Open-world games are some of the most popular gaming experiences out there, and it's easy to see why. They give players the biggest bang for their buck by allowing players to explore a vast world full of content. Some open-world games have better exploration options than others, but the point remains.
On the horizon, some big open-world games are coming in 2026, e.g Grand Theft Auto 6 and Blood of the Dawnwalker. They should have the following features to make their world more immersive. Open-world games beyond this point should also take note. Not every open-world game has to be the same, but if these features were included it would make for a more engaging experience.
Worlds without borders
And make the environment diverse and interesting
Final fantasy 7 rebirth is a fantastic game with fantastic and picturesque open-world areas to explore. However, there are gating issues as the game is very story-oriented. The same goes for the recent open-world game, Border 4which is more open than Final fantasy 7 rebirthBut it also has some gating issues. Again, these games are some of the best out there, but open-world games and the developers who make them should try to achieve true open-world environments without too much gating, if possible. Also, these worlds must be full of interesting things to see.
As fun as it is to explore the forespoken for the speed of protagonist Frey, there isn't much to see or do. Some standout examples of open-world games where the player is free to do whatever they want from the start The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Assassin's Creed Shadows and Xenoblade Chronicles X There is level gating to prevent players from going too far, but these high-level areas are still accessible if players want to take the risk. True open-world games are the main goal, but adding things like day and night cycles with seasons would also benefit.
Multiple traversal methods
From climbing to gliding
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild The open world scene changed in many ways when it launched alongside the Switch in 2017. It added climbing mechanics along with a stamina meter to push players to their limits. Once a large rock was scaled, players could jump and move away. Some games since then have used the gliding method, e.g Rise of the Ronin. Other games have added full flight to their open-world environments, e.g song and Hogwarts Legacy.
original Marvel's Spider-Man Let players climb buildings and move around, and both mechanics felt natural. in Marvel's Spider-Man 2Suits got gliding upgrades. In addition to climbing and gliding, there must also be some sort of mounted or vehicular traversal, which occurs in many sports, from horses. Ghost of Tsushima To drive in Digi-Runners Border 4. It seems like a no-brainer to add vehicle mounts, but there are some games, e.g Result 4which does not have a good traversal upgrade beyond the player's own two feet.
Searches that matter
or compelling stories
An open-world game is as fascinating as the people who inhabit it. An open world game may be full of quests, but they may not be interesting. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt It was one of the first open world games to take side quests to a new level, making every NPC matter. The story is equally compelling, giving players as much to do as they choose. Other great examples include: Accepted and Final fantasy 7 rebirth.
If the side quests aren't great, then the story should at least be compelling. Nailing both is ideal, but not every game can be perfect, and some can excel in certain aspects. for example, fatal premonition A divisive open-world game that isn't compelling to explore. However, the game's NPCs are memorable and quirky, and the overall story is the reason to play. So, developers need to find a good balance in future open-world games.
Character customization
and crafts
Players love character customization in their games, and even better. Baldur's Gate 3 Some of the best in recent memory, as players can choose their gender, race, appearance, class, and more. in BiomutantPlayers can create tiny critters from scratch, and each will look different from the last. In single-player-driven games, this means that not every character can be fully customized, but there are ways to add some flavor to storied characters.
Donkey Kong BananaFor example, it allowed players to change the color of Donkey Kong's fur and dress him up with his partner, Pauline. Any way players can customize their characters will be viewed positively. Crafting is an accompanying feature, and not every game should be one Palworld or Minecraft Position with base construction. However, little things like weapon crafting, mods, etc Result 4Might be enough to satisfy the creative minds of players.
Difficulty settings
And monsters that are terrifying
This goes for all games beyond open-world experiences, but they should have difficulty settings. Their latest example is Death Stranding 2: On the BeachWhich is necessary because the game can be brutal without them to experience the true courier sensation of walking through mountains and deserts. Assassin's Creed Shadows There are also difficulty levels, though the leveling mechanics make things harder even on the easier setting. Alden Ring is an open-world game with no difficulty settings, which shouldn't come as a surprise since it's a FromSoftware game and Soulslike. The point of Soulslikes is to accept the challenge involved, but few have difficulty options or assistance modes. Strangers in Paradise: Final Fantasy Genesis.
That's not an open world example, but difficulty options in all games should be something developers strive for. This goes both ways, as casual players want easy modes while hardcore players want to push themselves to the absolute limit. That said, even on the easiest setting, there must be sections in every open-world that are truly terrifying, such as seeing enemies that are far-flung from monsters. Monster Hunter Wild in Colossi Shadow of the Colossus. It's another example of trying to find the right balance between mechanics and visuals to create an engaging world full of life.
Save anytime, anywhere
Keep data safe
Another common mechanic that open-world games should have is the ability to save anywhere, anytime, or at least within reason. For example, players can do this Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Except in story situations or if there are enemies nearby, that makes sense. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and Result 4 There are two other great examples, and Bethesda games are generally good about manual saving. It's nice to be able to stop playing at any point and then pick up where players left off.
is a random example Border 4. That game saves all the time, but players can't stop what they're doing, exit, and then go back to where they left off. They can't manually save where they want, which is an important feature for many games, if players want to return to that moment much later. This could be to relive an experience, such as a boss fight, or to try out different dialogue options. who Border 4who To its credit, it gives players the ability to replay multiple missions, which is another feature that open-world games should have. First and foremost, though, a good savings system is essential.
