Summary
Shooting has been a prominent mechanic in video games since the early days. From arcade shooters likeSpace InvadersandGalagato modernFPS titans likeCall of Duty,ranged projectile combathas proven an extremely popular way for video game fans to approach a fight.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, fans see gameplay mechanics meld and combine in fascinating new ways. Projectile-based combat goes well with just about any sort of game with an action-oriented playstyle, including manyopen-world games. Here are some ofthe best open-world games that prioritize a ranged approach to combat.
Ubisoft has a lot of open-world games in its catalog, butFar Cry 3is easily one of the best. This iconic island adventure sets players loose on a fictional tropical archipelago, where they must battle theruthless pirate lord Vaas Montenegro.
Along the way, protagonist Jason Brody will upgrade his arsenal with an expanding catalog of powerful firearms, from silenced pistols and sniper rifles to bombastic shotguns and rocket launchers, not to mention this game’s iconic bow and arrow.Far Cry 3stresses freedom in how players can approach each challenge, and the wide variety of weapons in the game is a testament to this.
Fallout: New Vegas’gameplay and graphics might be showing their age a bit, but the title is still a must-play for open-world fans and RPG players alike. The game adapts and enhances the gunplay introduced inFallout 3with several upgrades, such as a mod system to customize weapons and even different ammo types to shake up how players approach gunfights.
WhileFallout: New Vegasdoes have a robust catalog of melee weapons for fans who’d prefer that option, the gunplay is where the game really shines, especially thanks to the franchise’s time-honored VATS system.Fallout: New Vegasoffers a refined, tactical, and thoughtful gunfight experience.
As the first properly open-world game inthe illustriousHalofranchise,Halo Infinitestands out.The game’s free multiplayer offeringhas been criticized for a lack of ongoing content, but the campaign still allows the iconic Master Chief to freely wander for the first time.
The gunplay that made theHalofranchise such a legend of the industry is still present, and the addition of a grappling hook opens up countless new options for exploration and strategy in combat. The series' iconic firearms return here and are just as satisfying in combat as ever.
Rockstar’s iconicRed Dead Redemption 2is famous for a lot of things, from its epic tale of tragedy and betrayal to the grand, sweeping portrayal of the American Southwest during the decline of the Frontier age. But the game is also known for its intense attention to detail and realism, and this extends to its firearms as well.
Red Dead Redemption 2hasan appropriately large catalog of guns, and shootouts in the game are intense and exciting, with the series' trademark Dead Eye mechanic giving players a deadly advantage. However, gun-based gameplay inRDR2extends well outside combat. Fans must constantly take care of their firearms and give them regular cleanings to maintain their performance, just like in real life.
Despite a turbulent launch,Cyberpunk 2077has developed into a remarkable open-world game that brings the iconic setting of Night City to lurid, neon-drenched life. Protagonist V’s increasingly desperate attempts to save themselves from the malfunctioning chip in their head takes them to all corners of this flashy dystopia and brings them face-to-face with plenty of unsavory characters.
The gunplay inCyberpunk 2077is enhanced by a wide range of various damage types, some of which will be more or less effective against different enemies. In true cyberpunk fashion, players can alsoenhance their character’s cybernetics, which in turn makes them more effective against various enemies. Players can even install “smart” cybernetics that will cause even rapid-fire machine guns to lock onto various enemies.
Fallout 4has an arguably weaker storyline thanFallout: New Vegas, but the gunplay has come a long way.Fallout 4massively expands on the mods introduced inNew Vegas, allowing fans to virtually build their own firearm however they’d like. There are countless potential combinations and modifications for every weapon in the game.
Firefights inFallout 4are fast and exciting. The ever-present VATS system gives players the chance to turn the tide, and the fact that the game lets them equip explosives as a secondary weapon means they are never more than a button press away from escalating things to the point where bullets start flying.
Horizon Zero Dawnestablished protagonist Aloy’sconsiderable skill as a hunter and archer, and the sequel,Horizon Forbidden West,expands her arsenal of ranged weapons. With a wide array of elemental damage types and status conditions, players have a lot of choices in how they take down the game’s intimidating robotic beasts.
Combat inHorizon Forbidden Westis a very strategic affair. Players must aim carefully to exploit opponents' weak points and pierce their bulky armor. The machines inForbidden Westare large and heavily armed, meaning the odds are constantly stacked against Aloy. But one well-placed shot can turn the battle against even the most intimidating robotic menace.
Grand Theft Auto 5is a game that needs no introduction. As one of the best-selling video games of all time, this open-world crime drama is nothing short of a paragon of the video game industry, thanks largely to its immersive open-world design and its intense story of crime and despair.
The gunplay inGrand Theft Auto 5is heightened by the three player characters' special abilities, each of which enhances their skills in a tight spot. In trueGrand Theft Autofashion, gunfights are often frantic and intense, and the stakes for all three characters remain direly high throughout the main campaign.
