Sandbox games are nothing new to the industry, but many non-gamers may not be familiar with the style or the games that use it. So, for all of you out there that are unfamiliar, welcome. Here's what you should expect.
Sandbox games are so named because they're playgrounds for the player, much like a real sandbox is for a toddler. In gaming terms, this means a big, open world that players can explore in any order they choose (although some areas are usually off-limits until certain conditions are met). Notable examples of these games are the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, the Fallout series, the Elder Scrolls games, the list goes on and on.
Why choose a sandbox game?
It all comes down to what you're looking for in a game. As a rule of thumb, do not play these games for their plots; they aren't the focus, and that's okay.
Not every game is a lofty, artistic masterpiece that transcends generations and teaches us about ourselves while shifting our paradigms about the rest of reality. Some games are just about playing around, and that is where sandbox games shine.
Don't get me wrong, sandbox games can certainly tell great stories, but players won't put the majority of their playtime into it. They'll clock their hours roaming the often expansive game world, discovering sidequests, and making their own fun.
Players can still stay entertained if they're forced to hoof it, however. Random happenings are there to keep players interested whether they're trekking somewhere in a hurry or just wandering aimlessly. These happeneings can be anything from funny conversations overheard on a busy street to random civilians running up to ask for help. These are everywhere, too, because game developers are never sure where a player will go or in which order they'll experience the world.
This is because sandbox games are open, whereas most games are linear. Linear games are games that keep players on a preset path, but sandbox games open up the map and let players make their own decisions. There are spots on the map (usually people to talk to) that will trigger a mission, but there are almost always two or more options at any given time. Missions will still appear in the same order, but players can choose to do them at their leisure, if at all.
Because there is so much for a player to do in these games that is not pre-determined, messing around adds a lot of play time to sandbox games, and also increases the game's replay value. A lot of games are the kind that are easy to finish and forget, but with sandbox games, you can have a new experience every time you play.
This is also why these games usually let players continue playing after the main story is finished: players aren't done with the game after that. I can't count how many times I've picked up a GTA game with a couple of friends and played the "play until you die, then it's my turn" game. Cheat codes are great for this, letting players spawn whatever items or vehicles they want on demand, and it's why they're in a ton of sandbox games.
Which sandbox game is right for me?
I'll recommend mostly newer games, because technology advancements allow game developers to make bigger, prettier, more involved worlds to enjoy. Many of these are sequels, but it's not strictly necessary to play the earlier games to understand. There are some great older games, too, but we'll have to save that for another time. Beyond that, what do you want?
Do you want heavy firefights with tons of car chases in a big city, while keeping the action just slightly grounded in reality? Go for a GTA. A good new one is GTA IV, but there are a few other options for you to look into, such as GTA Chinatown Wars for the DS and PSP. By the way, it's a little strange to have an "M" rated game on the DS. Just saying.
Do you want physics-defying insanity that feels like a crazy B movie? Do you want to face down a helicopter and smile? Do you really, really, really like explosions? If so, then Just Cause 2 is the game for you. You can check out a review of it here.
Are over-the-top crime sprees the name of the game for you? Does bawdy, crude humor often make you break out in fits of laughter? Does "Professor Genki's Super Ethical Reality Climax" sound like something awesome? Saint's Row: The Third may be your game.
If you want something overly silly with a ton of weapon options, and you are more of a zombie fan, I'd recommend either Dead Island or Dead Rising 2 (more on the second option here).
If you prefer a more serious-toned game, the above choices may not be your thing. Quality games for you include Fallout 3 (or Fallout: New Vegas) for sci-fi fans, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for fantasy fans, and Red Dead Redemption for fans of old westerns. These can sometimes have fairly silly moments, but overall, they are more somber. They are pictured below in order.
For those who are a fan of the Caped Crusader, there's also Batman: Arkham City, which takes a big cue from sandbox style for its gritty representation of Gotham City. You can read up on this one here.
I'd recommend checking out a few online videos of these games, to get a feel for them before making a selection. Of course, these are just a few suggestions. There are tons of great games out there just waiting to be played, and your greatest resource when searching for these are the gaming members of your family and friends. They'll likely know the games and you, so it'll be easier for them to make suggestions.
The bottom line
Sandbox games are games made for playtime. These are the games you can pick up at any time and go have fun. It's just that simple. You don't really need dialogue or levels or even missions - you have the whole world.
Sandbox games are so named because they're playgrounds for the player, much like a real sandbox is for a toddler. In gaming terms, this means a big, open world that players can explore in any order they choose (although some areas are usually off-limits until certain conditions are met). Notable examples of these games are the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, the Fallout series, the Elder Scrolls games, the list goes on and on.
Why choose a sandbox game?
It all comes down to what you're looking for in a game. As a rule of thumb, do not play these games for their plots; they aren't the focus, and that's okay.
Not every game is a lofty, artistic masterpiece that transcends generations and teaches us about ourselves while shifting our paradigms about the rest of reality. Some games are just about playing around, and that is where sandbox games shine.
Don't get me wrong, sandbox games can certainly tell great stories, but players won't put the majority of their playtime into it. They'll clock their hours roaming the often expansive game world, discovering sidequests, and making their own fun.
What makes sandbox games different?
Game developers know players making their own fun is the core of these games, so sandbox games often give players tools to do just that. They manifest differently from game to game, sometimes in the form of special items like the grappling hook from Just Cause 2. Special items like this are meant to be used with a variety of objects or people in the game and can provide endless entertainment all on their own.
