Summary
- Some open-world games are short, sweet, and worth playing, like A Short Hike, providing a charming experience in under two hours.
- Games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided may overstay their welcome with forced microtransactions, while titles like Sleeping Dogs offer compelling stories.
- Longer games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5 keep players engaged with exciting set pieces, but may stretch the narrative thin.
Open-world games are all the rage in modern times, with fans being bombarded with so many entries in this genre that it can make their head spin. As a result, players who have limited time on their hands may not appreciate having to invest so much time into a massive sandbox that might not even be worthwhile.
After all, players don't want to be burned out by a game after seeing all the tricks up its sleeve. This is why open-world games that take players on a rollercoaster ride and don't cause any fatigue are always welcome. These are some games that don't become a slog to get through.
8 A Short Hike
A Refreshingly Short & Simple Open-World Game
A Short Hike
- Released
- April 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Given that A Short Hike barely takes an hour or two to complete, it's easy to see why this is the perfect game for fans with a little less spare time. It's a bite-sized chunk of charming visuals and entertaining interactions, as players control an anthropomorphic bird who struggles to reach the top of a mountain to get cellphone reception.
This simple premise is perfect for a short and sweet open-world game. Players collect golden feathers to improve their climbing and flying skills, helping them reach the summit and complete this charming indie title.
7 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
If Anything, The Game Understays Its Welcome
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
- Released
- August 23, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
It's a shame that Square Enix Europe was so incompetent about handling its IPs. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided could have been a worthy sequel to Human Revolution, but forcing the developers to add in-game microtransactions and release the game before their overall scope was realized left players hanging when the going was getting good.
The small open-world hub of Prague is one of the most immaculately designed locations in an immersive sim, and it deserves better. Mankind Divided is a decently long game, so it speaks volumes about its quality that fans wanted the experience to stretch on for way longer than the point where the story unceremoniously drew to a close.
6 Sleeping Dogs
Amazing Combat, Striking Visuals, & A Compelling Story
Sleeping Dogs
- Released
- August 14, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
Sleeping Dogs is one of the most underrated open-world games, and more people need to check it out. The adventures of undercover cop Wei Shen in Hong Kong are more riveting than they have any right to be, courtesy of a fun combat system, gorgeous world, and riveting story.
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Even the lackluster shooting and dated driving feel great, since elements of Hong Kong thriller flicks are abundant here. Smashing an enemy's face using a variety of environmental takedowns is the closest fans will get to enjoying a Yakuza-esque game by Western developers.
5 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Could Have Been Longer & More Fleshed-Out
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a jam-packed rollercoaster ride that never lets up. Even if the narrative may not be as tight as the first game, the amazing set pieces and improved combat make up for these issues.
As astounding as the game is, some people feel that the latter half of the title feels rushed. New York's infected state could have served as the backdrop for numerous missions in the same vein as Web of Shadows, but it just served as an altered world state for a few missions before things went back to normal.
4 Bully
Bullworth Academy & Its Surroundings Are A Treat To Explore
Bully
- Released
- October 17, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox
From the moment players take their first steps into Bullworth Academy, they'll realize how unique Bully is. Jimmy Hopkins' adventures feature unique combat tools and a ton of truancy as he strives to take revenge for the actions of a fellow classmate.
Players will fall in love with Bullworth Academy and appreciate that the game lets players explore the town of this region, too. By the time Jimmy finally gives Gary the beatdown he deserves, players will hate to pry themselves away from one of Rockstar's greatest games, one that is in dire need of a sequel.
3 Grand Theft Auto 5
Despite The Massive World, Players Can Power Through The Story In No Time
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Released
- September 17, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
For a game as massive as Grand Theft Auto 5, fans wondered if they would be burned out after a point. This is nowhere near the case, since Los Santos and the countryside are full of so many things to do that fans will never get bored.
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Even if the convenience in the game's writing is a bit too apparent, the set pieces are so memorable that fans lament the fact that there aren't more Heist missions in the single-player mode. The main campaign isn't the longest, so it's possible that players wouldn't want to give up on this world even after the main trio gets a payout for the ages.
2 Batman: Arkham City
An Immaculately-Paced Open-World Game
Batman: Arkham City
- Released
- October 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
One of the many things praised about Arkham City was its amazing pace. Both the main and side content felt noteworthy, letting players interact with some of the Caped Crusader's most iconic villains.
The open world isn't overwhelmingly large like Arkham Knight. Instead, it feels just small enough for players to have a great time gliding and grappling across Arkham City. This sound structure, coupled with combat improvements, ensures that no one will feel bored while playing one of the greatest superhero games of all time.
1 Disco Elysium
The City Of Revachol Is Brimming With Details
Disco Elysium
- Released
- October 15, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
From the very moment players see their protagonist wake up after a bender so cataclysmic that they lost their memories, they know they're in for a wild ride with Disco Elysium. After exploring Whirling-In-Rags, players step into the city of Revachol and are wowed by what's on offer here.
Every corner hides everything from a neat secret to an interesting NPC with fun dialogue. The amazing narrative and unique RPG mechanics ensure that players will hate dropping this game after reaching the end of a riveting experience.
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