10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (2025)

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10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (1)

By Melody MacReady

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The Biggest Open World Games, Based On The Size Of Their Maps

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10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (5)

Summary

  • Some players prefer games with easy-to-understand controls and simple combat mechanics to unwind.
  • Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy offers enjoyable 3D platformer experience with straightforward gameplay.
  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor provides an entry-level Souls-like experience with engaging lightsaber combat.

While there is nothing wrong with games having intricate combat systems or requiring a heavy amount of strategic thinking before even touching a button, not everyone plays a game to stress over complex gameplay mechanics. Some players are just looking to unwind after a long day at work or even spending time with family.

3:04

Related

Open World Games That Have No Combat

Favor the pacifist routes in your open-world games? There's no other way with these particular titles, as they have no combat mechanics.

2

Some of the best ways to relax involve exploring open worlds, and many games offer enjoyable experiences with easy-to-understand controls. These games can range from superhero adventures to sci-fi explorations on distant planets, featuring combat that is both entertaining and simple to learn.

10 Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

The Underdog Of The 3D Platformer Subgenre

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy

Platformer

Action

Adventure

Systems

Platform(s)
PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PS Vita

Released
December 4, 2001
Developer(s)
Naughty Dog

Publisher(s)
Sony Computer Entertainment

Engine
Kinetica

ESRB
E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence

How Long To Beat
10 Hours

There was a time when every studio was trying to replicate the same feel as Super Mario 64, with Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy being Naughty Dog’s attempt. Rather than a hub world to get to different levels, the titular heroes can run across the fantastical world to find collectibles like Precursor Orbs and Power Cells and those who enjoy 3D platformers can easily pick it up.

On top of the typical running and jumping, Jak can dash, punch, and spin, to attack enemies. With the different colors of Eco energy, Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy features different powers for combat as well as puzzle solving. It allowed the game to stand out from other 3D platformers and spawn two sequels and a racing game spin-off.

9 Far Cry 3

The Third Game Set The New Gold Standard For The Franchise

Far Cry 3

FPS

Open-World

Systems

Platform(s)
PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC

Released
November 29, 2012
Developer(s)
Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher(s)
Ubisoft

Engine
dunia engine

ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs

How Long To Beat
20 Hours

Franchise
Far Cry

While the first two games are good in their own ways, Far Cry 3 is where the series exploded to new heights, allowing players to freely roam the tropical Rook Islands fighting pirates. Part of what makes the gameplay in Far Cry 3 so satisfying is the freedom to go about every situation how the player wants, whether it’s charging in guns-blazing or utilizing a stealthy approach.

Far Cry 3 established the template that would become the gold standard for the first-person shooter franchise moving forward. Traversing through an exotic yet gritty location, hunting animals, clearing out criminal hideouts, and encountering show-stealing villains made gamers feel like hardened survivors without needing to make things complicated.

8 Borderlands 2

Looter Shooters Wouldn't Be Where They Are Today Without It

Borderlands 2

Shooter

Systems

10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (14) OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Rating: 86/100 Critics Recommend: 86%
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, PS3, macOS, Linux, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS Vita, Android, Switch

Released
September 18, 2012
Developer(s)
Gearbox Software
Publisher(s)
2K

Engine
Unreal Engine 3

ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol

OpenCritic Rating
Mighty

Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer

See at Amazon

Combined with its signature absurdist violence and humor, Borderlands 2 is essentially the grandfather of looter shooters. It took everything that the first game did so well and amplified it with a better story and new characters. It helped start the tradition of new protagonists in every game, each having their own unique special abilities to complement the first-person shooter gameplay.

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10 Best Open World Games On Other Planets, Ranked

From Starfield to The Outer Worlds, gaming has come a long way to allow gamers the chance to free roam alien planets.

5

Considering Gearbox helped create Half-Life and the Duke Nukem games, it is no surprise that Borderlands 2 features top-tier first-person shooter gameplay. It is essentially an FPS version of Diablo, roaming massive areas, slaying legions of monsters, and collecting hundreds of loot.

An Iconic RPG That Is Still Easy To Pick Up And Play

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

RPG

Action

Adventure

Systems

10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (19) OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Rating: 81/100 Critics Recommend: 83%
Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Released
November 11, 2011

Developer(s)
Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher(s)
Bethesda Softworks

Engine
Creation Engine

ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol

How Long To Beat
35 Hours

OpenCritic Rating
Strong

See at Amazon

Compared to most RPGs, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is one of the more beginner-friendly, but in the best way. After an impressive character creator, the player is free to explore the province of Skyrim how they see fit with any weapon or spell at their disposal, becoming a hero, villain, or something in the middle.

The combat in Skyrim is easy to grasp, with the left and right triggers controlling the corresponding hand. The character swings a weapon or casts the spell, with potions and food being a menu away that pauses the game. It’s an example of a game that is simple to learn but still has layers to master, hence why it remains an iconic RPG almost fifteen years later.

6 The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Link On His Most Swashbuckling Adventure Yet

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Action

Adventure

Systems

Platform(s)
GameCube

Released
March 24, 2003

Developer(s)
Nintendo EAD

Publisher(s)
Nintendo

Engine
Havok

ESRB
E For Everyone

Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op

See at Amazon

Rather than worrying about some gimmick with the gameplay, The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker sticks to the basics of Link’s controls. He can use items, swing his sword, use a shield, and roll, just like in most games. However, the biggest difference with The Wind Waker is roaming the open seas.

While The Wind Waker did not invent the idea of traversing the ocean, it was revolutionary in its execution of the concept. With dozens of islands to explore and side missions to accomplish, The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is as exciting as a swashbuckling voyage as it is relaxing, allowing longtime fans and newcomers to enjoy it.

