Summary
By the time the seventh generation of video game consoles came around, open-world games were one of the most prominent and popular genres on the market. This open-ended game design philosophy really started to come into its own during the previous generation, but the arrival of thePS3meant that more was possible and developers started improving both the scope of their projects and the quality of the storytelling.
Open-world games were aperfect fit for thePS3, as its impressive hardware innovations benefited developers in some huge ways. The improved quality of face scans meant that performances were even better, and would allow the tiny details of any actor to shine through. These open-world games have been ranked based on their writing, characters, and world design, as all of these elements were elevated from previous generations thanks to the PS3’s improved hardware.
The Elder Scrollsisn’t a franchise that comes around very often, as these massive games require years of work from talented teams to come to life, and the team at Bethesda hit an absolute home run when they releasedOblivionin 2006. Set during the Third Era,Oblivionfollows series tradition by casting the player as a prisoner who escapes into a world of adventure, pitting them against the Mythic Dawn as they attempt to open a series of demonic gates and unleash disaster on the land of Tamriel.
Along the way, the player helps the son of Uriel Septim, a timid man named Martin, on a pilgrimage to light the dragonfires to protect Tamriel from the encroaching plane of oblivion. This fascinating tale of self-discovery and heroism is wonderfully written and voice acted, as the game stars legendary voices like Patrick Stewart and Sean Bean.Rumors of anOblivionremakehave persisted for nearly a year, which would be a great way to experience this fabulous fantasy narrative for the first time.
The firstMafiagame was rather revolutionary for its time, as it told a down-to-earth gangster story that focused on realistic writing and natural performances. It was less of the satire thatGrand Theft Autowas, instead taking influences from films likeGoodfellas, which worked to its benefit. It would take eight years for a sequel to emerge, but when it did, it was well worth the wait, asMafia 2improved on every aspect of the original, especiallywhen it came to its story.
Mafia 2takes place roughly a decade after the first game, starring a WW2 veteran named Vito Scaletta as he returns home to Empire Bay. Upon returning home, Vito gets entangled with mob forces due to an immense debt left by his father, setting off a chain of events that unfold organically over the course of the game. The progression of the writing and Vito’s journey from a soldier to a mobster is fascinating, as it draws from the best-written gangster films in order to keep its plot in check. This absolutely incredible open-world gangster story is readily available on modern hardware and is still one of the finest stories one can find on the market.
Powered by revolutionary new technology,L.A. Noirewas designed to emulate the subtle expressions and details of the human face, which the developers at Team Bondi took full advantage of. This thrilling 1940s-era film noir story draws from some of the most popular movies of the era, casting players as Cole Phelps, a young officer drawn into a web of conspiracies and murder.
The sharp writing, perfect voice acting, and beautifully realized open world of 1940s Los Angeles are an intoxicating mix, as the ability to discern an NPC being dishonest from subtle facial movements is still impressive over ten years later. The story is full of incredible twists and turns, keeping players guessing all the way up to its dramatic finale.L.A. Noireis still a game worthplaying today, as its examination of post-war America is just as fascinating today as it was over a decade ago.
Built by a team of 1,000 people over the course of three years,Grand Theft Auto 5is still one of the most ambitious, technologically impressive games of all time. The decision to include three playable protagonists was bold, but it worked out in Rockstar’s favor, as the satirical examination of mortality and excess broke sales records and became a landmark release for the industry. The delightfully outrageous story of Michael, Franklin, and Trevor is one of the industry’s most incredible stories ever told, as it uses their magnetic chemistry to form a relationship that feels natural and honest.
Their clashing personalities and desires, from Michael’s chaotic home life to Trevor’s decidedly nihilistic worldview and Franklin’s intense need for cash, formed the basis forGTA5’sstory of mayhem and betrayal. In terms ofGTAgames, the fifth entry is still its most impressive in how it handles the uncertainty of open-world design mixing with linear storytelling, as the progression ofMichael, Franklin, and Trevoris absolutely spectacular.
While the firstgame in theArkhamseriesexplored the narrow hallways of the iconic DC Comics prison, the sequel was a far more ambitious concept. Set in the eponymous Arkham City, a massive supermax prison located in a walled-off section of Gotham City, this sprawling open-world action-adventure title is easily one of the best Batman games ever made and is still a phenomenal experience over ten years later.
Arkham Citysees Batman trying to survive a host of his most infamous villains, from Penguin to Two-Face, all the way to Clayface and Mr. Freeze, as this all-star cast of DC Comics characters come together in an expertly crafted tale written by Paul Dini. But the real star of the show is Batman’s quest to uncover Protocol 10, which leads him into conflict with Professor Hugo Strange. Their interactions are simply incredible, as this outstanding title celebrates the legacy of Batman and continues to show why this fantastic franchise is still beloved after all these years.
Sleeping Dogsbegan development as the third entry in theTrue Crimeseries, which ended in cancelation in 2011, prompting Square-Enix to purchase the publishing rights to the game. The game was then renamed and Square funded the development ofSleeping Dogs, a gameinspired by various Hong Kongaction films and HBO dramas.
Set in an impressive open-world Hong Kong,Sleeping Dogsexplores the criminal underworld by casting players as a detective named Wei Shen, who infiltrates the infamous Triad gang in order to take them down from within. Backed by incredible voice acting, fantastic writing, and an open world that is still impressive even after all these years, Sleeping Dogs is one of the most outstanding games of its generation. It is a dark, complex tale of deception and loyalty, featuring an all-star voice cast and some of the most outstanding mission designs in the genre.
Afteracquiring the IP from Capcom, Rockstar set out to create theopen-world cowboy game of their dreams, resulting inRed Dead Redemptionin 2010. This stirring examination of the American Frontier has been a long-celebrated and beloved game ever since it was released, and with good reason, as it saw the tragic tale of John Marston unfold in what is still one of the most incredible stories ever told in the industry.
Set in the dying days of the Old West in 1911,Red Dead Redemptionsees John Marston embark on a quest for revenge against his old gang and free his family from the clutches of a corrupt government agent named Edgar Ross. With its intricately detailed open world, wonderful voice acting, and pitch-perfect writing,Red Dead Redemptionis an easy contender for one of the most important and innovative games of all time. Exploring the themes of revenge, the cycle of violence, and fate,Red Dead Redemptionis a must-play experience that is readily available on all modern hardware.
