The Best Open-World Games To Play If You Love Climbing

Key Takeaways

Open-world games have diverse biomes & mechanics like climbing, essential for exploration & story progression.
Games like
Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, Shadow of the Colossus,
and
Horizon
rely on climbing as a key game mechanic.
Climbing allows players to explore vertically, reveal secrets, puzzles, & breathtaking views in open-world games.

As someone who has spent countless hours traversing the vast landscapes of virtual worlds, I can confidently say that these games are a climber’s dream come true! From the towering Colossi of Shadow of the Colossus to the bell towers of Far Cry 4, each game offers unique and exhilarating climbing experiences.

Open-world games offer a wealth of opportunities for players to delve into and appreciate. This genre boasts an impressive level of adaptability, often blending with other types like first-person shooters, action, or fantasy. Characteristic of open-world games are intricate gameplay mechanics tailored to their titles, alongside non-player characters (NPCs) who provide quests and valuable insights for the players.

Climbing is one of the most popular game mechanics in the open-world genre, as there needs to be accessibility to all areas within a map. Without climbing, open worlds would feel flat and linear, and their exploration features would be severely limited. Here are some games players who love climbing must try.

5 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Explore Hyrule’s Endless Vertical Pathways

Breathtaking views.
Almost every surface can be climbed, which allows for deep exploration.

In terms of rephrasing, here’s one way: “As one of the top games in the series so far, having won the 2017 Game of the Year award, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers players the chance to guide Link through an expansive rendition of the Kingdom of Hyrule. Vertical exploration plays a significant role in this game, with most structures, cliffs, and walls climbable. Patient climbers who scale the tallest structures not only receive valuable loot but also are treated to stunning vistas.

Climbers need to exercise caution while ascending, since exhaustion might hinder accessing tricky spots. Mastering the climbing system is crucial for puzzle-solving and moving forward in the game, so players should aim to become proficient at it.

4 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Set In The Viking Era But Retains Its Predecessor’s Core Elements

Great climbing mechanics combined with fast-paced combat.
The game retains many of its predecessor’s elements.

Upon its release, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla generally received favorable feedback; yet, some longtime fans of the series who’ve been playing since Altair’s days had a few criticisms regarding certain gameplay mechanics and narratives. Nevertheless, the game was praised for preserving many classic features of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, like climbing and discovering hidden secrets and areas of the map using viewpoints.

As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the freedom Eivor grants me in Valhalla. Roaming through Norway’s quaint villages and breathtaking fjords feels effortless, while England’s verdant meadows and imposing castles beckon with the promise of adventure. Thanks to Eivor’s exceptional parkour and climbing abilities, I seamlessly traverse these landscapes. Just like its predecessors, strategic vantage points offer panoramic views and reveal hidden gems and valuable loot. Blending exhilarating action, captivating storytelling, and superb climbing mechanics, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a must-play for any enthusiast of vertical open-world exploration.

3 Shadow Of The Colossus

A Gargantuan Adventure With Lots Of Climbing

Every Colossus has a different design, forcing players to adapt.
This title’s mechanics were well ahead of its time.

Initially launched in 2005, “Shadow of the Colossus” stood out with numerous groundbreaking aspects. Not only was it visually striking for its era, but its gameplay mechanics were also remarkably sophisticated. This game offered an unparalleled experience by allowing players to scale towering giants as the protagonist, Wander. It’s one thing to traverse a stationary structure like a tower or cliff, but scaling a living, moving Colossus that aims to crush the player adds a layer of complexity.

The game boasts an exquisitely crafted open environment that seems vibrant yet vacant concurrently. Every Titan offers unique obstacles and diverse aesthetics, compelling gamers to adjust their strategies repeatedly to uncover the vulnerable spots and come out on top.

2 Horizon: Zero Dawn

A Sci-Fi Game With Wild Mechanical Creatures And Towering Cliffs

Climbing is key for story progression and discovering the world.
The game is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Earth.

In a post-apocalyptic science fiction setting, few games manage to make a world ravaged by time as alluring as Horizon: Zero Dawn. Centuries have passed since the collapse of an advanced human civilization, and remnants of society have started rebuilding with rudimentary tools. The landscape teems with mechanical beasts, some timid and harmless while others pose a significant threat.

In the role of Aloy, players embark on an adventure that takes them through various parts of a vibrant post-apocalyptic landscape. Here, they’ll encounter engaging characters, traverse rugged terrain such as cliffs and rocks, and even walk along narrow ropes high above the ground. Similar to numerous games within its genre, Horizon: Zero Dawn utilizes vertical exploration extensively, allowing players to advance through the narrative, uncover hidden treasures, and discover new areas by scaling heights.

1 Far Cry 4

A Himalayan Civil War Story With A Strong Focus On Climbing

Players can use a grappling hook to traverse through the Himalayan regions.
Witness breathtaking views and scale Bell Towers to unlock new areas of the map.

In my gaming journey, I find myself stepping back into the breathtakingly fictitious Himalayan town of Kyrat, this time with a heavy heart as I follow the call of home to scatter my mother’s remains. Yet, serenity is short-lived, as I’m thrust headfirst into a brutal civil conflict raging between the defiant rebels and the ruthless ruler, Pagan Min. The game’s rugged terrain demands frequent scaling of towering peaks, and my grappling hook becomes an essential tool for reaching strategic vantage points and crucial Bell Towers. These towers hold the key to unlocking new areas on the map and unearthing vital secrets, quests, and hidden treasures.

Boasting breathtaking vistas, an abundance of rock-scaling challenges, and a captivating narrative, Far Cry 4 is the sort of game that any adventure or action enthusiast, partial to scaling heights and high-speed thrills, ought to experience at least once.

2024-09-20 14:34