The 8 Best Open World Games of 2015

Dying Light

January was the perfect time for Dying Light to be released. Another open world, first person, zombie survival game would never sell millions of copies in a packed October or November. However, with January being a quiet month for games, and with Dying Light being surprisingly well-received, it became the first big game of 2015.

In many ways, Dying Light is similar to Techland’s other series, Dead Island. It features first person action, a large open world, and weapon crafting. However, Dying Light added something else to the mix: fast parkour. Clearly influenced by Mirror’s Edge, the free running makes exploration more enjoyable and fleeing from zombies even more frantic. Leaping between building and scrambling up walls adds tension to each escape attempt with the slow motion reverse camera showing how close you are to death. It makes survival even more satisfying.

The dynamic change of the game that comes when the sun sets ramps up the tension and fear. Enemies become fiercer and escaping becomes more difficult, but rewards are more valuable. The risk and reward system creates a real dilemma in the player’s mind. Dying Light is certainly the surprise open world hit of the year.

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

The Assassin’s Creed series has had its ups and downs over the last few years. Black Flag was pirate-filled, colorful, and a completely new, lighthearted tone for the series whereas Unity was bland, congested, and occasionally broken. Syndicate is not perfect, but Ubisoft has fixed many of the problems that plagued 2o14’s iteration and it is certainly a return to form.

Ubisoft’s version of Victorian London, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is initially underwhelming. When you first enter the back streets the world look dark and grim with nothing to catch the eye. However, as the game opens up, those words become praise as the style and beauty of London becomes clear with the darkness and smoke adding much needed atmosphere.

Playing as interesting characters is also something we haven’t seen in the series recently. The brother and sister team you play as both feel powerful but different enough for there to be a noticeable difference in their specific missions. One relies on stealth and the other on power, giving the player two different ways to play.

Whilw not everything is fixed in terms of gameplay, the Assassin’s Creed series is certainly going in the right direction after Syndicate.

Fallout 4

Seven years after Fallout 3, Bethesda has released the fourth game in the huge series. Set in Boston, Massachusetts and the surrounding area, gamers play the role of a survivor from Vault 111 who is trying to track down the people that kidnapped his son and murdered his wife. Upon re-entering the Commonwealth, the player faces threats from everywhere in the shape of creatures subjected to years of radiation, and other survivors. With the help of some memorable companions, your character must find his or her son and save the wasteland from corruption.

The wasteland is densely populated and full of interesting characters to help or betray. The ability to pick most things up appeals to the hoarder in everyone and makes the world feel full, even in the large open spaces throughout the Commonwealth.

The story is engaging and the combat has been improved by tweaks and a few additions. The bugs are frustrating, especially the rare game breaking ones, but they do not detract from a wonderfully deep and addictive RPG adventure.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes was just an appetizer for the masterpiece that is The Phantom Pain. Visionary Hideo Kojima has created a truly open world that allows the player to leave and return as they please. The ability to tackle objectives at your leisure, however the player sees fit, gives the game a true sense of freedom. It gives players that chance to create their own stories of war and escape. You could spend half an hour creeping through a heavily guarded outpost, picking enemies off one by one, only to be spotted and have to change tactics, going from stealth to full-on attack mode. Once your targets are secured, you call in a chopper to pick you up. Seconds later, your personalised helicopter playing ‘The Final Countdown’ soars through the Afgan skies to take you back to base. It is these high adrenaline moments, that are unique to every player, that make The Phantom Pain so special.

The gameplay loop alongside that addictive mother base management, buddy customization, a well-designed multiplayer mode, and a wonderful opening hour featuring a giant flaming whale, make The Phantom Pain an unmissable open world adventure.

Mad Max

What kind of an impact did the stunning Mad Max: Fury Road have on the Mad Max game? Well, it was probably both good and bad. The commercial and critical success of the film made people aware of a series that had laid dormant for 30 years, prompting some buzz around a game that was expected to be squashed by the might of The Phantom Pain. Then again, potential players could have thought that Avalanche Studios wouldn’t be able to top the film in terms world building, character development, or art direction. Of course, it isn’t on the same level as George Miller’s film, but it isn’t as far away as you might expect.

With your shotgun and your fists, you are one formidable fighter, but the Magnum Opus, your trusted vehicle of war, sets you apart from the other inhabitants of the wasteland. The desert seemingly goes on for miles and miles with a storm interrupting your journey every now and again. It’s a game with endless threats as you drive and destroy, but every second will keep you looking forward to the next.

Batman: Arkham Knight

The conclusion of Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy was destined to be an epic Batman story. Taking advantage of the next-generation consoles, Arkham Knight was a step up from the previous two games in almost every way. The smoke and rain that engulfs Gotham gives the iconic city a claustrophobic atmosphere with the low clouds giving the player the feeling of being trapped inside a lair with influences from all of Batman famous foes. The narrow streets and tall buildings only add to the feeling.

While the gameplay is undeniably enjoyable, Rocksteady’s story and their take on the classic characters are the game’s real strengths. The unexpected twists, surprise appearances, the return of Mark Hamill’s The Joker, and unforgettable set pieces make Arkham’s Knight’s story one of the best Batman stories in any form: TV, Film, Comics, or Games.

If you are okay with the overuse of the new Batmobile tank and all the missions that shoehorn it in, then Arkham Knight is one of the best comic book games available.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The third game in the Witcher series is huge. The world is massive and beautiful with so much to see and an almost overwhelming number of things to do. It isn’t empty, though. It is densely populated with interesting characters and fascinating places all made with meticulous detail.

Being so long, the story loses its way at points, but even the short side quests are fun due to the characters and the deep role playing mechanics. The combat is also well-designed and responsive, making exploration a great way to spend hours upon hours.

For a relatively small studio from Poland, CD Projekt Red have done amazingly well to create a game that offers so much more than a lot of RPGs on the market. There are also a couple of substantial DLC packs for those hardcore players that have managed to finish to story. There is something for newcomers and Witcher experts.

Just Cause 3

First things first, Just Cause 3 is mental – it gets crazier and crazier by the minute. It has a story and some amusing characters, yes, but it is the over the top action that is the highlight. Blowing everything up in the beautiful open world of Medici is endless fun.

At no point does it hold you back. Main character Rico’s seeming invincibility means players can be experimental in their approach to missions without having to worry too much about the dangers awaiting them. Tethering people to things, or even people to other people, is hilarious and gives the player so many options when approaching a situation. You can have a break from the action, as well, with the option to roam the beautiful world or take part in challenges against friends, both of which are perfect distractions.

Which is your favorite open world game of 2015? Let us know in the comments below.