Top Open-World Animal Games That Will Blow Your Mind

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Summary

  • Play as diverse animals in open-world games for unique gaming experiences.
  • Games like WolfQuest offer realistic insights into animal behavior and life.
  • Experience chaos and mayhem as a shark in Maneater or as a mischievous goose in Untitled Goose Game.

Open-world video games offer some of the most engaging and immersive experiences in gaming, enabling players to delve into diverse settings – be it different historical periods, cultural landscapes, or entirely fantastical realms. What sets certain games apart is their innovative approach, where players can control an animal character, offering a perspective that’s rarely found in games with humanoid protagonists.

Venturing out freely in either wild or developed landscapes, experiencing life from an animal’s perspective, can be incredibly freeing, offering unique insights into the lives of creatures vastly different from ourselves. Here are some top open-world video games that allow you to play as various animals, ranked according to a blend of game quality and popularity.

1. Maneater

Humanity And Sea Creatures Being Terrorized By A Shark

For individuals seeking retribution against humans for their numerous wrongdoings, Maneater could be an ideal game choice. In

As a gamer, diving into the thrilling world of Maneater, I’m transforming my mutant shark from a humble beginner into a colossal ocean menace under the witty commentary of Chris Parnell. While some side missions and the frequent need to devour prey can start feeling like a loop, the joy of wrecking havoc along the coastline and engaging in epic sea battles against other massive marine beasts is simply unparalleled!

2. BioMutant

A Mammalian Creature Decides The Fate Of The Tree Of Life

In the game BioMutant, the process of creating your character significantly influences gameplay. As you assume command over a small mammalian figure, you’ll decide on its attributes during character creation. For instance, having a larger head means increased intelligence for your creature, while a heavier build may slow it down but boost its ability to deal damage.

In a fascinating blend of untamed wilderness and steampunk aesthetics, this world presents branching narratives and various tribes for the player to either form alliances with or confront in battle. Some reviewers noted a repetitive quality in the puzzle-solving and objectives, but the distinctive concept, endearing visual style, and innovative take on ‘gun fu’ combat have led many to label BioMutant as an overlooked gem.

3. Goat Simulator 3

Wreak Havoc As A Goat

By this point, it’s likely that many gamers are familiar with the wild, goat-centric game that creates pandemonium, and Goat Simulator 3 promises even more chaos than its forerunner. Disregarding the second numbered installment in the series, the team behind Goat Simulator 3 asserts that the map is a whopping 18 times larger than in the initial game, and it allows up to four players to participate in the madcap antics.

The game offers a narrative where you climb up within the Illuminati hierarchy, yet its unique charm lies in interacting playfully with various attractive elements by licking and headbutting them.

4. Cattails: Wildwood Story

Cozy Life Simulation With Cats

Reminiscent of the praise directed at “Stardew Valley”, “Cattails: Tales of Wildwood” finds players inhabiting a world led by a customizable feline character, as they construct and manage a settlement. The captivating Wildwood landscape boasts a variety of terrains, such as swamps, forests, beaches, and volcanoes.

Other felines can be attracted to join the community and aid in its development, plus an array of various plants can be grown for harvest, and food sources abound for hunting. There’s even a chance for affectionate relationships, creating connections with other cats to birth adorable kittens. However, there are also enigmatic adversaries that need to be warded off, so ensuring the safety of the community is crucial.

5. WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition

Accurate Depiction Of Life In A Wolfpack

Acclaimed for its authenticity, the Wolfquest: Anniversary Edition offers an engaging simulation not just of wolf living but also of education. Set within Yellowstone National Park across a vast wilderness spanning nearly 50 square kilometers, players engage in hunting, confronting other predators, and even disputes with rival packs of wolves over coveted territories or resources.

The essential aspect of this game is the mechanism of sniffing. Additionally, interacting with other wolves is crucial, including friendly courtship rituals for breeding offspring to continue the lineage. Moreover, the game continues even after the death of the player character. For those who prefer a social gaming experience, multiplayer modes are also provided, allowing players to explore wolf life alongside their friends.

6. Little Kitty, Big City

A Small Cat Trying To Find Its Way Home… Eventually

In contrast to some overwhelming large cities, the charming tale of “Little Kitty, Big City” offers a different experience. The title character, a house cat, finds itself lost in a bustling Japanese city and sets out on an adventure to return home. Along the way, this urban jungle transforms into a fun-filled playground filled with various exciting activities, making the journey as delightful as reaching the comfort of its owner’s apartment.

Experiencing the human-created world through a cat’s point of view is captivating, and players have the option to create chaos if they prefer. There are numerous animal companions to bond with and various types of fish to consume, which can aid the player character in reaching higher places and is essential if the goal is to return home.

7. A Short Hike

Climbing A Mountain And Enjoying The Journey

A game titled “A Short Hike” features a bird character named Claire on a quest to reach the peak of Hawk Peak. To accomplish this, she needs to gather seven golden feathers which grant her abilities like running, climbing, swimming, and gliding towards the summit. However, there are twenty feathers hidden across the island for those who want to find every single one.

Besides scaling the mountain, players can chat with fellow hikers, sometimes even lending them a helping hand, which they’ll reciprocate. The game offers numerous activities and mini-games too, such as fishing and beachstickball, a sport reminiscent of volleyball. Despite its brevity, discovering the captivating island is an unforgettable and heartwarming adventure.

8. Untitled Goose Game

Be A Troublesome Goose

In the tranquil countryside of an English hamlet lies the game named Untitled Goose Game. Here, you’re given the chance to disrupt this serene rural life. Assuming the role of a mischievous goose (or two geese if you have a cooperative friend), you’ll find yourself in a fun-filled adventure filled with items to pilfer, villagers to vex, and chaos to create within just a few hours.

In Untitled Goose Game, some might question its open-world nature. However, as you accomplish a few tasks in each zone, the map gradually becomes accessible and eventually transforms into an expansive sandbox environment filled with shortcuts and hidden treasures to discover. The goose’s distinctive honk function is more than enough to justify the entry fee, enhancing the game’s appeal while causing much annoyance for the local residents, whose peaceful days are disrupted by the unruly goose that barges in.

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2025-04-27 15:10