Open-world games that never end (in a good way)

Open-world games are known for their typically huge maps and long stories, some so large that they last over 100 hours. Although it can be said that such games never know in advance when they will end, some go further. Many open-world titles use clever techniques to catch players off guard for spectacular results.

This list looks at open-world titles that are sure to surprise you with how their stories unfold, or unlock entirely new gameplay mechanics or playable characters after hours of gameplay. It's also not uncommon for them to provide false endings, where the credits roll… but the story actually continues. Moments like that can be used to great effect to shock players and surprise them as much as possible, so here are some titles that really excel at that.

The focus here is largely on story-driven open-world games rather than free-form sandbox projects, where players are often in control of the finale (meaning games like Kenshi is excluded). Also, only the basic games are considered, without any expansions that could add continuity to the main story to expand the experience after the original finale or New Game+ modes.

SPOILER ALERT! Given the nature of this list, major spoilers for the endings of many of the games below are unavoidable. Proceed with caution!

NieR: Automata

Lose the game once? Haven't seen anything yet

until today, Nier: Automata Widely known for its unique approach to the story, not only packs 26 different endings, but requires numerous playthroughs to fully understand its complex story, experience multiple perspectives and reach the true ending with a truly special epilogue.

Fortunately, unlike many similar cases (for example, the recent Silent Hill f), this does not mean that players have to play the same game over and over again, with only minor variations, like a roguelike. instead, Nier: Automata There are three separate campaigns with different playable characters (although parts of the 2B and 9S story may be largely the same), and only by completing them all does the game's grand story come into the big picture with a true emotional resonance. A definite must-play for fans of mind-blowing stories.

Assassin's Creed Shadows

Wait, are there actually templars in the game?

true in series, Assassin's Creed Shadows A huge open-world game with a huge map and dozens of targets to hunt and kill. Beginning the journey as Nao, players are transported into a classic revenge story, where a shadowy organization known as the Shinbakufu needs to be taken down for the sake of all of Japan. Wait, but no Assassin's Creed Games supposed to be about Assassins vs. Templars?

While this is no secret Assassin's Creed Shadows Featuring two playable characters, Naoe and Yasuke, many players were surprised by how great the game and its story is. Some players were surprised to unlock Yasuke as a fully playable character after 20 hours, and while many initially refused to play as him (players often stick to their favorites), they soon discovered that Yasuke was no less fun to play. Furthermore, his personal arc actually involves the Templars, but it's unlocked so late AC shade Most fans don't even know it's there.

Dragon's Dogma 2

Congratulations, you've beaten the game! It's time to wake up

Dragon's Dogma 2 Sounds less like a very different sequel Dragon's Dogma: Dark ArisenAnd more like a definitive reimagining of the original, relying largely on the same (albeit more specialized) mechanics and unique systems like pans. However, when it comes to the end, Dragon's Dogma 2 It's much bolder than its predecessor, serving as one of the most notable examples of “fake” endings in the open-world genre to date.

After completion Dragon's Dogma 2After defeating the final boss, and the credits rolling, players suddenly return to the game with their characters, only to wake up in the so-called Undead World. It represents a special post-game continuation, which changes the entire world visually, as well as throwing a bunch of additional story quests at the players, who are forced to immediately answer the call. No rest for the wicked, right?

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The never-ending quest for Ciri is far from everything

The Witcher 3: Wild HuntThe plot is pretty straightforward: as Geralt, players follow Ciri's trail to find out what happened to Geralt's adopted daughter, and where she is now, while crossing paths with several key characters. the witcher Universe, both Sapkowski's books and brand new by CDPR. How vast is the explorable world The Witcher 3 There is, and as long as the main quest of Ciri's search goes, it is easy to assume that after finally reaching her, the game will be over.

As some might guess, that is not the case. Even after finding Siri inside The Witcher 3: Wild HuntIn what can easily be more than 50 hours, the game continues, arguably the best and most epic moments of the game are ahead of the players. It's safe to say that Ciri finds its mark around 2/3 of the game's overarching story, and players get to spend a lot of rewarding time with her after two games of hints and foreshadowing, fully leading up to the next hero switch. The Witcher 4.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Farewell Arthur, hello John

Red Dead Redemption 2 With some of the longest and most memorable stories in all of gaming, No Strings Attached is the perfect open-world game. Players become Arthur Morgan for approximately 50 to 80 hours, living through the ups and downs of the Van der Linde gang in the changing face of America. As Morgan's story reaches an emotional climax in the finale, RDR2 Keeping the player's world state as it is and letting them continue finds the best solution to make the ending meaningful.

This is achieved by an unexpected hero switch after the finale, as players unlock a story epilogue with a playable John Marston, who can freely explore the world and solve all the side quests that Arthur Morgan missed. Not only that, but the whole Red Dead Redemption 2 Epilogue also has a surprisingly long story, offering 17 missions for about 10 hours of gameplay, and takes players to new areas of the map.

Ghost of Yotei

This time, Saito will definitely not run away

Ghost of Yotei While not as groundbreaking in its narrative moves as other games on the list, Sucker Punch's samurai open-world adventure deserves a mention for at least a few strong points. The first is the now-famous “Chapter 2” screen that suddenly welcomes players about 40 hours into Atsu's story. Needless to say, it proves an effective way to remind fans just how long and epic this adventure is, and judging by the game's subreddit full of shocking posts, it definitely hits the spot.

Second, when players can infer that they are nearing the end by parts of the map explored. Ghost of YoteiThe game still manages to surprise his Yotei several times with six targets that keep slipping from Atsu's grasp, most notably Lord Saito himself. Several times it looks like Saito is finally cornered, only to have him avoid it again. Furthermore, the final missions of the game are placed in order outside of the main explorable map, making it more difficult for players to predict when the finale will occur.

Revealing the truth in its espionage themes, so trust nothing

While it's natural to expect surprises from Hideo Kojima's creations, he's known for playing with audiences over the years, more so than the legendary game designer himself. Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain. Not only is the game a separate feature ground zero The prologue, serving as a small demo of the full game's stealth mechanics, but the real surprise comes closer. phantom painThe finale, the game abruptly ends on mission 31, rolling credits without any proper closure, leaving fans scratching their heads.

The good news is that Metal Gear Solid 5 It continues after that, allowing players to complete side objectives, upgrade their base, and tackle several post-game story missions. However, this is only a distraction from the game's secret unlockable Mission 46 which finally provides a real ending with a shocking twist to turn things upside down some 80 hours later. Then who would dare say that Kojima isn't a genius?

Alden Ring

An epic finale is hard to predict

Last, but not least, Alden Ring It's one of the biggest and longest open-world games of this generation, and even though Hidetaka Miyazaki's masterpiece isn't interested in special moves aimed at surprising players, it's just one giant game that never ends. Many large areas are hidden beneath the surface of the original map, so players cannot guess how much of the game is left just by evaluating the part of the map to explore, as new areas are constantly introduced based on the quests of the characters the players follow.

Alden Ring It also packs an unexpected twist in its story near the end, as many expect to reach the Forge of the Giants to burn Erdtree in the finale, only for the game to prove them wrong. Instead, the story continues in the ever-changing world beneath the burning tree, and the game's toughest boss encounters and major revelations are yet to be tackled.