Summary
Open world games are known for their expansiveness and unique ability to immerse players in a setting. From fantasy epics to sci-fi expeditions, there is something uniquely enticing about a wide, sprawling world that exists just for gamers to explore.
While certainly not always the case, many open world games feature expansive natural environments between major settlements. They can sometimes even act asthe driving force of the story. For those who want to take in stunning views or challenge themselves to a deadly climb, here are someopen-world games with stunning mountainous regions.
Mordor is, as one can imagine, not a very friendly place. Cirith Ungol, one of the first places open to the player inMiddle-Earth: Shadow of War, does tend to be an easier spot to begin making a foothold as a region under Talion’s control. Beyond this, the stark, imposing mountains and deep, winding cave systems are both confronting and enticing for gamers to explore.
The nemesis system,prime for usage in new Monolith titles, gets a good workout here, as captains hidden away deep in caves, alongside other threats, or on perilous mountain edges keep the player on their toes. Narrow roads along the ranges do make for good choke points, however.
Far Cry 5’s idyllic Montanan scenery is bolstered by the wide, majestic mountain ranges that are free to explore. But much like how the deadly cult hides beneath the surface of this verdant region, there are plenty of threats and dangers associated with these rocky foothills. The mountainous regions of Montana can be explored from up high with airborne vehicles or driven right through witha variety of cars and buggies. Getting the right vantage on one of these mountains can trivialize hunting or combat encounters.
Seen as a worthy successor toFar Cry 4,5’s emphasis on combat and exploration in a non-linear fashion will see players exploring many high-altitude vistas and winding valleys for gear and mission objectives. Montana’s mountains are incredibly well realized and eagerly waiting for exploration on the player’s behalf.
Greedfall’s poignant message regarding imperialism and the atypical fantasy setting made it a positive hit when released a few years ago. De Sardet’s ambitious exploration of the expansive, untamed isle of Teer Fradee offers plenty of opportunities to take in sweeping mountain ranges and search through them, too.
Withthe second title on the horizon, now is a perfect time for players inclined towards RPG elements in their open world exploration to giveGreedfalla try and be swept away by the mountainous regions on display. There is a very important message woven within the incredibly compelling story of this title, but players are given plenty of opportunities to take things at a slower pace, stop, and enjoy the mountainous majesty of Teer Fradee on display.
From the first furtive steps towards Bleak Falls Barrow to the arduous trek up to the Throat of the World, Skyrim is a land filled with perilous mountain ranges, holding unrivaled beauty within them but also agood number of bandits, trolls, and bears. One wrong move on one of these high-up mountain peaks is all players need to fall to their doom, and it’s important to keep in mind - especially during combat - how close players are to a mountain’s edge. Of course, once Unrelenting Force is unlocked, the world ofSkyrimprovides a great means of clearing enemies from up high. Gamers can even shout Lydia off a mountain (for fun, of course).
It’s hardly a hot take to callSkyrima successful title, with a phenomenal deal of popularity that Bethesda is still trying to recapture to this day, but the artfully realized land of Skyrim and the terrifying spires fit for players to explore remind everybody what made this game so great to begin with.
The record-breaking, paradigm-changingRed Dead Redemption 2is a game that thrives on natural exploration. Everything from bird watching to hunting to hiking and camping is an available pastime in this monumental title. It is little surprise that in a game as expansive as this that there are a handful ofbeautiful (though equally dangerous) mountainous regionsfor players to explore and hunt in.
From the bitterly cold Grizzlies to the iconic Redemption Mountain and the verdant forests around it,RDR2begs for players tosaddle their favorite horseand venture out into the perilous lands beyond civilization, where colossal mountain ranges wait for them.
