Open World Pitfalls

I'm a fan of Open World adventures. I like the feeling of being lost in a huge world, the ability to go nearly anywhere and the countless possibilities to experience the game. Because of that I'm pretty hyped for the next Zelda. And looking at the countless e3 awards the game won I'm not the only one.

With Breath of the Wild Nintendo returns to the Open World genre, which the first ever Legend of Zelda was a pioneer of. And from the looks it's a return to glory. But today I don't want to praise Zelda or Open Worlds. That has been done enough in the past couple of weeks and months. Today I want to take a critical look at the trend to turn every series into an Open World. I doesn't matter if it's a shooter, adventure or even Puzzle Game. Everything today needs to have a huge world. If this serves the game or not is only a secondary concern.

For Zelda it was a natural fit. Like I said above the first Zelda was one of the pioneers of the Open World style of game. But in the last couple of weeks, after the reveal of Breath of the Wild, I even heard wishes for Mario to go Open World. Or Metroid. Or Donkey Kong. And while one could argue that at least Metroid often has a semi Open World experience, it's that fact that is its strength and therefor it shouldn't go full Open World.

Now what's the Problem with games such as Metroid going Open World? Well it's something that can be observed with several other series which have performed the transition. Metal Gear Solid 5 or the actual Mirrors Edge Catalyst both suffer from a lack of urgency and direction. And while Snakes last adventure still was a great game Mirrors Edge unique gameplay suffered from the by the numbers Open World.

I think the same would apply to Mario or other Nintendo properties if they were forcefully transformed into Open World experiences. Metroid needs the boundaries to function. Mario needs confined levels to work.

This restrictions create the framework which makes these games work. By creating a set of confinements the player has to abide they can create a tight gameplay experience. This is a strength that no Open World game will ever achieve.

Source: Metroid Prime

Advancing technology makes it possible to create bigger and bigger worlds, but sometimes it's a small world that hast the biggest impact. I know I may sound like a bitter old man and I'm not talking down on Open World games in general, but the decision to transform a linear game into an open one often comes with a lot of sacrifices. Being able to go anywhere anytime is not always a good thing. Often game developers loose focus on what made their game them work in the first place because they get lost in the huge world they created.

In the end it depends on the developers to make it work. They need to compensate the unpreventable tradeoffs. They have to find a way to adapt the gameplay of their title to this new surroundings. But sometimes it's just not worth it.

But one thing I think we all can agree on. If they step into an Open World than this should never be done half halfheartedly.

In the end this is a question where the answer is based on personal preferences.

Focus against Freedom. What is your preference?

And as always

thanks for reading