Unlocking Freedom: 8 Action-Adventure Games with Non-Linear Progression

Summary

Action-adventure games offer non-linear progression, allowing players agency in how they approach missions and explore worlds.
Games like Middle Earth: Shadow of War and Metal Gear Solid 5 use systems like the nemesis system to offer player-driven stories.
Ghost of Tsushima and Grand Theft Auto 5 provide opportunities for players to approach missions in any order, enhancing the feeling of freedom.

Frequently, when people envision action-adventure games, they picture stories with a fixed path. Games like Sony’s exclusive titles such as “The Last of Us” and “God of War” are usually the ones that spring to mind first. However, it’s important to note that there are numerous action-adventure games out there which offer players more freedom in how they play. This could mean providing an open world for exploration with missions that can be completed in any sequence, or constructing a Metroidvania-style game world that allows players to discover its secrets at their own pace.

In many action-adventure titles, the narrative isn’t strictly linear. While the ultimate objectives remain consistent for players, the path to reaching these goals can vary, offering multiple routes to explore. This flexibility allows for an immersive experience that encourages replayability, as each playthrough offers a unique journey due to the non-linear progression found in these games, fostering a sense of freedom for the player throughout their gameplay.

8. Middle Earth: Shadow of War

Building Rivalries

In “Middle Earth: Shadow of War,” the gameplay experience was significantly enhanced by introducing a more player-controlled progression system, primarily through the implementation of the nemesis system. The players are given the opportunity to create their own orc army and infiltrate the enemy, with their advancement largely determined by their interactions with orc leaders scattered throughout the game map. This could involve either recruiting these leaders into your army or defeating them, thus shaping the course of your gameplay.

This game’s mechanism enables players to craft their unique narratives as they progress, while simultaneously working on the game’s dispersed open-world quests. The encompassing system keeps players constantly motivated with a goal in sight. Furthermore, the procedural creation of adversaries, rewards, skills, and characters results in some intriguing and unpredictable combinations.

7. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

PMC Simulator

In Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, the covert sandbox levels offer a high degree of flexibility for players when it comes to both gameplay style and progression. Players have the ability to tackle missions in various sequences, as they are largely unstructured, and can spend their time scouring the maps to enlist soldiers, collect resources, or simply test out the numerous tools and weapons at Punished Snake’s disposal.

In various ways, a gaming experience can become exceptionally distinctive. Not only do you have the liberty to decide how to tackle missions and the storyline, but the game environment itself responds to your actions. For instance, if you enjoy picking off enemies from a distance with a sniper rifle, over time, they may start wearing helmets reinforced for such attacks. The AI will attempt to adjust to your playstyle, introducing more challenges as the game advances. Some players might have preferred the tightly-woven narratives of earlier games, but the open-ended nature of Metal Gear Solid V provided a unique sense of fulfillment.

6. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood

Building A Brotherhood

In “Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood,” there was an advancement in player-led development that surpassed the occasional side-quests found in earlier games. The game allowed players to traverse not only within the Animus as Ezio, but also outside of the Animus as Desmond. While the main story missions generally followed a linear path, the Brotherhood system and numerous side mission chains had substantial impacts on player development, influencing abilities and tools available during missions.

In the Brotherhood game, the main focus is on gathering assassins to join Ezio’s mission. This is accomplished by attacking the optional “Borgia Towers”, liberating prisoners, and enlisting their services. Players have the ability to personalize their assassins, employing them not only for resource collection but also as allies in missions. Additionally, there are numerous side quests and hidden treasures, such as the Leonardo Da’Vinci assignments, the Cult of Romulus, and Cristina Vespucci’s recollections, which can be tackled in any sequence and provide valuable rewards and story details.

5. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Exploration Expanded

Before the launch of “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”, many dedicated fans of “The Legend of Zelda” franchise speculated if the open-world approach would align well with the action-adventure genre. However, “Breath of the Wild” surpassed even the highest expectations, and it appears that this format will continue to be a key element in the series moving forward.

In the game “Breath of the Wild”, the way you explore isn’t just about deciding which direction to go; it’s deeply integrated into the gameplay mechanics. The physics system and creative puzzles give players the freedom to solve problems in multiple ways, making the experience more immersive. Similar to other games in the “Zelda” series, Link gains abilities throughout the game that enhance exploration and provide new methods for interacting with the world, thanks to these engaging systems.

4. Dishonored

Binary Morality

In an intriguing fashion, Dishonored tackles non-linearity. The expansive levels provide numerous paths for players to achieve the same objectives, and the choices made by players throughout these levels shape the broader storyline’s development. This means that the story can be experienced differently based on individual decisions, although a specific playthrough may limit options within its scope.

What makes Dishonored unique is how distinct mission outcomes can be when players opt for either lethal or non-lethal strategies. Instead of just deciding between killing an enemy or subduing them, choosing the non-lethal route frequently necessitates discovering an entirely different solution. This, along with the flexible storyline, contributes to a sense of non-linear gameplay, rather than just varying playstyles.

3. Hollow Knight

A Vast World Underground

In the spirit of classic Metroidvania and platformer games, Hollow Knight delivers on the thrill of unrestricted exploration, offering unexpected and satisfying discoveries at every turn. From the game’s outset, players are given the liberty to traverse the expansive map of Hollow Knight in their preferred manner, although they may require some Metroidvania-style mobility skills to access more challenging zones.

This game simplifies many detailed RPG mechanics found in similar games by focusing on straightforward upgrade options and customizable charms. Despite this simplicity, it offers a wide range of playstyles due to these features. Every corner of Hallownest hides intriguing discoveries, like new skills, hidden characters, or secret adversaries. This diversity makes the unconventional progression engaging and fulfilling, regardless of how the player chooses to explore it.

2. Ghost of Tsushima

Guided By The Wind

In an unexpected twist, Ghost of Tsushima’s open-world design in Sucker Punch left both players and critics astonished due to its organic method of guiding the player subtly. Instead of relying on conventional markers like a glowing map symbol, the player is led by soft hints such as a gentle breeze or a helpful fox, allowing them to engage with various scattered activities at their preferred pace.

As Jin progresses through the main storyline, his family conflicts unfold, but hidden within the game’s narrative are the richer stories of Jin’s companions and associates he encounters on his journey. These side-stories can be experienced in any sequence, allowing players to delve deeper into their favorite characters at their own pace.

In a common open-world style, the main narrative missions serve as a single path for players to explore, yet each player’s journey may differ significantly. The choices they make regarding the game’s other elements can shape their unique perspective of the world and its inhabitants more profoundly.

1. Grand Theft Auto 5

Triple Protagonist Tussle

In earlier versions of “Grand Theft Auto”, players had some flexibility in navigating the open-world gameplay. However, Grand Theft Auto 5 took this concept to a new level by introducing three playable characters, which gave Rockstar more room to expand player autonomy. Although certain parts require sticking with one character, it’s common for players to switch between them freely. This flexibility enhances the feeling of freedom when exploring the game world and completing missions.

In most open-world games like GTA 5, including Grand Theft Auto V, players have the freedom to complete missions at their own pace and in any sequence they prefer. At any given time, players can pick from a variety of missions, some of which advance the main storyline while others offer side activities or mini-missions. As players explore this vast world, they’ll discover a diverse range of experiences, each shaping their unique journey through the game.

2025-02-01 11:06