Open-world games obviously have more open design choices, whereas the rest of the video game genres could be considered non-open-world games. That said, the following games do have exploration options that compare to open-world games, whether that’s in a sandbox or an interactive world map.
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Even though they are smaller in scope, these games do still have a lot of options that will give players a nice sense of freedom while playing, perhaps even more so than true open-world games. This might include everything from dialogue options to town-building segments. For anyone looking for a smaller adventure with a lot to do, these are the games to check out.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Nothing But Choice
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the ultimate example of a game that offers a wealth of content upfront, as each chapter provides players with a vast environment to explore at their leisure, albeit from an isometric perspective. Players can create their character, including their looks, race, and class.
As they travel, they will meet various party members and decide who to include in the game’s complex tactical battles, who to sideline, and who to start romances with. Best of all, their story choices will make every playthrough unique. It’s a game well worth revisiting, as the choices and variety of outcomes in all regards are absolutely staggering for a Dungeons & Dragons video game.
Mass Effect
The Galaxy Is Yours
Mass Effect feels massive, as players can explore various planets, although they’re typically confined to one location, and some moons can be researched via a buggy called the Mako. Still, the variety and optional content will make players feel like they are truly exploring the galaxy with their party. Players can customize their character and choose a class in this RPG as well, but their race will always be human.
There are dialogue choices that can offer good and bad decisions, which will affect character relationships, including romances, and in some major instances, the story. Players can choose who to bring on their missions, and they can give orders during combat, as the game is technically a squad-based cover shooter with an RPG tinge.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
Reclaim Your Honor
Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom features a world map to explore between major dungeons and town locations, just like old-school RPGs from the SNES and PS1 days. In combat, everything plays out in real time, making for quick battles provided players have a good grasp of the controls. Also on the world map, players can fight RTS-like battles to recapture stolen territories.
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The story follows Evan, a young prince who lost his kingdom. While they fight to reclaim it, players can build a new castle and an accompanying town for Evan and his companions, and managing properties can earn players various bonuses.
Monster Hunter World
Hunt Or Be Hunted
Monster Hunter World, despite the name, is not an open-world experience, but it does get rid of the segmented zones from the previous Monster Hunter games, which makes hunts and exploration more enjoyable for all. At the start, players can create their character and their Palico cat companion, and then further customize their gear loadout by crafting after a successful hunting mission using the materials they acquired.
There are no set classes, but weapons serve as class-like builds, from using a bow to a giant sword. Hunts are best played with three others online to find wider success, as these beasties mean trouble even with the greatest set of gear available in this action RPG.
Dave The Diver
Become The Best Sushi Chef
Dave the Diver is a mishmash of genres, one that many players have found soothing as an indie game. The titular Dave is hired to help run a sushi restaurant. Dave is in charge of orders and drinks while his chef prepares the food during dinner time, and in this segment, players have to make sure all their guests are happy.
The main crux of the game is deep-sea diving, wherein players must actually catch the fish they’re serving at the restaurant. Gaining money helps unlock new gear to catch fish in various ways. The whole gameplay loop is a masterclass in how a small game can turn into something deeply enjoyable when the right development team is allowed to stretch their creative legs.
Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels Of The Starry Sky
Party Up
Dragon Quest 9: Sentinels of the Starry Sky is a big change-up for the series, as it was the first mainline Dragon Quest game to be released on a portable console, the DS. It lets players customize their character initially, and then after the tutorial area, players can create their party of up to three more characters.
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A class system is also unlocked, called Vocations, and players can create powerful parties by mastering Vocations and swapping skills. If they don’t want to play alone, then they can also play with three others via their connected DS systems. Online functionality at the time of release also let players share maps to explore. It was a very forward-thinking game on the DS, and these ideas later evolved on the 3DS with functions like StreetPass and SpotPass.
Dark Cloud 2
Time Is On Your Side
Dark Cloud 2 is a time-traveling RPG featuring two central characters, Max and Monica, who are trying to fix the timeline. Each area they visit is devoid of life, so they must go into dungeons to get materials to then free villagers from their fate, along with rebuilding the town however the player wants.
Besides hacking and slashing at enemies in dungeons, players can also fish and golf once an area is cleared. Max also has a camera to take pictures, which he can then use for crafting. For a fairly linear game, Dark Cloud 2 gives players a lot to do on the PS2 thanks to Level-5 giving it their all.
Fantasy Life (3DS)
Live Your Life
Fantasy Life is another Level-5 game, but this one is much smaller and was seemingly created as a way for everyone to check out an RPG for the first time. Players can create their character and then choose a class called a Life at the start, which comes in three categories: Combat, Gathering, and Crafting. Players can do the normal action RPG gameplay loop by attacking enemies as a Magician, for example, to level up.
They can also go fishing or chop down trees as an Angler or Woodcutter to level up. No one Life locks players out of other content, and it actually encourages players to check out everything the game has to offer. Switching between manic and relaxing Lives gives players a better sense of pace, as well as more activities to do, and while this game is a bit inaccessible, as it is exclusive to the 3DS, the sequel, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, is more accessible on modern hardware.
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These upcoming open-world games are packed with a ton of activities and gameplay features for players to enjoy.
