Open World Blues - and how to overcome them.

As gamers, we all have that one genre of game that we find ourselves getting totally lost in. The game that we can play for hours on end and not get bored or frustrated with. From FPS to MMO, every game has its own unique story to tell, be it a war to end all wars against some foreign super power. To defending an entire planet from an ancient threat that has reared its ugly head once more, apparently not learning its lesson from the last time it got its head caved in with a jagged rock.

What do you mean I have one shot?!

For me, open world games are my kryptonite. Getting lost in a world full of spectacle and wonder, with enough quests or missions to last me till The Rapture. With every venture in to the deep sprawling wilds, yielding a new adventure. But these games are a double edged blade, with all the adventuring and exploration that can be done, comes exasperating travel times, these have been know to drive me to the limit. Not wanting to travel through the deepest darkest forest to get to a new exciting quest has me annoyed enough to save the game and play something else.

 

Of course I'll come and get you!...What do you mean you're on a mountain!?

I know that with games such as Skyrim or the GTA franchise, exploration = reward, and I love having to work for my rewards, but sometimes I just want to slay, loot, maim, behead and generally go on a, full on, all out, rampage. This is why I love open world so much, if you REALLY want to...you can! A quick save, and a turn off of the auto save and away you go. Laughing manically as you behead a horse and teabag the rider in to oblivion. Or punching the air in triumph as you snipe a guard in the head from the other side of a dimly lit room with your favourite crossbow. We have an infinite number of possibilities for us to have fun in the best way we know how. And that way is to destroy anything and everything that we can in any way we can imagine!

Just a short one for you today, ladies and gents. The next time you feel "The Open World Blues" just remember...GO MENTAL! And then laugh all the way to the jail cell, plead insanity...then they cant give you the chair... And be sure to tune in next time for more Gamer Gripes and Grooves!



Matt Eakins is a freelance gaming journalist, with the ability to turn a phrase and spin a line at the drop of a hat. Find more from him on Twitter @SgtMooby or at http://gamergripesandgrooves.blogspot.co.uk/