Open World
Ongoing coverage on Open World.
Latest coverage
Crazy Taxi: World Tour took us to the streets of Japan at Tokyo Game Show
The upcoming game Crazy Taxi: World Tour will feature a playable map set in Japan, showcasing iconic landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Crossing. Players can expect culturally themed NPC requests and distinct gameplay challenges, with the full release scheduled for 2027.
Canceled PS2 Grand Theft Auto Game Nearly Took Series to Japan, Gets Details
Former Rockstar Games Technical Director Obbe Vermeij revealed details about the canceled PlayStation 2 title Grand Theft Auto: Tokyo. The game would have been a GTA III-style experience set in Japan, emphasizing street racing and samurai swords, but was ultimately scrapped due to unfinalized contracts. Rockstar is currently developing Grand Theft Auto VI, set for release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Control Resonant | Critical Consensus
Control Resonant, Remedy Entertainment's sequel to Control, shifts to a melee-focused, open-ended world with Dylan Faden as the new protagonist. Critics praise its strong character-driven storytelling and Remedy's evolved action, though some find the combat and boss encounters underdeveloped. The game's open-world Manhattan, influenced by the paranatural, is lauded for its unique design and atmosphere, drawing comparisons to Elden Ring's progression loop.
Control: Resonant Review-in-Progress: 30+ Hours of Weird Science — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
This review-in-progress for Control: Resonant highlights over 30 hours of gameplay, praising Remedy Entertainment's signature weird science and rewarding exploration. While combat can be chaotic and some visuals appear dated with occasional PS5 framerate drops, the game's unique world, engaging side stories, and experimental combat system make it highly recommended.
Control Resonant (PS5) Review: Risky Sequel Doesn’t Fully Succeed
Control Resonant, the sequel to Control, fails to fully succeed due to its shift to melee combat and a middling character-action gameplay loop. While the art design and some story elements remain strong, the combat lacks depth, enemy encounters are overly long, and the open-world New York City setting is bland and repetitive. The game's narrative also suffers from pacing issues and excessive padding.
Control Resonant review: A superbly strange action-RPG that'll make you feel tiny and godly at once
Control Resonant is a surprisingly successful gamble for Remedy Entertainment, transforming the franchise into an open-world action RPG with dynamic melee combat. The game features a compelling narrative centered on Dylan Faden, a rich, reality-bending world reminiscent of the original's atmosphere, and satisfying progression systems. Despite some minor technical issues and performance problems on Steam Deck, the game's bold design and engaging gameplay are highly praised.
Control Resonant Review
Remedy Entertainment's new title, a follow-up to Control, shifts to action combat within an open world. The game focuses on a character-driven narrative while retaining its signature paranatural atmosphere.
Control Resonant review
Control Resonant offers a visually stunning return to Remedy's unique hellscapes, with impressive environmental design and engaging traversal mechanics. However, the game is hampered by repetitive and middling melee combat that struggles to maintain player interest over its 30+ hour playtime, despite a compelling narrative and strong voice performances.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation: Second-Take Preview
A two-hour preview of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth reveals an enormous game with a focus on freedom, allowing players to explore the open world via airship and revisit earlier areas. The preview raises concerns about potential bloat, a recurring issue from the previous title, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
GTA 6 Map: Full Leonida Map, Vice City & All Locations
Grand Theft Auto 6 will be set in the fictional state of Leonida, inspired by Florida, with Vice City serving as its primary urban setting. The map will also include diverse environments such as the Leonida Keys, swamps like Grassrivers, the coastal community of Port Gellhorn, an industrial area called Ambrosia, and Mount Kalaga National Park. While an official full map has not been released, leaked materials suggest a world significantly larger and more varied than Grand Theft Auto V.
Crazy Taxi World Tour Reveals Japan Map | Invision Game Community
SEGA revealed the Japan map for Crazy Taxi World Tour during an Xbox Livestream at Tokyo Game Show 2026. This map is the third of five planned for the game's World Tour campaign, offering a mix of modern and historic Japanese environments for high-speed driving. Crazy Taxi: World Tour is set to launch in 2027 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.
