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.
 
At this point, it really has to be Uncharted. After playing The Lost Legacy, you can clearly see they are testing the grounds for that type of design. Clearly the groundwork was inspired by LoZ: Ocarina of Time which I still think is a great benchmark for open-world games without focusing with too much tedious busywork.
 
I don't think any open world game is in my top 10 games ever made except maybe red dead redemption 2?

Most games benefit from tailored, focused, well paced construction … and well open world games, RDR2 included, aren't this. Often empty, terrible paced, slop side content, and more issues plague these games.

The illusion is younger games wanted 150+ hour games because back then that was perceived as value. More time spent means game is worth full price more than a 13-20 hour game.

So for every tailored open world like Witcher 3 or RDR2, you get a dozen Ubisoft style collection marathons of dog shit.

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The only franchise I can think of would benefit from an actual open world is mega man legends.
 
Not all need to be open world, bigger area could be used.
DMC open world would be weird. there is one game near DMC with open wide big area : FFXVI, imagine if they could use faster traversal and people could make long combo in the map
 
Hitman maybe.
The maps in the games from the latest World of Assassination trilogy are large or even huge (like Sapienza). That's definitely the sweet spot in my opinion. I'll take 5-6 open maps (with tons of room for creativity and enough variety) over a single location open world.

As for Uncharted, I would say that open areas in U4 and Lost Legacy didn't work, they destroyed the pacing which was already struggling in those games (especially in 4). Same way I was annoyed with the open bits in Gears 5.
 
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The crater region in God of war Ragnarok proves that open world God of war would be beyond amazing. ( It is probably the best section in the entire game).

Edit: although tbh, the current "semi-open world" structure is superior to open world. Having unique locations spread out in varied maps is better than a continuous one map, atleast for the games listed.
 
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The hate open world games are getting now is weird. I remember when people would complain about "linear" games and how open world was better. Even went as far as calling tracks "corridor racers".
 
I'm pretty sure Days Gone was akin to "openworld the last of us". it worked OK but it was a little watered down in terms of meaningful events in the game.

I think it's best to have a mixture of games and how they play, not everything has to be striving for the same thing.
 
i kinda wanted a huge open-world Gundam game based on the events that happened in the series, but I'm afraid that it'll just be another Dynasty Warriors 9 fiasco if they can't execute it right, since both games kinda have the same design (both are mission-based games with big maps).
 
Thank god not everything is ruined due to open wold bloat and chasing GTA fame.

Some people probably will also want Tetris, Street Fighter and Fifa to go open world...
 
An open world Uncharted game would be cool.
They already approached the idea with The Lost Legacy and it worked quite well IMO. I'd like to see a bigger map though, more interesting traversal and with more optional stuff to find and see (as in proper optional temples/dungeons and unique battles. Not generic copy paste enemy camps)
 
Bloodrayne or Castlevania. Semi-linear. Prowl locales assassinating/fighting specific targets which leads to fighting the occult and eldritch abominations. But I think I just want 3rd person Action Adventure games with a supernatural or horror setting.

Open World or Sandbox games tend to be bad because too much freedom leads to boredom, no sense of direction and worthless rewards. Perfect example. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Any adjacent sandbox game will suffice. Great games mind you but suffer those pitfalls.

I think the last true Sandbox game I enjoyed YEARS ago was Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction. What a game that was. Stupid fun.

I think it's important to separate Semi-Linear/Nonlinear and Sandbox from what we think of as Open World. Open World is too broad a label in terms of what Gamers are actually looking for.

Games that are Semi-linear like Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, LoZ OoT/MM/TP, Dragon's Dogma, Fallout NV, Elder Scrolls, Dark Souls 1 with lots of lore and places to explore and acquire better items and gear from are what I strive for.

Ones that have a dreamlike, surrealism that are atmospheric with impeccable level design are probably the best. And are truly hard to find these days.

March Climber March Climber Resident Evil would work perfectly exploring the entirety of Raccoon City's aftermath but I feel this would be best done in a game engine that isn't RE Engine. The scope of exploring the city, it's sewers and potentially underwater requires an Engine that can handle that scale.
 
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