Not to diminish the Ubisoft formula, but it’s hard to imagine the company creating anything that remotely feels like these open-world titles.
Even the most die-hard fans of Ubisoft probably won’t argue that the company’s open-world games all feel quite similar, be it the Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, the Ghost Recon games, or even new ventures like Immortals Fenyx Rising, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, or Star Wars Outlaws. While there is nothing wrong with Ubisoft’s recognizable approach to the open-world genre, and it can be quite comforting and fun to play, it’s apparent that for those seeking something truly special and unique that this open-world design may not be the best choice.
That’s where many other studios come into play. Over the years, many developers have adopted the pillars of Ubisoft’s formula, while others stand on the opposite side of the spectrum, delivering something Ubisoft games never even attempt. From entirely different takes on gameplay loops, open-world design, narrative flow, and core themes, here are some open-world games that do what Ubisoft’s best never could.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Open-world games developed by Rockstar aren’t just opposites to Ubisoft’s in many areas, but are largely in a league of their own within the genre, untouchable by any other studio. With its emphasis on uncompromising details, systemic gameplay, and overall slow-paced nature, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect example, widely regarded as one of the genre’s essentials.
Unlike Ubisoft’s titles, RDR2’s world feels truly alive rather than like a collection of locations to visit and objectives to clear. It’s hard to imagine much of anything happening in Ubisoft’s open-world games in between curated quest-focused sections, while Red Dead Redemption 2 truly shines in these exact moments when players are simply roaming the game’s roads and untamed wilds, meeting strangers along the way.
Elden Ring
By now, many probably saw the meme about “what if Elden Ring was developed by Ubisoft” — a screenshot from the game almost entirely covered in markers, tips, guidance, and control scheme reminders. This isn’t far from the truth, as Elden Ring is known for its near-total lack of handholding, guidance, or even traditional narrative, something that’s hard to imagine in an Ubisoft title these days.
