10 Underrated Open-World Games That Deserve a Second Look

Open-world games are so overabundant nowadays that expectations have grown to staggering proportions, and for good reason. We all have a finite time on Earth, and nobody wants to spend a portion of it in a run-of-the-mill, mediocre sandbox that has very few positives to offer. Consequently, plenty of overlooked open-world games struggled to cement their places in gaming history and went by largely unnoticed. Other times, overhyped projects failed to live up to their promises, earning themselves a negative reputation that is not easy to shake off.

Still, time heals all wounds, and a few polarizing open-world games might deserve another chance. Players who love sandbox games with engaging gameplay mechanics should make it a point to check out these titles, especially if they can find them on sale. Amazing art styles, fun action, and memorable stories are just a few of the many hooks that will compel players to give these titles a second chance.

This article focuses on games that either polarized audiences or underperformed commercially. We are not focusing on hidden gems that most people never heard of. Also, no delisted games like The Godfather 2 and Scarface: The World Is Yours, as we want to prioritize titles that are relatively easy to pick up.

10 The Saboteur

Color Is Used To Show Liberated And Controlled Areas

The Saboteur takes place in Nazi-occupied Paris, where the Axis Powers have sucked out all the color from the world. This can make for a drab setting, which is why players are encouraged to clear Nazi bases and add fuel to the revolution. When part of the map is clearer, color returns to it, creating a satisfying visual feedback loop that literally brightens up the game.

Even before that point, The Saboteur's black and white aesthetic makes for a bold, unique art style that sets it apart from most of the genre's offerings. Although not particularly groundbreaking in terms of mechanics, the game shines in its atmosphere and tone, along with providing a fresh take on World War 2. While somewhat dated by today's standards, The Saboteur is still a lot of fun to play.

9 Watch Dogs

Better Than Its Reputation

Ubisoft has seemingly put Watch Dogs in its rearview mirror, with the series coming to an end with the disappointing Legion. Despite being so hyped up, the franchise arguably only delivered one game that really hit the mark... or, at least, that might seem to be the case. As great as Watch Dogs 2 is, an argument could be made that its predecessor is actually the strongest game in the trilogy.

Watch Dogs's downgrade controversy not only overshadowed its release but also became its long-lasting legacy, forever dooming the game to notoriety. Yes, the E3 reveal was not remotely a realistic representation of the final product, which never came close to being a GTA-challenger as initially predicted. However, there is a ton to love here. Chicago is a fantastic setting that has not been used too much by games, and the sandbox gives players ample opportunity to make use of a wide assortment of hacking tools. You can cause real mayhem, and it is a delight. The story and Aiden are pretty polarizing, but they can be charming in an edgy Batman type of way.

8 State of Decay 2

A Survival Zombie Game That Improved Greatly After A Troubled Launch

As the wait for the third game stretches ever longer, State of Decay is slowly fading into the background, seeming like one of those franchises that never quite managed to find its groove. Although they are far from perfect, both entries are respectable members of the survival genre, and State of Decay 2 was arguably one of the better zombie games of the late 2010s. Yes, its launch state left a lot to be desired, but Undead Labs stuck by its project and released a variety of updates to elevate the whole experience. Its rehabilitation was not quite on No Man's Sky's level, but it went through a similar journey.

Although never particularly scary, State of Decay 2 succeeds as a community management game that forces players to truly embody desperate humans who are barely surviving. Rather than a single protagonist, you manage a rotating group of survivors, all of whom have their own skills and morale. While you get to explore and clear the maps, the main goal is to build, sustain, and improve your community.

7 Mafia 3

The Open-World Busywork Is Worth Enduring For The Amazing Story

After the first two Mafia games carved a soft spot in the hearts of fans with their no-nonsense stories that were paced brilliantly, Mafia 3 felt like a step back because of the open-world busywork it forced onto players. You had to complete a lot of open-world fluff to unlock main mission chapters, which was frustrating and seemed like an attempt to change trends compared to the previous entries.

However, players willing to deal with these slow moments are treated to an incredible story that's structured like a documentary. Lincoln Clay is a great protagonist that players will love to control, no matter how brain-dead some of the shootouts and stealth segments can become.

