Gaming

Open-World Games You Should Check Out

Open-world games, also known as sandbox or free-roam games, offer a lot of freedom of movement for the players to explore a virtual world. The three terms however mean differently.

Open-world means you don’t have to play the game in a linear fashion. Most of the levels are open to the players. Free-roaming means you have access to most areas in an open world. Lastly, sandbox means you can create a story or a level within the game. Ultima is considered the first in the open-world game.

Here are examples of open-world games.

Minecraft
The most well-known example of a sandbox game. It allows you to craft and explore any way you want.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim has an overarching story but you can choose to play that later and explore the vast world instead.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
You control Geralt of Rivia in his many side quests or you can just explore the huge map. The side quests have different ways to complete.

Grand Theft Auto V
Similar to the previous installments, you can choose to perform the main missions later. But GTA V is slightly different because you don’t have to unlock areas. Instead you have access to most of the locations in the map.

Fallout 4
Players explore a post-apocalyptic world through the eyes of a survivor from Vault 111. This installment has the same gameplay as the two previous games where different areas on the map are open for exploration.

Just Cause 2
Players take on the role of Rico Rodriguez who has to defeat a dictator. He can choose to perform two other types of missions besides those that are needed for the story to progress.

Far Cry 3
This third installment is set on a tropical island where Jason Brody’s friends have been kidnapped by pirates. The map is larger than in previous games.

Burnout Paradise
In this open-world racing game, the playables are all cars. This fifth installment is set in Paradise City where the player has to complete various challenges.

Infamous: Second Son
The lead character has superpowers which he can use to explore the city of Seattle while fighting the Department of Unified Protection. The player’s choices in the game will mold Delsin Rowe’s character.

Dwarf Fortress
This game is unique because players get to construct and manage a colony of dwarves (thus it’s a sandbox game) or go on an adventure.

No Man’s Sky
This open-ended game has four primary activities: survival, combat, exploration and trading.

Dying Light
Kyle Crane needs to get into the zombie-infested city of Harran. There are many weapons to craft and choose from to combat enemies. It also has a cycle of night and day to test the player’s survival skills.

More Open-World Games
Driver: San Francisco, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Crackdown, Dead Island, Watch Dogs, Red Dead Redemption, Saints Row IV, Mafia II, Terraria, Sunless Sea, and STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl.

Items Every Avid PC Gamer Needs

Investing in top-notch computer hardware and software takes a lot of dedication and money. Money most of all. If you’ve still got some to spare though, shed some dough for these awesome items.

Swivel Chair
While everyone seems to focus more on electronic gadgets, there’s one item that’s often overlooked. If you’re gonna spend hours with your face glued to the screen, then you should have something comfortable to sit on. Swivel chairs are perfect for lazy bums (hey, we’re all guilty of that) who don’t have time to get up to grab something from the next table.

Surround Speakers
Wearing a headset for hours can strain your neck and back. Free up your head and get surround speakers instead. They’re also great for voice chats with teammates because you’ll get to hear everything.

Microphone
Well, if you’re getting surround speakers, might as well complete the package with a mic. Pick a microphone with omnidirectional patterns. It’s easier to talk with a mic setup than with your headset on. You can also use it for other things besides gaming.

Controller and Arcade Joystick
If modified gaming mice like an 8-way directional gamepad isn’t enough for your collection, there are controllers and joysticks designed for specific games. There are joysicks designed for beat ‘em ups, flight simulation, strategy, motion-sensing and racing. There are even programmable gameboards that can substitute keyboards.

Gloves and Glasses
Everyone knows that if you’re playing online, you can’t pause the game. Even if you have a gaming mouse designed to withstand hours of gaming, there are people who have sweaty hands. Gloves not only make your hands less slippery but it also supports the wrist. Glasses will also help reduce eye strain that results from staring for hours on the screen.

Gaming Lights and Projector

If you’re planning to build a gaming den, then you have to fill the room with items that contribute to the ambiance. Gaming lights change color depending on the game you’re playing. Because, hey why not? A gaming LED projector on the other hand fills your need for a bigger screen if a multiple-monitor setup isn’t enough for you.

Gaming Gloves and Vest
Tired of your mouse? Get yourself a gaming glove designed to make casting spells easier for you. Some of us just want to feel our characters getting hit. So if a vibrating controller isn’t enough, there’s a gaming vest designed to let you feel every punch and bullet your character takes.

Repair and Maintenance Kit
Investing in PC gaming isn’t a joke, so you need to keep it in top working condition. You should always have the following items ready: screwdrivers, tweezers, cable ties, compressed air, duster or vacuum, brush, and spare screws.