Summary
Open-world games have become increasingly popular over the years. Perhaps it’s for the freedom they offer players, or the inherent agency. While these games have a lot to offer, they can also be overwhelming to newcomers.
Games such asKenshi, which offer massive sandbox environments that champion player agency, tend to be double-edged swords; theunparalleled freedom allows for a great deal of possibilitiesand emergent gameplay, but it can sometimes leave new players floundering. However, there are a variety of open-world titles, big and small, that are able to offer accessible experiences with intuitive controls and clear goals.
The notoriousradio towers ofFar Cry3may have been tedious at times, even lazy in their design. However, there’s something to be said about the accessibility of this feature; open-world games can often be daunting, especially in the AAA scene, easily leaving newcomers floundering. With big, often bloated open-world areas to explore, it can be difficult to find a clear direction.
Far Cry 3solved this issue with its radio towers, encouraging players to seek them out and directing them around the map. This keeps the pace of the game by giving players clear direction and goals, allowing players to stumble into enemy encounters and face emergent challenges along the way.
NoteveryFalloutgameoffers the most accessible of experiences, and whileFallout: New Vegasmay be a fan favorite, there’s an argument to be made thatFallout 3’sintroductory sequence eases the player into the world like no other entry in the franchise.
Fallout 3’sopening tutorial teaches the ropes and simultaneously introduces the player to the world, all while setting up the core drive of the story. This means that by the time the player has left the iconic vault, they’re well-equipped with the skills and knowledge that they need to reach the next step. Combined with Bethesda’s waypoint system that constantly directs players toward the next point of interest,Fallout 3rarely leaves players wondering what to do.
As a procedural open-world game,Terrariamay not be what some fans are looking for. However, its nature as a 2D side-scroller makes it a surprisingly accessible, yet deep, experience. There’s plenty to explore, craft, and build inTerraria, and its variety of bosses andtown-building elementsallow it to stand out from other survival-craft games.
The intuitive controls and low-stakes gameplay freesTerrariaup to focus on free-form exploration and expressive creativity. The relaxing atmosphere, facilitated bycharming pixel artand a fitting soundtrack, also helps to ease players into the experience.
With a smallbut wildly colorfulopen-world to explore, intuitive controls, and utterly tactile gameplay that’s a joy to interact with,Slime Rancheris a decidedly cozy experience. The low stakes and general lack of challenge opens the game up to all kinds of player, allowing users to fully appreciate the sense of discovery it has to offer.
At its heart,Slime Rancherisa great farming-sim, giving players the task of capturing and managing balls of lively, colorful slime. The motivation for venturing into the world at large, however, comes from the need to keep these critters fed, expand the farm, and grow. Thankfully, the game never grows bloated or overly complex, keeping the focus on exploration and fun interactions with the titular slimes.
With intuitive controls and a peaceful atmosphere that’s only occasionally interrupted by Lovecraftian horror,Dredgeis a uniquely relaxing open-world experience. The game’s open archipelago is a joy to explore, thanks to an easy-to-learn and strangely addictive gameplay loop.
Players that enjoy fishing mini-games, methodical exploration, and slow-burning stories will likely get a kick out ofDredge. However, players looking to step into a larger world may be disappointed byDredge’ssmall scale.
Outer Wildsprovides a unique experience. No combat, no difficult mechanics — just problem-solving and truly free exploration. Combined with its relaxing, melancholic atmosphere and vast array of unique environments and colorful characters,Outer Wildsis a game like no other.
Though players can fly a spaceship and traverse a variety of planets of their own free will, the game never feels overwhelming. Perhaps it’s the small scale of the planets, or the immersive atmosphere, or maybe the sheer sense of adventure it evokes. Either way,Outer Wildsexcels in its simplicity, allowing the world and accompanying atmosphere to take center-stage.
AlthoughLEGO The Lord of the Ringsfeatures a linear story that follows the familiar beats of Peter Jackson’s adaptations, it’s interspersed with wonderfully accessible open-world exploration. As with many, if notall,LEGOgames,LEGO The Lord of the Ringsis an accessible experience that features almost no challenge, instead focusing on tactile gameplay and fun interactions.
The intuitive controls, familiar gameplay, and iconic source material makeLEGO The Lord of the Ringsa game with a tremendously low barrier to entry. Exploring Middle-earth is also a frequently relaxing experience thanks to the collectathon nature of the gameplay.
A Short Hikeisa small, cozy gamewith a wonderfully unique and minimalist art-style, set in a colorful mountainside park. The game is centered around low-stakes exploration and memorable interactions with wonderful characters, and moving around the island is tremendously intuitive.
The small scale ofA Short Hike, both in the size of its world and the scope of its narrative, makes it a truly accessible experience. Furthermore, the game’s simplistic gameplay and intuitive controls allow players to get exploring right away, rather than being bogged down by complex mechanics and bloated material.
