Summary
Open-world gameshave experienced both a rise and fall in the last decade, with many of them boasting beautiful, sprawling worlds for players to explore that tend to fall flat due to bloat and a lack of innovative mechanics. Still, the massive success ofopen-world titles likeThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomandElden Ringkeep the genre alive by challenging developers to craft their open worlds in such a way that moves the genre forward rather than contributing toward its stagnancy and far-too-often lackluster appeal. These successes have thus fueled the development of several highly anticipated open-world games, some of which are slated for a 2024 release.
2024 is packed with a variety of titles that gamers have been anxiously anticipating for some time, likeFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth,Hades 2, andVampire: The Masquerade-Bloodlines 2. However, among 2024’s most awaited games are several open-world titles that have garnered even more attention than the rest, which will ultimately make for quite an interesting year, consideringthe open-world genre’s reputation. However, gamers can not only expect to see an array of new open-world titles released in 2024, but likely also an evolution of the open-world model, as these highly anticipated games aim to defy expectations by delivering something fresh, innovative, and immersive in their open worlds.
The Biggest Open-World Games Confirmed for 2024
As was previously mentioned, 2024 is going to be a big year for the open-world genre, thanks to the confirmed release of some of gaming’s most anticipated titles in the last few years. Many of these titles have been a long time coming, including a game that has been through one of the mostunfortunate development cycles inSkull and Bonesin recent memory, andDragon’s Dogma 2, the sequel to the surprise hit that was released over a decade ago.
Here is a list of the most anticipated open-world games confirmed for a 2024 release, along with their expected release date:
Batman: Arkhamdeveloper Rocksteady’s new IP,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, will kick off the new year as one of 2024’s biggest open-world games. Hopes are that it will produce enough momentum to fuel the releases that follow it, despite someearly criticism fromSuicide Squadfans. Fans of Ubisoft andAssassin’s Creed 4: Black Flagwill finally get to experience the long-awaited pirate adventureSkull and Boneswhen it releases in February, andDragon’s Dogma 2is expected to top the success of its predecessor in more ways than one. Finally, Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment’sStar Wars Outlawsis perhaps the most anticipated title of the bunch, as it claims to be the first fully open-worldStar Warsgame ever made.
Star Wars Outlaws
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITYExplore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORYLive the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONSTake on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEATPilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
What New Open-World Titles Will Bring to the Table in 2024
New Open Worlds Are Likely to Follow in the Footsteps of Past Successes
The open-world genre has had a tough go at it for some time, as the desire of fans for large-scale experiences simultaneously presents developers with the challenge of not only making sprawling game worlds but also ensuring they are worth remaining in for more than a few play sessions. This daunting task has led to some unfortunate catastrophes, like Square Enix’sForspokenand Bioware’sAnthem. On the other side of the spectrum, there areopen worlds that don’t fail, likeGhost of Tsushima’s orAvatar: Frontiers of Pandora’s, but still fall short of what could be classified as a successful open world, due to their all-too-familiar approach to the model. That being said, when developers get the open-world formula right, those games typically shine brighter than most.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomandElden Ringare examples of open worlds done right. Their lack of hand-holding encourages exploration by guaranteeing rewarding ventures if they choose to veer off the main road. Rather than forcing exploration by bluntly telling the player where to go to uncover hidden secrets, collectibles, or quests, their maps lack the icons that transform what should be exciting discoveries into nothing more than a list of chores to accomplish. Instead,Tears of the Kingdom, for example, uses sound and visual cues to lure players in, leaving their discoveries feeling more personal and rewarding in the end. Thankfully, open-world developers have taken note of the success of games such as these and are more likely to follow in their footsteps as a result.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Is Four Times Larger Than Its Predecessor
WhenDragon’s Dogmawas released in 2012, it quickly became a surprise hit. Despite its often clunky combat and hardcore nature, it was praised for its open world’s lack of hand-holding andDragon’s Dogma’s epic boss battles. A year later, an enhanced version titledDragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisenwas released, eventually earning recognition as one of the best modern role-playing games. Now, its proper sequel,Dragon’s Dogma 2, looks to take its predecessor’s success to even greater heights in what is one of the most anticipated titles of 2024.
It has been confirmed thatDragon’s Dogma 2’s map is around four times the size ofDragon’s Dogma’s, and while that may seem daunting when considering the sheer magnitude of the first game’s open world, Capcom’s approach to the sequel’s open world is likely to remain the same as it was withDragon’s Dogma, if not improved. Fortunately, a significantly larger map size forDragon’s Dogma 2also means more opportunities for players to explore the reaches of the open world and make discoveries of their own. As Capcom has proven its capability of properly handling a sizable open world in the past,Dragon’s Dogma 2will likely tell the same story.
