No end in sight for open-world games

Yahoo: While they’ve always been interactive, video games began as very narrative forms of entertainment. After an initial cut scene, setting the stage for the game, you’d receive your first orders and set off on your first mission. From there, you’d be instructed to do something else – and the cycle would continue until you reached the end of the game.

Storylines are still a core part of titles, of course, but more and more, developers are letting you explore the worlds they create when and how you want – letting you roam at will, performing non-essential missions that boost your enjoyment of the game and extend your playable hours.

[danthegardner]

Or First Person Shooters

[Quagmire]

There is a total lack of action/adventure titles this gen, makes me miss PSX/PS2 days.

[zootang]

Not a lack of titles just quality, I think?

[I_find_it_funny]

I dont mind many open world games, as long as they deliver something new. Infamous did a great job here.

[Cloudberry]

.
Most of the JRPGs on DS & PSP right now...

[raztad]

@Cloud

I think it will stay that way. JRPG is not mainstream anymore, except for some big titles like Final Fantasy. See VC for example, the sequel is getting the PSP treatment. Clearly to create a portable JRPG with moderate sales is a lot more profitable than a HD game with similar sales.

OT: Regarding the Open World genre, I like when you have freedom to do some side stuff but the storyline stay very focused. inFAMOUS is a good example, Mafia 2 looks to follow a strong narrative approach as well. Fallout 3, made a very nice job of merging sub plots inside the main plot. Looking forward to New Vegas.

[Drazz]

Sandbox games are awesome, why would they stop making them? FPS though..... meh

[UNCyrus]

Need I remind you of Mercs2?

[ExplosionSauce]

As long as they keep them different and fresh!

[dizzleK]

too bad they're all gta clones...

[UNCyrus]

are why you have 1 bubble...

[ranmafandude]

the game industry is gonna get influenced once again by a sony exclusive just like what happened with uncharted 2 lol.

[T9X69]

Um no.

[ranmafandude]

did you see how many awards uncharted 2 got? it's influence on 3rd person action adventure/shooter/platform is unmatched.

[Commander_TK]

Cause Infamous seems more of a 3rd person action game like U2 but in an open city. I´d rather say games like LA Noire, Mafia 2 or Agent.

[DelbertGrady]

When Mafia 2 is just around the corner. InFamous 2 is the follow-up to a very average game whereas Mafia 2 is the follow-up to one of the best open world games ever made. And probably the best gangster game. The sequel looks as if it has GOTY potential.

[zootang]

Have you played infamous??

It was the boll*cks, Boss battles, Gameplay Mechanics, The Free climbing.

[raztad]

"InFamous 2 is the follow-up to a very average game"

Ok I love this.

inFAMOUS meta score 85/100. Lowest score 58/100. 98 reviews.

Crackdown 2 metascore (so far) 71/100. Lowest: 40/100. 54 reviews

However you called Crackdown 2 a "fun game". Hypocrisy at its finest if you ask me. You just felt like attacking inFAMOUS 1 for no reason perhaps because its no on your platform of choice.

Nothing against MAFIA 2 though. Game is on my radar since I learned it will be more narrative focused. Looking forward to its reviews.

[BeaArthur]

I like open world games, I'm glad there's no end in sight.

[Psychotica]

Nothing I like better than an open world game, so much more value for your money.

[Colonel-Killzone]

Soda just stop it. Mafia lost its impact on the industry.

Watch Infamous 2 take open world sandbox to a new level.

[jneul]

Infamous 2 will be an example to all open world games, just watch out:):)

[EliteAssassin81]

open world is the best imo. Bought saints row 2 recently for 20 bucks, now I can see why people prefer it over gta4. It made me miss san andreas. I'm still hoping for a hd remake

[Ares84PS3]

...there has been tons of open world games with superheroes, gangsters, cowboys.

Now it would be time for an open world game with pirates and an open world game that is set in Ancient Rome. (No Assassin's Creed Brotherhood isn't set in Ancient Rome)

[TheBuIIetSponge]

Open World games are usually the only games I will purchase that don't have a good multiplayer component, there is just so much to do and you always get your moneys worth.

[nickjkl]

open world games are better all games should be open world they inspire innovation

you can do so much with open world games but developers tend to be so closed minded

like if i was a developer io would make some kinf of fps or hird peson shooter where you make a base recruit people make vehicles etc basically something like what peace walker did with the mess hall and stuff and expand upon it in a open world

like you have enoughresources to make a vehicle shop which maintains and builds vehicles and you can drive those out into the open world like i have yet to see a game do this and it would be interesting to play it

i think im going to go plan this

[Ares84PS3]

For the past 10 years.

I guess it can't be made.

[TehCellDivision]

A game like that would require way too much processor power. And PC will remain untouched because people rather play on limited consoles.

Try Age of Empires 3 in the meantime.

[Ares84PS3]

Rome Total War is my favorite.

[Hotel_Moscow]

pc fanboy detected go away fool you dont know whats possible

[Spydr07]

Hmm, I wonder what game type has an end in the near future? RPG? FPS? Sandbox? Action?

I can't think of one. All of those produce good games. I wonder how much more obvious the news can get.

[nickjkl]

im wiating for the best genre ever

open world ftprpaction game

open world game that gives me a choice of first or third person modern warfare 2 had third person as a mulyiplayer mode for team death match with rpg elements like a described in post 13 which gives you the ability to take on any thing with action stealth tactically

and after you beat the game you unlock a mode which after you beat the game and cleared all parts of the map of the main villain a bunch o minor villains swarm in

and their has to be a base you can build i want a game with a base i can customize

[milf_sex]

The new infamous 2 100% gameplay trailer shows how improved it is over the first game.
Looks mindblowing...I'm sure the transition from infamous 1 to 2 will be like the transition from UC:DF to UC2.

[ReBurn]

Open-world games are one of my favorite genres. I've loved them ever since Grand Theft Auto III. I like being able to explore and take on side missions as I want and then move the story along when I'm ready to.

Mass Effect was a good example of a great game with a great story that offered lots of exploration and side missions. The main story isn't rushed along at all.

I just found new games to look into after reading the article. I'm glad it was submitted.

[CobraKai]

Open world games have become a genre in it's own right. It's the same as saying that sports games have no end in sight.

BTW Rage and Infamous 2 look incredible

[Cajun Chicken]

I have no problem with sandbox games. I just want a little more variation how they're played.

[capjacksparrow]

Sandbox games can be absolutley amazing. I loved Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands, and inFamous. As long as the developer keeps that player in mind they'll have a good turn out.

[Spenok]

Well of course there isnt an end in sight. There have been some Damned good games this generation that were open world games. Infamous, Assassins Creed 1&2, Red Dead Redemption just to name a few.