Open-World Games With The Best Progression Systems

For people who enjoy a full-on, hardcore gaming experience and treat it as a second job rather than just casual fun, there's something truly satisfying about seeing all that hard work pay off within the game.

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Typically, the journey begins with a protagonist who's almost completely useless and desperately in need of some sort of development to advance to higher levels — both in terms of skills and character. The more hours players sink into the game, honing their character, and gaining experience, the more satisfying the whole ordeal feels. And that is why a well-developed, all-rounded progression system is essential for a game to feel complete. While there are a lot of good open-world titles out there that have pretty neat progression mechanics, some games (particularly RPGs) stand out more in this department.

Updated on August 24, 2024, by Fatima Naeem: The definition of a good progression system can vary widely, depending on individual preferences and game design. Some might prefer the classic RPG progression system — where strength and stats incrementally increase until the player character reaches a near-godlike state. Others might prefer a non-linear, material-based approach, where the emphasis shifts to upgrading gadgets and gear rather than just improving numerical stats. Ultimately, most games strive to create a sense of growth and advancement for the player through their highly meticulous progression systems — which becomes crucial when it comes to massive open worlds and their near-infinite growth potential.

9 No Man's Sky

A Simple And Satisfying Survival Game Progression

No Man's Sky is a survival-adventure game set in an undisclosed universe characterized by a futuristic planetary backdrop. The game is basically like Subnautica but in space, and plays out like a pretty normal survival game apart from its massive procedurally generated world that encompasses a staggering number of planets, all interactable and explorable.

Although No Man's Sky plays out like a typical survival game, where the player starts as a weakling with nothing on hand and eventually builds themselves up to be (for the lack of better words) rich and well-established, its futuristic setting and surprisingly hardcore combat system does give it a sort of edge. The game is mostly centered around exploration and doesn't necessarily hold the player's hand through a linear progression because of its sandbox elements. The more one explores, the more they'll be accustomed to the borderline daunting setting. The in-game currency, known as Units, is the primary source of upgrades for essentially anything, including new ships, multitools, exosuit customizations, and additional slots for more epic upgrades.

8 Prototype

Main Character Has Boundless Growth Potential But Still Has "Rational" Limitations

Prototype is a 2009 action-adventure game known for its excellent scaling system and gameplay. The game is open-world, fully set in Manhattan, and showcases some of the most notable monuments pretty accurately.

Alex Mercer's strength is highly multi-faceted and could even prove to be a bit too much for newer players. He starts as an average weak guy but can be turned into an absolute abomination with his non-stop growth. The progress of the game is entirely based on experience points referred to as EP (Evolution Points), which are almost always generously rewarded for completing missions, side quests, and one-on-one encounters.

That said, these EPs are drained just as quickly as earned since every upgrade requires them in large amounts. The skills that can be upgraded range from movement and survivability to subclasses such as sprint and jump. Certain events trigger the unlocking of additional events and award medals, which can then be utilized to enhance Alex's strength further.

7 Crackdown

An Old Game With A Fairly Organic Progression System That Makes It Feel Very Streamlined

Crackdown may not be everyone's favorite, nor is it considered one of the best open-world action-adventure games out there, but it definitely deserves credit for having one of the cleanest and most accessible progression systems of the late 2000s. The game is old, for sure, and may not keep up with today's gaming standards — but for a game made in 2007, it has amazing gameplay and some pretty fancy graphics to back it up.

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The game's progression is fairly simple — non-linear growth with a very consistent upward trajectory. The player character's progression is skill-based and is driven through these things called Experience Orbs, which can be collected by completing different missions, taking down various bosses and generals, or doing miscellaneous tasks scattered across the map. Upgrading skills and abilities is the primary goal in the game, but generally, powering up will naturally increase vehicle and weapon stats too. Each upgrade gives players a tangible sense of their agent's growing strength, making Crackdown's progression feel fairly natural and organic.

6 Far Cry 5

A Simple And Effective Progression System Backed By The Resistance Meter

Far Cry 5 is the fifth installment of the renowned Far Cry series and is categorized as an action RPG for its extensive and immersive gameplay. Just like its previous releases, Far Cry 5 is once again set in an open world, this time with Montana serving as its central region. And like every other Far Cry game ever made, it has no shortage of places to explore, quests to complete, and bad guys to defeat.

