The Lamonster
Member
Easily World of motherfucking Warcraft.
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Games that gave you the greatest feelings of exploration and adventure?
- Thread starter Fou-Lu
- Start date
I wanted to really think about this question, but welp... that has to be (my) default answer. First time going through beats everything else.
Ozzy Onya A2Z
Member
Assassins Creed 4
The sailing, the shanties, landing on a new undiscovered islands, plundering forts.
So much yes.
Solid SOAP
Member
Bloodborne might be the best game I've played in this respect. You need to explore EVERYTHING to succeed. You need to hike, you need to fight, and you need to read in order to be victorious. One of the finest games I've ever played.
The thrill of discovering a brand new area, seeing the name pop up on the screen, and wondering what's it has in store is one of the main reasons I love Souls/Bloodborne.
I feel like the Uncharted games are pretty good at this. Which is sort of ironic given the linear, highly constricted way in which they are designed. But they're really good at selling you the illusion that they are more open than they actually are, all the while gently steering you down the sole predetermined path that actually exists in the game (and making you feel like you're doing it on your own).
It's a remarkable instance of sleight of hand tbh.
It's a remarkable instance of sleight of hand tbh.
panda-zebra
Member
Same here, my first taste of anything of that magnitude with such depth and detail. Existing that tunnel, being presented with the vibrant world and being allowed to just get on with whatever took your fancy, that made a big impression.
alexanderftw
Banned
I think the feeling peaked when World of Warcraft launched. There were a lot of great games before, sure but none gave me this feeling WoW did, like I was thrown into this amazing world, the atmosphere, everything. Then came Mass Effect which obviously made a mark on me. Recently it was surpassed by Witcher 3. So far nothing has yet surpassed Witcher 3. There are a few honorable mentions like Deus EX HR/MD and The Division that have an amazing atmosphere.
I hope ME:A raises the bar, though I'm extremely skeptical.
I hope ME:A raises the bar, though I'm extremely skeptical.
I think im the same. If I go on a big spelunk and accidentally get lost underground I get genuinely worried I won't be able to get home safely and I'll lose my stuff. And I'll often just wander off to look at something interesting in the distance and then be distracted by something else. The sense of being in a world is unsurpassed for me.
I do like some of the more crafted worlds - the first tomb raider reboot is enjoyable to just spend time in, which is perhaps why I 100%ed it including all collectibles
Assassins Creed 4
The sailing, the shanties, landing on a new undiscovered islands, plundering forts.
Solid SOAP
Member
I can't wait to move on to Dark Souls 3 eventually. I know it won't be the same as Bloodborne, but I love these games, man
Fredrik
Member
Skyrim
I don't know how many hundred hours I've played in total on all platforms but it's easily my most played game of all time.
Oblivion
Another Elder Scrolls, another game with hundreds of hours of playtime.
Minecraft
You know you're in for a real adventure when you have to craft maps or create huge pillars like a track of bread crumbs to ever find your way back home.
The survival aspect combined with the huge randomized triple layered world (over world, underground, neither) you know nobody has ever visited before makes this my no.1 game for exploring.
I don't know how many hundred hours I've played in total on all platforms but it's easily my most played game of all time.
Oblivion
Another Elder Scrolls, another game with hundreds of hours of playtime.
Minecraft
You know you're in for a real adventure when you have to craft maps or create huge pillars like a track of bread crumbs to ever find your way back home.
The survival aspect combined with the huge randomized triple layered world (over world, underground, neither) you know nobody has ever visited before makes this my no.1 game for exploring.
Rudimental
Member
The Stalker games.
Granted, it is a dark, depressing and fucked up adventure, but it has a great sense of exploration and discovery.
Granted, it is a dark, depressing and fucked up adventure, but it has a great sense of exploration and discovery.
To me, it will always be Oblivion. Really my introduction to big open-world games like this and yes while I've gone back to play Morrowind as well, Oblivion will always have a very special place in my gaming heart.
I couldn't fathom a game which throws you into a huge world and lets you go from one end of the world to another. The fact that Oblivion looked pretty damn good (sans character models) for it's time was icing on the cake.
Oh, and this. So much this.
Two games from my earlier gaming days stick out. One very early:
Uncharted waters: New Horizons is one of the games I have played the most hours of I think. My young self loved it, the traveling, the exploration of the seas and the excitement of finding new people and places.