New Venom PlayStation 5 Game Details Hint at What Fans Wanted All Along
New details have surfaced for Insomniac Games' rumored Venom game on PlayStation 5, suggesting a more comic-accurate portrayal of the symbiote and a character-swapping mechanic similar to Grand Theft Auto 5. Leaks indicate playable characters will include Eddie Brock, Peter Parker, and Miles Morales, with an expanded open-world map covering more of New York City. The game is reportedly in development and may feature more brutal combat and a coexistence dynamic between Eddie and Venom.
13 years in and on its third console generation, how does GTA 5 hold up for a return visit?
This analysis revisits Grand Theft Auto 5 thirteen years after its initial release and on its third console generation, the PlayStation 5. While the game's visuals and technical enhancements, including ray tracing and DualSense haptics, hold up remarkably well, its satirical commentary on American capitalism and societal issues feels dated and at times exhausting. The article highlights how GTA Online has become the primary driver of the game's longevity, evolving into a live service that continues to resonate with players.
Remedy's Arhi Makkonen on designing the "biggest world we have ever done" for Control Resonant
Remedy Entertainment's senior level designer Arhi Makkonen discusses the significant design shifts for Control Resonant, including its expansive open-world Manhattan setting and a new focus on melee combat. He highlights the challenges and creative solutions involved in guiding players through the "biggest world we have ever done," where characters possess advanced movement abilities like wall-walking and gravity manipulation.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Nintendo Switch 2 launch trailer
The launch trailer for LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight has been released, showcasing the game's arrival on the Nintendo Switch 2. The trailer highlights Bruce Wayne's origin story, playable characters like Jim Gordon and Catwoman, numerous Batsuits, vehicles, and customization options for the Batcave. The game is set to launch tomorrow, September 17.
Popular Open-World Racing Game Just $5.99 on PlayStation Store
Electronic Arts' open-world racing game, Need for Speed Payback, is currently available for $5.99 on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 4 owners. This limited-time offer represents a 70% discount from its usual $19.99 price, expiring on September 24, 2026. The deal includes the full base game with its campaign and multiplayer modes.
Midwinter Fan Remaster - A brilliant Amiga game from my youth gets a fan remaster via Steam!
The classic 1989 Amiga and Atari ST game Midwinter has been remastered and released on Steam Early Access by solo developer Mike Singleton. This ambitious project recreates a vast frozen world where players build a resistance against an invading army, blending strategy, stealth, and first-person shooting elements. The open development model allows the community to help shape the game's future mechanics.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 only makes minor changes to its ARPG formula, but they're welcome ones nonetheless
Minecraft Dungeons 2 introduces an open-world map and increased build customization options, offering more freedom and replayability than its predecessor. While core gameplay remains similar, quality-of-life improvements like flexible enchantment application and expanded combat slots make the sequel more rewarding. The game aims for accessibility for all ages and skill levels, though on-screen chaos during combat can be a minor issue.
After 26 hours in The Blood of Dawnwalker, comparisons to The Witcher 3 feel less and less accurate
This article argues that comparisons between The Blood of Dawnwalker and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are becoming inaccurate as players spend more time with Rebel Wolves' vampire RPG. While both games share some DNA due to ex-CD Projekt Red developers, The Blood of Dawnwalker offers a distinct experience with its own mechanics, tone, and gameplay loop, particularly regarding its time-sensitive open world and melee-focused combat.
Wo Long 2: Wings Of Ember Made Me Rethink My Relationship With Soulslikes
A hands-on preview of Wo Long 2: Wings Of Ember reveals significant improvements over its predecessor, particularly its open-world structure and more approachable combat tutorials. The game retains its fast-paced martial arts combat but offers more freedom for exploration and player progression, making it surprisingly engaging for players who typically struggle with the Soulslike genre.
