Summary
Open-world games usually come packed with intense stories that will keep players entertained for hours on end. Players love getting invested in these amazing narratives that are augmented by memorable characters and entertaining set-pieces.
The best story-heavy open-world games know how to keep fans hooked, shocking them with a plot twist that they could never see coming. These reveals are mind-blowing and ensure that players will have a blast as they explore the captivating sandboxes present in these games.
Exploration has always been at the forefront of Bethesda’s video games, so props should be given to them for trying to move out of their comfort zone withFallout 4.The game features a greater focus on story than most other games by the studio, with the Sole Survivor moving heaven and earth in their quest to find Shaun.
After a lengthy search, players find out that Shaun has outgrown them during the time they spent in cryostasis and is the current leader of the Institute. It’s a notable twist that most fans love, even if some people criticize the way it was delivered.
Far Cry 5felt like a breath of fresh air after Ubisoft decided to veer away from its established formula just enough to let fans enjoy a unique experience. It helps that the Seed family makes for a set of memorable antagonists, with Joseph being the obvious standout.
Even after players capture him at the end, the heroes don’t get to enjoy the victory they deserve. This is because Joseph somehow manages to make his destructive plans a reality by unleashing a nuclear blast in Hope County, razing the location in a shocking twist no one saw coming.
Some people felt that Jason’s identity as theArkham Knightwas a bit too telegraphed. However, players who are familiar with Batman’s failures in the comic book know just how brutally Jason Todd was beaten by the Joker, leading the Dark Knight to believe that the Boy Wonder had been killed.
However, it turns out that the dreadedArkham Knightis none other than Jason Todd himself, who survived this torture and swore vengeance on Batman for letting him down.It makes for an emotional climaxas Batman must stop this villain at any cost, despite his personal feelings getting in the way.
Horizon Zero Dawnintroduces a world dripping with lore that players will love to uncover. Aloy’s adventures take her to several Cauldrons that slowly but surely reveal the disasters that have affected this world.
The game is full of shocking revelations, with Sylens' heel turn being just one of the many shocking moments. The terraforming project had eradicated all of humanity and sent them back into the Stone Age, and Aloy is the clone of Elisabet Sobeck, a researcher who sowed the seeds for humanity to make a comeback following the Faro Plague.
Kojima’s mind is known for creating wacky, mind-bending plotlines, which is a huge reason whyMetal Gear Solidis such a beloved franchise. The fifth mainline entry,The Phantom Pain, features an open world and a plot twist for the ages that no one could’ve expected.
After a bomb blast at the end of Ground Zeroes, a medic caught in the blast was turned into Venom Snake via plastic surgery and hypnotherapy. The real Big Boss was waging a covert war from the shadows to bamboozle his enemies, which made for a wild twist.
Along with the three dragons that fans were familiar with from the previous game,Tears of the Kingdomalso introduced a Light Dragon whose identity was a mystery. It’s not untilplayers make the effort to recover the Master Swordthat they see the bigger picture.
Knowing that the Master Sword would be broken in Link’s timeline, Zelda made the ultimate sacrifice and turned herself into the Light Dragon, who would keep the legendary sword embedded within her for centuries so that it could regain its former glory. It’s a beautiful twist that shows the lengths Zelda is willing to go to for Hyrule.
Shadow of the Colossusstarts with Wander bringing his dead love to a mysterious altar before embarking on a quest to kill the colossi of this abandoned land. It seems like a noble quest, butDormin’s sinister words and Wander’s growing corruptionslowly sow the seeds of doubt in a player’s mind.
Eventually, it’s revealed that Wander is willing to unleash a grand evil upon the world just to save his beloved, killing the sixteen colossi who were containing Dormin’s nefarious powers. It hammers in the tragic nature of the colossi and why it felt so sad to take down these massive foes who did nothing to aggravate the player.
Red Dead Redemptionis one of the greatest video games ever made, with fansloving the adventures of John Marstonas he hunts down the former members of his gang. All he wanted was to lead a simple life with his family, but the Pinkertons robbed him of this privilege at the end of the game.
After using the outlaw for their dirty work, they turned on Marston and gunned him down in cold blood, effectively eliminating everyone from Dutch’s gang in the process. Players can take revenge for their father’s death as Jack Marston, but the protagonist’s death will still leave them with a sour taste in their mouths after everything is over and done with.
