Immerse Yourself: 7 Open-World Games With Nearly Invisible UIs

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Summary

  • Players seek immersion in open-world games with minimal UI for a more authentic experience.
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Ghost of Tsushima offer minimal UI for immersion.
  • Games like Shadow of the Colossus and Sea of Thieves also provide immersive experiences with minimal UI distractions.

As players embark on an adventure within a vast open-game world, they seek a sense of immersion and escapism, regardless if it’s set in sci-fi, fantasy, or historical environments. One effective approach to creating this experience is by minimizing user interface elements that might obstruct the view.

Over time, numerous video games have been criticized for bombarding players with extensive heads-up displays (HUDs), multiple quest indicators, and frequent notifications. Fortunately, there’s been a growing trend against this, leading to the release of more open-world games featuring minimal user interfaces.

6. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Minimal Medieval-Themed HUD With Muted Colors

The game “Kingdom Come: Deliverance” is often praised for its exceptional historical immersion, with a sparse user interface allowing gamers to fully engross themselves in medieval Bohemia. In the majority of instances, players will notice just a modest compass and health indicator, positioned at the top and bottom edges of the screen.

In addition to their large appearance, these user interface components employ soft colors and possess a design style that complements the medieval motif of the game. Notably, quest markers will not appear above Non-Player Characters’ heads; instead, players will rely on the compass for navigation. A feature some players might prefer to disable is the text display of NPC conversations. In hardcore mode, the UI is even more streamlined, showing only the compass, although it lacks cardinal directions like north.

5. Red Dead Redemption 2

A Dynamic HUD Means Players Often See No UI

The game “Red Dead Redemption 2” hardly needs an introduction, given its reputation as one of the greatest open-world games ever made. One of its standout features is its sparse heads-up display (HUD), which can also adapt to different situations. For instance, when players are just leisurely exploring on horseback, there won’t be any HUD present at all. Additionally, they have the option to activate cinematic mode while following a route.

In instances where a larger portion of the user interface (UI) is displayed, players have ample freedom to customize their viewing experience, choosing what information they want to see. For instance, the compass can be toggled off, but this may require frequent map openings for those not well-versed in the game’s environment. When minimal UI is displayed in Red Dead Redemption 2, the Western-themed typography and monochromatic color scheme help maintain a realistic and immersive gaming experience.

4. Shadow Of The Colossus

No HUD After The First Moments Of Gameplay

In “Shadow of the Colossus,” one may find oneself isolated amidst a vast and eerie landscape devoid of companions. The journey involves traversing this desolate world until encountering monumental battles against titanic foes. To emphasize this sense of solitude and deepen the gaming experience, the game is largely devoid of user interface elements.

At the beginning of the hero’s trip, control panels appear on the screen for easy use. If the player ever forgets how to operate, they can simply refer to the menu. Normally, the screen is empty, particularly when a skill lets players hold their sword aloft to illuminate the path ahead.

3. Ghost Of Tsushima

Reach Objectives By Following The Wind

Ghost of Tsushima is a game featuring a minimal user interface, where certain elements emerge only when necessary. It boasts an innovative feature addressing the age-old dilemma for players who prefer uncluttered screens by offering an option to hide the minimap and compass during gameplay.

In most games, players often find themselves needing to consult a map when lost, but in Ghost of Tsushima, they can simply press a button to activate the Guiding Wind. As they gallop at high speeds on their steed, they can effortlessly follow the wind’s direction without having to pause to check directions. What makes this feature even more enjoyable is that the way plants sway in the breeze adds to the game’s stunning visuals.

2. Sea Of Thieves

No UI When At Full Health, Just The Open Waters

Sea of Thieves is an engaging pirate-themed open-world game that offers a delightful experience when played with companions. For the majority of your sea voyages, you won’t be hindered by user interfaces. The health bar and ammunition counter, for instance, will only appear when they are not at maximum and generally remain inconspicuous.

Other than the player’s names displayed, only a few user interface components are visible. Fortunately, these labels can be deactivated by users seeking an uncluttered screen. This setup enables gamers to concentrate on plundering islands for treasures and participating in thrilling naval battles.

1. The Witness

A Puzzle Game With No HUD & Players Have To Figure Out What To Do

In this open-world puzzle adventure, you’ll find yourself known as “The Witness,” stranded on a quaint yet enigmatic island with no recollection of your past or identity. To unravel the mysteries surrounding your arrival and ultimately return home, you must navigate through more than 500 intriguing puzzles that the game offers.

The game doesn’t provide a user interface or guidance, so players must independently explore and solve puzzles as they wish, since the game structure allows for freedom and flexibility in choosing which challenges to tackle at any given moment.

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2025-01-30 04:35