Hey gamers! Have you ever played a game where you can go almost anywhere and do anything? That's what we call an open-world game.
Playing these games is similar to being in a new world without any rules or restrictions. You're free to roam around and discover cool things on your own.
History of Open-World Games: Early ’70s, '80s & 90’s
In the late '70s and early '80s, games like "Akalabeth: World of Doom" and "Elite" proved to be the groundwork. These games allowed players to explore large places and provided a taste of the freedom that would later define the open-world genre.
Then, in the '90s, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time surprised everyone. While not completely open, this game offered an expansive world with a little bit of freedom.
Players could explore towns, dungeons, and overworlds at their own pace. This was different from the linear levels that were the tradition at that time.
The 2000s Era of Gaming
The 2000s was an important time for open-world games as it marked a time of innovation in the open-world genre. Building on the success of titles like Grand Theft Auto (GTA), the 2000s saw a focus on open worlds.
Games such as Grand Theft Auto III (2001) and Saints Row 2 (2008) offered a world where players could create their own fun. Stealing cars, causing chaos, or completing missions proved to be a lot of fun for gamers at that time.
This era of open world genre was not just about big maps. Open worlds in the 2000s thrived on gameplay. Player actions had consequences, and the world reacted accordingly.
You could start a gang war in GTA or influence the economy in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
The Rise of Iconic Franchises
The 2000s saw the rise of some of gaming's most iconic open-world franchises. Here are some of the iconic franchises that saw great success in the 2000s era:
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Grand Theft Auto
The early 2000s marked the era of Grand Theft Auto III (2001); a game that revolutionized the gaming world forever.
Just after that, GTA: SanAndreas became the playground for gamers which offered freedom to explore, create mayhem, or follow a compelling story of CJ.
It also marked "Grand Theft Auto" as an iconic franchise and set up a new standard for open-world gaming.
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The Elder Scrolls
Released in 2002, "The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind" leveled up the open-world adventures with its rich fantasy world.
The release not only ensured The Elder Scrolls as a great gaming franchise but also set a new standard for immersive storytelling and open-world exploration.
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The Legend of Zelda
Nintendo's "The Legend of Zelda" franchise made waves in the gaming world with "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" (2002).
The game introduced an expansive world and redefined exploration within the open-world format showcasing innovation in the realm of adventure games.
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Assassin's Creed
The latter part of the 2000s saw the release of Assassin's Creed. With its beautiful blend of historical accuracy and fictional elements, Assassin's Creed became a staple in open-world gaming.
The game also introduced a fresh perspective on exploration and storytelling which was crucial for its success as a franchise.
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Just Cause
Just Cause 2 (2008) was all about over-the-top action and destruction. In this game, you could:
- Grapple onto helicopters
- Parachute from mountain peaks
- Unleash explosive chaos on a tropical island.
- Explore the vast open world
The focus was on something other than the deep story but on pure fun and action in the open world.
The 2000s laid the groundwork for the vast and intricate open worlds we experience today. It was a time for experiments and new ideas. With that, open-world games became one of the most popular in the gaming industry.
The 2010’s Era of Gaming
The 2010s was a remarkable era in gaming which focused on innovation, diversity, and interactive gaming. Let’s take a look at how open-world games changed during this era:
Games such as "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" and "Red Dead Redemption 2" set a new standard for the open-world genre. These games emphasized great narratives, lovable characters, and huge game worlds that we could roam.
The late part of the decade also experienced the rise of battle royale games. Games like "Fortnite" and "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)" changed the multiplayer landscape forever.
Best Open World Games of 2010’s Era
This decade was a successful era in terms of open-world games. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic installations:
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Red Dead Redemption (2010)
In this game, players play as John Marston who is a reformed outlaw seeking redemption in the Wild West.
The game offers a big open world that is designed to meet the 19th century. Players can explore expansive landscapes on horses, in thrilling gunfights, and experience a story with unforgettable characters.
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GTA V (2013)
GTA V redefined open-world gaming with its open world of Los Santos. Players could switch between three protagonists, each with a unique storyline. It set a new standard for the genre and became one of the best-selling and most acclaimed video games of all time.
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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
In "The Witcher 3," you play Geralt, a monster hunter in the world of Pontar. This world is not rainbows and sunshine but has plenty of challenges for the players.
For instance, there are tough choices to make, tough creatures to fight, and interesting stories everywhere you go; even on sidequests.
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
In 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" came out and changed how Zelda games worked forever! This game made the world of Hyrule feel HUGE and super interactive.
This video game was all about exploring and going on adventures, which was new for Zelda. If you want to buy Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, feel free to place an order on our website.
These games from the 2010s not only showed the evolution of open-world gaming but also gave gamers some of the best experiences and memories forever.
Current Era of Open-World Games
The current time is an exciting era of gaming. In this section, we will explore the standout trends that define gaming from 2020 onwards.
The arrival of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S marked a new era of gaming. Their release ensured faster loading times, better visuals, and advanced capabilities that changed console gaming forever.
The decade also saw a shift towards VR gaming with Half-Life: Alyx as one of the best VR games. VR is taking gaming to new heights which makes players feel like they're a part of the video game.
List of Best Games of this Decade so Far
In this section, we will do a roundup of the best open-world games that have been released this decade:
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Cyberpunk 2077
Despite initial technical issues after its release, the game was very successful. The game presents a big and immersive open-world set in the futuristic city.
Gamers can navigate this open world and explore different missions and areas. Cyberpunk 2077 sold over 25 million copies and is one of the best-selling games of this decade.
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Elden Ring
Elden Ring is a big leap in the genre that allows gamers to explore its vast and open world. Its massive open world is different from the traditional worlds we have seen that focus mostly on quests. You can read our detailed roundup of Elden Ring here.
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Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushima ensures a stunning open-world experience where players play as samurai in feudal Japan. The game's expansive landscapes and attention to detail made it one of the best open-world games of this decade.
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Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 is one of the best open-world games where you play as your favorite superhero.
This game allows you to roam freely and make you feel like you're truly Spider-Man in this big world which is full of adventure.
If you want to buy Spider-Man 2 in UAE, feel free to place an order on our website and get it delivered right to your doorstep.
Final Thoughts
In the world of gaming, open-world games have come a long way. Starting with games such as Grand Theft Auto III and "The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind in the early 2000s. Then the 2010s got us gems like The Witcher 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2 which took storytelling and the open world to new heights.
Now, in the 2020s, games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Spider-Man 2 redefine how we experience open-world gaming. If we look ahead, games such as "Elden Ring" promise even more adventures and improvements in the open-world genre.
