Quest markers on open world maps, cookie cutter puzzles and challenges, and XP as a reward; these things get old fast. In many video games, they can even cause nausea or boredom once the players start seeing a checklist of these progress stats. But every now and then some brilliant developers go against the grain and think outside the box.
The result is a progression system in video games that encourages players in more creative and rewarding ways than objective stomping. This one unique progression systems Not only do they give players more special gameplay, but they also make the game a lot more memorable compared to the usual template that is all too common in games about assassins or special ops units.
10 Elden Ring
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Year of publication:
2022 -
Platforms:
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Elden RingIts popularity is proof enough that it is more than just a thinly veiled dark souls sequel, but in an open-world playground. Because by removing all search marks and general progression UI elements, the game breathed a fresh new perspective into the open world genre.
This is an RPG where players can go wherever they want. There are no limits, although there are a few literal gatekeepers (in the form of bosses). Making questlines as vague as possible also rewards players with lateral thinking and exploration.
9 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
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Year of publication:
2017 -
Platforms:
Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Before Elden Ring started redefining open-world RPGs, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild already given an example of how to do it. Likewise, the progress here is tied to exploration in a way that doesn’t dilute it into a level stat.
Players literally have to find locations based on images to complete quests and help Link with his amnesia. The game also doesn’t set up a railroad for players to follow. They can go any direction they want and even get to the final boss in the first 30 minutes, assuming they can.
8 Hades
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Year of publication:
2020 -
Platforms:
macOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
As for roguelike games, Hades has one of the smartest ways to tell his story. Because players can unravel more about this Greek myth drama when their hero, Zagreus, dies. This way, players are rewarded no matter how they play the game.
Dying in Hades is also one of the best ways to get stronger. Therefore, death in this roguelike game is not that scary as compared to others. And despite the roguelike tag, Hades is a pretty chill game where each mechanic blends seamlessly into each other to ensure players keep trying again despite failures.
7 Monster Hunter: World
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Year of publication:
2018 -
Platforms:
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
The Monster Hunter series is a franchise so distinctive, the gameplay loop is its own trademark. So not many games were able to successfully imitate it. Monster HunterThe rare formula was in full swing and made more accessible in Monster Hunter: World.
In these games, players go on hunts or missions where their progress depends on how efficiently they can hunt the monsters over and over. Hunts last from five to twenty minutes, depending on the player’s skill. Monsters themselves have different and quirky personalities, making each hunt different from the last, and classes are divided by weapons.
6 Kidney: vending machines
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Year of publication:
2017 -
Platforms:
PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Seeing the end screen for the first time in Kidney: vending machines is actually not the end of the game. It’s usually only a fourth or fifth part of the game, as players have to replay the game multiple times to get the most out of the story.
Each subsequent playthrough is offered from the perspective of different characters. They all reach different endings, but these endings are all linked together until the last one. That’s the creative signature of game director Yoko Taro for his titles. And this narrative freedom translates into an unforgettable gameplay experience.
5 darkest dungeon
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Year of publication:
2016 -
Platforms:
Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
darkest dungeon is one of the most brutal video games in existence due to the randomness of its combat mechanics. Players control a town or mansion that serves as a gathering place for adventurers or heroes. Next, they must delve into gruesome dungeons to uncover the mansion’s secrets and obtain treasures.
Thanks to the sadistic mechanics of the game, players trying to keep their heroes and pick favorites will have a bad time. The game forces players to sidestep failure and embrace the transience of their fragile and mortal adventurers. Thus, the town or mansion has the illusion of a sanctuary that needs to be rebuilt; but in reality it is actually a meat grinder. Heroes go in and gold or treasure comes out, usually covered in the heroes’ blood and guts. That’s how you get on Darkest dungeon.
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Year of publication:
2002 -
Platforms:
Xbox, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming
morrowind will forever be one of the most daring and wondrous environments in a Elder Scrolls game. How the developers handled the titular Dunmer province was nothing short of spectacular. solidify morrowind‘s status as an alien game, the progression system is equally eccentric.
There’s the standard Elder Scrolls stat suite, but players increase them more organically compared to something like Skyrim. Jumping around increases the acrobatics, and running around increases the athleticism, etc. Questlines are also somewhat vague and players can lock themselves out of the main mission by killing certain NPCs. It was the wild west of RPGs back then.
3 Divinity: original sin
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Year of publication:
2015 -
Platforms:
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Classic Mac OS
The sequel is much more polished and casual-friendly; Hence, Divinity: original sin offered a more hardcore experience. In the sequel, it is easy to follow missions and complete everything. But in the first game, players will have to fend for themselves.
The quest system is a diary that players must read for clues. Using your common sense and deductive skills is also one of the ways to progress here. There is no hand-holding and party members can even argue with others about what to do. It makes the sequel tame by comparison.
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Year of publication:
2015 -
Platforms:
Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
It is a Metal Gear Solid game so a unique progression is a given. However, the open-world element here gives players unprecedented levels of freedom that they wouldn’t expect in a metal gear or a Hideo Kojima title.
Part of the progression system involves kidnapping enemy soldiers and sending them to Snake’s off-shore mother base. And strengthening the resources of the mother base is necessary, especially for the multiplayer component of the game. By the way, it is an open world stealth game, the progress here is undoubtedly special.
1 Mount & Blade 2: Banner Lord
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Year of publication:
2020
(early access) -
Platforms:
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Mount & Blade 2: Banner Lord gives players so much freedom that it may put off those who are used to having a hint of direction in their RPGs. This sandbox RPG allows players to be anything they want in a fictional medieval world.
How they do it is a learning process with quite a curve. So the progress here is whatever players set their sights on. That could be anything from being a wealthy merchant, a powerful emperor, or even a carefree bandit.
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