5 Assassin’s Creed: Origins

Changed The Gameplay Style Of The Franchise Forever

Assassin's Creed Origins

Action RPG

Open-World

Systems

10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (24) OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Rating: 85/100 Critics Recommend: 87%
Platform(s)
Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia

Released
October 27, 2017
Developer(s)
Ubisoft
Publisher(s)
Ubisoft

Engine
AnvilNext 2.0

ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol

How Long To Beat
30 Hours

OpenCritic Rating
Mighty

See at Amazon

When Assassin’s Creed: Origins came out, it changed the overall gameplay of the franchise to lean more into the open-world aspect. Exploring the deserts and cities of Ancient Egypt as Bayek of Siwa features the classic Assassin’s Creed free-running but also introduces new combat that makes the player feel like a warrior.

Quasi-RPG elements were introduced with weapons and armor that grant the main character stats in Assassin’s Creed: Origins. Now, combat was more free-flowing with better control over attacks and this change complimented the quest-heavy open world. As a result, the sequels Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla embraced it as the new standard.

4 Rise Of The Tomb Raider

Lara Croft Continues To The Ultimate Survivor

Rise of the Tomb Raider

Action

Systems

10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (28) OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Rating: 86/100 Critics Recommend: 89%
Platform(s)
Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, Stadia, PlayStation 4

Released
November 10, 2015
Developer(s)
Crystal Dynamics
Publisher(s)
Square Enix

Engine
Foundation Engine

ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

How Long To Beat
14 Hours

OpenCritic Rating
Mighty

Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer

See at Amazon

After the 2013 reboot of Tomb Raider took a new approach to Lara Croft with more exploration, Rise Of The Tomb Raider went even further with large explorable areas. There are animals to hunt, collectibles, and side quests to complete while Lara continues to evolve into the hardened survivor that she is known for.

Lara can not only fight with her trusty climbing axes, but she is armed with multiple firearms that she can upgrade. It results in fast-paced third-person shooter and melee combat that anyone can enjoy and makes Rise Of The Tomb Raider so addicting to play. This kind of gameplay would only continue to be expanded upon in its sequel.

3 Batman: Arkham City

The Superhero Sequel That Proved That Bigger Can Be Better

10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (29)
10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (30)
10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (31)
Batman Arkham City

Action

Adventure

Systems

Platform(s)
PS3, PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U

Released
October 18, 2011
Developer(s)
Rocksteady Studios
Publisher(s)
Warner Bros. Interactive

Engine
Unreal Engine 3

ESRB
T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence

How Long To Beat
14 Hours

See at Amazon

Batman: Arkham City took what Batman: Arkham Asylum established and made the freeflow combat of Batman even smoother with new takedowns, faster movement, and even more gadgets, but remains just as enjoyable and accessible as it was in the first game. Only now, instead of a Metroidvania-esque island, it’s a fully explorable portion of Gotham City.

Related

Every Arkhamverse Game In Chronological Order

Since beginning in 2009 with Batman: Arkham Asylum, the Arkhamverse has expanded and become a rather convoluted timeline with sequels and prequels.

It shows how simplistic yet satisfying the combat in Batman: Arkham City is when many AAA titles tried replicating it, such as Middle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor and Mad Max. However, it always comes back to Arkham City, and it laid the foundation for two subsequent games that expanded with upgrades to the same exploration and combat.

2 Marvel’s Spider-Man

The Most Accurate Spider-Man Simulator

Marvel's Spider-Man

Action

Adventure

Open-World

Systems

10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (37) OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Rating: 88/100 Critics Recommend: 95%
Platform(s)
PS4, PS5, PC

Released
September 7, 2018
Developer(s)
Insomniac Games
Publisher(s)
Sony

Engine
Insomniac Engine v.4.0

ESRB
T For Teen Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

How Long To Beat
18 Hours

OpenCritic Rating
Mighty

See at Amazon

Seeing how popular Batman: Arkham City and Arkham Knight were, few were surprised that when Sony and Insomniac Games gave fans Marvel’s Spider-Man, it took a lot of inspiration from it. It has a similar combo-based freeflow combat system but with a focus on dodging instead of countering, leaning into Spider-Man’s agility.

To fit the character, Marvel’s Spider-Man also has web-based combat, which is implemented right into the melee combat, providing an authentic and memorable Spider-Man experience. The freely explorable New York City with a plethora of iconic villains and side quests to complete is the icing on a delicious Marvel superhero cake.

1 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

The Lightsaber Combat Is Better Than Ever

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Action-Adventure

Soulslike

Systems

10 Open-World Games With Simple But Great Combat Systems (40) OpenCritic Reviews
Top Critic Rating: 84/100 Critics Recommend: 89%
Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Released
April 28, 2023
Developer(s)
Respawn Entertainment

Publisher(s)
Electronic Arts

Engine
Unreal Engine 4

ESRB
T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence

How Long To Beat
20 Hours

OpenCritic Rating
Mighty

Souls-like games such as Dark Souls and Elden Ring are not for everyone, so a game like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor provides a similar experience. Wielding a lightsaber as Cal Kestis in one of the most engaging Star Wars narratives feels like an entry-level Souls-like game without removing the fun factor and having enough challenge to keep the game from becoming dull.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor allows players to explore multiple planets while combining action RPG combat with mechanics like wall-running, climbing, and jumping, reminiscent of a Tomb Raider game. Players control Cal, who can switch between five different lightsaber stances and use various Force abilities. Few Star Wars games have delivered Jedi combat that is as satisfying as this.

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The Biggest Open World Games, Based On The Size Of Their Maps

Open-world games are beloved for their massive maps. Here are some of the biggest open worlds that gamers can explore in the genre.

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  • Video Games
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