Open-World Games You Can Finish Almost Instantly (If You Know How)

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Summary

  • Some open-world games allow savvy players to beat the game in minutes by exploiting hidden mechanics or secret endings.
  • Titles like “Breath of the Wild,” “Far Cry 4,” and “The Saboteur” offer creative ways to complete the game quickly.
  • Players can bypass traditional gameplay by tactics such as challenging the final boss early, choosing peace, or breaking secret game mechanics.

Open-world games are typically known for their extensive maps, numerous side missions, and main stories spanning multiple dozen or even hundreds of hours. Yet, some games surprisingly contradict this trend by allowing skilled players to complete the entire game within mere moments.

In these expansive open-world video games, the creators have subtly incorporated shortcuts for skilled players to reach the end quickly. These shortcuts might involve a concealed gameplay mechanic, a strategic decision, or knowledge of specific locations and timing. As a result, it’s possible for experienced players to complete these games in a fraction of the usual time.

6. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Taking On The Beast Any Time

In “Breath of the Wild”, players are given significant freedom to explore and try out different approaches, rather than being confined to a set progression. Right from the start, you can choose to head straight for Hyrule Castle and take on Calamity Ganon if you wish. However, it’s important to note that this battle is extremely challenging without the necessary upgrades, health, or assistance from the Divine Beasts. This path might not be the best choice for a newcomer.

In other words, while it might not be common, it’s certainly achievable – particularly for players who are experienced at speedrunning or have an intimate knowledge of combat mechanics. The ability to defeat the open-world’s final boss whenever the player is ready (provided they possess the necessary skills) underscores Breath of the Wild‘s confidence in the open-world game design model. Overcoming him from the start would be a clear demonstration of the player’s mastery.

5. Far Cry 4

Choosing Peace And Civility Over Violence

On occasion, an extensive, action-packed journey replete with fights, explosions, and numerous radio towers can be bypassed entirely by practicing politeness and restraint. For instance, at the outset of Far Cry 4, the main character encounters capture during his expedition through Kyrat, a place he intends to spread his mother’s remains, and is taken to a fortified manor.

During their time before meeting Pagan Min, the quirky ruler of Kyrat, players are offered the opportunity for an extended open-world journey by choosing to escape. Alternatively, if a player decides to stay patiently and trust that Pagan Min will arrange transport, they’ll be rewarded with a scene where Pagan Min himself scatters the ashes, sharing family history along the way before the credits conclude.

4. The Saboteur

A Race To The Finish On The First Lap

Since World War II, researchers and psychologists have been grappling with the question of how an entire nation could become entangled in such a destructive ideology driven by one charismatic leader. Typically, they find that this phenomenon isn’t solely the result of one person’s actions but rather the culmination of decades of dehumanizing speech, economic decline, and extremist views. However, it appears that the Nazi grip on The Saboteur‘s Paris could potentially be broken by targeting a single individual.

Typically, this event transpires towards the game’s conclusion, following numerous valiant acts of rebellion, thrilling Nazi-fighting, and undeniably, covert operations. However, should the player manage to accumulate sufficient skill points to acquire a machine gun for their car, they can potentially eliminate the main antagonist during the initial half-hour in a high-speed chase, resulting in a vibrant ticker-tape celebration through the City of Light.

3. The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

A Logical And Metaphysical Leap Of Destiny

Morrowind and the Elder Scrolls series as a whole provide players with an exceptional variety of ways to explore their adventure, all while maintaining a richly detailed world brimming with hidden surprises. One such surprise is that the main story’s final boss and the instruments required to vanquish them can be found scattered across the game world, ready for collection at any moment.

To put it simply, you’d need to work around some bugs in the game and have a deep understanding of Vvardenfell to access those areas. However, with some scrolls of Icarian Flight found early on, enhanced alchemy abilities, and proficient flying skills (acquired after being launched skyward by magic), you can essentially ‘break’ the open-world game and leap over boundaries to reach places like Keening, Sunder, and Dagoth Ur that are usually inaccessible due to the ghost fence.

2. Far Cry 5

Turning The Other Cheek, Again

At the beginning of the game “Far Cry 5“, if you opt to wait instead of arresting cult leader Father Joseph Seed, it results in a different ending. The law enforcement retreats, and the characters exit the compound amicably. There’s no conflict, no resistance, no turmoil – just the title and credits rolling.

In the sequel to Far Cry, titled Far Cry 5, the narrative presents an intriguing perspective: by allowing the powerful antagonist to continue unchallenged, one might assume that all will be well (a notion that could seem odd or enlightening, depending on one’s understanding of how triple-A video games are developed). This plotline may lead players to contemplate their role in the game’s violence and chaos.

1. The Outer Wilds

Out Of The Wilderness With The Illumination Of Knowledge

In contrast to most open-world games, Outer Wilds focuses not on gathering items or acquiring abilities, but on discovery and knowledge acquisition. The game world undergoes a reset every 22 minutes, encouraging players to solve a cosmic enigma by piecing together clues rather than engaging in typical gameplay loops like leveling up or collecting loot. Skilled players can theoretically reach the final sequence and complete the game in a single loop once they’ve unraveled the mystery.

For many players, discovering the full extent of a game often requires numerous hours, or even days, spent on real-time exploration. However, those who have grasped the mechanics and puzzle logic can skip this process in less than 30 minutes through shortcuts, or by chance. There’s even an achievement for completing the game in one go, but it is most rewarding when played thoroughly first.

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2025-05-22 03:36