Star Wars Outlaws May Escape the Open-World Stigma Associated With Ubisoft
As the first open-worldStar Warsgame and a child ofinfamous open-world developer Ubisoft,Star WarsOutlawscertainly has a lot to prove when it releases in 2024. While the game is being developed byThe DivisionandAvatar: Frontiers of Pandoradeveloper Massive Entertainment, Massive has still shown its tendencies toward the bland, repetitive open-world formula that Ubisoft tends to implement, although some elements ofAvatar’s open world feel like a step toward evolving that formula. The hope is that Ubisoft and Massive have learned from the criticism their game worlds have received in the past and thatOutlaws' map will reflect that.
Star Wars Outlawsis a rather ambitious project for Ubisoft and Massive, so they may have no choice but to adjust their approach to the open-world model they’re familiar with. Features like bothground and sky exploration on multipleStar Warsplanets, and the seamless travel between them, require a different type of open world than the developers are accustomed to implementing. This could very well be enough to push them beyond the boundaries they have become most comfortable with to create something gamers and critics alike won’t expect, possibly even sending the game soaring toward higher scores than the developers are known for.
New Trailers and Updates for 2024’s Biggest Open-World Games
Rise of the Ronin Is Team Ninja’s Most Ambitious Game Yet
Team Ninja, the development team behind the ongoingDead or AliveandNinja Gaidenfranchises, as well as the more recentWo Long: Fallen Dynasty, plans to greet the first quarter of 2024 withRise of the Ronin— an action-adventure role-playing game quite unlike anything it has done before. If the developer continues its long-standing tradition when it comes to game difficulty,Risewill undoubtedly be a challenging experience for most gamers. Two areas Team Ninja has yet to delve into, however, are open worlds and player choice, both of which arefeatures ofRise of the Ronin. Still, it’s a brilliant move on their part, as it shows their adaptability and willingness to evolve despite any pressure to remain traditional.
Rise of the Ronin’s recent pre-order trailer showcases a bright, sprawling landscape of an open world with a variety of traversal options to choose from, including a horse, a grappling hook, and a glider.Comparisons made to Sucker Punch’sGhost of Tsushimaare understandable, but it still appears it will offer a unique experience in its own right. Apart from what has appeared in the trailers, not many details aboutRise of the Ronin’s open world have been disclosed, like whether the buildings visible in the trailers are explorable or just how much of the visible landscape can be visited. However, if it does indeed happen to be taking a cue from other open-world games likeGhost of Tsushima, it’s likely the game’s world will be filled with plenty of secrets and verifiable reasons to venture off the beaten path.
Aside from Insomniac’sMarvel’s Spider-Manfranchise, Rocksteady’sBatman: Arkhamseries remains one of the best superhero franchises out there and continues to serve as a reliable foundation for other superhero games to build on — includingMarvel’s Spider-Man. That’s why fans of the famedArkhamseries anxiously await the release of Rocksteady’s next IP:Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Disappointingly,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguefell victim to a massive story spoilers leak, which sent the internet into a frenzy and has led to many fans avoiding any mention of the game during their time online.
Fortunately, the game has continued to press on, despite earlycriticisms ofKill the Justice League’s live-service model. The very fact that there was a story leak at least confirms its emphasis on narrative. However, the open world also appears engaging and vibrant, especially in some of the more recent trailers for the game. It’s currently unclear exactly howKill the Justice League’s open world will compare to others in the genre, but it’s likely to be similar to other superhero games such as Rocksteady’sArkhamgames and Insomniac’sMarvel’s Spider-Man.
Skull and Bones Persists Beyond Development Problems
Ubisoft’s upcoming action role-playing game titleSkull and Boneshas gone through a tough development cycle, yet continues to sail on toward its now-projected February 2024 release. Inspired by the naval combat ofAssassin’s Creed IV: Black Flagand its sequelAssassin’s Creed Rogue,Skull and Bonesis set to take players on a journey across an open-world Indian Ocean with a host of role-playing elements at their disposal. The gameplay loop revolves around collecting and upgrading various ships, so there is a hefty amount of exploration to be done, and players will likely engage in plenty of heated naval battles.
With such a stellar lineup of some of the most anticipated open-world titles in recent memory, 2024’s gaming landscape looks promising to say the least. Theambitious open worlds like those ofDragon’s Dogma 2andRise of the Ronin, as well as the wide variety of customization options available in titles likeStar Wars OutlawsandSkull and Bones, these upcoming releases are set to make their mark in 2024. Whether that mark is positive or negative remains to be seen, but gamers can nonetheless expect a year filled with sprawling environments, captivating scenery, plenty of exploration opportunities, and thrilling combat as the open-world genre continues to evolve.
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
Play as the Suicide Squad to take down the World’s Greatest DC Super Heroes, The Justice League. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, is a genre-defying, action-adventure third-person shooter from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series.
