Summary
Open-world gaming is one of the most mainstream ways to enjoy this popular entertainment medium, and it’s also one of the most popular genres around. This makes it important for these worlds to stand out so that players have a reason to embark on wonderful journeys in these worlds instead of feeling exhausted by the same tropes.
Having a believable world where NPCs act realistically certainly helps players immerse themselves in the game world. This is easier said than done, but developers who undertake the tough job ofdeveloping an open-world gamewith believable NPCs and are largely successful in their endeavor will be more than pleased by what’s on display here.
Rockstar has always been at the forefront of open-world gaming, arguably setting a formula for future games to emulate with the release ofGrand Theft Auto 3before building upon the success of this game with future releases in the series. It’s easy to seewhy the hype forGrand Theft Auto 5was through the roofsince Rockstar promised to help its formula elevate to new heights.
Upon release, it was clear thatGrand Theft Auto 5was a massive step in the right direction. The story, gameplay, and world design were in a class of their own, with Los Santos and the surrounding countryside being incredibly detailed. The idea of controlling three protagonists was also well-received, and NPC interactions were better than ever before.
Gothic isa rather underrated Western RPGthat focuses on the tale of a prisoner who is dumped unceremoniously into the ore mines where he must learn to fend for himself or die trying. Progression was unique inGothic, with players using their skill points to talk to actual characters in the game world who could help them hone their skills.
NPCs in the world also had their schedules, which made the world feel more immersive. These characters had their jobs, cooked food to sustain themselves, engaged in recreational activities, and went to bed by night. Fleshing out the NPC AI madeGothic’s world feel more believable and fun to interact with.
If players thought that there was no way Rockstar could make a game that wasmore mind-blowing thanGrand Theft Auto 5, thenRed Dead Redemption 2showed just how much the studio had grown since the massive success of the fifth mainlineGTAentry.Red Dead Redemption 2is a thing of beauty that fans continue to talk about to this day, and understandably so.
The story of Arthur Morgan as he and the rest of Dutch’s gang experience a slow and steady downfall is heartbreaking to witness. The world ofRed Dead Redemption 2is made even more believable by the title’s many NPCs, with players having unique interactions with these characters in the game world that show just how immersive Rockstar’s open-world games are.
One of the most unique sandbox games that players can get their hands on, the sheer amount of things players can accomplish inKenshiis mind-blowing. Unlike most games where players are the Chosen One or someone equally important,Kenshiputs players in the role of a characterwho is about as unremarkable as they come.
There’s no difference between the player character and a run-of-the-mill NPC in the early game, with the latter feeling like natural parts of the game world. Their tasks are defined and they carry out any relevant activities in a realistic and believable manner, with some of these characters making sure that the player’s time inKenshi’s world is anything but easy.
Watch Dogs: Legiongot a lot of flack when it was released. The game felt like a rather generic sandbox, and the main story didn’t hit as hard. However, one mechanic ofWatch Dogs: Legionthat is unique is the fact that players can recruit any NPC in the game world to join DedSec.
This meant that the game needed to make NPCs in the game as unique as possible, something that they accomplished with great results. NPCs couldhate or like the player character based on their actions, and it took a decent amount of work to convince more recruits to join DedSec.
