Summary
The open-world genre was evolving during the 2000s, with the launch ofGrand Theft Auto 3opening the floodgates for what this type of game could achieve. However, as most titles in this era will make perfectly clear, it would take a while for these sandboxes to become as engaging as they are today.
This is why it’s all the more impressive forbig-budget open-world gamesfrom the 2000s to age gracefully. Somehow, despite all the advancements that have occurred in gaming, these classic sandbox titles remain amazing to play and will rarely frustrate players because of how well they have aged.
The rampant success ofOblivion Remasteredmade it clear that fans still have fond memories ofthis quirky Bethesda game. All this new release needed to do was spruce up the visuals and add some QoL upgrades, showing just how well the originalOblivionhas aged.
The ridiculous conversations NPCs can have on the street have become funnier with time, and countless fans love exploring the colorful land of Cyrodiil. Becoming the Hero of Kvatch takes some effort, and theShivering IslesDLC is arguably the best expansion Bethesda has ever developed.
Just likeOblivion Remastered,Shadow of the Colossusis another title that just needed a visual upgrade to let new players understand the brilliance of this game. The core goal of taking out sixteen colossi in puzzle-combat encounters has aged very well.
The solution to beat every colossus in this game changes and is always riveting to unravel as players slowly but surely make progress. On top of that, the game features a truly unforgettable story, where it becomes clear over time that Wander isfar from the heroic figurethat he was portrayed as at the start of the game.
It’s a shame thatRockstar hasn’t revisited theBullyuniversefor a while. The school simulation elements and the unique setting for a Rockstar game ensure thatBullywill always be a treat for fans to enjoy, no matter when they check this title out.
The story follows Jimmy Hopkins, a student who must deal with betrayal from a classmate and garner the support of other cliques before eventually salvaging his reputation. Compared to other Rockstar titles,Bullyproves to be an incredibly unique title. As such, it will likely take a long time before it begins to feel dated.
In a series usually known for cathartic violence, many fans were genuinely surprised to seehow mature and darkGrand Theft Auto 4’s story was. Niko Bellic’s struggles are something that many players will resonate with, and it’s a shame that this character never really gets a happy ending, no matter what he does.
This unique take onGrand Theft Auto 4’s story, coupled with the balance it strikes between realism and arcade gameplay, ensures that it’ll be a fan-favoriteGTAgame for many years to come. The unique flavor of this title also sets it apart from other entries in the series, allowing it to age gracefully despite some of its dull colors.
Many gamers love it when racing games focus on wild, wacky arcade experiences instead of trying to look andfeel as realistic as possible. Titles likeBurnout Paradisemake it clear that the simple act of smashing other racecars to a pulp will never get old.
Exploring Paradise City and wrecking other racers still feels fresh even today. Those who decide to give this title a chance will likely love nailing creative takedowns and making steady progress in the challenges they must face in order to progress.
Fallout 3had a monumental task on its hands, and most people feel that it rose to the occasion and let players enjoy an excellent open-world entry in what used to be a hardcore CRPG series. While the writing in the main story may be lacking at times, pretty much every other facet of the game is quite engaging to this day.
With a few mods,Fallout 3will run on modern systems without any issues, allowing players to get lost in the vastness of the Capitol Wasteland as they attempt to locate their father.The memorable side adventuresand excellent world design present throughout this title mean thatFallout 3will always be a compelling post-apocalyptic open world, no matter how many years pass.
The firstAssassin’s Creedwas a great debut entry that established the franchise’s lore, but it wasn’t until the sequel came out that this franchise started forming an identity of its own. It helps that Ezio is one of the most charismatic and enjoyable protagonists in the series, and most fans will find his tale to be an easy one to get behind.
The parkour and combat may not be too polished when compared to more modern releases, but most players will find it easy to adjust to this game’s mechanics after a point. The rest of the package holds up incredibly well and is more than worth checking out for any fan of theAssassin’s Creedseries.
San Andreasis one of the best open-world video games ever made. Since the title’s release, CJ’s adventures have become legendary, revolving aroundplayers exploring three massive citiesin order to gather the allies they need to take Los Santos back from the Ballas.
What is still impressive aboutSan Andreasis how immersive and massive the game is. The player must keep CJ fed without resorting to overeating, keep him fit at all times, and improve his stats so that he can get better at the many tasks in this game. It almost feels like an open-world RPG at times, with the focus on helping CJ develop from a scrawny gangster into one of the most capable characters in the series serving as a fun side project while players progress the plot.
