What non-open world action-adventure franchises have enough potential to have an open-world game?

Some examples of combat/exploration-based franchises that haven't gone open-world:

Resident Evil

Tomb Raider

God of War

The Last of Us

Uncharted

Devil May Cry

Metroid

Of those, I think Metroid would be pretty interesting. There had been discussions surrounding Metroid Prime 4 being open-world actually, so it might be the most complex one to tackle.
 
Some examples of combat/exploration-based franchises that haven't gone open-world:

Resident Evil

Tomb Raider

God of War

The Last of Us

Uncharted

Devil May Cry

Metroid

Of those, I think Metroid would be pretty interesting. There had been discussions surrounding Metroid Prime 4 being open-world actually, so it might be the most complex one to tackle.
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Metroid is open world in that you can traverse from one end to the other and tackle zones out of order (kind of), but if you want it to just be an open landscape with waypoints, then it wouldn't really be Metroid anymore. The whole hook of the games is navigating the twisted, interconnected web of passages, gradually discovering the powerups necessary to progress and level up your combat. True, Elden Ring pulled it off, but those games are more about combat than traversal, so the main draw wasn't lost.

As for action franchises I *would* like to see go open world, a Mega Man developed by Platinum games using the Smash Bros artstyle would be sweet.
 
Out of OP's list? Resident Evil. Specifically, Raccoon City-only.

It would have been fun to navigate the entire city and solve puzzles, help civilians, fight zombies/bioweapons, etc. I think a map that sort of 'unlocks' in sections/chunks as you solve puzzles to find ways around fires, electric traps, rubble, etc. would be a good way to not overwhelm the player with just a regular open city with no obstacles.

You'd use the sewer system for getting to certain points across the city faster. Once you clear that section of the sewer, it becomes a fast travel point.

There's a ton of concept art out there amongst plenty of games (both main and side stories) to map the entire place out if they wanted to.

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Some examples of combat/exploration-based franchises that haven't gone open-world:

Resident Evil

Tomb Raider

God of War

The Last of Us

Uncharted

Devil May Cry

Metroid

Of those, I think Metroid would be pretty interesting. There had been discussions surrounding Metroid Prime 4 being open-world actually, so it might be the most complex one to tackle.
Personally, the reason some of these games are more unique / enjoyable is because they are more quasi open/metroidvania style design rather than a full blow Skyrim style open world.

God of War and Tomb Raider specifically hit just the right balance between having a lot of side content and exploration but have it feel rewarding and unique vs an open world check list.

Now, minds can differ on the success of these games' formula but I prefer it over giant open world games.
 
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