Other items, such as ridiculous weapons, are more temporary, but they're still there purely for entertainment. I'm not sure why, but sex toys - these are sometimes simply labeled "massagers" - are present as weapons in a surprisingly high number of games: Saints Row : The Third, GTA: San Andreas, and Dead Rising 2, just to name a few. As always when choosing a game, know what you're getting into with the ESRB rating on the box, and you should research the game at least a little before buying.
Even an often-serious game like Fallout 3 had some ridiculous weapons, such as the Rock-it-Launcher, a weapon that would throw any household object at the enemy. This was almost useless in a real fight, but it was still hilarious to watch a super mutant die from a toy car to the head.
For the ultimate in ridiculous weapons, however, look no further than the Dead Rising games. Why use a baseball bat on that zombie when you could fight him with stuffed animal? Better yet, give the stuffed animal a machine gun and he'll fight the zombie for you! Not joking.
Vehicles are pretty common playthings as well, and they appear in wide varieties, allowing the player to pick their favorite or just take whichever one is closer, as the situation may dictate.
Most often, players will step into the shoes, boots, sandals, or stilettos of an outlaw, presumably because it's easier to justify wanton destruction for someone who isn't a law-abiding citizen. Sandboxes are not only restricted to games with criminal protagonists, though. True Crime: Streets of LA's main character was a police officer that commandeered civilian vehicles in times of need.
It's a good thing vehicles are so plentiful, because sandbox games are often gigantic, and they necessitate a ride now and then. Some games offer fast travelling (essentially teleporting to a place you've already visited once), which is the go-to solution for big games without vehicles.
Other items, such as ridiculous weapons, are more temporary, but they're still there purely for entertainment. I'm not sure why, but sex toys - these are sometimes simply labeled "massagers" - are present as weapons in a surprisingly high number of games: Saints Row : The Third, GTA: San Andreas, and Dead Rising 2, just to name a few. As always when choosing a game, know what you're getting into with the ESRB rating on the box, and you should research the game at least a little before buying.
For the ultimate in ridiculous weapons, however, look no further than the Dead Rising games. Why use a baseball bat on that zombie when you could fight him with stuffed animal? Better yet, give the stuffed animal a machine gun and he'll fight the zombie for you! Not joking.
Most often, players will step into the shoes, boots, sandals, or stilettos of an outlaw, presumably because it's easier to justify wanton destruction for someone who isn't a law-abiding citizen. Sandboxes are not only restricted to games with criminal protagonists, though. True Crime: Streets of LA's main character was a police officer that commandeered civilian vehicles in times of need.
It's a good thing vehicles are so plentiful, because sandbox games are often gigantic, and they necessitate a ride now and then. Some games offer fast travelling (essentially teleporting to a place you've already visited once), which is the go-to solution for big games without vehicles.
 |
| Some vehicles are more interesting than others |
Because there is so much for a player to do in these games that is not pre-determined, messing around adds a lot of play time to sandbox games, and also increases the game's replay value. A lot of games are the kind that are easy to finish and forget, but with sandbox games, you can have a new experience every time you play.
This is also why these games usually let players continue playing after the main story is finished: players aren't done with the game after that. I can't count how many times I've picked up a GTA game with a couple of friends and played the "play until you die, then it's my turn" game. Cheat codes are great for this, letting players spawn whatever items or vehicles they want on demand, and it's why they're in a ton of sandbox games.
Which sandbox game is right for me?
I'll recommend mostly newer games, because technology advancements allow game developers to make bigger, prettier, more involved worlds to enjoy. Many of these are sequels, but it's not strictly necessary to play the earlier games to understand. There are some great older games, too, but we'll have to save that for another time. Beyond that, what do you want?
Do you want heavy firefights with tons of car chases in a big city, while keeping the action just slightly grounded in reality? Go for a GTA. A good new one is GTA IV, but there are a few other options for you to look into, such as GTA Chinatown Wars for the DS and PSP. By the way, it's a little strange to have an "M" rated game on the DS. Just saying.
Do you want physics-defying insanity that feels like a crazy B movie? Do you want to face down a helicopter and smile? Do you really, really, really like explosions? If so, then Just Cause 2 is the game for you. You can check out a review of it here.
Are over-the-top crime sprees the name of the game for you? Does bawdy, crude humor often make you break out in fits of laughter? Does "Professor Genki's Super Ethical Reality Climax" sound like something awesome? Saint's Row: The Third may be your game.
If you want something overly silly with a ton of weapon options, and you are more of a zombie fan, I'd recommend either Dead Island or Dead Rising 2 (more on the second option here).
If you prefer a more serious-toned game, the above choices may not be your thing. Quality games for you include Fallout 3 (or Fallout: New Vegas) for sci-fi fans, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for fantasy fans, and Red Dead Redemption for fans of old westerns. These can sometimes have fairly silly moments, but overall, they are more somber. They are pictured below in order.
For those who are a fan of the Caped Crusader, there's also Batman: Arkham City, which takes a big cue from sandbox style for its gritty representation of Gotham City. You can read up on this one here.
I'd recommend checking out a few online videos of these games, to get a feel for them before making a selection. Of course, these are just a few suggestions. There are tons of great games out there just waiting to be played, and your greatest resource when searching for these are the gaming members of your family and friends. They'll likely know the games and you, so it'll be easier for them to make suggestions.
The bottom line
Sandbox games are games made for playtime. These are the games you can pick up at any time and go have fun. It's just that simple. You don't really need dialogue or levels or even missions - you have the whole world.
No comments:
Post a Comment