8 Best Open-World Games With Barely Any Plot

Not all open-world games need a story to keep fans engaged. Sometimes, the gameplay itself can be so riveting that players will forgive these games for not being too heavy in the narrative department.

It may seem foreign to fans, but the excellent gameplay of these titles is more than enough to keep fans engaged for the long haul. In a way, players carve out a story of their own in these games instead of following a pre-ordained path, simply by exploring and engaging with the open worlds.

The Matchless Kungfu

Freeform Structure Promotes Gameplay Over A Narrative

Players who want a challenging open-world game with a heavy dose of martial arts will love what The Matchless Kungfu brings to the table. The game’s progression depends on the player’s progress, allowing them to place certain chunks on the map after fulfilling certain requirements.

Without a main story, players are encouraged to play the game however they wish. Mastering the combat and struggling to survive while dealing with the game’s weird rebirth system is compelling. Players will love spending a ton of time mastering the game’s combat.

Caves Of Qud

An Open-World Roguelike That’s All Gas, No Brakes

An open-world roguelike that throws players into the thick of it in no time, Caves of Qud is not a game for impatient players. It takes a while for players to figure out the gameplay mechanics enough so that they won’t die after their first combat encounter.

Mastering the game’s mechanics and allying with the game’s factions is so riveting that most players will just ignore the main quest. The ‘s focus is more on organic gameplay moments, with the scope of this title making up for its rudimentary graphics.

No Man’s Sky

The Core Focus Of This Game Is Spacefaring Exploration

No Man’s Sky overcame a horrendous launch to become one of the best space exploration games fans can check out. Getting to the center of the universe is just an elaborate excuse for players to check out this massive universe.

Traveling in space, harvesting resources, exploring planets, and engaging in the many side activities added via updates makes for a great time. If players want a relaxing exploration game, then No Man’s Sky will be right up their alley.

Kenshi

Bucks Modern Trends And Lets Players Carve Their Own Path

Kenshi is a unique open-world game where players don’t have any goal to follow. They create a character, choose a background, and are dropped into a random location in the world based on this choice.

From this moment, players can do whatever they want in this sandbox. As challenging as this game may be, slowly making progress and interacting with the game’s deeper systems makes for a great time that shows Kenshi players just how far they’ve come.

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

Organic Gameplay That Isn’t Constrained By Linear Storytelling

The Mount & Blade games are known for giving players a ton of freedom, letting them pursue goals of their own making in a wide-open sandbox. Bannerlord is no exception, with this sequel being bigger and better than ever before. Players can control a gang of misfits, operate under a Lord, or form a legacy of their own that’s totally independent from anyone else. Either way, the sky’s the limit in Mount & Blade 2.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

The Combat Is The Meat & Bones

Dragon’s Dogma 2 features one of the best combat systems in the series. Sure, there may be a plot, but it’s a threadbare excuse that encourages players to explore the world and make the most of their vocations.

As the combat system opens up even more, players will get to face off against the game’s strongest enemies and enjoy the progress they’ve made. The core gameplay loop of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is so strong that players will forget about everything else.

The Sims 3

An Open-World Entry Considered To Be The Franchise’s Peak

The Sims 3 is an amazing open-world life simulation title where there isn’t a main story to find. Rather, the narratives that form are the ones that players have a direct hand in, as players guide their Sims on their journey from being an infant before growing into a competent adult who wants to pursue a career.

Players will have a blast engaging with the gameplay mechanics of The Sims 3 in this open-world setting. It’s a shame that the sequel discarded this approach, making it a disappointment in the eyes of many.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

With A Focus On Gameplay, The Bulk Of The Story Is Optional

Breath of the Wild is one of the greatest open-world games ever made. After a brief tutorial where Link is told to head to Hyrule Castle and save the princess, players are thrown into an open world full of things to do.

From this moment, players can explore wherever they want, even going so far as to make a beeline for Hyrule Castle, if they wish. Of course, the Guardian Stalkers will sober them up as they explore various corners of the world to become stronger before finally heading to the castle and stopping Ganon by any means necessary. There are some story cinematics, but the vast majority of them are optional and aren’t required to enjoy the game.