Many open-world games share elements with RPGs, but aren’t true RPGs themselves. So, which open-world RPGs have truly pushed the genre forward? Have they inspired countless other games, or were they innovative but ultimately unique, lacking direct imitators? Here’s a look at some open-world games that successfully blend expansive exploration with strong RPG mechanics.
Gamers are noticing that the hobby is getting increasingly expensive. New games often cost more than expected, and the price of consoles – PlayStation, Xbox, and even the new Switch 2 – has gone up. This makes it harder for many people to afford the latest gaming systems. Unfortunately, prices might continue to rise for console gamers in the near future.
It was always expected that players would heavily modify Starfield, given its nature as a Bethesda game. Many were willing to forgive the game’s initial flaws, confident that skilled modders would quickly improve it. Bethesda’s space RPG offered a fantastic base for modding, and while it hasn’t yet reached the same early popularity as Skyrim’s modding scene, there’s plenty of time for that to happen. Players are already creating impressive mods, like one that adds 300 new missions. Hopefully, this creative trend will continue for a long time.
Shortly after the game launched, players discovered they could lower the graphics settings to reduce the amount of foliage displayed, making it easier to spot opponents hiding in bushes. Later, PC players gained an unfair advantage by using Nvidia filters to brighten the game, allowing them to see better in the dark. This was temporarily fixed when Nvidia filters were disabled, though it wasn’t clear if the game developer, Embark Studios, or Nvidia themselves made the change. Now, a new workaround to re-enable the brightness exploit is circulating online, much to the annoyance of players.
It’s normal for multiplayer games to lose players over time, but the recent drop in Battlefield 6‘s player count has been especially significant, and everyone has different ideas about why it’s happening. As a longtime Battlefield player, I believe the game can definitely turn things around. Compared to the rocky launch of Battlefield 2042, which needed months of fixes, or the network issues that plagued Battlefield 4, the problems with Battlefield 6 seem much easier to resolve. It remains to be seen if the developers at BF Studios will address these issues, but a clear path to improvement exists.
PlayStation Plus is a monthly subscription service that gives PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 owners access to a variety of games. The specific games you get depend on which of the three subscription levels you choose. The most affordable option, Essential, costs $9.99 a month and typically includes two or three free games – January’s offerings are Core Keeper, Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, and Need For Speed Unbound. If you upgrade to the Extra or Premium tiers (priced at $14.99 and $17.99 monthly, respectively), you’ll receive even more benefits.
Valve hasn’t announced when the Steam Machine will be released or how much it will cost, leaving many details uncertain. However, a Czech retailer called Smarty, an official Valve partner, may have revealed the console’s price.
He’s currently talking about how making games has changed over time, and explaining why he prefers smaller development teams.
I’ve been checking out some games that are pretty story-focused, but still let me feel like I’m making the decisions. A lot of games let you build your character, but these ones really let you shape who they are and how the story goes, even though the overall path is pretty set. If you’re looking for something a little less open-world and more focused, but still with a good amount of player choice, I’d definitely recommend giving these a try.
I’ve been playing The Sims 4 since it came out in September 2014, and it’s amazing how consistently the developers have updated it! Sure, all the extra stuff can add up, but for over eleven years, they’ve kept things fresh with new content and ways to play. Just recently, details about their next expansion pack, Royalty and Legacy, slipped out after being rated overseas. It’s a great sign that Maxis and EA are still dedicated to The Sims 4, even though a lot of us are also excited to see what they’re planning for the next big Sims game!