Most Frustrating Open-World Games, Ranked

Open-world games can sometimes come equipped with a high level of challenge or just a pervading sense of weirdness. More often than not, it adds to the game’s unique allure and ensures that players will have a memorable time exploring these sandboxes.

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However, there’s always the chance of these open-world games alienating and frustrating players at certain points. All players need to do is take a deep breath and realize that they’ll eventually conquer these games and unlock the satisfying reward of making progress based on merit, not luck.

8

STALKER: Clear Sky

The Beginning is Ridiculously Hard, and the Difficulty Rarely Lets Up

STALKER: Clear Sky is one of the hardest video games that players can get their hands on. Given how tough this survival horror franchise is, fans should be ready for a tough time the moment they get into this game.

The opening of STALKER: Clear Sky is notoriously hard and will cause players to die numerous times before they eventually figure out where to even go. While the title doesn’t stop being difficult, players who stick with this game for the long haul will be rewarded with some of the most tense and entertaining firefights in the entire series.

7

Kenshi

Without Knowledge of How the Game Works, Players Will Be in for a Frustrating Time

Kenshi

Released

December 6, 2018

• 

Kenshi is not a game for players who seek some form of guidance in their video games. Depending on the player’s background, they’ll be dropped into a random location in the open world and learn to fend for themselves.

This is easier said than done, especially since players unfamiliar with how Kenshi works will succumb to the first Bonedog they come across. Kenshi‘s a game about patience, where players must slowly grind out stats, acquire decent equipment, and explore with a group of allies if they wish to even stand a chance against the many horrors that can descend upon them.

6

Grand Theft Auto 3

As Revolutionary as This Game was, it’s Also Frustratingly Dated

As revolutionary as Grand Theft Auto 3 was back in the day, the game hasn’t aged as gracefully as some of the other titles in the 3D GTA universe. Some missions can be gruelingly difficult, and dying will force players to leave the hospital and start missions from the very beginning.

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The lack of swimming and other vehicles aside from cars can be tough to adjust to, but players who get past the game’s dated design will understand why this game set a foundation for open-world gaming that is still being used as a base by other open-world game developers to this day.

5

Days Gone

Refueling the Bike, Scavenging for Materials, and Running Away From Hordes can be a Pain

Days Gone is an underrated game, but it can still be a tough nut to crack for some. The opening hides a lot of the game’s strengths, and the focus on scavenging and resource-hunting may not be all that engaging for players.

However, players who give Days Gone a shot will love how the game naturally expands, introducing camp dynamics, freaker hordes, and other fun gameplay elements. Eventually, the early game frustration is replaced by a growing sense of fulfillment as players slowly realize why Days Gone is considered to be an underappreciated gem by many.

4

Far Cry 6

The Lack of Innovation in This Game is Quite Frustrating

Far Cry 5 was a much-needed breath of fresh air in a series that faced many criticisms for not reinventing the wheel enough with each entry. Many fans were frustrated by Far Cry 6‘s launch, which barely made any improvements to enhance or rethink the established series formula.

The gameplay was notably easier, and the story simply didn’t have the kick of the previous title. Still, the action is top-notch, and players who get over the frustrating lack of innovation will find Far Cry 6 to be a solid open-world game they can invest quite a few hours in.

3

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

The Over-Tutorialization can be Super Annoying

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a sequel that has split fan opinion down the middle. While the combat is a step above its predecessor, the over-tutorialization of this game means that players will spend many hours in this game without having access to some of its most important gameplay elements.

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The best open-world games on the PlayStation 5 push the system to its absolute limits, offering players some of the most stunning locations in gaming.

This can make for a frustrating experience in the early game, and it doesn’t help that Rex isn’t as entertaining as other protagonists in the Xenoblade Chronicles series. However, dedicated fans who love this epic JRPG series will eventually warm up to the second mainline entry, with its gameplay and storytelling eventually being as engaging as fans would expect.

2

Starfield

The Overabundance of Loading Screens can be Grating

Starfield had the potential to become one of the biggest and most beloved RPG IPs around. Unfortunately, a reliance on a dated engine and too many loading screens ended up alienating many players.

These frustrations took away from the fun factor of Starfield, but players who got used to these issues eventually grew to love what this title brings to the table. Exploration feels great (as long as players don’t land on too many procedurally generated planets), and the unique approach to New Game+ can compel people to embark on multiple playthroughs to see what changes in every run.

1

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

The Map is Simply too Large and not Worth Exploring

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey was a major turning point for the Assassin’s Creed series. As impressive as its massive open world was, the fatigue and frustration attached to exploring such worlds is what led to fans clamoring for a return to the basics for this series.

It didn’t help that the rewards for exploration didn’t feel meaningful, and players could only alleviate this irritation by sticking to the main story path and not veering away from the beaten path too much. Thankfully, Ubisoft heard fan complaints, with the franchise eventually offering a return to the basics with Assassin’s Creed Mirage.

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Best Open-World Games On Xbox Game Pass

Looking for an open-world adventure to crack into on Xbox Game Pass? These are the best open-world games currently available on Microsoft’s service.