While SEGA’s Shenmue would help to streamline the open world genre of video games, and Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series would help cement the genre as the new hip thing, there are many open world games from the 2000s which never received the same hype. This was not always for a lack of quality, as today’s article will discuss. If you love the early open world video games, this article is just for you!
#5: True Crime: New York City (2005)
For this entry, I wanted to shout out True Crime: New York City, developed by Luxoflux and released in 2005. It is an open world game set across the entire borough of Manhattan. The main story follows a detective trying to uncover who killed his mentor, all while some of the best music to bless a sixth-generation video game plays in the background.
However, True Crime is only number five here because it has a lot of flaws, one of which is its glitchy gameplay. It doesn’t require a rocket surgeon to notice these issues in True Crime, though perhaps the jankiness is what makes the game so memorable. Taking the bus and smashing through traffic looks so ridiculous, and everyone deserves to witness these glitches for themselves. It is a shame that True Crime is plagued with bugs, especially on the GameCube and PC versions, because I believe it had more potential if it was given extra time in the oven. The game does nail a few aspects such as its customization options, variety of weapons, and a map that’s generally fun to explore due to its sheer size. While exploring the city may not do New York complete justice, it still feels like a great, if overly ambitious, time capsule of its era.
#4: The Getaway
The Getaway, developed by Team Soho, takes a similar approach to True Crime when it comes to map design in that it adapts a real-world city. This time, however, it's London. The gameplay is unique because there is very little displayed on-screen in terms of a HUD. Most missions are driving-focused, requiring you to rely on your vehicle's turn signals for navigation. Driving can be quite challenging, especially when the police are after you. This is particularly true during Hammond's missions, and the soundtrack certainly helps build the tension.
There is a strong focus on the story, with its crime drama-esque cutscenes complementing The Getaway exceptionally well. It is best to take a patient approach to the missions, as you have limited health, and your vehicle can also be destroyed if you are not careful. While it never reached the popularity of something like Grand Theft Auto, it remains a great game in its own right.
#3: The Simpsons: Hit & Run
The Simpsons: Hit & Run, developed by Radical Entertainment, is another open world game I'm sure you are familiar with. The Simpsons: Hit & Run is one of the most popular examples of the unique video game library of the 2000s, especially among licensed games, many of which were not particularly polished. The Simpsons: Hit & Run, however, remains a blast to return to. Even though the map design is fairly linear, the arcade-style driving is excellent. There is also a surprisingly good number of interiors to explore, with the Kwik-E-Mart in the first level always delivering a rush of nostalgia.
What makes the game so infamous is its difficulty. The challenge ramps up not long after Homer's missions, as some of Lisa's missions can be quite demanding. Rather than focusing on combat, the game is mostly about racing the clock. Overall, The Simpsons: Hit & Run is iconic in its own right, and it's easy to see why it still has such a large and dedicated following all these years later.
#2: Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, developed by Pandemic Studios, is a unique open world game that offers a great deal of variety. You even get to choose which mercenary you want to play as, and I always picked Mattias. The mission design revolves around player choice, allowing you to decide which faction you want to work for, though it is entirely possible to make those same factions hostile toward you. Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction is set in an alternate timeline in which North Korea has sparked a war. The game centers around capturing high-ranking North Korean officers, and bringing them in alive is crucial if you want the extra cash. The free-roam aspect comes from exploring key locations and completing missions for the various factions involved in the conflict. Atmosphere-wise, it reminds me of Battlefield 2, another game released in the same year, as both have that feeling of "business as usual" despite the chaos around you.
#1: Saint's Row
Last but not least, we have Saints Row, developed by Volition. When I think of games released in the mid-2000s, this is one of the first that comes to mind because of its style alone. It was often compared to the Grand Theft Auto series upon release, and I can see why. It shares many similarities with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, especially with its gang-focused gameplay. However, I think Saints Row handles this concept a bit better, as its main focus is on taking over territories by completing story missions.
Okay, enough Grand Theft Auto talk, moving on, haha.
To understand why the first Saints Row is so special, it's important to see how everything comes together. I always enjoyed driving around the city of Stilwater, as the world is arguably the most important aspect of any free-roam game. Stilwater is loosely based on the city of Detroit and does a damn good job of capturing that atmosphere. There's a lot of variety throughout the city, from the large downtown districts to the industrial areas on the other island. The customization is also impressive, as even in the first game you could create your own character. The clothing options could be better, but they're solid for what the game offered, especially since you can layer coats and shirts.
The Respect system may be hit or miss for some players because you need to earn enough Respect before starting new missions. Personally, I liked this feature because it encouraged you to explore the game a bit more. You build Respect by completing activities scattered throughout the map. Some are definitely hit or miss (looking at you, Hitman activity), but Insurance Fraud and Mayhem are standouts.
Story-wise, Saints Row also delivers an unforgettable experience. It wastes no time setting itself up, as even in the opening cutscene you witness all three gangs involved in a street fight before getting caught in the middle of it yourself. Another thing Saints Row gets right is the style of its storytelling. It feels like something out of The Wire, with each cutscene making it clear who you're up against and why.
Overall, Saints Row sets itself apart with its strong gameplay, memorable open world, and distinct identity. It genuinely felt like Grand Theft Auto's biggest rival at the time. It even featured multiplayer PvP, although nobody really plays it anymore. Judging from old footage, it looked like a fun way to kill an hour, with modes like "Protect the Pimp" and "Big Ass Chains," features that even the sequel didn't bring back.
Article edited by Tea Bee. All pictures sourced from MobyGames.
