Often in open world gamesplayers take on the role of a god-like character with overpowered abilities, the world's strongest plot armor, and the power to heal themselves to full health after a few seconds out of combat. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, as these games can be a lot of fun. However, it can also be a nice change to play an open world game where the main character is not overpowered.
Instead of being one-man armies, these characters are either normal, or at least as normal as they can be under their circumstances. Unable to rely on raw overwhelming power, players will often find that their decisions matter more, and moments of victory achieved with good planning and skill feel even sweeter.
Not being overpowered is not the same as being underpowered. Sometimes you're just powerful.
7
Foxhole
Fight as a regular soldier, get killed by artillery, & benefit as a new soldier
Foxhole is an MMO based on World War II and sees sustained war fought between two sides in conflicts that can last well over a month. Unlike other MMOs, where players level up a character, unlocking new powers and better stats, no character is special in Foxhole and after each death players will play as a new regular soldier.
8 Best Open-World Games If You Want A Second Life
These open world games are not only incredibly long but also have immersive mechanics to keep players engaged in their virtual worlds for hours.
It's incredibly easy to die in Foxholeespecially on the front lines, where an ill-fated artillery shell can strike from afar. This is part of the realism and the fun, and thankfully it doesn't take too long to create. With death always so close, players quickly learn to duck behind trenches, run from tanks, and be wary of anything that slows them down, such as mud. Players don't have to fight as they could instead play as a medic, drive supplies to the front or produce equipment in the backline. Whatever they do, they are a normal soldier or worker contributing to a wider war effort.
Snake goes down fast unless he's smart and quiet
When you think of open world games that don't make them feel like a walking tank, survival tends to be the first genre that comes to mind. However, stealth is just as capable of delivering these types of experiences, and MGSV: The Phantom Pain is the best open world variant. While you can technically go flaming, you're making the game much harder on yourself, as Venom Snake's skills lie in infiltration.
You are encouraged and, at times, forced to carefully plan your missions, using every tool at your disposal to avoid detection and quietly complete your objective. If you get caught and have to eject, be prepared for a reset, as Snake is far from bulletproof. As the campaign progresses, you'll gradually become more confident in your skills, but you'll likely never reach a point where you can mow down an enemy base without even trying to use stealth.
5
Project Zomboid
A game that asks players how they will die?
Project Zomboid can certainly be considered a game where characters are overpowered or special, as it leaves players wondering how they will die. The only thing that separates the player character from the hordes of zombies is that they are not currently dead. In this top-down open-world game, players must use all the tools at their disposal to survive as long as possible.
Upcoming zombie games that people are excited about
Whether you're in the mood for horror or something sillier, you shouldn't have any trouble finding an exciting new zombie game.
Zombies will see or hear the player and form large hordes to hunt them down. As a regular human with no special abilities, players must also contend with the harsh realities of living in a post-apocalyptic world, some of which sound pretty mundane but are actually super fun to interact with. For example, these truly human characters have to fight against boredom, thirst and even depression. While they will never be overpowered, characters can level up and gain new perks, but this is entirely realistic, as doing things usually makes you better at that skill.
4
Red Dead Redemption 2
Arthur is capable with a gun, but he lives in a ruthless and realistic world
Rockstar's open world games tend to walk the line between realism and absurdity, with GTA generally leaning towards the latter. In comparison, Red Dead Redemption 2 almost feels like a western sim, and that goes beyond the inclusion of lengthy animations for even the simplest of acts. Arthur Morgan is a skilled gunslinger who can get the better of anyone in a duel, and he will fight dirty because he knows that one wrong move could end his life.
Gifted as he is, Arthur is never portrayed as some unparalleled unstoppable force, and his death can come quickly and suddenly during firefights. Arthur is a rare case of an open-world protagonist who is neither overpowered nor underpowered, and even mechanics like Dead Eye are limited and reflect his extensive experience as an outlaw.
3
Arma 3
A realistic modern military game where you play as ordinary soldiers
Arma 3
- Released
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September 12, 2013
Arma 3 is a modern military sandbox game, where players take on the roles of regular soldiers, tank crews and drone operators. As one of the most realistic war games, no player is invincible or special. As a sandbox game, players can do almost anything they want, including both online and single player modes.
There are also player-made scenarios and game modes, and players will never feel overpowered. Even inside the best vehicles there are always specific threats to be aware of. Players must be smart and on their toes to survive.
2
Death Stranding
Save the world as a courier, not a fighter
Death Stranding is a unique open world game with an atypical hero who is not very useful in a fight, but a great porter. In the eerie post-apocalyptic world, Sam Bridges must reconnect remote cities to the Chiral Network to get America back on its feet.
Best Semi-Open World Game
Semi-open world games are a cross between open-world and linear games, with several large maps serving as individual instances.
To do so, he must cross treacherous terrain and battle the elements to make deliveries. Many aspects of the logistics have to be taken into account, as Sam has no superpowers. Players will also engage in building mechanics, and there is combat in the game, although they will quickly become overwhelmed. Death Stranding is also known to be one of the most atmospheric open world games.
Death Stranding 2 fits too, although you feel a bit more powerful in that game.
1
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Henry starts out as a blacksmith's son and can never fight against large groups of enemies
Kingdom Come: Deliverance widely regarded as one of the best medieval games of all time and known for its strict adherence to realism. At the start of the game, the main character, Henry, is no more than a blacksmith's son, barely capable of carrying a wooden training sword. As the story progresses, his skill improves tremendously, but since armor actually works in this game and can't be cut through like in other depictions of the era, no fight will ever be easy.
At most, Henry can take on about 3 enemies at once in the endgame, assuming he has full-plate armor and a top-tier weapon, but this is still a push. While this realism may not be for everyone, every fight feels incredibly satisfying, and so do other aspects of the game. For example, in the beginning Henry can't read, and the way he learns is surprisingly funny. Although his status rises throughout the story, Henry remains humble and is ultimately a pawn in the larger game between nobles.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 also qualifies, since Henry starts off pretty weak in the sequel.
Open-World game with the best stories
The focus of open world games is often placed on exploration and player freedom, but some titles also manage to tell great stories.
