Nowadays,open-world gamesare inescapable, but their popularity makes sense. Putting aside the fact that they offer a lot of content, this theme covers such a wide spectrum of genres, gameplay styles, tones, and mechanics that there should be something to suit every need. Sometimes, you might crave adialogue-driven epicthat tells a gripping storyline filled with twists and turns. Other times, you might yearn for a title that pushes the envelope, be it graphically or narratively. Finally, occasionally, you might just want an open-world game that makes you feel special.
While not extremely abundant, certain open-world games strive to make players feel as strong and unstoppable as possible, turning them into powerhouses who do not need weapons or gadgets to demolish enemies. Fist-viable combat can be hard to come by, but when done right, it can be incredible.
Here are some criteria and notes:
OK, I know weapons play a relatively big part inCrackdown’s gameplay loop, to the point that “Firearms” is an actual stat that can and will be upgraded. However, the Agents are hardly just soldiers who know their way around guns and explosives. No, they gradually become super-powered beings who are capable of pretty much anything.
As far asopen-world power fantasiesare concerned,Crackdownis one of the most gratifying to play, largely due to a progression system that constantly makes its presence felt. Before long, you will be punching faction members into the next zipcode, sprinting through the streets like a buff speedster, and lifting cars like they are toys.
Personally, the firstCrackdownis my favorite, with the third being a decent enough recreation of that formula.Crackdown 2introduced a few ill-advised changes, but you stillfeel like a powerhouse.
So, Volition kind of tookSaints Rowin a weird direction. Initially, the franchise started as an alternative toGTA, albeit with more comedy and a focus on gang warfare. BySaints Row 3, the series had mostly moved away from realism, in favor of over-the-top action. InSaints Row 4, you have the power of the Flash and Superman combined, rendering vehicles obsolete in the process. Sure, you still use weapons, but they are hardly the be-all, end-all.
While pretty divisive,Saints Row 4is at its best when viewed as an unapologetic power fantasy that almost plays out like a parody of open-world games. If you just want to run around a sandbox while playing hero, I cannot recommend this game enough. Yeah, it is quite repetitive and tells a pretty awful story, but the core gameplay is incredibly addictive.
Ah,Sega’sYakuza/Like a Dragon, an IP that has been telling epic stories about manly emotional men who are not afraid to cry and love for decades. Every game in the series is, at the minimum, good, but newcomers who are not sure where to start should just pick upYakuza 0. Arguably the best game in the franchise, the prequel chronicles Kiryu and Majima’s earliest days in the Yakuza, and both playable characters have fully fleshed-out combat systems that utilize multiple styles that can be swapped at a moment’s notice.
Before shifting to turn-based combat,Yakuzafocused on relatively simple beat ‘em up action. While roaming the streets, players frequently get into fights with ordinary thugs, and you will mostly use fisticuffs to send any enemies flying into next week. Kiryu and Majima are specifically presented as powerhouses who can take down armies solo, and that comes across in the actual gameplay.
Everybody’s favorite neighborhoodSpider-Man has had plenty of open-world adventures, most of which do a great job of highlighting the hero’s agility, reflexes, and punching power. Insomniac’s trilogy has the most complete gameplay, but if you just want to wreak havoc in a sandbox,Ultimate Spider-Manis the way to go. Along with boasting a comic-accurate visual style, the game emphasizes combat more than normal, delivering a system that is stylish and satisfying.
Crucially, Venom is not only playable but also effectively the second protagonist, so players will spend half a playthrough running amok as the burly symbiote. Compared to Spider-Man’s gymnastic routines, Venom is all about overwhelming enemies with sheer brute strength, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in his wake. He is awesome.
It is an absolute travesty that we do not live in a timeline wherePrototype 5is one of the biggest upcoming releases. As more than a decade has passed sincePrototype 2, the series could very well be dead and buried, destined to be part of gaming history rather than a forever-developing legacy.
Don’t get your hopes up too high, butrumors ofPrototype 3have been making the rounds.
Frustration aside,Prototype’s two games are at least accessible and replayable, so they will hopefully continue to acquire new fans for years to come. While featuring different protagonists, both games are about genetically-modified behemoths who turn Manhattan into their personal playgrounds, and they do not take prisoners. Alex and James have deadly, horror-ish abilities that are kind of reminiscent of Venom’s symbiote attacks, although they are even more impressive in practice than the anti-hero escapades inUltimate Spider-Man.
Well, it is only fitting that the biggest powerhouse in fiction produced thebestopen-world game for feeling like a powerhouse.Bruce Banner has made his share of video game appearances over the decades, butThe Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destructionis arguably the only one to capture the hero’s terrifying strength and penchant for relentless destruction. Now, I admit, Radical’s game has not aged so unbelievably well to be a must-play in this day and age, especially for complete newbies who are not aided by the influence of nostalgia. Honestly, I would recommendPrototypeand its sequel before the developer’s earlier effort.
That said, the open-world sections are still awesome, as the game mostly just steps aside and lets players live out their Hulk fantasies. The Green Giant is very much presented as a force of nature who can either bench press or jump over a skyscraper, and he runs through most opponents without breaking a sweat. Hulk is not only powerful but feels powerful. Even the weapon system is designed around showcasing the Hulk’s strength, as he mostly just uses cars and objects spread across the sandbox.
