Open-world shooters have been so popular since the early days of gaming, that they’ve now spawned an entire sub-genre of their own. Developers have experimented with this formula in various ways, and the results range from the very subtle to the hilarious. Still, the genre has given us some of the best titles in sports throughout the years.
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The following games all take their own unique approaches to character design. Whether it’s using common item systems and skill trees or advanced weaponry and party customization, each offers a wide variety of ways players can choose to approach them. So if you’re looking to explore and destroy massive open worlds, and do it often, look no further than these outstanding titles.
10
Palworld
Uncontrollable Animal Chaos
Palworld took the gaming industry by storm back in 2024 with its simple and clever combination of Pokémon-style shooting and creature breeding. While the player character himself may not have a variety of abilities to choose from, your Pals certainly do, and there are almost limitless combinations of different types to breed.
What makes it even better is that you can gather your mutant Pals to fight alongside you to capture and control the increasingly powerful species. Combine that with a wide range of weapons from hand axes to rocket launchers, and you have a recipe for some mayhem.
9
The Borderlands
The Birth of a Franchise
The original Borderlands was different when it first arrived on the scene. In addition to its hand-drawn aesthetic style, the game was also marketed with a seemingly limitless variety of weapons – a promise that came true upon release. Combined with the different classes offered, players are free to create all kinds of builds, from SMG tanks to snipers.
The different weapons certainly keep the game fresh throughout, and the various boss battles always reward you with the right powerful weapons. Not surprisingly, subsequent entries in the series haven’t deviated too much from this original formula, which was strong at first but now seems repetitive to long-time players.
8
Far Cry 3
Trailblazing on many levels
Far Cry 3 was the first game in the series to introduce skill trees and is arguably one of the most effective at doing so. On top of the huge range of weapons that range from sniper rifles to sniper rifles, Far Cry 3 also allows you to choose, in its mental and hallucinatory way, from three skill trees of different animals: Heron, Shark, and Spider.
While you will develop these skill trees as you progress through the main story, there are a large number of sub-skills to choose from within each tier. Everything from better lung capacity underwater to resistance to fire, increased bullet damage, and more are available here, allowing for a large number of abilities and possible weapon combinations.
7
Metro Exodus
Leaving the Place
Few games manage to present their post-apocalyptic setting in the same way as the Metro series, and Metro Eksodos, the third entry in the main line, is no exception. Although it is not a single open world, the game is divided into several large maps that you explore and travel between them on a steam engine. The game features the most complex character created in the series, thanks to increased weapon customization.
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What makes this system so great is how you can transform seemingly ordinary and low-quality weapons into completely different guns, thanks to the continuous upgrade system. The game also introduces more survival mechanics and art compared to previous entries, and the game’s two DLC stories are worth checking out if you’re a fan of the main story at all.
6
The Dying Light
The Best Zombie Survival Game so far
I will happily die on a hill that the original Ding Light is the greatest zombie game made to date. Not many titles have been able to create the atmosphere that this game is able to create, and exploring a ruined city park is very fun and rewarding. In addition, the game also allows players to create a wide range of character designs thanks to its many weapons and skill points.
From high-powered crossbows and samurai katanas to two-handed axes and long-range rifles, the game lets you slaughter the undead in any way you see fit. While melee weapons are understandably more common in town, there are plenty of interesting builds to choose from, as well as awesome abilities like the double leg kick to add to your repertoire.
5
Crysis
The First Pioneer of the Kind
Crysis wasn’t just a cracking measure that people used to fry their old computers; it was actually a clever shooter gameplay as well. This is personified by the Nanosuit, a powerful military-grade exoskeleton that grants its users superhuman speed, strength, armor, or invisibility at any time.
What made the Nanosuit even more fun to use was the ability to change your skills on the fly. One moment, you might be grabbing some poor, helpless soldier by the neck and throwing him ten feet into the air, the next you’re sneaking around the other side of the camp to ambush the investigating guards. To top it all off, the Crysis series really has great graphics that still hold up today.
4
Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Tactical Squad-based Combat
Ghost Recon: Wildlands is definitely up there with the best shooters around the world. Set on a large map that replicates cartel-infested Bolivia, you and your crew can traverse the game’s world using a variety of vehicles, helicopters, and boats, but that’s only the beginning of the freedom the game offers. In addition, there are extensive loadouts for you and each member of your party, allowing you to experiment with many different weapons, gadgets, and upgrades.
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The game also features a skill point system, so as you progress through various objectives and take down cart leaders, you can also choose a skill that will suit your chosen play style. Similarly, other skills apply to co-workers, technology upgrades, and even additional help, such as rebel support and mortar strikes.
3
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Enter the Zone
STALKER 2 may not be everyone’s favorite in the series, but for my money, the open-world rendering of the Chernobyl evacuation zone is one of the best things we’ve seen in the game so far. On top of a dynamic world with its own mutants, anomalies, and exorcisms, there is an incredible amount of variety when it comes to combat and the variety of builds you can create.
While there may not be set skills or powers to choose from, limited loadouts and gear requirements mean that players can customize their builds a lot. From a range of weapons, including assault rifles, shotguns, SMGs, and sniper rifles, you can also choose from a list of weapon sets, artifact finders, consumables, and attachments.
2
Cyberpunk 2077
Contemporary Art Work
Cyberpunk 2077 has the deepest character built in any modern open world game. While you may stick to the strong ‘V’ personality, there’s plenty of room for customization when it comes to your specific play style. Whether it’s a netrunning hacker with katana elite skills or a heavy tank builder who goes into danger, Cyberpunk 2077 really allows for almost any combat build imaginable.
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The addition of countless models can also help in terms of immersing yourself as a living resident of Night City, and as one of the world’s richest games in recent memory, there is much to explore and discover. The Phantom Liberty DLC also helps create deeper character creation by introducing a new Relic Point system.
1
Fallout 3
Bethesda at Their Best
When it comes to creating a deep character build in an open world shooter, it’s very hard to top one of my favorite games of all time, Fallout 3. Starting from the birth of a child inside Vault 101, your character’s progression begins as a small child choosing SPECIAL skills, which will help you later in life to blow the heads of Super Mutants with VATSnipers.
The GOAT test is another nice touch, revealing certain aspects of your character during your youth. The skills and perks in Fallout 3 seem to have a greater impact on your overall play style than in recent games, and the fact that the game is able to build these skills over time in a focused and seamless way is what makes it my top choice overall.
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