Ubisoft Games That Shockingly Improve Over Time

Summary

Several open-world games by Ubisoft open up gradually, often holding the best stuff for later.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey brings unmatched variety to the series, for the first time feeling like a full-fledged action RPG with an epic scale.
The Division 2 might feel too familiar at first but packs enough surprises for players who continue playing, rewarding their patience.

In simpler terms, numerous games developed by Ubisoft within the open-world genre are renowned for their grand scale, encompassing extensive maps to explore and numerous story missions to complete. However, some gamers confess to experiencing exhaustion from lengthy titles such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or Ghost Recon Breakpoint. These games maintain a consistent gameplay loop and narrative that does not significantly evolve throughout the gaming experience, resulting in an excess of non-essential content for players seeking to reach the story’s conclusion.

In contrast to some other games in Ubisoft’s collection, there are also a number that start off gradually and tend to save their best aspects for later play. Instead of placing heavy emphasis on story, many Ubisoft titles prioritize gameplay mechanics or elements that unfold as you progress deeper into the game. These surprises can delight players who choose to persist beyond the initial stages of these games. Here are some standout Ubisoft games whose appeal grows in various ways as players continue their journey.

Far Cry 6

More Than Just A New Vibrant Setting

In recent major releases, Far Cry 6 is often considered less popular among gamers because it doesn’t stray far from its traditional formula, instead leaning heavily on the unique setting of the Yara island, inspired by Cuba in the Caribbean, to stand out. The game initially captivates players with its compelling cast of characters, such as Antón Castillo, played by Giancarlo Esposito, but it soon becomes clear that the game falls short in fully developing his character, minimizing his impact throughout the lengthy campaign. Nevertheless, there are redeeming factors to Far Cry 6’s overall repetitiveness, with many players acknowledging that the best aspects of the game, from both story and gameplay angles, occur during the latter stages.

As more islands are opened up for discovery and additional ally factions are introduced, Far Cry 6 gains a richer depth over time. One of the standout aspects is the entire storyline centered around The Legends of ’67 – a rebel group of former revolutionaries situated in El Este. Featuring captivating characters such as Santos Espinosa, Teresa “Lucky Mama” Moreno, and Jorge “El Tigre” Aguilar, as well as thrilling missions culminating in the game’s climactic conclusion, it may be beneficial to spend more time with Far Cry 6, although the game is best enjoyed in smaller segments to avoid a feeling of monotony.

The Crew Motorfest

Rewarding Progression Unlocks More Reasons For Exploration

In the style commonly found in racing games, The Crew Motorfest might appear relatively leisurely at the onset. With a restricted array of vehicles for beginners and a sprawling map that seems rather desolate, the game doesn’t hasten to reach the more engaging aspects initially. Moreover, due to its live-service structure, navigating through the overly intricate menus for character development and crew progress can be perplexing and aggravating during the early stages, unless players are well-versed in everything involved. However, as players become accustomed to Motorfest, they unlock more thrilling playlists, each offering a variety of unique missions, activities, challenges, and rewards. Each activated playlist not only provides access to story missions delving into automotive lore but also introduces new collectibles to discover in the open world, as well as dynamic rivals to chase.

It’s advisable to start with Playlists before delving too far into exploring the Hawaiian islands. Additionally, The Crew Motorfest offers an impressive range of missions, made even more exciting by its innovative feature that allows players to switch vehicle types during races. Some playlists like Red Bull Speed Clash and Donut Media take things to the extreme with their unconventional mission design. Players can select their next mission based on their current mood for a more personalized and varied experience. Furthermore, each new discipline or vehicle type introduces a fresh feel to the world, as driving on roads, off-roading, flying, or sailing creates quite distinct experiences.

Watch Dogs: Legion

Not As Traditional As Its Predecessors

As a gamer diving into the world of Watch Dogs: Legion, I’ve found myself in a dynamic, futuristic London unlike any other game I’ve played before. Instead of choosing from a set cast of characters, I’m given the freedom to recruit any NPC off the streets and play as them – a truly innovative concept that sets this game apart!

In the early stages, it might seem like this lack of central protagonist could dilute the narrative, with less focus on traditional characters to connect with. However, as I’ve invested time and energy into building my own DedSec resistance, I’ve discovered that there’s much more depth to the gameplay experience than initially meets the eye.

The more effort I put into growing my resistance, the more advanced operatives with specialized skills I unlock – each one offering a unique perspective and enabling me to approach missions in ways I wouldn’t have imagined at the outset. Overall, Watch Dogs: Legion offers a refreshing twist on the action-adventure genre that rewards patience and creativity!

