DeveloperUbisoftreally took some chances withWatch Dogs:Legion, and most of them seem to have payed off. Whether it’srecruiting random charactersoff the street, upgrading crazy hacker gear, or wheeling around dealing out chaos at will, there’s definitelya lot to loveabout this depiction of near-future London.
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And while it is doubtful that most players have had time to completely exhaust all that this hacker’s rebellion has to offer, some true virtual anarchists may have already cracked this title’s code. So to anyone who wants more open worlds, third-person combat, or anarchist protagonists, here is a list of ten titles that should help quench the thirst for chaos.
10Far Cry V
To start things off right, here’s another game from Ubisoft with heavy political themes. Except this time, players aren’t taking down futuristic fascists; they’re going toe to toe with a religious cult in theheartland of America. Indeed, Montana has never been as dangerous as it is in this title, and the resulting gameplay experience is nothing short of bananas.
The games has all the normal trappings ofFar Cry,likeanimals to kill, land to explore, and psychopaths to defeat, but its very “timely” themes distinguish it from every other chapter in the series. Players will be charging guns blazing into a community that feels far more familiar than a desert island or central Africa, and the feelings that brings up are compelling and unique.
9Volume
What does this indie stealth game have in common with Ubisoft’s AAA, open-world title about British hackers? Rebellion against fascism, that’s what! InVolume, players progress through a internet theft simulator designed to train people to steal back what’s theirs from a wealthy dictator, making this another overtly political game to make the list.
Players will evade robots, dive behind blocks, complete stealthy take downs, beat 100’s of unique and interesting levels, and seize the means of production! So to players who find the anarchistic spirit more appealing than an open world, this title should be next on their list.
8Grand Theft Auto V
There has never been a list of great open world games that hasn’t included at least one entry fromRockstar’sGrand Theft Autofranchise. This list just so happens to feature the fifth installment, because it is the most recent and it features the series' most expansive open world.
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Sure, the characters in this title are less concerned with toppling an authoritarian regime than they are with building arap sheetseveral miles long, but they do handle their business in similarly chaotic ways. If crime and carnage in the open world is a flavor players crave, the fifthGrand Theft Autois exactly the meal for them.
7Tom Clancy’s The Division II
The Division 2is a great third person action/adventure game. It may also be the most unique title in theTom Clancycollection. After all, the enemies in this game range from deadly robocalls-assassins to pyromaniac suicide bombers straight out ofMad Max.
The game drops players into post apocalyptic Washington D.C., decimated by a global pandemic and choc full of historic monuments overrun with graffiti and vines. Players must then battle against tons of different factions vying for power in the decaying streets. It’s an experience that offers variety in playstyle, weapons, and equipment waiting to be looted, and it’s an adrenaline fueled battle every step of the way.
6State Of Decay 2
State Of Decay 2is an interesting blend of gameplay elements. It’s an open world, third person action game set in a post apocalyptic zombie universe. It has players set out into the world with their only goal being to survive, and to accumulate squad members like it’sThe Walking Dead.
It’s a challenging affair, as weapons break quickly, ammo is scarce, cars drive with a resolute disregard for the laws of physics, andJuggernautswill occasionally eat everybody. But it’s also a lot of fun to experience a zombie open world, and a great follow up to neo-fascist London.
5Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Once a series built on stealthy action gameplay,Assassin’s Creed Valhallahas transformed theAssassin’s Creedfranchise into a massive open world RPG. Sure, there’s still the interwoven plot lines about the Assassin organization that defines the plot of every game. It’sAssassin’s Creedafter all. But there’s also a rich tapestry of people from all over the world butting heads in a medieval bundle of political intrigue that’s unlike any other entry in the series.
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Players will lead their viking clans on raids into churches and shires. They will work to set up a network between the four kingdoms of England. They will engage with flavors of Christ, Norse Mythology, and Pagan Mysticism. And they will enjoy one of Ubisoft’s most impressive open world maps yet. Valhalla may not be perfect, but it’s pretty close to a Viking Nirvana.
4Ghost Of Tsushima
Sucker Punch’s recent foray into feudal Japan is a wonder to behold for a handful of reasons. Firstly, it features some of the most beautifulart directionand open world design that gaming has ever seen. Secondly, it features a long and compelling story full of interesting characters fighting to overthrow an invasive regime.
But the best part ofGhost Of Tsushimais the wildly addictive combat. It weaves together different weapons, stances,techniques, armors, and play styles, and it changes up many things between the single players and multiplayer modes. Feudal Japan may seem unwelcoming on the surface, but this title is an open world bonanza that is deft at sucking players in and eating up time.
3Atomic Heart
Atomic Heartis a truly difficult game to describe. Several people have used the term nuclear punk (a laFalloutorBioShock) to describe it, but that name doesn’t quite sum everything up. Simply put: this is a truly weird open world game that features a robot uprising, zombies, blood tentacles, floating water, and the Soviet Union. Also, a techno-remix ofSwan Lake.
This game is a can’t miss for anyone who wants to push the limits of their ability to endure insanity.
2Driver: San Francisco
Every legitimate “games to play” list needs a golden oldie, andDriver: San Franciscois just that. An open world car chase simulator inspired by the feverish and spectacular car chases of 1980’s action movies, this Northern Californian escapade is what one would get if they crossed the carnage ofGTAwith the campy classic-ness ofStarsky and Hutch(with a little more emphasis on the carnage).
It’s fast. It’s fun. The chases are wild. The crashes are ridiculous. And unless players are willing to dust off 2 generations old consoles (or their PC’s), they’re probably not going to play it. But if they do, they’ll understand why this hilarious game made it on to this list.
1Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
The follow up toInsomniac’soriginal web-slinging wonder title,Miles Moralesis a superhero story with an awesome set up and an open world just waiting to be showered in web. Sure, the story isn’t the longestthing in the world, and the map was tastefully cut, but the overall experience is open world bliss.
If players want baddie-smacking action, the coolest traversal mechanic ever, and a story that involves Peter Parker taking a well-needed vacation, this title should definitely be on their holiday wishlist.
