Sandbox Games: Living Up to the Potential?

Sandbox games or open-world video games have been the epitome of the prowess of developers. Creating a world in which the gamer can explore while completing the storyline is very engrossing. But the biggest issue that comes with Sandbox games is the fact that whether or not all the resources are being utilized.

A primary example of a Sandbox game done right would be the Grand Theft Auto franchise by Rockstar Games. Grand Theft Auto 3 created the 3D generation where gamers could wreak havoc throughout the fictional Liberty City while completing the game's storyline. It was a concept most people were not used to during that time and it completely revolutionized the way video games are made. 

From then onwards, it's been an uphill ride for Rockstar. By the time the latest installment Grand Theft Auto V came out, they have had nearly perfected their own formula for open world success. 

GTA V is as good as it gets. A huge map that can take the gamer hours to explore, the world of Los Santos, San Andreas is a thrilling experience. A proper re-imagination of Los Angeles, the monumental effort given to get the details right were seen beforehand. But it's the mini games and side-missions that got the gamers engaged for hours. Exploring the city is actually one of the fun things in GTA V as gamers could expect random incidents to happen any second. Rockstar Games finally managed to create an open-world experience that felt like a part of the real world. The action-packed storyline was just the icing on the cake. 

But then there are games which either underwhelm or overstuff. Watch Dogs is an example that can be used to define the situation. A thoroughly hyped game, the expectations surrounding Watch Dogs were immense. But in the end, it felt like a game buckling under the pressure of being an open-world experience. Another example would be the Prototype games. The missions being repetitive were one thing but the way they used the open-world features was sad. Both the Prototype games had the potential to be a really fun ride but instead they are both largely forgettable experiences. 

RPGs like The Witcher trilogy and Skyrim are a whole other scenario. These games require us to navigate in order to succeed and are amazing in their own right. Gripping quests, captivating levelling systems and diverse loot have made role playing titles gems in the open-world formula.

The trouble with sandbox games lies here. Till now, either role playing games or video games with a knack for chaos have been successful in forging a path to amazing open-world experiences. The open-world has led to a situation where the developers either do too much or they end up doing too less. 

It's with great hope that we expect that we get to see that perfect sandbox title like Red Dead Redemption, GTA V or Witcher 3. May the force be with the developers!

Fardeen Zareef is in a war with carbohydrates but his love for Doritos overwhelms him. He also loves to game and does not know how to use Twitter. You can e-mail him your love/hate at [email protected]