Players have been discussing the concept of open-world level design, pointing to examples of games that feature particularly strong worlds in terms of their placement of enemies, puzzles, and various other elements. While the debate remains ongoing, a few games have clearly emerged as being among the best.
The news comes from a recent post on Resetera. “I've been thinking a lot about Xenoblade Chronicles X lately,” the original poster, Jencks, remarked. “I think the most remarkable achievement of the game is the absolutely masterful level design of the open world.” Jencks went on to say that “perhaps the most impressive aspect of Xenoblade Chronicles X's design is the Skell which is unlocked about 30 hours into the game. This recontextualizes the level design by allowing you to reach completely new areas with an enhanced jump and transformation abilities.”
Jencks argued rather strongly in favor of Xenoblade Chronicles X, but several other games have been mentioned for the quality of their open-world level design including Breath of the Wild, Metal Gear Solid 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2. The expansive environments, non-linear exploration, and player choice were all cited as contributing to the quality of these particular video games.
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Players have also been pointing to the importance of “field design” in open-world games. The term refers to the design of the open world itself including the geography, layout, and overall appearance. Horizon Zero Dawn was mentioned by several different people as a game with excellent field design, being praised for its use of natural landmarks and distinct regions to create a memorable and immersive world.
The best examples remain up for debate, but players have at least settled on the notion that good level and field design can greatly enhance your experience, encouraging you to spend even more time in a given game. The journey really is more important than the destination, at least when it comes to open worlds.
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