Then there was this:
Morrowind was the first game that captured me in an open 3D world, where you could go anywhere you wanted. And it was incredibly beautiful. Along with that music... Biggest wow-experience in my gaming life no contest. Not the best game ever, but it did have that little something making it one of my personal favorites. The sense of exploration was incredible for a teenage me.
Many games have done good in this area the last few years, but I guess something changes as you get older. I think Dark Souls might be the game that got me closest to feeling like I did when I played Morrowind and Gothic I and II back then.
Honorable mention: Wind Waker.
Uncharted waters: New Horizons is one of the games I have played the most hours of I think. My young self loved it, the traveling, the exploration of the seas and the excitement of finding new people and places.
Then there was this:
Morrowind was the first game that captured me in an open 3D world, where you could go anywhere you wanted. And it was incredibly beautiful. Along with that music... Biggest wow-experience in my gaming life no contest. Not the best game ever, but it did have that little something making it one of my personal favorites. The sense of exploration was incredible for a teenage me.
Many games have done good in this area the last few years, but I guess something changes as you get older. I think Dark Souls might be the game that got me closest to feeling like I did when I played Morrowind and Gothic I and II back then.
Honorable mention: Wind Waker.
Slamtastic
Member
Minecraft
Skyrim
Pokemon Red
Hopefully BotW. I can almost taste it.
Skyrim
Pokemon Red
Hopefully BotW. I can almost taste it.
On the subject of holding up, I have to say that my inclusion of Pokemon is largely due to my age and gaming experience at the time. From a modern perspective, the linear railroading and stringing along really detracts from the adventure sense that only being 7 years old and the franchise being new could give in terms of immersing me into this magical world of fantasy creatures. If GF ever wants to recapture that, they have a lot of structural overhauls to make to update the series formula and bring it more in line with my modern examples.
Not sure if it holds up now, but as a child I was INVESTED
primasaurus
Member
Waiting on March 3, then I may have a more precise answer 
Dragons Dogma. When I stopped dying and could actually explore I started to lose my life to this game. The map is so big with different environments, then there are the huge dungeons, then the post game has different monsters and bigger dragons, and THEN there's Bitterblack Isle which is like another huge ass map.
eXistor
Member
Dragon's Dogma might the number 1 for this. The wonderful controls allowed for world-traversal that is just miles ahead of any other open-world game. Climbing is a cinch, the combat is gloriously dynamic it all feels like a dream to play. Also the game (the original release at least) had a lot of well implemented restrictions which force players to think before they venture. Things like the limited fast-travel and pitch-black nights. That we never got a true sequel is one of gaming's biggest failings.
TES Oblivion (my first TES and open world rpg game)
Dark Souls (My first Fromsoft game)
The Witcher 3 (my first Witcher)
Mass Effect 2 (my first ME)
Zelda Twilight Princess (first Zelda)
Once I had experienced these games there predecessors or successors just never captured that same feeling.
Dark Souls (My first Fromsoft game)
The Witcher 3 (my first Witcher)
Mass Effect 2 (my first ME)
Zelda Twilight Princess (first Zelda)
Once I had experienced these games there predecessors or successors just never captured that same feeling.
World of Warcraft. The vanilla days. No game has sucked me into its world more absolutely then those early years.
So many zones to choose from, but leveling through Stranglethorn Vale sticks out at this particular moment. The atmosphere, the ambient music, the size of the place.
Now I'm older I don't think I'll ever have the time to be so immersed into another games world.
So many zones to choose from, but leveling through Stranglethorn Vale sticks out at this particular moment. The atmosphere, the ambient music, the size of the place.
Now I'm older I don't think I'll ever have the time to be so immersed into another games world.
Used to be, for me. I still love the game though.
I've been playing Elder Scrolls Online and WOW is this game much better than when it first came out. I love exploring. Public dungeons, planemeld anchors popping up, treasure maps, lore books, skyshard hunting, and so much stuff that really rewards exploration. It's incredible and I'm mad I waited so long to finally play it.
And hell, I'm really enjoying the crafting. I can't wait to see Morrowind in a modern presentation.
