As technology advances the depths of reality that we can accomplish on Xbox becomes even greater. Before, it was pretty impressive when Super Mario could move into the TV screen instead of just across it. Then, we experienced haptic feedback, when the remote jiggled as Tony Hawk fell from his skateboard. Now? Now we can travel across whole new worlds, chasing storms, uncovering lost cities, and experiencing worlds that seem just as detailed as our own. Let’s take a look at some of the pioneering games that have made the most stunning open worlds imaginable.
Fallout: New Vegas
Set in the year 2,280 Fallout: New Vegas takes place in (you guessed it) Las Vegas. However, not as we know it, the world has suffered an apocalypse, and Vegas has had a bit of a ‘facelift’. The Strip retains some of its historic glory, still lit with the classic Vegas neon and divided into several casino resorts, namely The Lucky 38, Gomorrah, The Tops, and The Ultra-Luxe. Fans of casino games won’t be left out either, you can actually head inside several of the casinos and set to work on the games. Just like you would in an online casino, you’ll find futuristic slot games, as well as blackjack and roulette.
However, outside Vegas is another story entirely. Fremont and Freeside are a whole lot, how can I put this politely? Grittier. They struggle with a rough local crowd, as well as gang activity and poverty, in stark contrast to the glamorous streets of downtown Vegas. Head even further from the buzzing lights and you’ll find yourself in the middle of the desert. It’s a huge and sprawling map with an unusual, but brilliant central focal point: New Vegas.
Red Dead Redemption II Map Size - 75km2
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a cowboy (and let’s face it, who hasn’t?), Red Dead Redemption II is your gateway to the Wild West. It was one of the first games to provide a truly expansive open world. Spoiler alert: it totally steals half of the map from Red Dead Redemption (the original) but we’re not penalizing them for that. All it means is that you get to explore rolling hills, snowcapped mountains, creeks, streams, swampland and more for the first half of the game and then switch it up with some desert riding for the second half. In case you can’t tell, we’re still pretty stoked about it - even six years later!
As you explore you’ll come across all kinds of NPCs and all of them (yes all of them) you can interact with. In fact, in a clever twist, the way you interact with them affects how people perceive you in the game. It’s all very clever and - very - realistic. You can even watch drops fall on water and chase storms into the distance. Some gamers insist that if you follow a rainbow to the end then you’re in for a surprise, but we couldn’t possibly comment.
Skyrim - Map Size: 37km2
You want Red Dead, but with a bit more fire? Enter Skyrim. This game was released in 2011 so sure, the world isn’t as large as Red Dead, but it was a pioneer of the open world format. What really sets it apart (apart from the fabulous world to explore, which I promise we’ll get onto in a second) is the customization. You can choose whether to be an assassin, a hero, or a mage. This totally changes the mood of the game, meaning you’re going to have to complete quests and interact with the world in a different way to others. It’s a brilliant game and one that needs to be played to be experienced. It’s so beautiful that some gamers have taken to simply hiking through the landscape and seeing what they stumble across!
The Witcher 3 - Map Size: 175km2
We’re onto the colossus. The Witcher 3 (released back in 2015) has a map size of a staggering 175km2. If you want to do some exploring, then this is the place to do it! The world feels brilliantly lived in, its stunningly crafted and absolutely buzzing with life. Just watch out, because - obviously - not all of it is friendly. You can wander the throbbing streets of Novigrad, explore some decidedly eerie swaps in Velen, or traverse treacherous peaks in the Skellige region.
So, what’s your job? Like, what on Earth is convincing you to head out into all that danger? Monster hunting. Thankfully, you’re a pretty scary dude yourself. Think grey-haired, dead-eyed, scar-faced, monster killer. With this in mind, you’ll be hired to take down some pretty scary creatures. Some are combinations of animals that look strangely familiar, others are downright unusual. But, in doing so you get to carriage around on horseback in one of the richest (and largest) landscapes that has ever been created.
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