Ubisoft has a reputation for open-world games, but that reputation isn't all good. Players often criticize the developer's titles for being overblown, formulaic, and littered with busy work. As a result, even the most die-hard fans suffer fatigue, which is a shame. It means they can't enjoy what the games do right.
The company's open-world entries have many aspects that are impressive, both on their own and compared to other industry contenders. Any future titles should play to these strengths. If they do, then Ubisoft could revitalize its repertoire and become one of the most respected companies in gaming.
7 Traversal
Among the defining attributes of Assassin's Creed navigation is verticality. These hooded killers are as dexterous as monkeys, climbing on anything that even vaguely resembles a handhold. The towering structure of the Crusades and Italian Renaissance lend themselves well to this. Scaling the tallest buildings and leaping across rooftops is undeniably fulfilling.
More recent titles like Assassin's Creed: Origins and Immortals: Fenyx Rising extend this idea. With enough stamina and patience, characters can clamber over any surface. With the latter game, players can even fly. Sure, this diminishes the strategy, but it also means players have absolute freedom in exploration. They can see these beautiful worlds from any angle.
6 Appearance
On that note, it's a world worth looking at. Ubisoft excels at cities. An immaculate level of detail lies in the architecture. That holds true for both the stylized designs of Immortals and the authentic buildings of Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Watch Dogs. They all display immense craftsmanship.
That care also applies to areas outside the city. These games have a plethora of wild environments, each with unique features. No two places look quite the same. What's more is that the lighting, textures, and coloring make them nearly as picturesque as the cities. In short, visuals have never been an issue with Ubisoft.
5 Size
These developers seem determined to push the boundaries of sheer size. Their worlds get gradually bigger with each game, going from a few cities to a couple of islands to entire countries. Players can travel across these vast landscapes with minimal loading screens. The fact that Ubisoft can achieve that with worlds this big is astounding. In fact, they're too big.
There's not enough substance to sustain such a massive area. That's where the tower climbing, repetitive base battles, fetch quests, and collectibles come into play. However, the world itself isn't the issue. The developers should be commended for rendering such gargantuan sandboxes, but those sandboxes deserve more meaningful activities with which to experience them.
4 Voice Acting
Countless residents make up open-world games, and players interact with many of them. It's tough to find a unique voice for each person. That's where some titles take shortcuts. If a character or conversation isn't important, then developers may convey the exchange through text boxes. This trend is particularly prevalent in MMOs and JRPGs. Voice acting for every NPC is a luxury.
Thankfully, it's a luxury that Ubisoft games have. Every denizen of these open worlds has a voice, be it by a new actor or a familiar cast member doing a different persona. Not only does this make the presentation consistent, but it lets the setting feel more alive and organic. Such are the perks of high production values.
3 Customization
As its games moved more into RPG territory, Ubisoft strove to give players a plethora of options in character-building. Countless hairstyles and facial features are available at the start, rivaling even Elder Scrolls. The sheer number of permutations means no two characters look the same. However, the variety goes further.
Fans find numerous bits of equipment for every body part. These come from hidden chests, completing quests, or in-game shops. Players can also buy them via DLC, but this isn't remotely necessary. They already have more than they know what to do with. Granted, this leads to excessive micromanagement, but it aids in distinguishing each playthrough. Standing out like that encourages replayability.
2 Single Players Welcome
More and more publishers are chasing the multiplayer market, leaving single players in an odd place. It's hard to feel any sense of immersion or personal distinction with a million other people just trying to rack up kill counts. Though some Ubisoft titles support online play, they're predominantly solo affairs.
Their open worlds contain hours of activities for fans playing on their own. Not only do they have lengthy stories, but they also come with side quests and collectibles galore. Again, these aren't the most engaging tasks, but they're good for a grind. Not to mention, they're more than most AAA developers put into the single-player side. From that perspective, one can admire their attempts.
1 The Homestead
A recurring element in Ubisoft titles is the home base. Several Assassin's Creed and Far Cry entries have employed this. It's where most of the protagonist's friends and family congregate. In addition, it comes with shops and other facilities for growth. Players can improve these by pouring resources into them and completing the corresponding side quests. Soon, the humble home becomes a thriving community.
These beats are familiar yet consistently addictive. It helps that players' efforts benefit them in the long term, unlocking secret rewards and making it easier to acquire materials. On top of that, the side quests feel more personal. The heroes are essentially helping out a neighbor instead of some stranger on the street. Some of these even offer more insight into the main narrative. These aspects make the home base the most compelling part of any Ubisoft open world.