Summary
The open-world genreholds an array of titles thatkeep players hooked for countless hoursat a time and transform video game sessions into immersive experiences akin to those in the real world. However, sometimes it is nice to hop in for a short while, fight some bad guys, and still experience the joy of traversing these expertly crafted worlds without a huge time commitment.
Many games demand constant attention and focus on their story, rewarding those who remember specific narrative beats and those grinding out higher gear tiers. Thankfully, there are plenty of open worlds to be explored that can be experienced at a slower pace without detracting from the overall experience, whether it’s taking on mighty dragons or clearing another city district of the scum that roams the streets.
Quite the adventure and perfect for short sessions,Dungeons of Hinterbergthrusts players into the snowy green alps and pits them against slimy and aggressive foes ranging from slithering balls to gigantic snakes.
Abreakout indie titleand one to pick up, jumping intoDungeons of Hinterburgis quick and easy, with the gameplay revolving around clearing dungeons of various difficulties and challenges. Each dungeon takes no more than 30 minutes to complete, and there is plenty of exploration and a bunch of characters to get to know over time.
What a unique and special game.Dredgeenters a lofty category of exceptional indie games, providing a very simplistic yet immersive fishing experience with an art style that is both gritty and beautiful at the same time. Each trip out into the sea feels different, and, much like in real life, time is limited, so be sure to head back to shore before nightfall comes.
There is so much to uncover inDredge,from the long list of sea-life aberrations that lie under the water to the little trinkets and story beats that keep the game feeling fresh on each visit to a new area. It really can be played at any pace. With the whole story taking less than 10 hours to complete, there is no rush and no pressure to do things quickly or in a certain way. The world is meant to be explored casually, even if the dangers that inhabit it are nothing to scoff at.
It is everyHarry Potterfan’s dream to become awizard themselves and learn spellsat Hogwarts. Well,Hogwarts Legacyis the closest this dream has ever been to reality, allowing pretty much the entire wizarding experience to be played out inside the walls of Hogwarts castle and into the skies and beyond.
Quests, puzzles, enemies, and more await around every corner, some taking just a moment of time to complete and others requiring a bit more investment. At no point does it feel drawn out or boring, as the player can stop at any point in time and pick up their wand where they left it.
This is the third entry in a cult favorite series with some amazing visuals and fantastic combat variety.InFAMOUS:Second Sonbuilds on a lot of the strengths of the first two games and spins off the universe into a standalone ride that any gamer can enjoy.
With a wide-open city to explore, there are so many side-quests to complete, civilians to save, and details to be uncovered. The joy comes from the different choices that the player can make, impacting which abilities can be unlocked—whether good or bad—and there is no need to sit down for hours as each mission can be tackled in a short amount of time and returned to at any point.
Another entry in theFar Crycatalog sees players tackling the rule of a vicious leaderin the Carribean,fighting militia and acquiring a diverse arsenal of weaponry to take on enemy groups and save the locals from their oppression.
Far Cryhas always been a great series for jam-packed worlds of Easter Eggs, small collectibles, missions, and more, andFar Cry 6is no different. Sometimes, a play session can simply involve running around and picking up hidden items, while another could lead the player on a full-blown explosive onslaught. The options are endless.
CD Project Red does it again. IfThe Witcherseries didn’t hit the right notes, then how about taking all that award-winning game design and thrusting it into a sci-fi city full of cyber augmentations, robots, and a truckload of guns?
The developer’s ability to create and fill a world with so much passion and content is remarkable, andfighting through groups of enemiesand bosses with modifications and weaponry straight out of a science fiction dream is exciting and satisfying every timeCyberpunk 2077boots up.
A special game and a delight that can be experienced in a very short time,Firewatchputs players in charge of a watch tower, surveying the surroundings for potential fires, but it quite quickly becomes so much more.
Exploring the seemingly empty yet living, breathing world has a feeling like no other, as the player is incredibly alone in the forest but guided and spoken to over their radio, giving a sense of companionship despite their solitary adventure. It is a game about family and love, and by the end of its short runtime, more than a few tears will be falling. Thankfully, after completing the game, a free roam mode becomes available, allowing players to explore the vast forest however they choose.
The classic sandbox that has defined an entire generation of video games,Minecraftwasted no time in revolutionizing how players interact and play games on a global scale, providing an incredibly simplistic and accessible premise and setting the only limit as the individual player’s imagination.
Mine for precious minerals and return to the surface toconstruct castles, airships, and entire civilizations, or be happy in a modest dirt hut if that gives enough satisfaction. The game’s success comes from the ability to play alone or with others and do anything and everything that comes to mind, even if that’s making a quaint forest house with a pleasant flowery garden in a single evening.
