Open world games, need recommendations

Its been a while since I played botw and totk, I want to get into similar open world games with good combat systems, any recommendations?

As for platforms, I need games that aren't too intensive, my PCs are kinda weak and my consoles are a switch and an emulator that does up to GameCube/ps2

This question proves how stupid I am lol

danciestlobster ,

My somewhat controversial suggestion is outward. Low graphical intensity PC game, very open world, and some incredibly unique and polarizing design choices. If your favorite part of breath of the wild was world exploration and korok finding, you may love it! If you like quality of life features though, maybe not.

Things like, you have a world map but no "you are here" marker so need to place yourself with landmarks. You need to drop your backpack to fight effectively and remember where you dropped it, the magic system is based on insomnia with the longer since you slept the more mana you have until you push it too far and just collapse. Really really weird game that I still think about all the time years later.

sleepybisexual OP ,
@sleepybisexual@beehaw.org avatar

What platforms is it on?

danciestlobster , (edited )

It a fairly low intensity PC game, steam has it, gog does too I think

sleepybisexual OP ,
@sleepybisexual@beehaw.org avatar

Oh, so only PC releases?

hamsterkill ,

Outward is on consoles as well, though PC is its primary platform.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outward?wprov=sfla1

sleepybisexual OP ,
@sleepybisexual@beehaw.org avatar

:c

Was hoping it was on switch :3

Why are modern consoles locked down PCs with optical drives lol

hamsterkill ,

As I said, it's on consoles too — including Switch. It's just that it's a secondary platform for it — meaning it may be a lesser experience than on the platform it was ported from.

sleepybisexual OP ,
@sleepybisexual@beehaw.org avatar

K, thank you for the help

millie , (edited )

You might really enjoy DayZ. The public servers are pretty brutal, but if you find a comfortable RP server you can settle in and really enjoy exploring the landscape. Once you're used to the mechanics it's so smooth.

Stereo headphones or even like monitors make hunting a lot of fun, listening to distant sounds trying to find a deer or boar is a lot of fun. And once you're used to dealing with zombies and the sthough.l mechanics, crafting and all that, it really opens up.

Plus the ability to expand it with modding is pretty extensive. We've got some neat stuff on our own server (though not much pop atm), and I've seen others that do some next level stuff like player vampires and werewolves and stuff.

Even just the vanilla game is absolutely gorgeous though. If you like exploring, scavenging, and crafting, especially with friends, it's kind of perfect.

Conan Exiles has a somewhat similar vibe but a bit clunkier and in a low fantasy setting. It's also got a lot of D&D roleplay servers.

Bugger ,
@Bugger@mander.xyz avatar

Perhaps you may or may not enjoy Space Asshole Red Faction: Guerilla. It's a 2009 game that got a solid enough PC port that may run on weaker systems. There's a remastered version but if you're aiming for low-spec the original might be a better bet.

Anyway, it's an open world set on Mars and you go around wreaking havoc and blowing up buildings with ahead-of-its-time physics/destruction mechanics. The combat is more like a shooter and you play with lots of explosives.
It's not a huge map by standards today but is a big enough playground to keep one occupied.

account_93 ,

It's also on the Switch!

ObsidianZed ,

I'll never not upvote Red Faction.

BmeBenji ,

I just finished playing Horizon: Zero Dawn for the second time and it was way more engaging than I remember it being back in 2017. Apparently a lot of reviews ragged on it for “not being Breath of the Wild” which is a lame thing to complain about, even if the game came out at the same time, and they share a lot of thematic elements (like heavily focusing on archery, fighting ancient machines, exploring a beautiful world, etc.).

But it’s a very different game, very narrative heavy, very beautiful, and very well-optimized on PC. The combat is very focused and fun in a good way.

danciestlobster ,

I affectionately refer to it as live action breath of the wild

BmeBenji ,

That’s perfect. I don’t think there could be a better way to describe it in one sentence. It’s also a fun spin on the “like skyrim with guns” oversimplification lol

Megaman_EXE , (edited )

On the switch you have Skyrim (but I'm assuming you've played that)

But also there's a couple games that could be worth looking into. I have no idea how well they play on the switch or if they would even be your cup of tea, but there's Dragons Dogma(the first one) and also Outward. Again no idea how they play on switch but they're both open world rpg type games.

If you're up for something that is specifically all about exploring, you could try Outer wilds on the switch(this does not have combat FYI) but you get to explore a solar system and unravel a mystery.

soulsource ,
@soulsource@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

I would recommend to play Skyrim on PC though. Even if your computer is old, you should be able to get a much better experience from it than the Switch version.

I mean, I played it on the Xbox 360, and it worked like a charm. On an ancient three-core console with 256 MiB of RAM.

Then I wanted to replay it on the Switch, and was disappointed. There are a lot of physics glitches on the Switch, but what is worse is that the NPC pathfinding takes a lot longer on the Switch, such that NPCs move in nonsensical directions during combat, as they start to follow paths that they would have needed several seconds earlier. Instead of moving near the player to attack, they move near the position where the player had been some time ago. This is particularly bad on the overworld, but also noticeable in dungeons.

MargotRobbie ,
@MargotRobbie@lemm.ee avatar

Baldur's Gate 3 isn't exactly open world in the strictest sense, but the maps are so massive that you can get the same sense of wonder and exploration as something like Skyrim or BoTW.

sleepybisexual OP ,
@sleepybisexual@beehaw.org avatar

Game looks good, but I doubt I can run it

ranandtoldthat ,

Not precisely open world but has the same feeling of exploration, discovery and unlocking, Supraland. Harder puzzles, unlock things that make combat easier. Combat is pretty similar to botw.

fri ,

Yeah, don't underestimate the Supra- series of games. I thought Supraland looked childish, but then I started playing it and couldn't stop. It's SO fun.

