Most games feature handcrafted levels that showcase the expertise of the developers who worked on the project. For example, a lot of love, care and imagination went into the design of Super Mario 64one of the most beloved 3D platformers of all time. Would it have been as loved if it used a randomized generator?
8 Best Games Using Map Seeds
Some games allow players to provide a map seed when generating a new map, and choosing a good one can be crucial.
How about if Nintendo allowed players to create their own character instead of using the mustachioed plumber? It's hard to say if the game would have been as iconic, but regardless, there are great games that have procedurally generated worlds or dungeons to great effect now. Some even have robust character creation systems, and these are just a few examples.
Minecraft
Fun for all ages
Minecraft is the ultimate experience for anyone who just wants to start a game and then have the freedom to do whatever they want without any story restrictions. Because the world is blocky, character customization options are minimal, but there are cosmetic skins in there Minecraft which can make players look more unique, including a new set of Dragon Ball characters like Goku.
In the world, which will generate randomly, players can start working on exploring and collecting materials. Collected materials can be used to craft tools like swords, or they can start building a home and create a life wherever they want.
Terraria
2D Minecraft
Terraria is like a 2D version of Minecraft with randomly generated worlds. Players can create their character in Terraria with some pixelated options, and then they can start exploring vertically or horizontally.
Because the space is in 2D, players will be limited in what they can build, but over the years some have shown themselves to be capable of much more online with elaborate creations. If someone is stuck coming up with a cool design for their home or base and needs some inspiration, there are dedicated subreddits for Terraria to look at.
No Man's Sky
Boldly go where no man has gone before
No Man's Sky won't let players create their character from their human images, but they can shape how their costume looks, and further customization options will open up as players collect new materials and gear. This is next-level procedurally generated gameplay, as players can fly to a seemingly infinite number of planets, all of which will be different in subtle ways.
Players can fly, in real time, to these planets, land, and then start searching for life or collecting materials. Also, it's a great game to play with friends. It's one of the coolest space sims ever made, with a slight risk of players deciding to rebel.
Starfield
Fallout but in space
Starfield is a mix of randomly generated planets and handcrafted experiences. There may be important locations to visit that will not change between walkthroughs, but the terrain may change. It's like a more narrative and combat-focused space game from the mind Fall-out and The Elder Scrolls franchise at Bethesda.
Players will have much more detailed features when it comes to creating their space explorers, along with how they can customize their equipment from weapons to ships. For all who wish No Man's Sky felt more like a game and less like a sim, Starfield is the answer.
Stop the alien
XCOM 2
9/10
- Released
-
February 5, 2016
XCOM 2 is a strategy game where players go on missions that will be randomly generated based on scripted events. How players establish their base and allocate resources depends on what alerts appear on the world map.
When you enter a mission, these maps will be randomly generated, making each map feel a little more unique against alien invaders. Players can create their team even after they are randomly assigned, and they must be careful about using units in battle, as they can die permanently.
Spore
Breeding of aliens
Spore
- Released
-
September 7, 2008
Spore was designed to be the next big step in sim-based games when it launched in 2008, which creator, Will Wright, also designed SimCity and The Sims. Players can create a creature that would then create other creatures and have them evolve over time on their planet.
6 Best Tactical RPGs With Procedurally Generated Levels, Ranked
RPGs are known for providing players with multiple challenges. Here are some titles in the genre with procedurally generated levels.
The tools of creation were seemingly endless, but the game failed to create a widespread franchise, unlike SimCity or The Sims when it launched in 2008. It's not quite at the level of having one Pokémon creator games, but players can get pretty crafty with their aliens if they're patient.
Dwarven fortress
Off to work we go
Dwarven fortress is one of the most complex city builder sim games ever made, with simple graphics but confusing controls. It's basically a fantasy version of SimCity as players will dive into a randomly generated world, tasked with establishing a new dwarven society. Players can create homes, resource management centers and more and assign NPCs to perform tasks.
Watching the digital characters zoom around player-made structures is rewarding, but it takes a long time to understand what's going on. For players who want full immersion and control, Dwarven fortress is it.
.hack//fragment
A forgotten MMO
-
Developer: CyberConnect2
-
Publisher: Bandai
-
Released: November 23, 2005 (Japan)
-
Platform: PS2
.hack//fragment is a PS2 spinoff to .hedge quadrilogy, which has both online and offline mode. In both modes, players could create their character and choose a class, such as a Wavemaster, which was like a mage. In HUB cities, players could go to gates, enter random wards, which would then spawn a dungeon.
In addition to the player-created character and the ability to go online, .hack//fragment was similar to the main games except it was like the ultimate fan game, featuring characters from all over the universe, from games to anime. Unfortunately it never left Japan like so many other PS2 games.
Games with giant maps that don't waste your time (exploration without fillers)
Get lost in these open world adventures and forget you're even playing a game thanks to how packed with content they are.
