Summary
At the time of writing, a great many games follow the open-world game map design concept. It has become a staple in many genres, from role-playing games toaction-adventure games. But this wasn’t always the case. Back in the 2000s, especially the early 2000s, few games attempted to provide sandbox-style gameplay on a large scale.
In the 2000s, gamers began to invest in specialized technology to improve their gaming experience. High-performance GPUS, and water-cooled gaming rigs, for example. Game developers were able to leverage these new resources to create massive worlds for the player to explore, andreward this explorationas well. Based on the quality of the open-worlds and the game content, here are the best 2000s open-world games.
Sandbox Gang Game
Saints Row
Welcome to Stilwater, a city where the streets are everything but tranquil. Divided by rival gangs, you’ll need to adopt savvy street smarts in order to make money and build respect. As a member of the 3rd St. Saints, you need to push back against a city looking to wipe you out in order to rise up the ranks and eventually control the streets.If it takes theft, extortion or tried-and-true brute force, then that’s what you’ve got to do – only then will you rule the streets. But watch your back! On your way to making the Saints into the city’s controlling syndicate, powerful gangs and politicians will have you in their cross-hairs.
Saints Rowhas often been compared toGrand Theft Auto, and there is some overlap between the two. However, even though this action-adventure game does at first glance, seem very similar toGTA, it is very different in many ways.
As the leader of theThird Street Gang, the player takes on various criminal missions and quests. These take place on foot and in vehicles. The game map is huge, and players are free to roam as they wish, or follow the questlines.Saints Rowsecured a place on this list due to the underlying, often humorous themes the game tackles. At times, the game seems surreal, introducing players to outlandish scenarios.
Playing as Claude, the player is free to explore the open world map ofLiberty Cityas they please inGrand Theft Auto 3. This was one of the very first games to embrace open-world, sandbox-style map design, and encourage players to exploit the environment in any way they wished.
The gameplay takes place on foot and in vehicles, with Liberty City populated by pedestrians, all of which could interact and react with the player. The dynamic weather system added to the realism.Grand Theft Auto 3earns a place on this list, for pioneering so many concepts that have since become the staples of open-world games.
Even though the originalFar Crygame had an open-world map, it wasn’t untilFar Cry 2that the developers began to leverage this feature to improve gameplay. However, the originalFar Crygame did much to lay the groundwork for these future improvements.
Far Crycould be termed asandbox FPS game. It was also the first game to use the new CryEngine. At the time, this set the standard for graphical fidelity, showing gamers how emerging technology would soon completely change the way that games looked.Far Cryis on this list for the way it mixed open-ended missions and combat with a horror theme, and wrapped the entire package in cutting-edge graphics.
Some players seeThe Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowindas being the best of all of the open-world game maps in the franchise to date, despite being released in the 2000s. The map design included many hidden secrets and treasures to find, making exploration both compelling and rewarding.
With its excellent fantasy setting, and deep game lore,The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowindis considered one of the classic RPG experiences of all time. There are two primary reasons why the game made this list. First, for the fact that the player is free to do anything they want when they want. And secondly, because the game has a massive modding community, adding new features and improving gameplay.
It seems odd to include a blatantlytheme park MMORPGexperience on a list of open-world games. However, just because the player is encouraged to approach the game in a linear fashion, there is nothing stopping them from exploring the map in its entirety, at any time.
WhatWorld Of Warcraftdoes very well, is deliver a unique experience as the player explores different parts of the open world game map. From dry deserts populated by scorpions and vultures to sunken ruins full of deadly sea creatures, the game world is incredibly diverse, with each zone having its own identity.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreasis set in an alternative version of California, with a huge open-world game map that covers the three cities of Los Santos, San Fierro, and Las Venturas. Outside of the main urban areas, these cities are linked together by rural areas. Players are free to explore the map.
Even though the map design was the best in the franchise to date, there is another very good reason whyGrand Theft Auto: San Andreastook the top place on this list. The game has well-crafted narratives that are not all about gang politics. The game brings in themes of family values and loyalty as well.
