A well-designed game world, whether it is a post-apocalyptic dystopia buzzing with neon lights and genetically enhanced humans or a medieval fantasy featuring manmade "gods," is a crucial aspect that leaves a lasting impression on players and may even entice them to play again.
By creating a well-crafted game world, players can fully immerse themselves in the gaming experience and enhance their overall enjoyment. However, there are several elements that can negatively impact this immersion, such as the absence of inhabitants in a supposed capital city or the unnatural dialogue of non-playable characters. Despite these challenges, some games thrive on the thrill of getting lost, adding an extra layer of excitement and enjoyment.
4 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The Witcher 3, the gem of its franchise, showcases expert world design. The game offers a fast travel mechanic allowing players to revisit previously explored locations, although it highly encourages exploration on foot.
While traversing the roads alongside their loyal steed, Roach, players will stumble upon numerous captivating encounters. These encounters are both skillfully crafted and thoughtfully planned, making them an integral part of the game's narrative. Unlike typical mundane fetch quests that exist solely to pad game content, these encounters are organic situations that arise within the immersive world, further immersing players into the game.
To add an extra touch, each of these encounters offers more than just experience points and a feeling of achievement – players will also be rewarded with valuable items like never before. Moreover, the vibrant atmosphere of both bustling towns and cozy hamlets contributes to crafting an immersive and dynamic environment that truly comes alive.
3 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Even though mastering the combat system can initially prove challenging and require a significant learning curve, Kingdom Come: Deliverance excels in immersing the player within its captivating universe. Players who possess experience with RPGs will undoubtedly find themselves venturing into this world, engaged in intense battles for survival, often triggered by seemingly trivial acts like pilfering a meager cabbage from a destitute villager.
The game's appeal lies in its meticulous attention to detail, captivating the player. When the player gets injured and requires rest, the NPC they interact with reacts to their condition, enhancing the game's immersive world.
The game's immersion level is unparalleled, with the lives of ordinary peasants continuing regardless of the player's actions. This unique aspect influences the player's perception of the game world, implying that they are not the all-powerful protagonist typically found in other popular RPGs.
2 Outward
A surprising but well-deserved inclusion, Outward is a challenging open-world RPG game set in a fantasy realm filled with diverse biomes, each housing unique adversaries and factions. Drawing influences from DnD, the game incorporates mechanics such as the need to remove one's backpack before engaging in combat, even against unconventional foes like a giant chicken with a bleed-inducing attack.
Moreover, Outward offers co-op multiplayer, allowing players to team up and strategize for hours as they confront unexpected adversaries, all while trying to repay a debt after surviving a shipwreck. Rather than restrict players to a predetermined path, the game encourages exploration, though it is advisable to become acquainted with the game's mechanics and world before embarking on their grand adventure.
The level of class variety also contributes to the overall gameplay experience of Outward. Players are able to select from a diverse range of options, such as becoming a war mage, a warrior, a sorcerer, or even exploring numerous other potential builds available in the game. Each build possesses unique advantages and considerations, including equipment weight for fighters, the need for sufficient rest for mages, and maintaining stamina for archers. In conclusion, Outward offers much more depth and complexity than initially meets the eye.
1 Caves Of Qud
Caves Of Qud, the unexplored rainforest of RPGs and a hidden gem in terms of world design, offers boundless entertainment to those who are not concerned about graphics. True to its title, the game transports players into a myriad of underground caves teeming with unique creatures. From colossal centipedes to moths that spew acid, and even blind rabbits resembling mantises, the diversity of endemic species is truly captivating.
There are countless possibilities to begin the game. Players have the option to either select from various pre-made characters or craft their own with unique physical and mental mutations. They can become a powerful, multi-faceted creature with fire-breathing abilities and defensive quills, or a peaceful pilgrim in the salt dunes who uses persuasion instead of combat.
As players delve deeper into seemingly never-ending caves, their focus shifts away from the quest to return an heirloom obsidian amulet to a compassionate, exiled gorilla who has formed a community with tortoises and talking fish.