Open-World Games That Get Darker Along The Way

Summary

Open-world games can start relaxing but quickly turn dark, luring players into nightmares.
Valheim tricks players with relaxing gameplay before surprising with powerful enemies.
Elden Ring offers beauty at the start, but deeper areas hold dark and unnerving challenges.

Open-world games offer an excellent choice for individuals seeking to explore and experience various fantasy or sci-fi scenarios as if they were the characters themselves. These games are also ideal selections for those looking for a gaming experience that can serve as a stress-reliever, providing relaxation for the majority of playtime.

It’s interesting to note that numerous open-world video games have simple or vibrant beginnings, later leading players on a harrowing journey towards gloomy underworlds. Here are the top open world games that deftly entice players into exploring worlds concealing progressively chilling horrors.

Dredge

A Spectacular Descent Into A Lovecraftian World

There’s no pastime quite as comforting as fishing, a truth that Dredge acknowledges. It entices players into a game centered around this serene activity and the pursuit of treasure. However, this tranquility is short-lived; once night falls, the game takes a turn for the eerie. Thankfully, the calm resumes with the return of daylight – but does it really?

As players advance through the campaign, the days become increasingly unsettling, and this eeriness intensifies during the nights as well. In essence, the game Dredge immerses you in a chilling experience reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft’s horror tales. This effect is even more effective when players find themselves unwittingly ensnared in the trap.

The further players delve into the campaign, the spookier things get, both during the day and night. Essentially, Dredge transports you into a horrifying world akin to those described by H.P. Lovecraft. The game is especially effective when players are drawn unknowingly into its sinister web.

Valheim

It’s All Fun And Games Until The Deathsquito Arrives

As a devoted fan, I must say that the captivating open-world survival game, Valheim, stands out due to its largely serene and soothing nature. Despite occasional unexpected skirmishes with wild creatures, navigating through this game feels remarkably accessible – perhaps because we assume the role of a true Viking warrior!

It’s fantastic, but it’s worth noting that the game uses this feature as a cunning ruse. When players eventually feel compelled to explore new territories, they could stumble upon stunning landscapes that can easily distract them from potentially dangerous creatures disguised as adorable foes. These seemingly harmless beings are actually capable of overpowering a band of muscle-bound warriors from Valhalla within mere seconds.

The Witcher 3: Blood And Wine DLC

A Vacation Gone Wrong

In terms of the main game, both start in picturesque swamplands and end with a fight against the ice apocalypse, but this especially holds true for the exceptional DLC of The Witcher 3, Blood and Wine. This side tale transports Geralt to a region reminiscent of the actual South of France, making it hard not to view it as a delightful escape.

Everything here is breathtakingly beautiful, with wineries or vineyards scattered everywhere. Remarkably, even Geralt manages to have his own vineyard! However, despite players’ choices during the DLC, it all seems destined for a climactic series of intense – and actual – battles, marking some of the bloodiest scenes in gaming.

Pacific Drive

Drive For Your Life

In simpler terms, “Pacific Drive” refers to a peaceful journey. This game immerses players into driving through an unusual pre- or post-apocalyptic setting. Mostly, it provides a pleasant experience.

In this game, players have the thrill of taking control of vehicles, offering an enjoyable dose of relaxation. However, Pacific Drive will lead players into a chilling world of sheer terror. What makes it even more noteworthy is its unique shift in genre, earning bonus points for introducing eerie horror elements that seem remarkably original amidst today’s monotonous horror trends.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Outlaws To The Bitter End

For those who experienced the original “Red Dead Redemption”, stepping into “Red Dead Redemption 2”, its prequel, carries a sense of foreboding, knowing that things won’t end well for many characters. Interestingly, “RDR2” sold significantly more copies than the initial release, suggesting that while fans may have been prepared for further heartache, most players were not.

It’s particularly challenging due to the fact that everyone in the group is so amiable and charming (with Micah being an exception). Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 was designed to strike a deep emotional chord in players, and it certainly succeeded in delivering a powerful punch.

Pathologic 2

Yes, It Gets Even Darker

Many games on this list initially offer an enjoyable experience, only to lead players into uneasy territories. Pathologic, though not a cheerful game, is remarkably charming and distinct in its atmosphere, making it cozily unique. Over time, you’ll find yourself immersed in this world as if it were an unusual yet compelling holiday destination separate from other gaming worlds. However, Pathologic 2 – a remake of the original – tends to grow darker with each step, exploring themes that might be too intense for some players’ comfort.

Elden Ring

The Lands Between Go Very Deep

In simple terms, both the realms of Elden Ring’s original game, known as The Lands Between, and the lands of Shadow from the Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC, are breathtakingly beautiful destinations. From the beginning of the game, players have the freedom to explore wherever they wish. For newcomers, following a suggested path can provide an unexpectedly smooth and enjoyable introduction to their journey. The difficulty level will ramp up over time, but the game’s visual appeal remains captivating throughout.

Until gamers reach the region of Caelid, a large part of the map has been taken over by a mysterious plague, leaving all its residents profoundly changed. This place will cause even the most resilient creatures to feel uncomfortable, and that’s just the beginning of its horrors. As you delve deeper into the game, players will find themselves in two regions so visually unappealing that they might start yearning for the eerie comfort of Caelid.

2025-08-15 05:35