Open World
Ongoing coverage on Open World.
Latest coverage
Edward Kenway is the biggest bastard in Assassin's Creed history
This opinion piece discusses Edward Kenway's unlikeable character in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, particularly in the context of its remake, "Resynced." The author argues that the game's expansive open world, rebuilt in the Anvil engine, distracts from the narrative and prolongs the player's exposure to Kenway's shallow motivations and "asshattery."
There's one Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced item everyone should grab, and it's available super early in the Ubisoft open-world game
This guide highlights the Exotic Sea Shells item in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, which significantly speeds up the acquisition of resources needed for upgrades and outfits. The item can be found early in Havana, helping players reduce the time spent on hunting and skinning animals.
Black Flag Resynced blows every other Assassin's Creed - and very nearly The Witcher 3 - out of the Steam waters
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced has achieved a series-high concurrent player count of nearly 100,000 on Steam, surpassing other recent Assassin's Creed titles like Odyssey and Shadows. While it fell slightly short of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's peak, its performance is notable for a single-player game, especially considering the current hot weather. The article also briefly mentions Skyrim's launch numbers and highlights the appeal of open-world and pirate-themed games.
Palworld 1.0 Adds 72 New Pals, Reworks the Story, Expands the World Design, and Much More
Palworld 1.0 has been released, introducing a new region called Sunreach with floating islands, new Pals, and challenging Tower bosses. The update significantly reworks the story, expands world design with ancient ruins and settlements, and adds 72 new Pals, bringing the total to 287. The game is available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PC, and has seen a surge in players on Steam.
"A densely-packed open world game about death anxiety": Bad Magpie's avian mischief channels a lot of heartache
Milktooth's debut game, Bad Magpie, explores themes of death anxiety and loss through the eyes of a one-winged magpie collecting trinkets for a fallen star. Inspired by folklore and the developers' personal experiences during lockdown, the game features a handcrafted world with multi-solution puzzles and ASMR-like tactile interactions. The developers aim to subvert the typical collectathon genre by framing collection as a way to process grief, drawing parallels to the magpie's superstitious symbolism and its perceived hoarding habits.
PlayStation 5 Sequel to Sleeper Hit PS4 RPG Gets Release Date
Cold Symmetry and Playstack have announced that Mortal Shell 2, a sequel to the 2020 action RPG, will release on August 20, 2026, for PlayStation 5. The game will feature faster combat, deeper weapon design, and an emphasis on free exploration within a compact open world. It will be available in Standard and Devout Editions, with a retail "Revered Edition" also planned.
10 Upcoming Games With The Highest Stakes
This article discusses ten upcoming video games with high expectations, including Grand Theft Auto 6, Marvel's Wolverine, and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It highlights the potential challenges and anticipated successes for each title, considering factors like franchise legacy, developer ambition, and innovative gameplay mechanics. The games are set to release between late 2026 and early 2027 on platforms like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Ubisoft bringing The Crew Motorfest to Nintendo Switch 2
Ubisoft is bringing The Crew Motorfest to the Nintendo Switch 2, with a release date set for October 8, 2026. The open-world racing game, originally launched in 2023, allows players to explore the island of O'ahu, Hawaii, and participate in various driving events and campaigns.
Everything new in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced enhances the original game with updated graphics and numerous additions, including expanded side quests, fleshed-out character stories for Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, and refined gameplay mechanics. The remake features modernized parkour, smoother combat with mid-combo gadget use, improved ship combat, and the ability to dive underwater anywhere, all without loading screens between areas.
Crimson Desert on Switch 2 "is not just a simple port," Pearl Abyss CEO says, but devs want the open-world…
Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young stated that a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Crimson Desert is in development, but it will not be a simple port. The company is focused on maintaining the game's graphics, action, and open-world experience on the new hardware. A release schedule cannot be confirmed yet due to ongoing optimization and technical verification.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Review - In Jackdaw we Trust — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a faithful remake that modernizes the beloved 2013 title with improved visuals and environments, while retaining the original's strong narrative and excellent naval combat. Despite some stale combat mechanics and occasional climbing inconsistencies, the remake successfully captures the pirate fantasy and offers a compelling experience for fans of the Ubisoft open-world formula. The removal of modern-day segments focuses the story on Edward Kenway's journey, making it a standout entry in the franchise.
I played The Blood of Dawnwalker for 4 hours, and this vampire RPG already exceeds its Witcher 3 comparisons
The Blood of Dawnwalker, an ambitious vampire RPG from Rebel Wolves, is drawing comparisons to The Witcher 3, particularly due to its director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz. The game features a 14th-century setting in Eastern Europe, where players control a protagonist turned vampire who has 30 in-game days to save his family. Early gameplay highlights include a unique time mechanic that progresses with questing and leveling, and a combat system blending swordplay with vampiric abilities, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Let Me Be a Vampire, Detective, and Witch Lover in the Space of 4 Hours
Hands-on gameplay with The Blood of Dawnwalker reveals its open-world setting where players can engage in vampire activities, detective work, and romance options with a witch. The preview highlights the game's ability to offer diverse gameplay experiences within a short timeframe.
You Are The Face Of Darkness: Vampires: Bloodlord Rising Adds Highly Requested ‘Character Creator‘ As New Feature
Vampires: Bloodlord Rising, an open-world action-adventure game from Mehuman Games and Toplitz Productions, has added a highly requested character creator feature. This update allows players to customize both male and female characters with extensive options, impacting gameplay through distinct aristocrat and hunter modes. The game is available in Early Access for PC.
Cinder City reviderar krav på 64 GB RAM – kräver nu bara 32 GB
Big Fire Games has revised the system requirements for their upcoming PvE open-world game, Cinder City. Initially listed with a demanding 64 GB of RAM, the developer has clarified that only 32 GB is now recommended, though this is still higher than the typical 16 GB for new releases. The recommended graphics card has also been upgraded from an RTX 4060 to an RTX 4070.
MAVRIX Full Global Release on July 16th
MAVRIX, an open-world mountain biking game created by Matt Jones, developed by Third Kind Games, and published by Cascade Interactive, will have its full global release on July 16th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game will also debut on Xbox Game Pass on day one, featuring new competitive modes, trails, and technical improvements based on community feedback from Early Access.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+ 2, The Planet Crafter, Palworld 1.0, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding several new titles throughout July, including the full release of Palworld 1.0, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, and Gears of War: Reloaded. The service will also feature updates for games like Wuthering Waves and League of Legends, while several titles are scheduled to leave the library on July 15.
Watch Dogs 2 Feels More Special Than Ever, 10 Years Later
Ten years after its release, Watch Dogs 2 is remembered fondly for its energetic vibe, vibrant San Francisco setting, and relatable protagonist Marcus Holloway. While the game had flaws, including awkward writing for the DedSec group and a less refined combat system, its core hacking and stealth gameplay loop, coupled with its unique personality, make it a standout title in the franchise. The article argues that the game's strengths, particularly its focus on the hacker fantasy, still resonate today.
Get ready to set sail with these 6 games to play before Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
This article recommends six games to play before the release of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced on July 9. The list includes titles like Windrose, Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Sea of Thieves, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and Assassin's Creed 3 Remastered, all of which feature pirate themes, naval combat, or connections to the Assassin's Creed universe.
Star Wars Outlaws and the Ubisoft Problem
This opinion piece criticizes Ubisoft's current game design philosophy, arguing that a pursuit of ubiquity has led to formulaic and uninspired titles, exemplified by Star Wars Outlaws. The author contrasts this with Ubisoft's past willingness to take creative risks and explore mature themes, suggesting the company has lost its innovative edge.
