Summary
Theopen-worldgenrehas been around for several decades at this point, captivating millions of players worldwide with the endless possibilities it offers. Being so flexible, the open-world concept can be combined with virtually any genre, such as FPSs, RPGs, Beat ‘Em Ups, and, of course, airborne combat and exploration.
Being able to soar through the skies inside a fighter jet, a spaceship, or a giant bird of prey is one of the most entertaining and fulfilling experiences in gaming. It not only allows players to cover more distance in anopen-world setting, but also provides breathtaking views of the map. Here are some of the best open-world games with thrilling airborne combat.
The Falconeerfeatures vast skies, oceans, and a fantastic world that allows players to fight while controlling giant birds of prey designed for warfare. Set in the magical world of the Great Ursee,The Falconeeralso has some elements of naval combat that, when combined with its great airborne game mechanics, deliver an unforgettable experience.
Players can upgrade their warbirds to make them stronger and more fit for combat as theyexplore the open worldthis incredible title has to offer. This title also features a dynamic weather system that will force players to adapt.
Far Cry 6presents a situation where players, who are inhabitants of the island Yara, will have to take up arms and try to overthrow a cruel dictator who has no regard for the lives of those living under his control. Giancarlo Esposito’s performance as the villainous Antón Castillo, also referred to as “El Presidente,” is stellar, adding another layer of complexity to the game.
Among the many vehicles the game features, some helicopters and planes can be used to explore the open world and fight against incoming enemies.Far Cry 6’s rich tropical setting makes for the perfect arena for airborne combat, as the vegetation allows for wide coverage. The game’s great airborne and overall game mechanics, combined with a compelling story of revolution and freedom, make for an amazing story.
No Man’s Skyis arguably one of the most complex, vast, and complete space exploration games that’s ever been made. With itsdifferent planet types(which are procedurally generated), players always have a fresh experience and new things to find. This title features both low-orbit and space combat as players defend themselves against pirates and other threats.
Players have starships and multi-weapon spacecraft at their disposal to experiment and find the right settings to feel comfortable in most combat situations.No Man’s Skyalso requires smart resource gathering, and is continually upgraded with different updates and features to keep giving players an enjoyable experience. It’s estimated thatNo Man’s Skyhas about 18 quintillion planets in total, which makes it impossible for a single player to explore them all. In fact, with the 10 million concurrent players the game has, it would still take over 50,000 years to explore them all while working together.
With planetary explorationand aerial combat,Starlink: Battle for Atlasoffers a sci-fi experience that includes fighting against aliens and other enemies in a quest to survive. With open-world game mechanics, this title has smooth transitions from deep-space travel to landing and entering planets’ atmospheres.
Starlink: Battle for Atlasgives players a ton of modular customization options for both their aircraft and weapons to deliver an exciting, adrenaline-rushing experience. The game also features an engaging story and a decent co-op mode that makes the game feel fresh, even though it’s been out for a few years at this point.
Last, but not least, it’s the champion of champions.GTA 5has not only won several accolades since it was released way back in 2013, but it’s also so well-designed that, even to this day, it still has a ton of replay value. One of the main reasons behind this is the game’s amazing airborne mechanics that allow players to commandeer a wide range of flying vehicles, ranging from recreational ones to others that are warfare-oriented.
When it comes to vehicle handling and physics, few developers can nail the concept like Rockstar Games. Their dedication results in a very enjoyable airborne experience that almost feels new every time, even though it’s been over a decade. Withthe introduction ofGTA Online,the possibilities have widened even more. The online mode has infused the game with new life through a wide variety of different ground and airborne vehicles and hundreds of new missions and challenges to complete.
