These 10 games proved that, at least as far as open worlds are concerned, bigger doesn't always mean better.
10. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeros
The prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a small game in itself, and therefore has a small map, but it still made a big impression. The Cuban military base we sneak into is a Metal Gear fan's dream. We enter the base with almost nothing and have to get most of the gadgets ourselves. Luckily, since the map is so small, we can memorize a ton of useful items.
9. Assassin's Creed II
Before Ubisoft built bigger and bigger maps that became increasingly irrelevant, Assassin's Creed II was the perfect size. Cities like Florence strike the perfect balance between a large map with lots to explore and unique locations that give us a sense of direction as we jump from roof to roof.
8. Mafia II
Empire Bay is a perfect stand in for New York. Even if we had hoped for a little more interaction, we love the flair of the city with its cars, clothes and old buildings, which sends us straight back to the 1940s and 1950s.
7. The Simpsons Hit & Run
Of course, that's not quite fair. The Simpsons Hit & Run makes every Simpsons fan's dream come true and lets us run, swing and drive through Springfield as Homer. And there's no shortage of fan service, which is why one Simpsons character after another is in the game.
6. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the past
The classic 2D Zelda games feature numerous interesting smaller maps. What makes this version of Hyrule unique is that it consists of two maps. As the game progresses, Zelda enters the Dark World, and we get to explore a darker version of Hyrule with an identical layout. Switching between these two maps plays a key role in the gameplay, enhancing the dual-world experience.
5. Shenmue
Even today, Shenmue offers a distinct portrayal of a Japanese city. Set in Yokosuka, Japan, it demonstrates how to create a small yet immersive open world. Filled with mini-games and NPCs following daily routines within a day-night cycle, the map feels vibrant and alive, still holding up against modern games.
4. South Park: Stick of Truth
Packed with references to the show, this production of South Park made our fan hearts beat faster. Be it the woodland critters in the forest or Jesus himself in the church. Every place we love from the show is not only in the game, but also has a secret buried in it.
3. Batman: Arkham City
Arkham City, the prison-turned-city, is the perfect place for a brutal billionaire in a bat suit. Filled with his biggest enemies like the Joker and Tow-Face, Batman has plenty of reasons to get in there and take a beating. But it was the smaller stories, like the Calendar Man and the Mad Hatter, that made Arkham City such a special place.
2. Yakuza Series
Few series are as famous for their various map versions as the Yakuza series. Kamurocho is particularly beloved by fans for its vibrant entertainment district, offering activities like karaoke, dancing, and brawls, ensuring there's something for everyone. Since opinions on which map version is the best vary widely, we'll place the entire franchise in second place.
1. Gothic
Rarely has a mining colony been as famous as the one in Gothic. A prison complex surrounded by a magical barrier to ensure that no one escapes. You can see how much love has been put into this world with this extraordinary world building. The NPCs in the world also have such well-developed personalities that it really feels like we are in a cute little village. Gothic's map shows that a game world doesn't need thousands of NPCs hanging around, but the love of narrative detail also enhances the map.
Can you think of any other open-world games that let you explore an unforgettable place?