Open-World Games That Are Great Despite Frustrating Combat

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of combat systems that leave much to be desired. Yet, these games have managed to rise above their flaws and deliver an unforgettable experience.

As a gamer, I’ve often pondered about open-world games and their intricate web of elements and systems. These pieces harmoniously create a vibrant, alive game world. Sometimes, one of these systems may not live up to expectations. The question then arises: Does this weak link sink the entire experience, or does the strength of the other aspects shine through?

These games often have less-than-impressive fight sequences, which at times can be quite frustrating. However, it’s important to remember that combat is just one aspect contributing to the overall experience. Even a minor flaw in an otherwise substantial whole remains a significant distance from perfection. In certain games, the rough edges of combat can even add to its unique appeal and popularity.

6 Grand Theft Auto 3

The Auto Aim Is Bonkers

Back in the day, I remember the moment when Grand Theft Auto 3 dropped like a cultural bomb. It wasn’t just a game; it was a paradigm shift. This title didn’t merely revolutionize gaming – it reshaped our collective consciousness.

In this game, players found themselves frequently at the whim of an unreliable auto-aim feature, lacking any alternative manual aiming option. Oftentimes, the protagonist would be standing directly in front of an adversary, yet the auto-aim would target someone off to the side instead. Add to that the absence of checkpoints during missions and vehicles that can’t be exited while moving, and you have a combat system that is almost intolerable even by today’s standards. It was hardly satisfactory back in 2001 as well.

5 Assassin’s Creed

It Looks Boring And It Is Even Less Exciting To Play

In its initial release, this groundbreaking series didn’t bear much resemblance to its follow-up a sequel later. The gameplay was more straightforward, and the pace was considerably slower. This aspect makes it an intriguing artifact worth revisiting. While combat isn’t the primary focus of the storyline, players are urged to be stealthy and merge with crowds. However, the protagonist, Altair, will undoubtedly draw his sword at some point.

When he engages, players find themselves performing a measured and foreseeable dance with guards. The focus is on biding time until enemies attack, then retaliating and capitalizing on their weak spots. Thankfully, the sequels introduced more weapons to the player’s inventory, but even Assassin’s Creed 2 retained much of the combat style from the original game. Fortunately, combat has improved significantly since then.

4 Red Faction: Guerrilla

The Destruction Is Gorgeous, But It Is A Shame The Combat Is Not

In “Red Faction: Guerrilla,” the geomod destruction system from the original game gets an intense upgrade. Players have the ability to demolish structures piece by piece using explosives or vehicles. Even with over a decade passing since its release, there’s still a thrill in watching buildings crumble realistically into fragments. When you zoom in for closer combat situations, though, the game reveals some weaknesses.

Instead of finding enjoyment in targeting adversaries, it feels unsatisfying. At the start of the game, players often conserve explosives for demolishing structures, leading to frequent encounters with enemies using standard weapons. This repetitive shooting significantly slows down mission progression. Combining this with the slow pace and heavy sensation of the vehicles makes it harder to fully appreciate the intricate level of destruction.

3 Fallout 3

Thank Goodness For V.A.T.S.

After Bethesda acquired the rights to the Fallout franchise from Interplay Entertainment, they transformed it into an immersive first-person, real-time gameplay experience. Among the series’ titles, Fallout 3 stands out as a fan favorite, with some players even preferring it over later releases such as Fallout 4 and 76. While the sequels have made strides in improving combat mechanics, many still hold Fallout 3 in high regard.

The first-person shooting experience in Fallout 3 could use improvement, particularly on consoles where the controls aren’t always responsive enough. However, the V.A.T.S. system provides a saving grace by allowing players to pause the game and choose their shots carefully. Without this feature, some combat situations might be excessively difficult for players to handle.

2 Deadly Premonition

Maybe The Combat Is Too Quirky?

It’s quite clear to see many similarities between the games ‘Deadly Premonition‘ and ‘Alan Wake‘. Both are horror titles set in peaceful American towns where eerie supernatural occurrences disrupt the tranquility. Notably, Remedy Entertainment, the developers of ‘Alan Wake‘, have a reputation for creating robust combat systems. Contrastingly, the combat mechanics in ‘Deadly Premonition‘ are often criticized as being awkward and ill-fitting within the game.

In the game Deadly Premonition, combat isn’t something players look forward to or find enjoyable; rather, it feels more like an obligation that must be completed in order to discover the intriguing aspects of the game. Players are drawn to this game not for its fighting sequences, but rather for its eccentric characters, the captivating small-town setting, and the unique gameplay mechanics it offers.

1 Death Stranding

Sam Walks With Heavy Cargo Better Than He Fights

In the Metal Gear Solid franchise, it was primarily the stealth aspect that made it strong, and combat was more of a secondary element. Similarly, in Death Stranding, the story doesn’t rely on direct confrontations, but they do occur occasionally. However, when Sam Porter Bridges needs to use weapons, the game seems less engaging – whether he’s battling human adversaries or supernatural threats like the BTs, weapon usage feels underdeveloped.

Struggles arise when players aren’t adequately prepared or carry too much pressure, which can slow down their agility. Also, the stealth mechanics could use some polishing compared to the Metal Gear Solid series (particularly The Phantom Pain), leading to instances where it feels as though players are unjustifiably detected.

2024-10-20 18:04