Nintendo’s most prominent in-house series, an enduring classic that has adapted elegantly within the contemporary gaming landscape. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild marked the series’ debut into the open-world genre and was a resounding success. Featuring an art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, an expansive world to traverse, and a fresh take on the well-known realm of Hyrule.

In a fresh take on its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom significantly expands upon what Breath of the Wild offered, nearly doubling the map size through the inclusion of The Depths and numerous Sky Islands for exploration. The intricate lore of Zelda is renowned for its complexity, with a timeline that can be mind-boggling, yet one thing remains certain: everything is interconnected; it’s the players who must piece together the connections.

2024-11-08 03:36