Summary
The PlayStation 3 was home to many iconic open-world games, includingThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim,Batman: Arkham City, and the exclusiveInfamousgames. However, for every popular game that makes billions of dollars in profit and leaves a legacy, others are not so fortunate.
Several high-quality PS3 games did not receive much attention for various reasons, from falling under the radar or being denounced prematurely. Many of these games, whether superhero-themed or racing, deserve more appreciation for their contributions to open-world adventures, despite not being the most successful titles ever made.
Although it was successful enough to warrant a superior sequel, gamers were, initially, not kind toRagein 2011. Thanks to its apocalyptic setting, which mixes first-person shooter gameplay with open-world exploration,Ragewas often labeled as a blatant copy ofBorderlands, which had come out just two years prior.
The similarities exist, butRageexecutes those elements effectively, showcasing what iD Software and Bethesda could achieve with a new intellectual property. Although not as extensive asRage 2, the side missions are still enjoyable. The game presentsa unique take on an apocalypse, illustrating Earth’s fate after being struck by an asteroid.
TheRed Factiongames have always been a franchise that remains in the background while bigger titles in the genre vie for the top position.Red Faction: Guerrillais no exception. It provides a high-quality open-world experience where players roam the surface of Mars to lead a rebellion against the Earth Defense Force.
Being able to freely explore Mars is worth the price of admission alone, especially since the game was remastered in 2018. In addition to that, the fully destructible environments are ahead of their time, with realistic destruction that can be used strategically or to simply satisfy a player’s need for carnage.
During the PS3 era,manyNeed for Speedgamesoffered well-crafted experiences; however, the reboot ofNeed for Speed: Most Wantedstands out as the ideal choice for players seeking a more free-roaming experience, just like its predecessor. It allows players to explore Fairhaven to compete in races, unlock cosmetics, flee the police, and discover new cars to use.
Being chased by police cars can be stressful, butNeed For Speed: Most Wantedhas a more relaxing campaign. Driving through a city while listening to music can be just as calming as it is thrilling. The lack of story can be disappointing, but most players are there for the drive, and the reboot makes that its major priority.
Originally made exclusively for the PlayStation Vita,Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HDis the fully remade spin-off ofAssassin’s Creed 3, focusing onthe first female protagonist in the series: Aveline. She has to fight the Templars and other evils through 18th-century Louisiana, continuing the pattern of making every new map in theAssassin’s Creedseries diverse.
Unfortunately, the release ofAssassin’s Creed: Liberation HDwent unnoticed by many gamers because of limited marketing and a quick judgment against it as a game originally designed for handheld devices. However, over the years, fans of the franchise have reconsidered the game and praised it for its unique setting and adherence to the classicAssassin’s Creedformula.
With a limited production cycle and being a new company,Batman: Arkham Originsfaced significant challenges. In 2013, fans were quick to denounce the game even before its release, particularly when it was announced that Batman and the Joker would be voiced by Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker, rather than the iconic Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill.
Fortunately, over time,Arkham Originshas become a beloved prequel, celebrated for its engaging boss battles, compelling storytelling, and the strong performances of its voice actors. While it does reuse some assets fromBatman: Arkham City, it distinguishes itself by its unique holiday setting and showcasing an angrier Batman at a younger age.
Square Enix and United Front Games went all out in crafting an immersive experience of playing an undercover cop on the streets of Hong Kong withSleeping Dogs. Unfortunately, it was not the hit they were expecting. It was the victim of premature criticism, with many comparing it toGrand Theft Autowhen it was far more than that.
WhileSleeping Dogsinvolvedrunning around Hong Kong as a criminal, it also incorporated martial arts combat and parkour, alongside traditional third-person shooter gameplay. It achieved several things thatGrand Theft Auto Vwould replicate almost a year later. This serves as another example of how people often judge games too quickly.
Before Insomniac Games conquered the world of Marvel games with theirMarvel’s Spider-Mantitles, Activision and Treyarch madeSpider-Man: Web Of Shadows, which walked so that future games could run. With the ability to freely swap between regular and symbiote Spider-Man, players could freely roam New York City to fight villains and meet other Marvel heroes.
Both forms of Spider-Manpossess unique combat skills and abilities, as well as aerial combat features that even modern Spider-Man games lack.Web Of Shadowsalso included a morality system that allowed players to make good or evil choices, impacting the story’s events. Unfortunately, it doesn’t receive as much appreciation as other open-world Marvel games.
The best way to describePrototypeis that it’s the closest thing toan open-world game about Venomfrom Marvel.Prototypefeatures a fully destructible city, allowing players to take on the role of a man infected with a virus that grants him the ability to transform his body into a living weapon.
Alex Mercer possesses superhuman strength, super speed, and various other powers that enable him to navigate the city like an anti-hero. Over the years,Prototypeand its sequel have become cult superhero gems that should have become a massive franchise but have been locked in a void of obscurity outside a minority of gamers who show the games nothing but love.
Made by the developers of the originalStar Wars: Battlefrontgames,The Saboteurwas an ambitious title that tried somethingdifferent from other World War II games. Rather than a typical shooter, it gave gamers the chance to explore an open-world version of Paris and its countryside in the 1940s, during the Nazi occupation.
The Saboteuris a forgotten treasure of a game, with players controlling a one-man rebellion against the Nazis by accomplishing missions and helping the people of France. It was rich with potential for sequels, but after disappointing sales and the closure of Pandemic Studios, it was soon forgotten and became another undervalued title.