In terms of story, Far Cry 5 has a very straightforward way of indicating its progress. Players simply need to accumulate lots of Resistance Points (the experience points in this particular game) and use them to go further down the boss hierarchy to fight stronger and meaner bosses — or in this case, cult leaders. To develop new skills and abilities for their character, players need to earn perk points by doing certain tasks and completing challenges. One can use these perk points to obtain skills ranging from increased health and inventory space to improved weapon handling and the ability to tame wild animals.

5 Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Three Skillsets Players Can Work On Separately Or All At Once

Assassin's Creed Odyssey is the eleventh installment of the Assassin's Creed franchise. This particular entry sets itself apart from the other Assassin's Creed games in terms of being centralized more around combat and story rather than stealth, which ultimately makes it a game with a decent progression system. However, most Assassin's Creed games have awesome progression systems, and Odyssey is no exception — it's just the one that made the list.

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Most skills and items in Odyssey are upgradable. The main character has a skill tree that is divided into three types of abilities: Assassin, Hunter, and Warrior. Players can use XP points to upgrade any of the sub-skills in these branches, and opt for a certain playstyle suited to their taste. Additionally, there's a plethora of weapons available throughout the game, ranging from swords and tridents to armor and bows, each capable of being boosted in its own right.

Finally, the most major aspect of Odyssey is its significantly improved naval element. Players can take control of the ship, Adrestia, and utilize and enhance it for combat, exploration, and even just for wreaking mindless havoc.

4 Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain

Progression Is More About Upgrading Items and Equipment Than Just Stats

Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain is the one game on the entire list that breaks away from the typical number-driven progression systems found in most games and opts for a more realistic approach to warfare and growth. Sure, these are just a lot of fancy words to say that MGS5 has a good progression system, but it all stands true nevertheless. What makes this game stand out is that not only is the player character gradually getting stronger, but the enemy AI is also consistently adapting to the player's growing strength and adjusting itself accordingly.

Mother Base, the central hub in MGS5, is where the real action takes place. Players can use the in-game currency to upgrade the base, enhance weapons, and vehicles, and even improve the soldiers under command. They can even buy some very high-tech gadgets for some serious firepower and go completely ham with them. Players don't get to progress in the game by 'getting stronger through stats,' they get to do it by upgrading everything around them.

3 Ghost Of Tsushima

Very Realistic Progress That May Vary Depending On The Source Of Conflict

Ghost of Tsushima was praised for its exquisite setting and enormous open-world map. But what set Ghost of Tsushima apart from the pack was its strangely lifelike and super-flexible progression system.

The game doesn't depend on the player grinding for XP points. Instead, it's more centered around the player learning new techniques and honing skills. Sure, the general gist is sort of the same old thing — completing side quests and challenges to learn said new techniques — but none of it feels forced. Players do not get stronger for the sake of progressing in the story, but rather for the sake of actually getting stronger.

2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

A More Streamlined System Compared To The Other Games, Offering A Variety Of New Upgrading Options

The Witcher 3 is that one game that set a precedent in the realm of progression systems for all the other open-world RPGs that followed. The Witcher 3 has one of the most streamlined progression systems that allow players to tangibly feel Geralt's growth as he becomes increasingly powerful.

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The skill tree featured in the game has four main skills: combat, alchemy, signs, and general — all four are upgradable using ability points. Ability points are essentially the currency for leveling up, and naturally, they're earned by playing the game. Weapons and armor can also be upgraded and enhanced using runes, glyphs, and smithing.

1 Elden Ring

Nothing Is Forced Or Linear, Everything Is Up To The Player's Discretion

It would be sacrilege not to include Elden Ring on a topic celebrating the best progression systems in gaming. To put it simply, the game is utterly daunting. It's a 2022 action RPG developed by FromSoftware and does a great job of establishing itself as one of the most difficult games ever made — as one might expect from a FromSoftware game.

The game has multiple — and that's putting it loosely — progression routes and players get to choose whichever one they want and still have a unique path. Each path offers its own leveling-up assignments and mechanisms, rewarding players with runes upon completing challenges and quests. These runes can be used to enhance abilities and upgrade items/weapons. There's also a plethora of other progression mechanics, such as Ashes of War and crafting.