Call of Duty has been a staple in video games since the first game launched in 2003 on PC. Medal of Honor was still the biggest military franchise on consoles at the time, until the release Call of Duty 2 launched alongside the Xbox 360 in 2005, which changed everything. It is now the leading shooter that gamers and non-gamers alike enjoy playing every year.
The Call of Duty the series is now over two decades old, and yet it never had open world input. There are certainly titles with more open areas or open-ended gameplay like Call of Duty: Warzonebut there is no true open world game in the franchise. While not exact matches, these games feature either first-person stargazing or military experiences that blur the line between fact and fiction. about as close as players can get to a true open world Cod game.
Halo Infinite
Master Chief enters the open world
Before Call of Duty, Halo series was the first first-person shooter series on consoles. Halo Infinite is once again a step ahead as it is an open world game with the same engaging gameplay as the other titles in the series. Master Chief can switch between dozens of alien and human weapons and blast enemies with ease. There are also vehicles to control, from ghosts to warthogs, which makes traversal easier.
Another big gadget is the Master Chief's grappling hook, which helps players scale large cliffs more easily. It may not be a traditional open world game with large cities, diverse NPCs offering quests and great places to explore, but for Call of Duty fans, that will be enough. After all, shooting is great Halo Infiniteand that's all that really matters to shooter fans. Plus, Master Chief is a gaming icon that has his own appeal.
Fate 2
Less open, but firm
Fate 2 is less of an open world game with one vast planet and more of an open galaxy game. There are hub areas where players can visit shops and receive quests from NPCs, but missions send players out across the galaxy. Accepting a mission, Strike, Raid or whatever sends the player to specific locations on the planet for a more linear experience similar to most shooters. However, the same planets can be freely explored outside of missions. They're smaller in scale than most open-world games, but still engaging to explore either alone or with random players online.
What's more, the developer who created HaloBungie, he moved on Halo: Achieve start Fate franchise. This means they brought their stellar shootout to the looter shooter genre. In addition to the many sci-fi weapons, each class in the game has different abilities to blast enemies, from beams of light to fireballs from a magic revolver. Best of all for Call of Duty fans, players can start playing Fate 2 free on consoles, although some of the better content requires spending some money on expansions.
Far Cry 6
Reclaiming Paradise
Far Cry 6 is the latest entry in Far Cry franchise and at any game after and including Far Cry 3 worth recommending, this entry has a more menacing military influence. It's also a more grounded game as there aren't any big sci-fi elements. Players are part of a revolution that seeks to destroy the dictatorship one base at a time. They will explore a rich island with many tropical features, from high mountains to beautiful crystal blue rivers.
The firing is less responsive than some of the other entries in the series, but it's solid enough to get the job done. The variety of weapons is greater than most, especially when it comes to explosives. Players can also get animal companions to help them in missions, which is a bit more silly than others Call of Duty animals, but animal companions were here before. Dogs in Call of Duty: Ghosts to mind, so fans of that particular entry should love it Far Cry 6. Aside from gunfights and animals, it's also worth noting that players can steal vehicles to move around to complete the open world experience.
Cyberpunk 2077
Become the Terminator
Cyberpunk 2077 is another sci-fi example, and one that's less strictly shooter and more RPG. The best thing about the game is how open it is. Players can go into most situations with their weapons ready, or be sneaky with stealth and hacking, or even be diplomatic with the right dialogue choices. With the right V-body mods, players can get cybernetics to improve their shooting skills if they want to turn their cyborg hero into a Terminator.
For example, they can get new eyes to better target enemies, or arm upgrades to steady their aim. There are even weapons with specific modifications to help in a firefight, such as bullets that automatically target enemies. With plenty of weapons to find and customize, a large city to ride in, plenty of NPCs with quests to complete, and deserts outside the metropolis waiting to be explored. Cyberpunk 2077 has weeks worth of content. Fans of the more futuristic Call of Duty records like Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, he will surely enjoy it.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands
The Ubisoft equivalent of CoD
Tom Clancy's novels are great for dads and grandpas who want to read about great military endeavors and secret plots. It made sense to capitalize on the popularity of the 90s by manufacturing Tom Clancy games and each entry has a decidedly military edge Call of Duty fans will appreciate. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands is the first game in the series to take place in an open world and like it Far Cry 6is based on reality. The only catch is that it's a third-person shooter, which isn't everything Cod fans will love it, but there are mods for the PC version to play first person if that's a major concern.
Mods and perspectives aside, players have an open approach to most missions, whether they want to go into hot weather or quietly eliminate enemies. It's more satisfying to plan a mission with friends online and then execute it to perfection without setting off any alarms, but the single-player game is also fun, so multiplayer isn't a must. In addition to the reliable pistols, shotguns, and sniper rifles, players can acquire several gadgets such as drones to explore the land. There are also vehicles that you can use to move around. If any of the Activision teams plan to enter the Call of Duty franchise one day, they should check it out Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands for inspiration.
