Call of Duty has been a video game staple since the first game launched in 2003 on PC. Medal of Honor was still the biggest military franchise on consoles at the time, until a version of Call of Duty 2 launched alongside the Xbox 360 in 2005, which changed everything. It is now the number one shooter that both gamers and non-gamers like to play on a yearly basis.
The Call of Duty the series is now over two decades old, and yet it has never had one open world entry. There are certainly titles with more open areas or open play, such as Call of Duty: Warzonebut no true open world game exists in the franchise. While they don't exactly match, these games either feature stunning first-person photography or military experiences that blur the line between fact and fiction, and they're about as close as players can get to a true open world Cod game.
Halo infinite
Master Chief Goes Open-World
Before Call of Dutythe Halo series was the premier first-person shooter franchise on consoles. Halo infinite is a step ahead again, as it is an open world game with the same gripping gameplay as the other titles in the series. Master Chief can switch between dozens of alien and human weapons and blast away enemies with ease. There are also vehicles to command, from ghosts to warthogs, making traversal easy.
Another great gimmick is the Master Chief's grappling hook, which helps players climb up large rocks more easily. It might not be a traditional open world game with big cities, various NPCs offering quests and cool places to explore, but for Call of Duty fans, that's enough. After all, the photography is superb in Halo infiniteand that's all that really matters to shooting fans. Additionally, Master Chief is a gaming icon that has its own appeal.
Destiny 2
Less open, but solid
Destiny 2 is less of an open space game with an expansive planet and more like an open galaxy game. There are hub areas where players can visit shops and accept quests from NPCs, but quests will send players across the galaxy. Taking on a mission, Strike, Raid or something else will send players to specific locations on a planet for a more linear experience similar to most shooters. But the same planets can also be freely explored outside of missions. They're smaller in scope than most open-world games, but they're still engaging to explore either solo or with random players online.
What's more, the developer who created HaloBungie, moved on after Halo: Well to start Fate franchise. That means they brought their awesome gunplay to the looter shooter genre. In addition to numerous sci-fi weapons, each class in the game is given a variety of powers to blast enemies away with, from beams of light to fiery bullets from a magical revolver. Best of all for Call of Duty fans, players can start playing Destiny 2 free on consoles, although some of the better content requires spending a little money on expansions.
Far cry 6
Reclaiming Paradise
Far cry 6 is the most recent entry in Far Cry franchise, and while any game after and including Far cry 3 is worth recommending, this post has a more menacing military influence. It's also a more grounded game, as there aren't any big sci-fi elements. Players are part of a revolution working to bring down a dictatorship one base at a time. They will explore a rich island with many tropical features, from towering mountains to beautiful, crystal blue rivers.
Shooting is less responsive than some other entries in the series, but it's stable enough to get the job done. The weapon variety is greater than most, especially when it comes to explosives. Additionally, players can acquire animal companions to help them on missions, which is a bit dumber than anyone else Call of Duty games, but there have been animal companions before. The dogs in Call of Duty: Ghosts come to mind, so fans of that particular entry should love Far cry 6. In addition to shooters and animals, it should also be noted that players can steal vehicles to get around, completing the open world experience.
Cyberpunk 2077
Become The Terminator
Cyberpunk 2077 is another sci-fi example, and one that's less of a strict shooter and more of an RPG. The nicest thing about the game is how open it is. Players can go into most situations with weapons at the ready, or they can be sneaky with sneaking and hacking, or even be diplomatic with the right dialogue choices. With the right modifications to V's body, players can gain cybernetics to enhance their shooting skills if they want to transform their cyborg hero into The Terminator.
For example, they can get new eyes to target enemies better, or arm enhancements to stabilize their aim. There are even weapons with specific modifications that will help in a gunfight, like bullets that automatically target enemies. With tons of weapons to find and customize, a large city to drive around, tons of NPCs with quests to complete, and a desert outside the metropolis just waiting to be explored, Cyberpunk 2077 has content for weeks. Fans of the more futuristic Call of Duty post, which Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Will definitely enjoy it.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands
Ubisoft's equivalent of CoD
Tom Clancy's novels are great for dads and grandpas who want to read about great military endeavors and secret intrigues. It made sense to capitalize on the popularity of the 90s by doing Tom Clancy game, and each post definitely has a military advantage that Call of Duty fans will appreciate. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands is the first game in the series to take place in an open world, and the like Far cry 6it is rooted in reality. The only catch is that it's a third-person shooter, which not all are Cod fans will like, but there are mods for the PC version to play it in first person if that's a big problem.
Aside from mods and perspectives, players get an open approach to most missions, whether they want to go in hot or take out enemies silently. It's more satisfying to plan a mission with friends online and then execute them to perfection without setting off any alarms, but single player is also fun, so multiplayer isn't a necessity. In addition to trusty pistols, shotguns, and sniper rifles, players can get a handful of gadgets like drones to monitor the land. There are also vehicles to cruise around in. If any of Activision's team plans to make a third-person entry in the Call of Duty franchise one day they should make sure Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands for inspiration.
