Open-World Games That Shouldn't Be Open-World, Ranked

Summary

Some games suffered from being too expansive, diluting core gameplay and pacing, like L.A. Noire’s aimless driving.
Dynasty Warriors 9’s open world felt empty, lacking the tight gameplay chaos of the original formula.
Some open-world games like Mafia 3 could benefit from a more focused, narrative-driven structure.

Not all games require expansive landscapes akin to a small nation. Some excel in narrow passages, while others shine in predetermined scenes designed to astonish at just the right moments. However, during the open-world game development boom, some titles attempted to expand beyond their necessary scale, resulting in environments that might not have warranted such vastness.

Perhaps due to monotonous side activities, lack of variety in exploration, or simply an issue with maintaining tempo, these six games might have been more impactful if they had abandoned the open-world design and opted for something more streamlined instead. They didn’t require extensive playtime of 60 hours; a well-structured 10 hours could have made a significant difference.

6. L.A. Noire

When “Interrogation” Means Driving Across Town to Ask the Wrong Guy Again

In the world of L.A. Noire, there exists a film-like rendition: dimly lit streets, jazz as the underlying rhythm for every conversation, and tenacious detectives unraveling mysteries with nothing more than a pad and a furrowed brow. However, what gamers encountered was a game where amidst intense interrogations and captivating cinematic scenes, they were required to navigate through 1940s Los Angeles traffic…without any compelling justification.

In this open world setting, the meticulous historical accuracy truly shines; however, it lacks interactive elements beyond landmarks. The side missions are scarce and not particularly engaging, and there’s little organic discovery to be found. Unfortunately, the driving mechanics often slow down the game’s pace significantly, especially during transitions between murder cases. Additionally, the frequent car chases can feel excessive and lengthy. If L.A. Noire had opted for a detective thriller format with a serialized, chapter-by-chapter structure, similar to a playable HBO miniseries, it might have left a lasting impact as a timeless classic.

5. Dynasty Warriors 9

An Open World So Empty, Even Lu Bu Got Bored

In trying to introduce the Three Kingdoms in an open-world setting, Dynasty Warriors 9 sacrificed its core essence for vast fields. The traditional gameplay style, characterized by extravagant actions with hordes of enemies launching into the air from a single sword stroke, didn’t necessitate exploration. What it required was concentrated, managed chaos. However, the open world appears as an endless escort mission without anyone to protect, instead.

Missions in this game seem randomly placed on a large map, often requiring extended running to locate a small band of enemies or having soldiers idle aimlessly. The epic battles that once defined earlier versions have vanished, replaced by tasks that feel more like ticking boxes than leading armies. It’s disheartening when activities like crafting, fishing, and herb gathering seem more significant than the legendary Battle of Red Cliffs, indicating a shift in focus that may be problematic.

4. Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst

Parkour Isn’t the Problem, It’s the Path

In Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst, I found a fantastic concept: dashing through a gleaming metropolis using parkour, experiencing the rush of first-person movement. However, expanding it into a sprawling open world akin to Ubisoft games seemed to disrupt its original flow. Instead of engaging in well-orchestrated runs with thoughtful layouts, I ended up navigating random rooftops amidst countless optional time trials and trinkets that weren’t particularly enjoyable to begin with.

In my opinion, despite the city’s shiny exterior and bright lights, there seems to be a lack of genuine connection or purpose. It’s filled with paths, yet none that seem particularly enticing to explore. The original Mirror’s Edge truly captured the feeling of speed and urgency because each element was carefully designed to propel the player forward. Unfortunately, Catalyst introduces elements like GPS markers, questionable enemy positions, and tedious fetch quests that disrupt this smooth flow and distract from the immersion instead of enhancing it. If Faith’s story and movement had been presented in a more straightforward game, I believe the impact would have been much stronger and swifter.

3. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Tactical Espionage, But Make It Existential

As The Phantom Pain arrived in my gaming world, the Metal Gear series had already proven its prowess with linear design. Switching Snake’s covert operations to an open-world sandbox was a daring move – one that carried a significant price tag. Although the core stealth gameplay is some of the best action ever crafted, it gets spread thin across two expansive maps that are honestly quite sparse.

In a nutshell, players have the freedom to tackle missions as they see fit, resulting in some captivating unscripted incidents. However, the game is marred by repetitive side-quests, reused bases, and an overwhelming reliance on cassette tapes for emotional depth. Consequently, it seems fragmented. To add to the disappointment, crucial narrative elements were excised due to development complications, resulting in a second half that fizzles out instead of building up tension. Essentially, The Phantom Pain showcases exceptional mechanics but falls short by stretching its brilliance too thinly to maintain impact.

2. Mafia 3

New Bordeaux’s Map Feels Like A Long, Hot Walk To Nowhere

Lincoln Clay’s tale should have received more recognition. In the meticulously crafted New Bordeaux (a fictional portrayal of New Orleans), Mafia 3 boasted one of the most compelling narrative foundations in any crime-themed game. However, opting for an open-world experience transformed what could have been a focused revenge narrative into a monotonous grind, as players were tasked with dismantling rackets, district by uninteresting district.

Over time, the missions in this game become indistinguishable: drive somewhere, question a character, destroy some items, then leave. Although the environment is filled with intriguing atmosphere, complete with excellent music and themes of racial conflict skillfully portrayed, the open-world features seem like afterthoughts. Unlike Mafia 2, which masterfully used its setting for ambiance, Mafia 3 attempts to turn everything into a game mechanic, ultimately disrupting its own pace. This could have been a tight, gripping crime story, but instead it becomes a cumbersome list of tasks that often hinders itself.

1. Halo Infinite

A Ringworld Where the Silence Says Too Much

Players had been eagerly anticipating the chance to don Master Chief’s armor again for years, yet when Halo Infinite was released, it presented a vast open-world ring that felt underwhelming. The hand-to-hand combat remains top-notch — there’s something thrilling about launching into a Brute with the Grappleshot — but the larger environment is lacking in the compelling storytelling and mission diversity that once set Halo apart as a gaming great.

Rather than progressing through sequential stages filled with clever design and memorable musical cues, players are required to free identical outposts, pursue high-value enemies, and complete peripheral tasks that seem more like chores than substantial content. While the story missions remain strong, they’re interspersed with vast expanses of emptiness. Given its reputation for epic showdowns (like Halo 3’s Ark or Halo: Reach’s final stand), it’s disappointing to see Infinite trying to pass off filler as meaningful content. A more streamlined, mission-centric approach could have made Infinite a true renaissance for the series.

2025-06-07 09:36

Open-World Games That Shouldn’t Be Open-World, Ranked