In Watch Dogs: Legion, you have multiple options to approach missions, whether it’s hacking, being stealthy, engaging in direct combat, or a mix of these methods. The gameplay can get quite strategic as you choose which resistance member suits best for specific tasks, and each decision you make with permadeath means that characters you’ve grown fond of could potentially meet their end. For those who prefer a more traditional narrative style, Watch Dogs: Legion reintroduces beloved characters Aiden Pearce and Reginald “Wrench” Blechman from previous games in the Bloodline expansion, weaving new personal stories around them.

Immortals Fenyx Rising

Infused With Metroidvanian Approach

One of Ubisoft’s less recognized titles in recent years, the game Immortals Fenyx Rising, didn’t generate enough popularity to prompt a follow-up. While the game isn’t dull or slow from the start like some might think, its unique take on open-world design sets it apart from many other Ubisoft games of a similar nature. The game gradually gives players puzzles and abilities reminiscent of Metroidvania style as they play as Fenyx, making the world initially appear less explorable than popular franchises such as Far Cry or Assassin’s Creed. At first, Immortals Fenyx Rising might seem overly confined in its early stages, but this is merely a taste of what lies ahead.

In “Immortals Fenyx Rising,” the game’s world doesn’t adhere to any tangible limitations, giving the creators the freedom to make each region visually distinct and tailor the gameplay style for each area. Each new region offers unique puzzle types or gaming mechanics through legendary abilities like Heavy Lifting or Hephaistos’s Hammer, ensuring that players encounter fresh elements even beyond the initial playtime, keeping the entire experience engaging. Additionally, “Immortals Fenyx Rising” takes inspiration from “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and metroidvania platformer games, resulting in a game that frequently feels more imaginative and less formulaic than recent Ubisoft titles might suggest.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

They Call It Odyssey For A Reason

Initially, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey starts off rather gradually following a powerful initial encounter with Spartans. The early stages are filled with extensive explanations, basic combat, and only a few skills to utilize. The quest design is somewhat predictable at this point. However, the game’s stunning recreation of Ancient Greece might keep players engaged. The real incentives to embark on this epic adventure reveal themselves later in the game as you level up and gain access to powerful equipment and abilities. This is when you truly understand some of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s emergent features, such as the mercenaries who pursue you, endless contracts for resources, and the intricate ship upgrade and crew management system.

In keeping with its title, the world and ambiance continue to be the main attractions in Odyssey, as each new island players discover offers a fresh storyline, filled with unanticipated twists, both in gameplay and plot development. Some locales are bound to leave a mark, whether it’s a decision-based quest with unsettling outcomes, mythical elements, historical figures, or an unexpected series of events while attempting to conquer a particularly massive fortress swarming with powerful mercenaries. The mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey are also diverse, ensuring that players are continually engrossed, blending main narrative, combat, exploration, naval elements, glimpses into the present day, visits to otherworldly realms, encounters with or battles against Gods, and opportunities for unique character customization.

The Division 2

The Entire Campaign Is Nothing But A Tutorial

As a fan, I must admit that The Division 2 didn’t make a striking initial impact compared to its winter NYC counterpart following the virus outbreak. Instead, it offers a less breathtaking, lush Washington D.C., teeming with bandits of every kind. However, for live-service loot-based games like this one, both the story’s depth and the strategic finesse of combat often reveal themselves later on, and abandoning the sequel during its opening hours would be a regrettable mistake.

Despite an initial impression that feels somewhat familiar, marred by forgettable characters, a generic narrative, and conventional cover-based shooting, The Division 2 truly showcases its brilliance as you progress to the maximum character level and reach the endgame. Here, the loot system becomes more lucrative, character builds start mattering through specializations, and an array of crafting and fine-tuning mechanics like expertise and recalibration are unlocked.

Participants can enjoy a variety of remarkable and unforgettable missions and experiences within the game, including Strongholds, Raids, recurring Invasions, and numerous others. Some particularly challenging missions may last over an hour, while also broadening the game world beyond Washington.

Despite not having friends to play The Division 2 cooperatively in either PvE or PvP modes, which can be quite enjoyable, there’s still an abundance of content for solo players who enjoy loot gathering or strategically intense combat. Furthermore, story-driven expansions like Warlords of New York and additional campaigns such as Coney Island serve as delightful extras that add even more depth to the game’s rich and diverse offerings.

2025-09-03 02:00