Open-World Games With Better Gunplay Than Far Cry

by

The Far Cry series began modestly at Ubisoft, but really took off with Far Cry 3. Its engaging tropical environment, cooperative gameplay, compelling story, character progression, and exciting shooting action offered a fantastic escape. Following that success, Far Cry became one of Ubisoft’s most important franchises, with numerous sequels, spin-offs, updated versions, and downloadable content released over the years.

The most recent Far Cry game, Far Cry 6, came out in 2021, and a new installment could be released soon. While we wait to see what happens with that, there are several other open-world games available that also feature exciting and satisfying gunplay. These games might not surpass Far Cry in every way, but they stand out with more immersive or diverse shooting experiences.

Borderlands 4

A Gun For Every Occasion

Borderlands 4 boasts a massive arsenal, far exceeding anything found in Far Cry. While quantity doesn’t always equal quality, the sheer variety of weapons is a core part of what Borderlands fans love. This installment introduces a fully open world for players to explore with one of four unique characters, each offering three different skill paths. Gameplay revolves around completing quests – both story-driven and optional – which generally involve defeating enemies in over-the-top, action-packed combat. As a loot-focused game, every gun has randomized stats and perks, though players can generally predict its characteristics based on the manufacturer.

Weapons in games like Borderlands 4 often let you change how they fire – for instance, switching between bursts and fully automatic. Maliwan weapons always use elemental damage. You’ll find all sorts of guns, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, and rocket launchers, plus extras like grenades. Each character’s unique abilities usually help in combat, similar to the skill trees in Far Cry, but Borderlands 4 offers a lot more options. Ultimately, Borderlands 4 stands out because of its variety – there’s a character and weapon combination to suit every first-person shooter player.

Cyberpunk 2077

Decking Out Your Cyber Tech

As a huge fan, what really sets Cyberpunk 2077 apart for me is how much freedom you have in creating your character. It’s not just about how they look – you can really build a unique identity through cybernetic implants. Yeah, they can be expensive, but they completely change how you play and approach combat. I love that I can choose to hack my way into places, or go in guns blazing – each weapon feels amazing in first-person, and the implants really let you customize your fighting style. It’s so much more than just picking a class; it’s about how you play.

In Cyberpunk 2077, players have a lot of freedom in how they build and play their character, V. The game features futuristic weapons that, while often based on familiar designs, can fire a variety of ammo types. Some of the rarer guns are truly bizarre – you can even find a smart gun that talks to you and automatically aims! While the weapons aren’t quite as over-the-top as those in Borderlands 4, they’re definitely more original than anything you’d find in a Far Cry game.

Halo Infinite

Master Chief Goes Open

The Halo series truly defined console first-person shooters, starting with Halo: Combat Evolved on the original Xbox in 2001. Bungie established themselves as experts in the genre with well-chosen weapons and responsive controls that surpassed other console shooters at the time. Although Bungie now focuses on the Destiny series, 343 Industries has continued to maintain the series’ high quality. Their latest game, Halo Infinite, introduces an open-world design for the first time. While its open world isn’t as groundbreaking as those in games like Far Cry, the tight and familiar controls remain a core strength for Halo fans.

Master Chief is a formidable fighter, skilled with any weapon he picks up, whether it’s standard human gear like rifles and shotguns, or alien Covenant weapons like the popular Needler. Seeing the Needler’s spines fly and explode is always satisfying, and even reloading feels smooth and calming when Master Chief does it. Of all the Halo games, Halo Infinite really stands out for how great the gunplay feels when fighting enemies.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

It Takes An Army Village

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is an action game played from a third-person perspective, but it really focuses on stealth. You play as Venom Snake and have a lot of freedom in how you approach missions and explore the large, open game world, whether you’re completing small side objectives or tackling major goals. Throughout the game, you can search enemy camps for useful items and resources to send back to Mother Base, which serves as your headquarters. You can subdue enemies using close-quarters combat or silently eliminate them with a knife. While there are plenty of powerful guns available – including rifles and pistols – they handle exceptionally well, making this one of the most responsive and fluid-feeling Metal Gear games to date.

The game features weapons that can non-lethally knock out enemies, and capturing them is a key part of building up your base. You can send unconscious enemies back to Mother Base where they’ll be broken down and turned into loyal soldiers. These soldiers can then be assigned to tasks like researching new weapons and gadgets, allowing you to unlock the best equipment. This customization adds depth to the shooting mechanics, making it rewarding to experiment with different weaponry. While Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is designed to be a stealth game, and direct combat should be avoided, it’s undeniably fun when you engage in a firefight. In fact, as a stealth-focused experience, it surpasses the Far Cry series.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

Squad Up

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 is a Ubisoft game similar in quality to their popular Far Cry series. While many Tom Clancy games offer great shooting action, The Division 2 stands out as a compelling third-person shooter. The story moves from a quarantined New York City to Washington, D.C., where players, as agents of The Division, must restore order amidst clashing groups. The game focuses on collecting loot, encouraging players to constantly search for weapons with better stats and rarity, like rifles and pistols.

I’m really digging the character progression system – you unlock cool skills and gadgets as you level up through these skill trees. When things get heated, you can duck behind cover and either carefully pick off enemies or quickly pop out for a few shots, then duck back down. Playing solo can be intense because enemies attack from everywhere, but it’s way easier and more fun with a full squad of four. The team work and the sheer rush of being in a tough firefight really make you feel like a secret agent trying to save the day – it’s a total adrenaline boost!

Read More

2026-01-09 02:38