Summary
- The Isle immerses players in a brutal dinosaur ecosystem, evolving from vulnerable prey to apex predator.
- Prototype offers unrelenting monster gameplay with shape-shifting bio-weapon powers in chaotic open-world combat.
- Marvel's Spider-Man 2 introduces symbiote powers for a thrilling monster rampage, transforming traversal and combat.
Open-world games almost always offer players the opportunity to assume the role of a powerful character with the ability to take on any threat in the world. As players progress and explore the environments of certain titles, their level of strength can grow over time, eventually making them feel like a formidable threat in the world, whether they are doing good or bad.
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But many games go above and beyond, going a step further in the monster direction and actually letting players transform and wield inhuman abilities that heavily lean into the idea of becoming a true monstrosity. Whether it be gaining access to mutated skills, becoming a monster morally, or assuming the role of an actual creature, there are plenty of open-world games for players to really let the beast come out.
7 The Isle
Prehistoric Survival That Never Holds Back
The Isle
- Developer(s)
- Afterthought LLC
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
The Isle immerses players in a brutal dinosaur ecosystem where survival hinges on embodying the raw power and primal instincts of a prehistoric predator. The game’s sprawling open world allows players to stalk prey or defend territory, fostering a visceral sense of being a fearsome monster.
The progression intensifies this monster experience as players grow from vulnerable juveniles into apex predators. This transformation is marked by increased strength and abilities, allowing for more aggressive behaviors and expanding the combat in new and frightening ways. The open-world multiplayer dynamic adds unpredictability, with other players representing rivals or threats, demanding not only physical prowess but also cunning and strategy to maintain dominance in the savage environment.
6 Prototype
Mutated Abilities That Tear Through Everything
Prototype
- Released
- June 9, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
Prototype delivers an unrelenting monster experience by granting players the powers of a shape-shifting bio-weapon capable of mass destruction. The open-world New York City becomes a playground of chaos where players can wreak havoc without restrictions, embodying raw, uncontrollable force.
The game’s design emphasizes the freedom to evolve and escalate the damage, making the player feel increasingly monstrous with each power unlocked. Traversing the cityscape at high speeds and decimating military forces creates a constant sense of overwhelming strength, and this empowerment is balanced by the looming threat of organized resistance, making every encounter a showcase of supernatural power versus tactical threats.
5 Shadow Of The Colossus
Eerie Battles Against Passive Titans
Shadow of the Colossus
- Released
- February 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bluepoint Games, JapanStudio, Team Ico
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Shadow of the Colossus provides a unique experience where, rather than playing as a monster themselves, the player instead gains a strange sense of lost humanity with every titanic opponent slain. Although the protagonist is human-sized, the colossal beings’ sheer scale and power will likely make players feel like they are part of an epic battle between titanic forces.
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The emotional weight of the encounters blurs the line between hunter and monster, as the player becomes both the aggressor and a humbled entity confronting the raw power of the colossi. The slow, deliberate combat with each colossus reinforces the sense of scale, and most first-time players will likely begin to question their actions as they stray further towards the side of monster over human.
4 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Symbiotic Powers That Live Up To Their Name
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Spider-Man 2 enhances the monster feeling by introducing ferocious symbiote powers that radically alter gameplay and player perception. The open world offers so much freedom to unleash uncontrollable aggression and supernatural strength, even though it may be limited to the later stages of the game.
The chaotic abilities allow players to become a literal monster, shifting from agile hero to a destructive force, and the visual design and sound effects intensify the sense of raw power and menace, transforming traversal and combat into a thrilling monster rampage.
3 Skyrim
Different Classes To Fulfill Any Power Fantasy
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Skyrim offers a deep monster experience primarily through its shape-shifting Dragonborn protagonist, who can transform into a powerful werewolf or vampire lord among other classes and roles. These transformations grant the player terrifying physical abilities and an imposing presence within the open world, giving them ample opportunity to hunt, dominate, and instill fear.
The freedom to embrace monstrous forms and powers at will fosters a feeling of otherworldly strength and primal dominance. This experience is heightened by brutal combat animations and savage attacks, combined with the ability to terrorize or ally with different factions that each react to the changes. NPCs express fear or reverence, with the game effectively blending role-playing with visceral power, allowing players to fully embody the dark and monstrous sides of the Dragonborn legend.
2 InFAMOUS
Let The Evil Flow Through You
inFAMOUS
- Released
- May 26, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sucker Punch
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3
InFAMOUS makes players feel like a monster through the electrifying powers and moral ambiguity of the protagonist. The open world acts as a vast urban arena where destructive energy powers can be unleashed to devastating effect, and every interaction has an impact on the player's karma, both for good and for bad, the latter of which allows for some particularly brutal and monstrous attacks.
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Embracing the darker powers and reprehensible choices enhances the feeling of uncontrollable power, and the fluid traversal combined with the overwhelming offensive capabilities creates a unique monster fantasy within the open-world cityscape, where players can decide how terrifying or heroic their monstrous persona becomes.
1 Maneater
Become A Bloodthirsty Predator
Maneater
- Released
- May 22, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Tripwire Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Maneater centers on the player’s transformation into a gigantic, apex predator shark in an expansive open ocean environment. The slow and deliberate evolution of a small, vulnerable shark into a monstrous killing machine encapsulates the monster fantasy, and players are given all the freedom they need to hunt, explore, and dominate marine life and humans alike.
The game’s design reinforces this monstrous feeling through a constant emphasis on growth and brutality. Players carve a path of destruction through coastal towns and underwater territories, becoming a legendary terror feared by all. The immersive aquatic world and predator-prey dynamics contribute to an overwhelming sense of power and dominance, helping the player to truly feel like a terror ruling the depths.
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