Open-world games continue to sell like hotcakes, although the saturation of this market is also problematic for fans and developers alike. Players don't want to devote themselves to a game that isn't worth their time, and devs need to do something to help their sandbox titles stand out.
Sometimes, all players need is a video game that lets them appreciate a world without feeling cluttered by external elements. Good HUD (head-up display) design can make or break a game, which is why the following open-world games are worth noting for their excellent work in this regard.
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8 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Everything Relevant To Geralt Is Shown In The HUD
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Released
- May 19, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Despite being released a decade ago, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is still one of the best open-world RPGs fans can check out. Geralt's adventures are a blast, and the world is beautiful to explore. The UI conveys relevant information with ease, even if players need to rely on the minimap a bit too much at times. However, this is a minor complaint in the grand scheme of things, with The Witcher 3 being downright perfect otherwise.
7 Grand Theft Auto 5
A Clean, Satisfying HUD With Barely Any Issues
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
Rockstar is a master of their craft, ensuring that every element of their major release is polished to perfection. This includes the HUD in Grand Theft Auto 5, which is clean, sophisticated, and doesn't distract from the open world's detail and beauty.
There are times when the minimap may become too important, but this doesn't take away from the overall sense of immersion players can enjoy in this game. It's a beautiful title that can keep players busy for hours on end as they explore Los Santos and the countryside, causing chaos and taking on missions from time to time.
6 Cyberpunk 2077
Conveys Necessary Information Without Clutter
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
Despite adhering to certain design philosophies that have remained prominent in the industry, Cyberpunk 2077 ensures that its UI looks stylish without being overbearing. All the relevant information players care about is present in their peripheral vision. Objective markers are organic and don't force players to look at the minimap over and over again, while the color scheme is stylish and changes subtly based on whether players control V or Johnny. These changes ensure that Cyberpunk 2077's HUD is a cut above the rest.
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5 Red Dead Redemption 2
A Neat HUD That Doesn't Take Away From The Game's Beauty
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best video games ever made, with its amazing open world and fantastic story being just a few of the many reasons why fans love this masterpiece. The HUD design is also minimalist and does a great job of conveying the game's many mechanics.
Tracking cores may be slightly challenging at times, but this adaptive HUD shows its brilliance when players explore the world and try not to be dazzled by what's on display. The Rockstar minimap reliance is present again, but Red Dead Redemption 2's HUD knows when to pipe down and let players smell the roses, which is infinitely better than what most other video games do with their heads-up display.
4 Batman: Arkham Knight
Players Look Through Batman's Technological Cowl
Batman: Arkham Knight
- Released
- June 23, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action
Batman: Arkham Knight ends Bruce Wayne's journey on a relatively high note. The HUD and UI have seen constant improvements ever since the release of Arkham Asylum, and the final game in the series is a perfection of this design element. The HUD elements have the appearance of one of Batman's gadgets, giving him constant updates on all relevant information. Any heads-up display that strives to be immersive is great, and Batman: Arkham Knight personified this.
3 The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
The Beautiful World Works With The Simple, Minimalist UI
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Breath of the Wild is an amazing game, with several elements combining to help this title stand out as an open-world title that everyone should experience at least once. Link's adventures take him across a ruined version of Hyrule that is surprisingly peaceful to explore.
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It helps that the minimal UI elements contribute to the immersion, and can be changed to make exploration more captivating than ever. Players will get all the information they need without the screen being cluttered with needless information, which is exactly what fans want from a good HUD for an open-world game.
2 Ghost Of Tsushima
The HUD Doesn't Force Players Away From The Game's Impeccable Beauty
Ghost of Tsushima
- Released
- July 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Ghost of Tsushima did a great job of letting players focus on the world itself before everything else. This was done with its immersive HUD that conveys what players want and nothing more. Guiding Wind is incredible and a great way to help players organically reach points of interest on the map. This immersive way to guide players ensures that the HUD isn't overbearing, and lets players enjoy the amazing art design rife in Ghost of Tsushima's open world.
1 Shadow Of The Colossus
Proves That Less Is More
Shadow of the Colossus
- Released
- February 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Shadow of the Colossus is one of the greatest open-world games ever made. The game only has sixteen colossi and compels players to explore a vast, barren world that makes it clear that something is wrong. HUD elements are minimal, and only appear when important information must be conveyed. This makes the puzzle battles against every colossus intensely captivating as players seek out these massive figures and give them a death they don't deserve.
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