Summary

Theopen-worldgenre is known for combining various elements that players love, such as exploration, storytelling, a broad range of weapons and abilities, and evensome experimental aspectsthat sometimes work and sometimes don’t.

While many titles double down onsubtle storytelling and world-building, there are others that opt to focus on combat and make the experience as thrilling and adrenaline-rushing as possible. These kinds of games are not specific to a certain subgenre such as FPS or RPG, but often have a higher degree of action than others with a focus on the narrative. Here are some of thebest open-world games for demolishing hordes of enemies.

Based on the popular late 70s franchise set in a post-apocalyptic world full of modified vehicles, strange beings and a ton of violence,Mad Maxdelivers partially on the premise it seeks to communicate and offers a fun experience for the most part.

Granted, the combat mechanics aren’t all there and there are other games in the genre that do them a lot better. But if players like theMad Maxfranchise and are looking for a game where they can beat up several enemies at once, it could be great to scratch that itch.

Days Goneis arguably one of the most popular post-apocalyptic zombie franchises of the last 10 years. Set in the wilderness of Oregon, this game allows players to explore the world to their liking while encountering various obstacles along the way.

One of the greatest things aboutDays Goneis the hordes, which will pit players against vicious groups of Swarmers that can range from 25 to 500 at a time. This, combined withthe outstanding melee weaponsat players’ disposal, can make for an amazing experience.

The Dead Rising franchise has been around for almost 20 years at the time of writing this article, which has made it very popular with fans of all ages.

While the franchise has had some development issues in the last few years and its future is unclear, it’s also undeniable that those titles that are already available are a lot of fun and pit players against vicious hordes of zombies. While there doesn’t seem to be a consensus aroundwhich of theDead Risinggames is the best,Dead Rising 3is widely regarded to deserve one of the top spots.

WhenMiddle-Earth: Shadow of Mordorwas released, many fans were doubtful about whether it was going to perform well, as the golden age forLord of the Ringsgames had long passed. Luckily, the title managed to deliver a very enjoyable experience that combined fast-paced action and entertaining exploration.

The success continued withMiddle-Earth: Shadow of War, which served as a sequel toShadow of Mordorand allowed players to interact with new and improved game mechanics. As Talion, players can face and decimate hordes of orcs and other enemies in challenging fights.

Players looking for an exciting experience full of action and tons of mayhem should look no further thanSaints Row 4. This title not only offers players a wide range of options regarding how they can play the game, but also pits them against various enemies, which makes combat very enjoyable.

While the game mechanics present are not as hashed out as those in behemoths likeGrand Theft Auto 5,Saints Row 4still manages to deliver a very enjoyable experience that many players agree isthe high point of the franchise.

WhileThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntwill often have players exploring vast cities and quiet forests, there will also be other times and situations where they will be pitted against vicious hordes of monsters. Many creatures find their strength in numbers, meaning that they’re not awfully dangerous alone, but can be deadly in groups. A great example of this are Nekkers.

To defend themselves against the many dangers on The Continent, players can rely on their sword fighting skills, their Witcher Signs, and some of thebest armor sets in the game.

Lastly, there’sBatman: Arkham Knight, which continues to deliver on the amazing game mechanics the franchise is known for while implementing a few new things of its own. Similar to theMiddle Earthfranchise,Batman: Arkham Knightoffers players exciting combat where they can face various enemies at once. And whilethere’s not a final boss, this doesn’t impact gameplay or the feeling of high stakes around it.

Combat will put players' reflexes to the test and force them to keep their eyes open while scanning every corner of the screen to avoid sustaining damage. The game also featuressome amazing gadgets, which can be helpful during tight situations.