Best Western RPGs That Don't Use An Open-World

Summary

RPGs and open-world games often coexist, but the genres don’t always need each other.
Borderlands offers a loose open-world structure with emphasis on looter-shooter gameplay.
Games like Dishonored and Mass Effect provide immersive experiences without expansive open worlds.

Role-playing games (RPGs) and open-world games frequently complement each other, and there’s a good explanation for this. RPGs commonly involve customizing characters to some extent, and in many western RPGs, the opportunity to make choices that impact the world and narrative. Consequently, it makes sense that creating a personalized character and allowing them to roam a world influenced by their decisions would be a harmonious fit. The reason Bethesda saw such massive success with titles like “The Elder Scrolls” and “Fallout,” and CDProjekt Red gained large fanbases with “The Witcher” and “Cyberpunk 2077” is due to this very combination.

In other words, both genres, open-world games and RPGs, don’t necessarily require specific elements to be present. For instance, an open-world game doesn’t have to incorporate RPG mechanics; it merely needs to be expansive. Similarly, an RPG can retain aspects that make titles like Skyrim appealing without featuring a vast map for exploration. Just because something has been successful in the past doesn’t guarantee its effectiveness in all situations. JRPGs are typically known for their linear narratives where characters adhere to a predetermined path, yet they still boast numerous critically acclaimed titles. Occasionally, western RPGs can offer an engaging experience by deviating from the open-world format and trying something fresh.

6. The Borderlands Series

The Borderlands series combines role-playing game mechanics with rapid action, however, its fundamental structure isn’t truly an open world. Instead, it’s a collection of maps that are only partially connected and become accessible as the story unfolds. At times, these areas can’t be reached through standard methods and players must utilize the in-game transportation system to get there.

In Borderlands, although the player has the ability to independently explore areas and revisit them following unlock, this aspect isn’t the primary focus. The game is primarily known for its “looter-shooter” genre, which means that the emphasis lies on the action-packed, cartoony violence displayed by the character and the loot that results from it. Even missions containing some degree of exploration are usually designed more around completing absurd tasks rather than world-related elements.

5. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

A Straightforward Journey Across A Strange World

Sandfall Interactive’s award-winning fantasy RPG seamlessly blends the visual style of Western RPGs with the narrative structure commonly found in Japanese RPGs. This fusion is evident in various aspects, particularly the turn-based combat and the way the story and environment are presented. Unlike many games that opt for an open world, Clair Obscur provides a more linear path, tailored to the journey of its characters. Much like numerous JRPGs, the game’s map isn’t an expansive open world, but rather a series of smaller locations that the player navigates throughout the story, linked by an overworld.

Sometimes, certain locations within games offer opportunities for discovery, as they often feature complex layouts akin to labyrinths, which can lead to getting lost. Notably, only the overall map is provided in-game for navigation. Delving into these exploratory ventures may uncover hidden secrets, but it’s entirely optional. The main focus of the game lies in progressing through the next story milestone.

4. The Dishonored Series

Open-Ended But Not Open-World

Arkane Studios’ steampunk fantasy collection has garnered recognition for streamlining the RPG structure, offering immersion, exploration, and a level of player autonomy while still maintaining simplicity. Unlike many titles from its parent company Bethesda, Dishonored opts against an excessively large open map. Instead, the games are divided into segments, with most sections occurring in distinct locations. This structure is akin to a collection of mini-maps, each marked by a well-defined primary goal, often centered around the removal of a specific target. Remarkably, it achieves this without compromising the qualities that typically make open-worlds enticing.

Characters retain a good degree of autonomy in achieving their objectives, as they are provided ample opportunities for exploration within each location they visit. Although much of this exploration is geared towards finding the primary objective, the layout of the maps encourages multiple navigation routes, particularly when the player character possesses special abilities. They can either engage in fierce battles with numerous enemies or circumvent them altogether. Certain maps also offer additional side missions or chances to interact with various characters. Moreover, significant choices are emphasized that impact the narrative’s direction, such as deciding whether to eliminate a target or find a non-lethal alternative.

3. Remnant 1 and 2

Who Needs An Open World When There’s Procedural Generation?

Open-world games often utilize a pre-set map layout as a standard feature. However, there are exceptions such as No Man’s Sky. Generally speaking, for an open world to function effectively, it must be meticulously designed and structured. In an attempt to add more variety to the gameplay experience, the developers at Gunfire Games opted for an innovative approach in their post-apocalyptic adventure.

Rather than having a fixed open-world with predesigned quests, battles, and adversaries, games like Remnant: From the Ashes and its sequel, Remnant 2, utilize procedural generation. In simpler terms, instead of a pre-drawn map, the game generates everything as it’s being played, from the layout to the types of enemies encountered and their quantities. This results in an appearance of randomness, providing diversity and ensuring a unique adventure for each player. Additionally, it keeps players guessing since they never know what awaits them around the next corner.

2. The Mass Effect Trilogy

Definitive Proof That An RPG Can Work Without An Open-World

Bioware’s renowned sci-fi RPG offers a rich role-playing experience, however, it doesn’t quite match the open-world freedom found in games like Skyrim or Fallout. While Shepard can explore certain areas during quiet periods, the game is primarily structured around mission-based storytelling, interspersed with occasional side quests. Shepard does have some control over mission sequence and may face long-term repercussions if important tasks are overlooked or delayed excessively, but the missions themselves tend to be quite linear.

Instead, the role-playing element is embedded within the intricacies of each mission’s narrative, allowing Shepard to engage with various characters and make choices that shape not only the immediate outcome of the mission (often deciding between its success or failure) but also influencing future events in the broader story arc.

1. The Outer Worlds

A Sci-Fi Romp Across Different Worlds

Despite their past victories in creating open-world games like Fallout: New Vegas, Obsidian chose to explore something new with The Outer Worlds. Instead of an expansive, fully open-world setting, they went for a narrative structure that resembled episodes, where the story unfolds in distinct sections on various planets within the same Solar System.

In the game, although it may seem possible to revisit various worlds, the design primarily concentrates on exploring one location at a time. Consequently, you won’t find many story missions or quests that demand players to hop between planets. Furthermore, this setup rules out the freedom for unrestricted space exploration like in games such as Outer Wilds, Starfield, and No Man’s Sky. However, this restriction offers each planet a distinct and immersive experience, enabling more attention to be paid to character development and world-building.

2025-06-04 06:54

Best Western RPGs That Don’t Use An Open-World