Games can transport us to new worlds, letting us get lost in all they have to offer. Whether we are changing their course with our choices, seeing the tantalizing sights, or getting lost in the endless activities they provide, every world holds its own allure. Here are 10 worlds on the horizon that we think will provide exciting and unique opportunities for exploration.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The world of Temeria is violent and full of surprises, and Wild Hunt lets us dig deeper into it than ever before. This is CD
Projekt RED's first open-world adventure, and the team wants to create a map that exceeds Skyrim in size. Geralt will need to travel on
horseback and sail to reach new lands, but even more exciting is bringing the
choice-and-consequence gameplay to such a big setting. Shades of gray abound, and
Geralt needs to make decisions that will alter the world around him. Certain
locales could vanish or thrive based on your choices. The world
is alive with distractions around every corner; townspeople shout for your
help, thieves try to lure you to the dark side, and you never know when a wild animal might charge at you. You decide how much to get involved, and these encounters are
rarely predictable. One minute you might think you're helping a man get medicine only to you learn he killed his comrade for treasure.
Mad Max
Mad Max's wasteland has always been ripe for video games. Plenty of games have been inspired by it (most notably Gearbox's Borderlands series), and there was even an NES game based on Mad Max 2 way back in the day. With a new film on the horizon, Mad Max is once again attempting to capitalize on its amazing atmosphere. This revival could be just what we've been waiting for. You have a badass car called the Magnum Opus to cause havoc with, complete with tire-shredding rims, flamethrowers, and a spiked grill. Cruising through the wasteland and its baddies is fun, but you also have a harpoon to demolish walls and sniper towers. This harpoon can even drag rival drivers for the ultimate punishment. The adrenaline rush of Max Mad seems to be alive from what we've seen from the game so far, and we are excited to take down enemy outposts, show the baddies who's boss, and drive into The Big Nothing.
No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky has already generated plenty of buzz thanks to its expanse of possibilities. You get to explore an entire universe, never knowing what you'll find thanks to clever use of procedurally generated content. You pilot your own spacecraft, exploring the surfaces of planets and engaging in space fights as you travel to new lands. Every planet comes with its own hazards and treasures, whether it's full of resources or deadly predators. That's part of what makes No Man's Sky so intriguing; you're constantly making discoveries while exploring exotic lands. Majestic animals roam the alien landscapes and it's up to you to discover if they're friendly or aggressive. We imagine part of the fun is learning the rules of each planet and seeing something new every time you step out of the cockpit.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Set on the backs of warring giants, the world in Monolith Soft's original Xenoblade Chronicles was imaginative and vast. Xenoblade Chornicles X
already appears to take things even further on a planet
called Mira. To navigate Mira, you use enormous mechs that can fly, cross
water, and even transform into vehicles like motorcycles. Landing on an alien
planet, you never know what your next locale will hold. For instance, the first
human colony you see is a Neo Los Angeles, complete with bustling traffic,
people shopping, fancy houses, and other vibrant structures. This city is
labeled as humanity's last hope. Not exactly what you'd expect, right? That's
what's so appealing; Xenoblade is unique in its combination of fantastical
elements like mechs and dinosaurs, while still offering down-to-earth elements that players can
relate to, making it look like a blast.
Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain
We've waited a long time for Phantom Pain, but if we've learned anything from its mastermind Hideo Kojima, it's that the upcoming adventure will be anything but ordinary. The stories have already become increasingly bizarre, so it'll be interesting to see how Kojima tops his previous creations. We've already seen hints of this zaniness with the Fulton Air Recovery System (which lets you capture goats), and boxes that turn into women to distract guards. More importantly, this open world is the studio's most ambitious attempt for the series. A slew of destinations from sprawling deserts to lush jungles have already been shown off – with the promise of horseback riding, vehicles, and rock climbing. The open-world also sports dynamic weather changes and day-and-night cycles. Sneaking around these environments should be just as interesting as the crazy antics found within them.
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