The jokes are hit and miss, but the interconnected world, steady progression and cool mechanics make it stand out. And you can freely draw on the map to mark points of interest!

There are currently 3 games out in the series, with 4th (Supraworld) being in the works.

sleepybisexual OP ,
@sleepybisexual@beehaw.org avatar

What platforms is it on

Dymonika ,

Noita is on sale!

tehcooles ,

My god, do this one. I have like 800 hours into this game. It's amazing.

Dymonika ,

I finally picked up the Glass Cannon perk for my first time last night, and died from accidentally launching a default/starter bomb.

HEXN3T ,
@HEXN3T@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

I don't know how weak you're talking, but Horizon Zero Dawn has that same engaging, high skill ceiling combat that BOTW/TOTK does. The minimum specs don't look too bad, and the game is quite well optimised. Forbidden West is probably a no-go, though, and it's a much better game which serves as a true direct sequel. They're great if you like story, too.

The Zero Dawn Steam page.

As well as Forbidden West.

Everyone else has already made great suggestions too. This was the only different suggestion I could make.

sleepybisexual OP ,
@sleepybisexual@beehaw.org avatar

Looks good but yea, too weak

Tho it is a good game, played some on my sousins ps4 1 time

Domiku ,

I played all of Horizon Zero Dawn on a Steam Deck, so it might work for you. You can get it for like $10 on key resell websites

ICastFist ,
@ICastFist@programming.dev avatar

Others have mentioned Elder Scrolls, but nobody recommended Daggerfall yet, so it's one of my picks. Yes, the 1996 game, which you can play on Unity for a much, much better experience overall. Since the game is free, you don't need to pay a thing. Combat won't feel good, tho.

If you enjoy space games, X3 Albion Prelude might be a good option. It's "open world" in that you can go anywhere right from the start, but the main gist of the game is to get rich so you can get the capital ships. Ship to ship combat is fine, each ship class has strengths and weaknesses. It has a learning curve and can feel needlessly convoluted at times

Kingdoms of Amalur isn't really open world, but its combat is awesome. Get the original, non-remastered version, and it should run on your stronger PC, hopefully.

Dymonika ,

which you can play on Unity for a much, much better experience overall

How?

ahornsirup ,
@ahornsirup@sopuli.xyz avatar

Daggerfall Unity.

ICastFist ,
@ICastFist@programming.dev avatar

I put the link on the Daggerfall word, it's this one - https://www.dfworkshop.net/

GrayBackgroundMusic ,

It's not Zelda like, but if you like factory games, Satisfactory is as close to open world as a factory game gets. You land on a planet and have to build a factory to launch things into space for corporate overlords. It's first person, lots of climbing and building. There's a tiny bit of combat, not the focus tho.

Maestro ,
Maestro avatar

I really enjoyed "Days Gone" and "Mad Max". Not sure if those match your PC system requirements though. They are both older, and often on sale for very cheap.

exocrinous ,

Assassin's Creed 1 and 2. I've also heard good things about Morrowind but haven't played it.

ogginger43 , (edited )

Morrowind is a great game, Worth a try if you're willing to watch some videos on how to play. Its a bit unforgiving to newcomers who don't know how to build a proper class yet. Its got an android port too.

exocrinous ,

If I'm an experienced D&D player, will I need to worry about knowing how to build a class? I didn't have any problems understanding KOTOR's character creation, and I actually prefer Mass Effect 1's combat and levelling over 2. I love crpgs.

Aussiemandeus ,
@Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone avatar

Android port you say?

Xatolos ,
@Xatolos@reddthat.com avatar

https://www.androidpure.com/how-to-install-elder-scrolls-morrowind-on-android/

ICastFist ,
@ICastFist@programming.dev avatar

+1 for Morrowind. Be sure to play via OpenMW. It fixes a LOT of stuff and gives many quality of life improvements

Schneemensch ,

Assassins Creed 1&2 are not really open world games comparable with BoTW or ToTK. The world is much smaller and everything is far more linear.
The combat system is also not extremely great. You can mainly just wait for counters constantly.

That said, I still enjoyed the games (especially 2) a lot. But it is more the fun climbing action and fairly good storytelling.

Skyrim might be possible, but I have not played it personally. The witcher is available on the Switch as well.

DdCno1 ,

What are the exact specs (CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD yes or no) of your PCs? "Kinda weak" kinda covers an enormous and very subjective spectrum.

sleepybisexual OP ,
@sleepybisexual@beehaw.org avatar

My laptops are the following

A 4 GB ram celeron HDD laptop and an 8 GB ram with a ryzen of some kind. It was a ryzen 5 I think, the better laptop has an nvme

Fizz ,
@Fizz@lemmy.nz avatar

Dark souls 1. No other game made exploring the world so exciting. I was checking every single nook and cranny because the game isn't afraid to give you good gear if you look. The combat can be frustrating but the further you get the easier the game gets. Also definitely follow a build guide if it's your first ds game.

smeg ,

Note that Dark Souls games are absolute Marmite. I'm aware that some people praise them as the greatest games ever made, but I had a terrible experience playing DS1 and have no desire to touch another one!

Fizz ,
@Fizz@lemmy.nz avatar

Fair play I love marmite.

smeg ,

and that's good, I'm always happy to see completely different kinds of games get attention even if they're not my cup of tea

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