16. Just Cause 3

Rico Rodriguez returns to his homeland of Medici that is under the brutal dictatorship of General Sebastiano Di Ravello.  The general has set his eyes on world domination.  Wanting to stop it, Rico journeys to destroy the evil plans.

Just Cause 3 is an open world third-person action-adventure game set in the Mediterranean islands.  The map is approximately 400 square miles large.  Volumetric terrain has increased to allow players to explore subterranean caverns and scale buildings more effectively.  Five major biomes make up the island, each with different landmarks and landscapes.

A variety of tools are available, like the grappling hook and parachute, which make a return in the game.  New features like the wingsuit, allows the player to glide across the world, which can be coupled with combat for aerial strikes.  Also available are a number of weapons like shotgun rocket-propelled grenades.  Even the vehicles found in the game can be customized and used as weapons.  Creativity and destruction are emphasized by the way players can influence structure like bridges and statues.  All of which can be destroyed in a variety of ways. 

Surfing on the car is just a typical day for Rico.

17. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

The captain stationed at the Black Gate of Mordor is attacked by Sauron’s Orc Forces.  In the battle, his wife and son are captured and are sacrificed by the Black Hand.

Become the captain named Talion as he seeks revenge on the forces of Sauron.  Travel across the lands of middle-earth through different methods of transportation, including riding upon monsters.  Players have freedom to pursue side quests while roaming around Mordor, through special activities to collect flora or hunt creatures.  Completing questions offer rewards like experience points which are used to unlock abilities like improvement of the rune slots on the weapons.

The combat system uses an attack-chain to enable special moves after building up a chain of strikes to a large enough value.  Counter and dodge attacks are available to turn the tides against enemy forces.  However, some missions require stealth rather than all out brawls, especially in strongholds where alarms could be sounded.

A core feature of the game is the Nemesis system.  The player can gain knowledge of strength and weaknesses of enemy leaders through draining intelligence and interrogating marked Uruks.  Infighting can occur among the enemies utilizing this system.  However, foes that survive the encounter will remember what the player has done.  For instance, if an Uruk is burned by the power of the Nemesis system, they will seek revenge for being harmed.

Use the Nemesis System to conquer your foes

18. TERA

The Valkyon Federation has left the Island of Dawn, a war torn landscape filled with monsters.  Some unfortunate souls have been left behind, like the player, to help clean up.

The land in TERA is an open world MMORPG that focuses on questing, crafting, and player versus player action.  Utilizing a real-time combat system, it incorporates a third-person camera view that allows players target enemy with cross-hair curses rather than clicking an individual opponent.  Players need to actively dodge enemy attacks.

Players can choose one of seven potential races, each with their own unique “racial skills” that gives them minor advantages over the other ones.  There are also eleven different classes available to couple with the race, each with their own abilities and attributes, allowing for a lot more customization.  Along with creating your own unique character, players have the potential to craft their own gear and weapons by exploring the country side and collecting the necessary objects.  There is also the in-game currency called “Chronoscrolls” that can be purchased with real money.  This allows for certain items to be purchased for those who do not have the time to grind.

Fight fantastic and bizarre beasts.

19. H1z1: Just Survive

A strange mutation of the H1N1 virus has led to a zombie apocalypse.  As one of the few survivors in rural United States, you must do whatever it takes to stay alive.

It is time to survive the end of the world.  With an emphasis on cooperation, trading and team building is a necessity in order to survive.  Join forces to explore the open world environment. Collect materials to craft items to better your chance for survival.  However, in the end, if you want to live you need to be cutthroat, resourceful, and alert at all times.  While there are those on your side, there are others who are against you.  You must build up to protect yourself and others against the zombies, hostile humans, and random beasts wandering through the wilderness and towns.

Time to make your stand, even if it’s on the hood of a pickup truck.

20. Mafia 3

After coming back to the states following the war, Lincoln Clay rejoins the black mob.  After surviving a murder attempt that kills the rest of the black mob, Clay decides to start his own criminal group to exact revenge.

An action-adventure video game where players take on the role of Lincoln Clay, a Vietnam veteran who wants revenge, the game is set in 1968 New Bordeaux, a fictional New Orleans open world design to allow players to freely explore the Big Easy.  Complete objectives through a variety of approaches.  A player can use pure firepower like shotguns and revolvers, or take a stealthier approach through missions to go unnoticed by enemies.  While it focuses on guns, there is also a combat system where players can execute moves to engage in a flurry of melee attacks.  Players can also interrogate non-player characters after defeating them in order to get more information about different objectives.  Take control of locations run by the Italian Mafia to build your own criminal syndicate.

Make those dirty rats pay