Open-World Games Where Exploration Feels Personal

Open-world games usually reward players for exploring. In games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, there’s no penalty for checking every corner of the map. While the main objective is to reach Ganon’s castle and save Zelda, players are free to define their own path and discover things at their own pace.

In many games, players control characters who act as helpers or support roles, rather than the main hero. These characters are driven to investigate the game world because of their specific goals. Giving them a personal connection to the open world enhances the story, and will become clearer with specific examples.

Red Dead Redemption 2

A True Redemption Arc

Red Dead Redemption 2 centers around the Van der Linde Gang and their leader, Dutch, who believes he has a plan to restore their former glory. The player character, Arthur Morgan, questions Dutch’s sanity, and throughout the game, you can choose to support Dutch’s vision or forge your own path.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, players guide Arthur as he attempts to escape his life of crime and find personal growth by venturing into the expansive wilderness. He can survive by hunting, camping, and living off the land, striving to become a better person. The game also allows players to resolve certain situations without resorting to violence, adding greater weight to Arthur’s journey of redemption.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Ciri Of It All

Throughout much of the Witcher series, Geralt searches for his love, Yennefer. He unexpectedly finds her at the beginning of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and his focus then shifts to finding Ciri, who he considers a daughter.

A mysterious group known as the Wild Hunt is pursuing her, and he’s frantically searching for any sign of where she is. While these leads primarily appear through the main storyline, Geralt himself is unaware of this, making his investigations in each location feel personal and important to him.

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Just Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Marvel’s Spider-Man is the first game in Insomniac’s Spider-Man series, and it centers solely on the original hero, Peter Parker. Players swing through the streets of New York City, searching for crimes to stop – whether it’s a simple burglary or a more involved side mission.

Swinging through the city is what Spider-Man does, and Peter isn’t motivated by money. He’s driven by a desire to help people – it’s a personal mission and a hope for a better world.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

A Therapy Walk

Similar to the first game, Sam isn’t particularly motivated at the start of his journey across Mexico in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach to reconnect people. However, once his initial task is finished, he gains a more personal reason to travel to Australia – it involves his daughter, Lou.

Sam’s journey across Australia is a welcome distraction, offering him a chance to clear his head and search for what he’s looking for. While he doesn’t show his feelings easily, this adventure is deeply meaningful to him, even if it’s hard to gauge how much he cares about the deliveries themselves.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

For Mother Base

In Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, you play as Big Boss, who goes by the alias Venom Snake in this game. Throughout the story and optional missions, you’ll explore large environments to find resources. You can collect these supplies yourself or use balloons to send them back to your headquarters, Mother Base.

Players have a choice: they can defeat enemies, or capture them using balloons. These captured enemies can then be converted into allies. Both supplies gathered and new allies contribute to improving Mother Base, making it a stronger haven for Big Boss and his team, as everything he does is focused on supporting his people.

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Establishing Humanity’s Last Bastion

In Xenoblade Chronicles X, humanity has colonized a new planet called Mira, establishing a city called New L.A. as their base. Players create their own character and team up with others to explore the planet, collect resources, and combat hostile alien lifeforms.

Players can set up beacons in different locations to quickly travel around and create a network for gathering resources more effectively. Importantly, the game focuses on selfless actions for the good of humanity, rather than the player character’s personal power or benefit.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

To Be The Very Best Of Lumiose City

Most Pokémon games focus on individual adventures where players begin as aspiring trainers aiming to become the very best. While Pokémon Legends: Z-A doesn’t have traditional Gyms or battles, players are still striving to reach the top and prove their skills.

Lumiose City features areas for catching wild Pokémon, and special nighttime zones where Trainers can battle each other. Winning battles allows players to climb the ranks, starting from level Z and eventually reaching level A, earning them the title of city champion.

The Saboteur

Black And White And Red All Over

I’m really excited about The Saboteur! It’s a WWII game set in Paris while it’s under Nazi control. You play as Sean Devlin, who starts as a racecar driver but becomes part of the resistance. Basically, you help fight back and liberate Paris, taking down Nazi strongholds one by one. The cool thing is, you can explore the whole city and countryside to find upgrades that make Devlin even better at freeing Paris – it’s a really immersive experience!

Tracking down and liberating areas controlled by the Nazis will add vibrancy to the game’s world. While not as expansive as some open-world titles, the concept of hunting down Nazis in a style similar to Grand Theft Auto is certainly appealing.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Viking Rule

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla offers the most character-driven story in the Assassin’s Creed series so far. Players take on the role of Eivor, a Viking leader who can be played as either male or female. After leaving their home, Eivor travels to England seeking resources and a suitable new settlement for their clan.

In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, everything you earn as a player helps develop your village, turning exploration into a collective success for your entire clan, not just your character. The game offers plenty to do, from collecting materials in the wilderness to leading raids on other settlements.

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii

Yo Ho, Where Is My Memory?

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is easily one of the most unusual games in the Yakuza series, and that’s high praise. The game starts with Goro Majima, a familiar and complex character, waking up on a deserted island with amnesia. This leads to a surprisingly fun turn of events: he becomes a pirate captain, complete with a ship and full pirate attire.

Majima is trying to recover his lost memories by battling rival pirates, searching for hidden treasure, and reconnecting with people in both a pirate settlement and Honolulu. The story is full of unexpected surprises that players won’t anticipate.

2026-02-07 19:07