Video games look very different to a child compared to a teen and compared to an adult. As players grow up with their favorite games, their emotions and perspectives will change or perhaps be strengthened. One thing that is certainly true is that there are many wishes kids will have when they play games or watch movies.
Then, when they grow up, they might get what they want from a video game to live out their childhood dreams. Perhaps an idea finally made its way into a game, or a show finally received some licensed content. Overall, these open-world games are good examples that allow old-time fans to get what they wanted out of a gaming experience when they were starry-eyed kids.
Red Dead Redemption 2
The Cowboy Life
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Everyone must have dreamed about living in the Wild West when they were younger. It was a classic childhood game to play "Cowboys" on the playground, and Red Dead Redemption 2 gives players the ultimate Western sim to live out their life in the country.
It's also a tale about outlaws and doing whatever they please, be it bank robbing, horse training, or exploring. It’s the best game featuring the American frontier to date and one of Rockstar’s best works overall.
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
Sailing Like A Pirate
Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag
- Released
- October 29, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
Dreaming about sailing the seven seas as a free pirate is also a common dream kids have, and the ultimate simulator with adventure thrown in is still Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. It’s not the first or last game to feature sailing the series, but it was the first one focused on pirates.
Players can sail around the Caribbean, go to islands to loot treasure, skin animals for upgrades, or dive underwater for sunken treasure. Best of all, players can sing along with their crew when they break into the sea shanties that players collect along the way.
Ghost Of Tsushima
Become A Legendary Samurai
Ghost of Tsushima
- Released
- July 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Kids can argue about all the kinds of things they want to be when they grow up, or who would win in a fight, like between a samurai and a ninja. In a game like Ghost of Tsushima, players don’t have to choose one or the other, as they can be both.
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Set during a Mongolian invasion of the Japanese island of Tsushima, players will have to contend with adhering to the code and remaining a noble samurai or getting results through a new way of life: the path of the ninja. Either way, players can take enemies out in brutal fashion with Ghost of Tsushima's visceral combat, along with exploring a gorgeous world filled with color and mystery.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
A Superhero Fantasy
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
Beyond generic things like pirates and cowboys, kids fantasize about having superpowers, and one of the best superhero games to date has to be Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, or at least, it’s the best Spider-Man game.
Playing as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, players will defend New York City to the best of their ability. They can swing around and look for crimes to bust, all while following a riveting story inspired by the comics, but ultimately telling an original tale. Plus, this game gives Peter the Venom symbiote suit to become a darker version of himself. What kid didn’t dream about fighting (or being) Venom growing up?
Hogwarts Legacy
You’re A Wizard, Too
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Starting in 1997, kids dreamed about becoming a witch or wizard and living in the world of Harry Potter. While there were games based on the movies, it took developers decades to create an original game set in that universe, Hogwarts Legacy, where players can finally live out their wizarding fantasies at Hogwarts.
They can create a unique character, attend classes, and explore the grounds, even more than Harry and his friends could in the books. Set way before Harry was born, the developers of Hogwarts Legacy gave themselves plenty of room to craft their own story, and it works to magical effect.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Cause Absolute Chaos
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
While this is a more destructive fantasy, some kids did dream about living life with no rules, and Grand Theft Auto 3 was a taste of that lifestyle in 2001. Over a decade later, the crime drama series was expanded in its most impressive entry to date with Grand Theft Auto 5.
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Not only can players play as three separate characters and cause chaos around Los Santos, but they can also take their shenanigans online. What started as a side mode quickly became the reason people bought into Grand Theft Auto 5, as the GTA Online became a chaotic lifestyle simulator that players could role-play.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Go On A Journey
Pokemon Legends: Arceus
- Released
- January 28, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is one step closer to the Pokemon fantasy that players dreamed about with the release of Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue in 1998. At long last, players can explore an open environment where Pokemon freely wander around.
Also, players don't have to battle if they don’t want to, as they can instead just throw Pokeballs. With tons of Pokemon to collect in a samurai-inspired world, Arceus is more than just a cool Pokemon spinoff.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
A Builder Game With Adventure Built-In
Dragon Quest Builders 2
- Released
- July 12, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Alcohol Reference, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure
Virtually every kid plays with LEGO kits at some point. That play goes beyond just building things, as they tend to also tell stories with their creations. Minecraft was the first game to feel like a virtual LEGO simulator, but it lacked a story.
While Minecraft lets kids be more creative, Dragon Quest Builders 2 nails both sides of the coin by giving players a world they can craft, which is also filled with adventure and combat. Plus, there is a whole island dedicated to multiplayer, where four friends can cooperatively build their dream town together.
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