Summary
- Grand Theft Auto 3 set the foundation for the modern open-world genre, followed to this day.
- The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind established Bethesda's open-world formula.
- Assassin's Creed 2 popularized fun parkour mechanics in action-packed open-world games.
The open-world genre has progressed by leaps and bounds since its inception. Players love to get their hands on both AAA and indie games in this genre that strive to make their sandbox look and feel as unique as possible.
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The time-consuming nature of open-world games means that backtracking rarely holds much appeal. Thankfully, these games got the memo.
Some of the classic entries in this genre were so revolutionary that they helped the genre make major strides. Most modern open-world games must thank these titles for setting the foundation on which they would flourish.
1 Grand Theft Auto 3
Set The Foundation For The Open-World Genre That Is Still Being Followed To This Day
Grand Theft Auto 3
- Released
- October 23, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
The sheer impact that Grand Theft Auto 3 had when it launched was incredible. The game's wide-open sandbox and crime-fueled gameplay made it a treat for fans to experience.
This title is responsible for establishing the basics of the modern open-world genre, with its mission structure, side content, and the wanted system being hugely inspirational. The fact that many sandbox titles set in urban landscapes are still implementing what Grand Theft Auto 3 had cooked up a while back is a testament to how revolutionary this title is.
2 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Bethesda's Open-World Formula Was Established Here
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Released
- May 1, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
While Daggerfall was a decent attempt to expand on the franchise and its world, it became increasingly clear that relying entirely on procedural generation doesn't make for an engaging world. This is why the scope for Morrowind only encompassed the island of Vvardenfell, allowing Bethesda to create handcrafted environments for the game.
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These open-world games have refined and built upon their predecessors, cementing themselves as remarkable sequels that everyone should play.
The result was nothing short of iconic, with the swampy locations and massive mushrooms of Morrowind becoming legendary. It also established a template that future Bethesda games built on, while other companies also tackled their open-world RPGs in a similar manner.
3 Minecraft
Stretches The Definition Of A Classic, But This Title's Impact Can't Be Stressed Enough
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Minecraft may be a relatively new game compared to some of these other open-world titles, but it's hard not to call this game a classic given how much of a viral sensation it became after its release. More than a decade has passed since this game was released, but players still flock to this title religiously.
The beauty of Minecraft stems from its multi-faceted gameplay loop, incorporating numerous gameplay elements like combat, sandbox design, procedural generation, and survival mechanics, to name a few. This made the appeal of Minecraft clear as day, convincing many people to get their hands on this amazing title.
4 Shenmue
One Of The First Games To Integrate A Sandbox
Shenmue
- Released
- December 29, 1999
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Shenmue was the most expensive game to develop back in the day because of how ambitious this project was. After his father is murdered by Lan Di, Ryo Hazuki must find all the clues he can in various urban open-world environments as time ticks by.
This game made QTEs mainstream while also wowing players with its day-night cycle and incredible immersion. The titles may not have aged well, but players who want to check out one of the most legendary open-world games ever made will love what Shenmue brings to the table.
5 Assassin's Creed 2
Popularized The Idea Of Fun Parkour Mechanics In Action-Packed Open-World Games
Assassin's Creed 2
- Released
- November 7, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
If the first game highlighted the potential of a parkour-fuelled open-world game, then Assassin's Creed 2 perfected this formula. Climbing towers to reveal sections of the map, finding collectibles, and mastering the game's movement mechanics felt great.
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These open-world games don't just impress with their incredible stories and gameplay, but their dedication to realism when it comes to fast travel.
It's easy to see why titles like Infamous, Ghost of Tsushima, and Shadow of Mordor brought their own spin to this gameplay loop. It proved just how groundbreaking the Assassin's Creed series has been, shaping the future of the video game industry and its trends.
6 Need For Speed: Underground 2
Served As A Template For Crafting Open-World Environments In Racing Games
Need for Speed: Underground 2
- Released
- November 9, 2004
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // Mild Lyrics, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Racing
The idea of playing an open-world racing game wasn't something that players were totally sold on. However, the release of Underground 2 changed this, serving as the first NFS game to experiment with a sandbox structure.
This made for an amazing experience as players could check out numerous unique layouts on familiar territory while familiarizing themselves with the world. It sparked a trend of most modern racing games becoming open-world, which was both positive and negative for the genre.
7 Spider-Man 2
Swinging Around In New York City Is A Core Memory For Many Players
Spider-Man 2
- Released
- June 28, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Open-World
There's a reason why fans were craving for a proper Spider-Man game for the longest time, with this promise finally being fulfilled by Insomniac Studios. However, before this title, it was Treyarch that wowed fans with the console version of Spider-Man 2's adaptation.
The web slinging was genuinely mind-blowing back in the day as players swung around New York City, either beating up baddies or delivering pizzas. It was the first example of a great superhero game, something that was lacking in the industry, and arguably sparked the growing need for a big-budget Spider-Man game that was finally met with Sony's efforts.
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These games can be completed without players needing to stray from the main path too often.