According to GamesIndustry, the highest selling games in the U.K. were the sandbox titles "Elden Ring" and "Grand Theft Auto V." Previously known as "GTA" Clones, sandbox games have become one of the most dominant genre in the world of gaming, leading to blockbuster franchises such as "Far Cry" and "Horizon." Awhile ago, I made a list of ways that the sandbox genre was getting stale, but there are some titles that demonstrate their ability to adapt and provide new experiences.
Exploration is still fun
One of the best aspects of open-world games is the realization that the landscapes beyond the horizon aren't just there for decoration. They can be reached. "Breath of the Wild" is as equally impressive for its sheer size as it is for the many creatures, secrets and encounters that it contains. The best open world games can have players discover something new even after dedicating months to the title.
Technology has advanced
3D games have come a long way from their low polygon count roots. For years, games have had to use tricks such as fog and imposters to mask low draw distances in games like the "GTA" trilogy or "Shadow of the Colossus." Now, graphics have progressed to the point where worlds can be entirely seamless and immersive. Games like "The Witcher III" and "Read Dead Redemption II" are about as close as players can get to real life holodecks from Star Trek.
