Uncover the Intriguing Secrets of 7 Open-World Games with Eerily Empty Maps
Discover the allure of open-world games with intentionally sparse maps From the creative realms of Minecraft to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Shadow of the Colossus, these titles transform emptiness into a captivating strength Experience the thrill of exploration and immerse yourself in these purposefully barren worlds
Open-world games come in a variety of shapes and forms, with each developer having their own ideas about what makes a game enjoyable and captivating. One factor that sets open-world games apart is not just the size of their map, but also how populated it is with locations, characters, and most importantly, activities.
While some games strive for a perfect balance, where the map is engaging without being overwhelming, others intentionally feature relatively sparse or even empty maps for various reasons. For instance, games that prioritize survival and exploration often opt for emptier maps, while historical games aiming for immersion may benefit from less populated rural landscapes to create a more realistic experience.
7 Minecraft
Minecraft, as an open-world sandbox game, captivates players with its emptiness, leading them to invest countless hours in its immersive experience. The game's core objective is to empower players to construct their own virtual realms and games, which they can share with friends and a global community.
The vast potential for creative expression within the game's blank canvas excites players, making it unlikely for them to ever grow weary. It offers an abundance of activities and possibilities, enabling players to transform their once vacant universe into an awe-inspiring fantasy metropolis or fulfill any aspiration they deem fit.
6 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Content Result: Kingdom Come: Deliverance stands out as one of the most captivating historical games ever created. The game unfolds in war-ravaged Bohemia during the year 1403, presenting players with a raw and realistic medieval experience. Due to its rural backdrop, the map of KCD boasts sparsely populated areas beyond the small towns.
However, this aspect of the game is far from a drawback, as it allows players to truly appreciate the serene beauty of Bohemia's rolling hills and vibrant fields in spring. Additionally, encounters with captivating characters and unexpected events feel like delightful surprises rather than mere checkboxes to fill on a map.
5 The Forest
The vast expanses of emptiness in The Forest can be truly terrifying, especially given the context of a first-person horror survival game. Whether playing alone or with friends, players find themselves as the sole survivors of a plane crash, forced to navigate an island infested with cannibals in search of food, shelter, and weapons.
The island, with its massive sinkhole and scattered cannibal settlements, offers players the freedom to choose where they establish their base. Despite the mostly empty map, every step taken in The Forest is filled with heart-pounding fear, solidifying its position as one of the top horror games in recent years.
4 Medieval Dynasty
Medieval Dynasty is a survival game set in the Middle Ages that transforms into a first-person town management game once players overcome the initial challenges.
With a focus on player-created settlements, the game offers a sparsely populated map abundant with excellent spots for constructing villages. While there are existing settlements with NPCs offering essential goods and recruitment opportunities, the rest of the map serves as an expansive rural playground.
3 The Crew 2
In both life and gaming, it is often the journey, rather than the destination, that matters. This is especially true in The Crew 2, an open-world Motorsport game that offers players the opportunity to compete in online races throughout the United States. With its expansive but minimally populated map, the game keeps the emphasis on the thrill of racing. The enormous size of the map surpasses that of rival games like Forza, boasting stunning environments that rival the finest graphical masterpieces in gaming history.
2 Valheim
Valheim, an open-world game, stands out with its intentionally empty map, offering players a charming survival and exploration experience influenced by Norse Mythology. Generated procedurally, the map consists of various biomes that gradually increase in difficulty.
Apart from sporadic dungeons that appear randomly and a limited number of bosses accessible through player summons, the world remains largely devoid of content, save for the remnants of deserted villages sporadically strewn about. However, the true essence lies in the players themselves, as they are encouraged to shape the map according to their desires using an impressive building system.
1 Shadow Of The Colossus
Shadow of the Colossus, a beloved PlayStation classic, was remade for the PS4 in 2018 and is often hailed as a masterpiece in the video game industry. Despite its eerie and captivating open-world setting, the game stands out with its intentionally desolate map, which defied the trend of crowded open-world environments during its release.
Within the desolate and unwelcoming Forbidden Land, players can solely concentrate on vanquishing the Colossi in order to save their beloved. With only a sword and bow as their weapons, the game's beauty lies in its straightforwardness.
