Open World
Ongoing coverage on Open World.
Latest coverage
The Blood of Dawnwalker’s Smartest Idea Fixes a Major RPG Problem
The Blood of Dawnwalker by Rebel Wolves innovates within the open-world RPG genre by implementing a time mechanic that limits completionism rather than curiosity. This design choice forces players to make meaningful choices with consequences, enhancing immersion and replayability by making each playthrough distinct. The game's approach to open-world design is praised for moving beyond checklist-style content and offering a more engaging experience.
GTA 6 Lets You Carry 2 Concealed Handguns and 2 Long Guns, With NPCs Reacting Accordingly
Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature more realistic NPC reactions to player armament, with characters responding to visible weapons. Rockstar North co-studio director Rob Nelson explained that unlike in Grand Theft Auto 5, NPCs will react to players carrying visible long guns. The game launches November 19th on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush Review – Open-World Unleashed
Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush adapts the Unleashed formula into four open-world islands, offering fast and fun driving. However, the game is hampered by dull environments, repetitive tracks, and a restrictive progression system.
Stick Universe is a 2-D open world MMORPG that’s hosting an open playtest
Stick Universe, a 2D open-world MMORPG featuring stick figures, is currently hosting an open public playtest. The game offers typical MMORPG elements like combat, leveling, PvP, and loot, with a unique stick-figure aesthetic. Despite being light on content, it is free-to-play with no ads, subscriptions, or microtransactions.
HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush Review | TheXboxHub
HOT WHEELS Infinite Rush is the finest Hot Wheels game to date, offering a vast open world with four distinct islands to explore and a plethora of arcade racing events. While the game excels with its massive car roster, engaging activities, and robust multiplayer, minor frustrations arise with island travel speed and the hunt for the final collectibles. Despite these small issues, it delivers a highly enjoyable experience that captures the essence of the Hot Wheels brand.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush offers a fun and vibrant racing experience on PlayStation 5, blending classic Hot Wheels play with a large open-world environment across four distinct islands. The game features over 150 collectible cars, numerous challenges, and a robust track-building mode that significantly enhances replayability.
Hit PS5 Open World Game by Xbox 60% Off With DLC on PlayStation Store
PlayStation 5 players can purchase the Forza Horizon 5 Deluxe Edition, developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, at a 60% discount on the PlayStation Store. The sale includes the base game and the Car Pass DLC and is available until September 10, 2026.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush (PS5) Review: Fun Arcade Racing
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush offers fun arcade racing gameplay on four unlockable islands, building on the success of Milestone's previous Hot Wheels titles. While the racing mechanics are solid and there are many cars to unlock, the open world lacks the charm of its predecessors and could benefit from more varied activities.
Crimson Deserts’ Story Expansion Is Making the Base Game Feel Like Just the Beginning
The expansion 'Charting The Unknown' for Crimson Desert is transforming the action RPG by introducing new gameplay mechanics and activities, rather than just adding content. It expands exploration to underwater areas with new ships and diving gear, and introduces a more granular base-building system that integrates with companion activities. This approach aims to evolve the player experience and add depth to the existing world and its characters.
We got a look at RuneScape: Dragonwilds’ console release, here are our thoughts
Jagex provided a preview of RuneScape: Dragonwilds, an open-world action survival spin-off of the MMORPG, designed as an accessible entry point for console players. The game has been in early access since April of last year, with Jagex implementing player feedback. The full launch, scheduled for September 15, will feature a map quadruple the size of the early access version, cross-play across all platforms including Nintendo Switch, and a roughly 30-hour campaign.
Your game (probably) doesn’t need fishing
This article argues that fishing mechanics are often unnecessary and detract from the core experience in games unrelated to the sport. While acknowledging optional fishing in titles like Destiny 2 and Delta Force, the author criticizes its simplistic implementation and how it can become a mandatory activity for progression. The piece contrasts this with games where fishing feels natural, like Sea of Thieves or Red Dead Redemption 2, and suggests developers should reconsider adding fishing to genres where it doesn't fit.
Shack Chat: How do you plan to play GTA 6?
Several Shacknews staff members discuss their intended playstyles for Grand Theft Auto 6, exploring options from focusing on the narrative and character relationships to embracing pure chaos and exploring the game's numerous side activities. The discussion highlights the franchise's history of supporting diverse player approaches.
There’s one very important thing missing from GTA 6 - Reader's Feature
A reader's feature argues that Grand Theft Auto 6, despite its impressive graphics and vast world, is missing a crucial element: humor. The author feels that the dialogue and character interactions shown so far lack the wit and personality that defined previous Rockstar titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2, potentially making the game boring.
Ananta Hands On Impressions
Ananta, an upcoming open-world game with Metroidvania elements, is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and iOS. Early impressions suggest its massive open world could be a significant strength or a major drawback.
30 Open World Masterpieces You Need to Play - IGN30
This article presents a list of 30 essential open-world games that players should experience. The selection spans various subgenres within the open-world category, including superhero titles, action RPGs, and heist games.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Guide – 15 Tips and Tricks You Need to Know
This guide for The Blood of Dawnwalker offers 15 tips and tricks to help players navigate Vale Sangora efficiently within the 30-day time limit. It covers prioritizing quests, utilizing skill points, mastering combat mechanics like directional blocking, and leveraging unique abilities such as Shapeshift and Shadowstep for exploration and map control.
Crimson Desert’s First DLC Takes Players Beyond Pywel’s Shores in Charting the Unknown | Invision Game
Pearl Abyss announced that the first DLC for Crimson Desert, titled "Charting the Unknown," will launch on October 15, 2026. This expansion introduces naval exploration, new islands, underwater areas, and challenging combat. It also adds expanded housing, facility management, and deeper character relationships, along with new narrative threads. The DLC is priced at £19.99 / €24.99 and is available for pre-order on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games Store.
Crimson Desert Channels The Sims With Its Chartering The Unknown Expansion
Pearl Abyss announced that Crimson Desert's first major expansion, Chartering the Unknown, will launch in October and introduces life simulation elements akin to The Sims. The expansion adds underwater combat, building construction, and romance options to the open-world action RPG.
Final Fantasy VII Revelation Trailer Reveals Release Date, New Gameplay Systems
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will launch on April 8, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The game will feature an expanded open world explored via the Highwind airship, new playable characters Cid and Vincent, and the FITS combat system.
The first big Crimson Desert DLC arrives in October, seems to be set in a crimson desert beyond Crimson Desert's existing crimson desert
Pearl Abyss announced that the first major DLC for Crimson Desert, titled Charting the Unknown, will be released on October 15th. The expansion introduces a new region described as a 'second crimson desert' and features new mechanics such as building and decorating a mansion, romance options, and recruiting NPCs. The article expresses skepticism about the game's originality and its potential to retain player interest.
