Summary

  • Creative kills in open-world games can be highly rewarding for players.
  • Titles like Just Cause 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 allow for unique combat strategies.
  • Games like Hogwarts Legacy offer special spell combinations for player creativity.

Countless gamers love the idea of going ballistic in most open-world games. There's a reason why games with massive sandboxes are so popular; the inherent freedom players have to tackle the world and its challenges in whatever manner they see fit is often incredibly rewarding.

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Since these games usually come equipped with some form of combat, the majority of gamers tend to appreciate it when these battles and firefights allow them to get creative with their kills and cut down anyone and anything in style. For gamers looking to get creative with how they approach taking down their enemies, here are some of the best open-world games to check out.

Just Cause 3

Some Fatal Explosions Can Be Triggered In Very Creative Ways

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Just Cause 3
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8 /10
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Released
November 30, 2015
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ESRB
M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Strong Language
Genre(s)
Open-World, Third-Person Shooter

The mod for Just Cause 2 that allowed Rico to attach his grappling hook to more than one tether ended up being one of the best ways to manipulate the game's physics for hilarious results. So, many fans were glad to see that the developers were inspired by this mod, turning this multi-tether mechanic into a feature in the sequel.

Countless players love wreaking havoc as Rico in Just Cause 3, using his grappling hook to make enemies flail around helplessly. Given the title's focus on explosive gameplay, players are also free to try something unique and use a combination of their firepower and the grappling hook to make enemies pay.

Far Cry 5

The Most Satisfying Kills In The Game Are The Ones That Require A Ton Of Creativity

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Far Cry 5
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9 /10
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Released
March 27, 2018
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SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Genre(s)
FPS, Open-World

The improvements made to the Far Cry formula in the fifth mainline entry were minor yet quite impactful, allowing players to enjoy one of the fresher games in the series. On top of that, Far Cry 5 also boasts a compelling combat system that has only become more satisfying to play with over time.

Improving the deputy's skills and figuring out the best way to take out everyone in an outpost from the shadows makes for a great time. Even if players are spotted, they'll have a ton of firepower and their trusted companions to rely on for some creative carnage as they obliterate everything in sight.

Hogwarts Legacy

Some Spell Combinations Can Be Especially Satisfying To Land

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Hogwarts Legacy
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9 /10
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Released
February 10, 2023
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DIGITAL
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ESRB
T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
Genre(s)
Action, RPG

While Hogwarts Legacy has its fair share of issues, most people agree that the game's combat is in a class of its own. Many players love just how much fun it can be to take on groups of enemies once the fifth-year student begins to unlock some of the more powerful spells.

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Players can combo the Unforgivable Curses, allowing them to turn enemies over to their side, and mark them with a Curse, so that an Avada Kedavra takes out multiple foes in one fell swoop. Along with this, Diffindo-ing frozen enemies and pulling foes with Accio before blasting them with Incendio are just a few of the many ways players can get creative with their spellcasting in the game.

Ghost Of Tsushima

As Jin's Options In Combat Increase, So Do The Creative Options Afforded To Players

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Ghost of Tsushima
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9 /10
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Released
July 17, 2020
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DIGITAL
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ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure

Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most beautiful open-world games ever made. One of the best parts of this game is the tantalizing mix of combat and stealth, giving players a ton of options to rely on as they take on waves of Mongols and other enemies.

Going in for an honorable face-off against enemies is great in its own right, with players having several tools to rely on for crowd control. Stealth also allows players to get creative with their kills, especially when they get darts that cause enemies to go berserk and turn on their allies.

Grand Theft Auto 5

Some Of The Weapons In The Game Are A Blast To Experiment With

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Grand Theft Auto 5
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9 /10
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Released
September 17, 2013
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SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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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
A screenshot from Grand Theft Auto 5 showing main characters Michael, Trevor, and Franklin

The Grand Theft Auto series is known for featuring wanton chaos and destruction, and the fifth mainline entry is no exception here. As players make progress in the story, they'll slowly unlock a wealth of powerful guns in Ammu-Nation that will allow them to go ballistic on their foes.

Setting up traps using sticky bombs, overpowering enemies with fully automatic weaponry, and using both Michael's and Trevor's abilities in firefights makes for some engaging ways to take on enemies. Players can get creative with the vehicles they bring into combat, too, running over a few enemies to thin the herd before getting out and going into cover.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

The Malleability Of The Fox Engine Allows For Some Creative Takedowns And Kills

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Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
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9 /10
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Released
September 1, 2015
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
Genre(s)
Action, Open-World

The Phantom Pain served as an impressive showing of the Fox Engine and everything it brings to the table. Many players loved the amazing graphics and general feel of this title, but it was the combat and stealth options that really wowed the majority.

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Snake can employ everything from decoys to the classic cardboard box to help him sneak around outposts. Enemies can also be taken out in creative ways, with a notable example involving players requesting a crate drop on a foe's head in order to knock them out and acquire some valuable equipment in one fell swoop.

Cyberpunk 2077

Players Can Become A Blur Of Destruction In Combat As They Use Every Tool In Their Arsenal

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Cyberpunk 2077
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6 /10
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Released
December 10, 2020
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Genre(s)
RPG, Action
cyberpunk 2077 player count edgerunners 2 reveal

Cyberpunk 2077's gameplay has improved by leaps and bounds since its release. With Update 2.0, players won't be able to load themselves up on cyberware until they gain enough levels so that their body can handle it.

Eventually, at high levels, V will have a ridiculous number of options to choose from in combat. Lunging at enemies with a katana, using Berserk to nail powerful superhero landings that hurt, and using Quickhacks to gain an advantage in a fight are just a few of the many ways that V can get creative while dealing with their foes in Cyberpunk 2077.

Elden Ring

Experimenting With The Tarnished's Build Can Let Players Use The Game's Most Creative Setups

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Elden Ring
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10 /10
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Released
February 25, 2022
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Genre(s)
RPG, Action
The Erdtree in Elden Ring

FromSoftware's most successful title features their patented gameplay loop, full of the many quirks and oddities that fans would expect from the developer. Beginners are better off getting a grasp of the basics before trying to understand how to deal with tougher enemies in Elden Ring.

However, those who become more adept at playing the game can employ experimental builds and use a variety of unique abilities to make combat more engaging than ever. For a game that can be super hard to deal with at times, employing these creative moves to defeat enemies in style never gets old.

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