Games That Let Players Set Their Own Goals

by

I love a good story-driven game, but sometimes when they’re too straightforward, I find they don’t have a ton of replay value. Like, if I know a game has exactly 30 levels to beat the main story, I feel like I’ve pretty much seen the game once I’m done. Sure, there might be harder difficulties or extra challenges, but is that enough to make me want to play it all over again? Honestly, that depends on how much I really loved it!

If you prefer, you can set your own goals and keep playing until you reach them. Just make sure your goals are realistic, but these games are designed to support that kind of self-directed play.

5. Minecraft

Create, Survive, Repeat

Minecraft appears destined to remain popular for years to come. Its success lies in its incredible versatility – it truly offers something for everyone. Some players prefer building and exploring in Creative mode, while others enjoy the challenge of Survival, and Minecraft caters to both types of players. This broad appeal has earned it a massive and dedicated fanbase.

Minecraft offers something for everyone, from epic battles against the Ender Dragon to meticulously recreating historical cities like ancient Rome. It’s amazing how giving players the tools and freedom to build allows them to create things the game’s designers never even considered. You can easily spend months inspired by just watching other players share their creations online.

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Mission Complete (Or Not)

When starting Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it’s helpful to have a clear goal in mind. Without one, the game can become a never-ending daily routine. For example, you might aim to complete your Museum collection, which takes about a year of consistent play due to the changing seasons of bugs and fish. Or, you could focus on designing a beautiful, personalized island to share with others through Dream Islands. Another option is to simply collect as many rare items as you can!

You’re free to play this game however you like. Some players enjoy collecting specific villagers by trading, while others aim to fill their island with just one type of animal. Maybe your goal is to have a house full of cheerful Octopi villagers on your birthday – and that’s a perfectly good goal! The game is still being updated and remains popular with players.

3. RimWorld

Contend With The Sheer Unpredictability Of Space

Many games challenge players to lead and care for a group of people, and there’s hardly a more difficult setting than outer space. In RimWorld, you’ll spend most of your time dealing with unexpected problems and trying to survive, rather than achieving complete victory. It’s a game about reacting to crises and weathering constant challenges.

Despite the challenges, you have a lot of control over how your colony grows. You can decide what kind of people settle there, what they focus on, and ultimately, how the story ends. Hardworking colonists might be able to build a spaceship and escape, or you could lead them in a direct attack on the mechanoid base to destroy it. As long as you provide food and keep them safe, you’re free to build a colony centered around science, expansion, or anything else you desire.

2. Slime Rancher 2

What Does Ranching Success Look Like? You Decide

Slime Rancher games are famous for their cute slimes, but also for letting you play however you want. While there’s a main story about uncovering the mysteries of Rainbow Island and defeating a challenging boss, most of your time will be spent building and managing your ranch. You’re free to customize your experience – whether that means specializing in a particular slime type or exploring the vast world to find a diverse collection.

While you can focus on collecting only the most valuable plorts to maximize profits, that doesn’t quite capture what makes the game special. The real fun comes from enjoying the unique personalities of each slime and exploring the open world – that’s where the game truly shines.

1. Green Hell

One Of The Most Brutal Survival Experiences

I’ve been playing a lot of survival games lately, and RimWorld really throws you into the deep end with a super dangerous world – it makes surviving that much more intense. But Green Hell is something else. It’s set right here on Earth, in the Amazon rainforest, and honestly, it’s almost as brutal. You play as Jake Higgins, a scientist looking for his wife, but outside of the story, the game basically says, ‘Okay, you’re in a really hostile place, now try to survive!’ It’s all about making the best of a bad situation.

In Green Hell, you’ll need to stay alive by dealing with sickness, injuries, and basic survival tasks like finding food and building fires. But once you’ve mastered the essentials, you’re free to explore a vast and dangerous world. Players can build impressive bases with complex systems, or even become the hunter instead of the hunted. The Spirits of Amazonia mode offers the most diverse gameplay, letting you build relationships with local tribes through challenges like hunting animals and solving environmental puzzles. You can focus on specific objectives or simply wander and discover at your own pace. No matter how you play, Green Hell will push your limits and test your skills.

Read More

2026-02-05 06:05