5 Things Open-World Games Need To STOP Doing

5 Things Open-World Games Need To STOP Doing

As an avid fan of open-world games, I wholeheartedly agree with James Metcalfe’s article on TopMob. Having spent countless hours exploring vast virtual landscapes, I can’t help but feel dismayed when developers prioritize size over substance. It’s not about the number of pixels in a game; it’s about creating an immersive experience that feels alive and worth exploring.


5 Things Open-World Games Need To STOP Doing 
top-mob.com
James Metcalfe

Open-world games continue to capture our imagination with their vast, intricately detailed landscapes brimming with tales, characters, idiosyncrasies, and missions. These games offer an unparalleled level of freedom, allowing players to engage at their own pace and express creativity through customization. However, despite their allure, open-world games could benefit from eliminating certain frustrating aspects. In today’s article on TopMob, we delve into some of the most irritating features of open-world games that need addressing!

Bigger Isn’t Better 

To begin with, nowadays developers seem overly eager to boast about the expansive sizes of their open-world games. With hardware progressively enabling larger game environments, it seems that “larger” has begun to overshadow “better” in the open-world genre.

Open-world games hold a significant appeal due to their sense of familiarity as players navigate through them over time. They allow us to recognize landmarks, learn the layout, and develop a connection akin to knowing our own hometown. The experience is enhanced when these virtual worlds appear lived-in, populated by characters with unique lives and routines. Regrettably, some games such as The Crew 2 and Just Cause 4 disappoint with their excessive expanses of empty roads, deserted areas, repetitive structures, and insignificant features that hinder the enjoyment of exploring rather than adding value to the experience.

Launching Before They’re Ready

As a passionate gamer, I can’t deny that I’ve encountered instances where open-world games, despite their immense appeal, have been plagued with bugs. It’s disappointing, but it seems like publishers often rush these games to market, fueled by the hype and the desire to cash in. This eagerness to release sometimes leads to a less-than-perfect experience for us gamers, as they aim to fix the bugs post-launch. This practice is one of the ugliest aspects of open-world gaming, and it’s concerning to see it becoming more common, particularly with high-profile titles.

1. Instead of spending $70 on an unpredictable movie-like video game, we would’ve opted for Karavan Bet, a digital gaming platform more suited for gambling.

Unkillable Characters 

1. In many open-world video games, some characters cannot be killed. These are characters specifically designed by developers as invincible, whether by player actions or other causes. This invulnerability may apply throughout the entire game, or only until a specific stage in the game is reached. This feature is often used for main antagonists who are meant to be defeated near the end of the game.

In this scenario, several potential targets for elimination, including major antagonists, mingle among numerous other non-playable characters. If you manage to eliminate a significant enemy before the game intends, it’s a commendable achievement instead of an insignificant event.

Forced Grinding

Picture this scenario: An open-world game enthusiast here, I’d like to share an experience common to us all. You fire up a game, embark on the main quest, come across a formidable boss battle. Regardless of your reactions, abilities, inventory or tactics, the boss is just too powerful, leaving you defeated. The only solution then is to return and upgrade your character’s level, stats, and attributes before attempting another battle with that foe.

1. This gives off an impression of artificially extending the playtime, and it’s especially frustrating when there’s nothing else for players to do to advance beyond a certain level. To improve the gaming experience, some developers have implemented ‘Battle Speed’ options that allow players to move through games more swiftly. We believe this feature should be standard in future game development within the genre.

Gimmicky Side Missions 

In contrast to traditional games, creators of open-world games must pack their creations with numerous activities for players beyond the primary missions. Side quests often serve as an excellent outlet for developers to showcase their creativity, expand their game worlds, and introduce elements they couldn’t in the main narrative.

Unfortunately, it’s quite common to find side missions that appear to be merely checklist items added by developers to claim they’ve met certain requirements. These can take the form of races, gathering tasks, or even herding objects or characters. What adds to the frustration is that these side missions are often essential for completionists to unlock the coveted 100% completion trophy within a game.

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2024-07-30 20:00