The careful approach flies right out the door as soon as you boot up these open-world titles that want you to unleash your chaotic side.
The open-world genre covers a huge range of locations, themes, and gameplay styles. Some games focus on a more methodical progression that requires thought and planning, while others go the complete opposite direction, delivering an experience that forgoes any need for preparation and instead leans heavily into action and chaos. By removing limits and giving players all the tools they need to effectively do anything they want, they manage to create an incredibly satisfying and fun loop that manages to remain compelling right up until the credits roll.
There are quite a few different ways of going about this gameplay style, as there still needs to be some semblance of meaning in the midst of the chaos. Many games opt for a more sandboxy feel that turns even the main questlines into opportunities for players to just mess around, but there are also examples where the whole point of the game is to have as much explosive fun as possible, never taking itself too seriously, both in the narrative and the gameplay. Whatever the approach, being able to fly, gun, drive, and leap through these gigantic open worlds will always be fun, regardless of whether players are picking up the game for the first time or revisiting it to capture some of the same excitement they had the first time around.
Just Cause 4
Details:
Absurd mobility that transitions directly into combat
Less strategy is needed to pull off insane ideas
Just Cause 4 is built around the idea that every single encounter should be approached as if it were a blockbuster action movie being filmed in real-time. The mobility is the standout mechanic that enables this chaotic playstyle, as players can grapple, glide, and fly across the landscape in a matter of sections, quickly dismantling entire fortresses from above and outplaying enemies with speed and unpredictability alone.
There are also so many different weapons and tools that feed into the action-heavy approach, each with its own unique purpose and use case. Explosives can send cars flying and take out huge groups of enemies in one fell swoop, while the guns give players the opportunity to take a more hands-on approach that feels just as enjoyable and absurd as any of the other choices. And, even when things start to go poorly for the player, there are always chances to swing back the other way, ensuring that no matter how rough the situation may be, a healthy dose of action is all it takes to make it through alive.
Grand Theft Auto 5
Details:
Open-world sandbox with very few limits
Spontaneous action that often results in a more successful mission
Grand Theft Auto 5 is practically the poster child for chaotic video games, letting players tackle any of the missions and encounters with as much explosive flair as they could possibly want.
