Open-World Games That Should Have Failed, But Didn't

Video games have become more ambitious over time, as developers try new things and the technology allows for new ideas to become a reality. But sometimes, that ambition can be the game's downfall, whether it is due to a larger scope than what the devs are capable of making, a mismatch in what players want, or a big technical investment that requires far more resources than expected.

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However, some games manage to break out of the expectations and push past the struggles, delivering an exceptional experience despite the assumption of failure. These games show that with enough drive and a good enough idea, anything can be brought back from the brink of death.

No Man's Sky

Ambitious Beyond Belief

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Promised an open universe unlike anything else
Managed to survive a troublesome launch and is now a widely-loved exploration game

No Man's Sky had barely been announced before people had their doubts. The promise of a near-infinite open universe seemed far out of reach, and the initial launch met those expectations of failure, as the game was riddled with bugs and missed a lot of the marks that the devs were aiming for.

But over time, the DNA of the original vision began to fall into place, as more content was added and a lot of the rougher edges were ironed out. Now, the game stands as one of the most impressive open-world games ever made and a truly unparalleled space-faring experience.

Death Stranding

More Than A Walking Simulator

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Strange new IP with a completely different gameplay style
Celebrated for its unique aesthetic and breathtaking storytelling

Death Stranding was a bold step for a seasoned developer into a completely different world. Kojima was already known for pushing boundaries, but the pitch of a large-scale open-world game where players would walk between locations on foot, and character models rendered with lifelike realism seemed a bit out of reach.

The end product actually managed to surpass even the most positive skeptics in almost every way possible. The gameplay loop proved enjoyable and satisfying, the graphics were even better than the trailer showed, and the narrative felt more like a big-budget movie production than a video game, cementing it as a landmark achievement in the industry.

Cyberpunk 2077

Almost Stumbling Before It Could Run

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Teasers showed absurd visuals that many thought couldn't be achieved
Long wait time allowed the game to be released and be polished into an exceptional experience

Cyberpunk 2077 is an intriguing game that garnered a lot of attention when it was first announced. The first reveal trailer showed a level of fidelity that many people saw as a marketing campaign that wouldn't reflect the actual game, and despite their expertise in the open-world space, CD Projekt RED had a lot of ground to cover.

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After a long wait, the game was released and was immediately written off as an unfinished mess, forcing many players to move on before they could even sink their teeth into the story. Yet after countless patches, the game now stands with the best in the genre, redeeming its name and proving that time really can heal all wounds.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Would Realism Really Sell?

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Focus on authenticity, which many thought would fall flat
True medieval simulator in virtually every way possible

KC:D was announced as an ambitious open-world medieval simulation experience, where players could venture across the land and engage with the world however they chose. While it sounded good on paper, many people thought the actual result would be quite boring, even if they could pull it off.

In reality, the gameplay and story managed to transcend any prior conceptions about the game, positioning it as a classic that would be remembered for years on. The success all allowed the game to receive a sequel with just as much praise heading its way, only this time, people trusted the devs to make their vision come to life.

Horizon Zero Dawn

A Different Direction Than Expected

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Killzone devs taking a bold new step
Successfully launched a new IP into the mainstream light

Horizon Zero Dawn initially showed its face after the devs at Guerrilla Games announced that they were moving away from Killzone and into a brand new IP. The initial images and trailers showed a large world full of mechanical animals, which was certainly a compelling idea, but many thought the game wouldn't feel anywhere near as enjoyable as some of the other big names in the space.

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The doubters, unfortunately, had to eat their words, as not only was the world full of activities and locations to see, but the gameplay loop was just as fun as the trailers had indicated. It is an example of a game whose trailers actually managed to line up with the end result, rather than being yet another marketing blunder.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Almost Killed By Art

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Completely different art direction than expected
Now a fan-favourite in the franchise

Wind Waker launched at a time when Zelda had already become a household name, and many players were expecting more realistic worlds to explore within the universe. When the cartoony aesthetic was first seen, many fans hated it and expected the game to flop the second it hit the shelves.

But right away, the game captivated the hearts of many, quickly becoming a fan-favourite in a franchise full of so many iconic titles. While the art direction change was a bold move, it is now one that is celebrated for changing how a single IP can be presented in a multitude of different lights.

Assassin’s Creed Origins

Definition Of Franchise Fatigue

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Open-world RPG that sounded less than desirable to long-term fans
Became a favourite quickly among fans

Assassin's Creed Origins showed itself as an open-world experience during a time when many players had grown tired of constant releases within the same series. There had already been so many games released of a similar kind in the franchise, so the idea of another one with an even bigger world was hardly attractive to fans.

Now the game is actually remembered for ushering in a new golden era for the franchise, demonstrating a higher level of quality and immersion that has allowed it to be ranked among the best in the series. Even if players had initially shown little interest, the game managed to draw people in with its engaging story and satisfying exploration, single-handedly pulling Assassin's Creed out of its slump.

Dying Light

One Last Effort At A Zombie Apocalypse

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Rough Development after Dead Island
Spawned a new franchise for a struggling developer

Dying Light was positioned as another open-world zombie apocalypse that looked to take things in a whole new direction. After Dead Island, the devs wanted to create something new, but many players had their doubts about the game's success or whether it would even see the light of day after delays and internal changes.

When it finally did launch, the game had a rocky start with bugs and performance issues that made many assume their theories were correct. Working through the issues took some time, but eventually, the game managed to reach a pretty solid state that allowed it to receive the praise the devs had been waiting for many years.

Sleeping Dogs

What Started As True Crime Grew Into An Undercover Adventure

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Originally part of the True Crime series, but was canceled by Activision
Developed into one of the best modern-day open-world games ever made

Sleeping Dogs had quite the troubled development cycle, which meant many people, both internally and externally, thought the game might never launch. At one point, the game was even canceled during development, as the vision of a True Crime game in Hong Kong just wasn't lining up the way the devs wanted.

As time went on, the game evolved more into an action-adventure experience, and when it finally fell into players' hands, they were quick to praise it. The narrative showed multiple sides of the same reality, the exploration felt meaningful, and the action was beyond cinematic, giving players a different kind of modern open-world that was very different from that first pitch.

Yakuza 0

Unexpected Success In The West

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The series struggled to find a mainstream Western audience in the past
Managed to bring the franchise to the masses across the globe.

Yakuza 0 spawned as the next title in a long series that had mostly failed to break out into the West. Many people just didn't understand the humor or the gameplay and wrote it off as yet another game that just simply wasn't meant for them.

In actuality, the game not only popularized the series globally but also stands as arguably one of the best in the entire franchise. The sheer amount of content allowed people to become fully immersed in the world and the story, regardless of whether they were following the main path or engaging in some silly minigames, and after years of struggling, Yakuza had finally gone global.