6 Mad Max

Both Hand-To-Hand And Vehicular Combat Are Thrilling

Mad Max is one of the most overlooked open-world games of all time, with its take on both hand-to-hand and vehicular combat being an absolute joy to experience. It is endlessly fun to roam around the wasteland in the Magnum Opus, taking out raiders standing in your way and getting into duels with other motor monstrosities. The game absolutely nails the look and feel of the source material, particularly Road Warrior.

The story may not be anything special, but fans won't mind as long as they get to whack heads, blow stuff up, and upgrade their car. The cathartic action, coupled with its beloved setting, should be enough to keep most people engaged. If you aren't a fan of Mad Max but are just looking for a post-apocalyptic romp, this game could still work for you... It is also dirt cheap nowadays.

5 Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

The Western Frontier Of Pandora Is Jaw-Droppingly Beautiful

Ubisoft has not had a particularly great 2020s so far, and the modest reception to games like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Star Wars Outlaws suggested that its open-world formula is no longer a surefire recipe for success. That said, while nothing absurdly amazing, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora can be a really fun time, as long as players get over the Far Cry reskin complaints.

The Western Frontier is full of beautiful visuals that can be emphasized if players make it a point to stifle the human presence as much as possible. Despite its issues, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is a great title for fans of James Cameron's franchise who want to play an active role in restoring Pandora's lush wildlife.

4 Days Gone

Turned Its Reputation Around And Became A Great Zombie Open-World Game

At launch, Days Gone suffered from its fair share of bugs and presentation issues, but a lot of this was eventually patched out (and is largely absent from the PS5 remaster). This leaves players with an ambitious zombie epic that has some of the most intense and intimidating survival sequences in the horror genre, all the while telling a long story that starts slowly but picks up steam during its middle act.

Players will either love or hate the often rude and sometimes unhinged Deacon St. John, the game's protagonist, but the core gameplay loop of taking out Freakers and aiding factions is compelling regardless. Once players are introduced to the Horde mechanic, the game truly opens up as the story wraps its claws around players.

3 Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows

One Of The Better Spider-Man Games That Fans Will Love

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is one of the most underrated video games featuring the lovable Web-Head. As long as players get accustomed to a battle system that relies heavily on Web Strikes, controlling Peter in both his regular garb and the legendary Black Suit is a blast.

Players form allies as the city of New York is slowly overrun by Venom and the Symbiotes. As the plot grows more complex, players will enjoy some of the best and most ingenious boss fights in a superhero game as they master Spidey's moveset and smash foes in style.

2 Rage 2

An Awesome Shooter Buried Under Open-World Fatigue

Rage 2 is an odd one. Its open-world is lifeless and kind of bland, particularly compared to Mad Max's similar setting or Borderlands. The story struggles to build up momentum, and the driving is shockingly unsatisfying considering Avalanche's pedigree. The game doesn't get a lot of things right, but it knocks arguably the most important element out of the park: gunplay. Basically, Rage 2 largely copies over DOOM's combat and movement, delivering high-octane action that just feels good.

It isn't just the guns that are a blast to use, as Rage 2 features a few abilities known as Nanotrites that transform the combat into an unapologetic power fantasy that actually delivers on its promise. If you are playing this game for the first time, unlock all the Nanotrites as soon as possible, as you will not regret it.

1 Sleeping Dogs

Embodies The Spirit Of Classic Hong Kong Action Flicks

Sleeping Dogs is an incredible open-world game that should have led to a billion sequels and even more spin-offs. Unfortunately, that will probably never happen. It spawned from the ashes of the True Crime franchise, letting players explore the beautiful city of Hong Kong as undercover cop Wei Shen.

The best part of Sleeping Dogs is undoubtedly its brawling melee combat, which lets players enjoy some cathartic battles where Wei grabs enemies and smashes them to a pulp using a variety of environmental attacks. The entire title aims to elicit the vibes of classic Hong Kong action films, and it succeeds resoundingly, with players loving how cool it feels to perform an action hijack and commandeer vehicles in style.