Misunderstood, critically underrated open world games

As nice as that would be, not every game can get a 10/10 score, and in the open world space, unless your project is a masterpiece, then good luck escaping a mixed reception. There are many great games that have been left out and bombed for various reasons, some related to performance, some related to gameplay, but when you really look behind the critical curtain, the experience that exists is much, much better.

It's nice to only focus on the best and brightest the genre has to offer, but taking a step back and enjoying something less praised can actually lead you to find some pretty great games that would otherwise go completely unnoticed. At the end of the day, these games show that reviews only tell half the story, and that maybe a 6/10 might actually feel more like an 8.

Build your perfect ten one revelation at a time.

Start

Restart
Rear

Final standings

—

Your blind rating is locked.

Build your perfect ten one revelation at a time.

Start

RestartRear

Final standings

—

Your blind rating is locked.

1

Days gone

Time heals everything

Details:

• Improved with patches over time

• Some of the most impressive zombie hordes

• Open Critic: 72

Days gone received a mixed critical reception at launch, largely due to technical issues and a slow start. That initial blow forever tarnished the game's reputation, but after years of updates and even a remake, that tepid start now feels like a distant memory.

What initially looked like another open-world zombie game gradually turned out to be a surprisingly ambitious survival adventure game Days goneA distinctive feature is its huge hordes. These moments turn encounters into frantic battles where only the fastest thinkers survive. Combined with the emotional story that ties it all together, I'd say the game is one of the best games of its era and in the entire open world genre.

2

State of decomposition 2

A survival sandbox unlike any other

Details:

• Unique stories in every playthrough

• Years of post-launch content

• Open Critic: 69

Often viewed by critics State of decomposition 2 as a recurring sequel that tried to break new ground, yet looking at the product as it exists today, it couldn't be further from the truth. Instead of focusing on a written story, it creates new stories through its community management systems, meaning that every survivor, base, and resource decision contributes to an ever-evolving survival experience.

The game has also benefited from years of substantial updates that have introduced new mechanics and quality of life improvements that make it feel like a completely new game since release. I went back after playing it many years ago and was blown away by how well it captured the feeling of leading an entire community through the apocalypse, and I for one am more than excited for a sequel to drop.

3

Mad Max

Wasteland Carnage at its best

Details:

• Exceptional vehicle combat

• It perfectly captures the essence of the universe

• Open Critic: 69

Mad Max it launched in the shadow of several larger releases and, more importantly, received respectable but unspectacular reviews. As a result, he was largely sidelined in the months that followed. Lack of attention aside, many other players and I realized how well Avalanche Studios translated the series into an open world game, from the design of the wasteland to the vehicular combat that fills every moment with action.

Building and upgrading your vehicle creates an impressive progression loop that makes exploring during the adventure rewarding and also fits the theme of the world without making things too arcadey. If it were released today, I truly think it would have topped the charts and seen much higher scores, bringing a level of intensity to the genre that has otherwise been mostly lacking in the past decade.

4

Dragon Dogma

Road Before the Curve

Details:

• An incredible fight, engaging even today

• Survey supported organically

• Metacritic: 75 (base version)

Before open-world RPGs fully embraced player freedom, Dragon Dogma he was already experimenting with the systems that would later become the basis of the genre. Its combat remains exceptional with large-scale monster battles that allow you to climb and attack enemies in creative ways, fully capturing the feel of a terrifying fantasy adventurer.

Adding to this feeling is the world itself, which rewards your curiosity with real discoveries rather than basic checklists. When we talk about the best RPGs, the names like The The Witcher 3 will always be brought up, but I think so Dragon Dogma it deserves the same respect, or at least a lot more love than it used to have.

5

Mafia 3

Revenge served cold

Details:

• A strong story based on characters

• Captivating protagonist with believable motivation

• Open Critic: 66

Mafia 3 the review scores were dragged down by the repetitive mission structures, and I agree that was one of the weaker parts of the game, but many people often overlook the quality of the game's narrative. Lincoln Clay's quest for revenge delivers a darker and more emotional narrative than many other games in the industry, on a larger scale that still maintains a grounded approach.

I'd also say the setting does a lot of heavy lifting as it's a perfect recreation of the 60s, with the soundtrack and atmosphere adding so much to an already immersive experience. Like any game, there are some flaws, but these are more than offset by the narrative writing and dedication to authenticity that permeates every scene.

6

Far Cry Primal

Experiments sometimes pay off

Details:

• Firearms replaced by tribal warfare

• An immersive prehistoric world

• Open Critic: 77

Far Cry Primal was initially dismissed as a modified version by some players Far Cry 4not having a huge amount of content or fresh ideas to really make it look like a finished product. On the other hand, I believe it's one of the better games in the franchise, because by abandoning modern weapons and setting the game in the Stone Age, Ubisoft fundamentally changed the core gameplay instead of something much more interesting.

Most of your time is spent hunting and taming animals while surviving against enemy tribes, but the lack of modernity creates a completely different pace than other entries in the series. Additionally, the prehistoric setting remains one of the most unique environments Ubisoft has ever created, setting it apart from the competition and proving that experimentation can really pay off with the right amount of creativity.

7

Biomutant

Flawed yet creative

Details:

• Huge character flexibility

• A vibrant world like no other

• Open Critic: 67

I bought Biomutant at launch and experienced many of the same woes that were the focus of reviews at the time. There were technical flaws and inconsistent storytelling, but once the performance issues were ironed out, you could actually experience the game's greatest strength: gameplay.

By combining martial arts, mutations, gadgets, and customizable weapons into a single combat loop, you have a lot of control over the course of the encounter, no matter how many enemies there are or how big the opponents may be. The world also feels very unique, sending you into a colorful post-apocalyptic world that's both bizarre and beautiful, so if you're looking for a unique kind of open-world game that still competes with the top dogs, I highly recommend passing on the mid-score and giving Biomutant try.