Two games from my earlier gaming days stick out. One very early:
Uncharted waters: New Horizons is one of the games I have played the most hours of I think. My young self loved it, the traveling, the exploration of the seas and the excitement of finding new people and places.
Then there was this:
Morrowind was the first game that captured me in an open 3D world, where you could go anywhere you wanted. And it was incredibly beautiful. Along with that music... Biggest wow-experience in my gaming life no contest. Not the best game ever, but it did have that little something making it one of my personal favorites. The sense of exploration was incredible for a teenage me.
Many games have done good in this area the last few years, but I guess something changes as you get older. I think Dark Souls might be the game that got me closest to feeling like I did when I played Morrowind and Gothic I and II back then.
Honorable mention: Wind Waker.
I can't wait to run around in Seya Need!
Mysterious Stranger
Member
ANy Zelda game esp. Zelda Wind Waker
daninthemix
Member
High five.
Triggerhappytel
Member
The first time I managed a whole night outside was fantastic. I remember I was trekking into the hills past the Abbey when the sun was going down, and I had to decide whether to keep going and try to reach an encampment or start the long trek back to Gran Siren. I ended up staying out the night, managed to defeat a chimera ambush and ran away from a very tough skeleton lord enemy I'd never seen before. Seeing dawn break was such an exhilarating feeling. It felt very stressful and enjoyable, and sadly that was lost with Dark Arisen and its infinite Ferrystones so you'd never have the feeling of being trapped outside at night.
Pyroblazer
Member
I am surprised how good Uncharted 4 is at that. No other Uncharted game gave me that big of an adventure feeling and made me feel like a treasure hunter. Can't really agree with people who said there isn't enough combat, it makes the whole game just more tense and realistic and the action sequences are awesome as hell as always when they happen. I loved the open nature of madagascar and was surprised how I can drive around and find some optional ruins with treasures in it or a well where I could get in and needed to destroy the structure with my hook to get a trasure. The bay is the same, only difference you drive around with your motorboat. It's really a well-made game and for me topped even the second as best in thr series because it is not only a cinematic blockbuster but also a real adventure.
Other older examples: Zelda games (Wind Waker is great at that especially), Metroid Prime series, Xenoblade games
Other older examples: Zelda games (Wind Waker is great at that especially), Metroid Prime series, Xenoblade games
Jonneh3003
Banned
Ocarina of Time is still king for that to me, I hope it can be surpassed next week.
Harmondale
Member
Might and Magic VII
My first open World RPG in my favorit universe. Wow I really lived in the World, was so big, so much to discover
Only Oblivion that came Close for me. GTA Vice city as a third
My first open World RPG in my favorit universe. Wow I really lived in the World, was so big, so much to discover
Only Oblivion that came Close for me. GTA Vice city as a third
I feel really sad to see this thread not flooded with Might & Magic 6 replies, modern open world games are usually huge maps full of nothing maybe with some visually interesting points but nothing more, Might & Magic 6 was completely different, every step you take there was a city, a dungeon, an army of enemies, a character, an object or some kind of special interactive object, also the game wasn't "balanced", everything was accessible but closer to the beginning didn't mean easy and far didn't mean hard, in fact one of the most difficult dungeon was really close the the starting point, you entered to a new region or dungeeon at your risk, you were the one deciding where to go, not your quest list, in fact it wasn't rare to choose to delay a quest until you got stronger.
I could go on with the amazing dungeon design, the humor, the date and time determining shops open/close state, events, enemies respawn etc.
Trust me, if you played M&M6 you would have answered M&M6, maybe only souls games are comparable but in a different way.
I could go on with the amazing dungeon design, the humor, the date and time determining shops open/close state, events, enemies respawn etc.
Trust me, if you played M&M6 you would have answered M&M6, maybe only souls games are comparable but in a different way.
JustSomeone
Member
Morrowind
Possumowner
Member
Yep World of Warcraft,the game is collosal...And it feels it as well
Rudimental
Member
The geography of the overworld in this game is so good. Even though each different environment is relatively small, compared to some other games, it completely nails the character and transition between each one.
Deathknell
Member
WoW at launch and 10 years later Witcher 3.
Plumpbiscuit
Member
Oblivion. The music, the size, the hidden locations, crazy side quests, so so good.
K Clue iXi
Member
Assassins Creed Black Flag
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