Lockpicking is a criminal activity that many people frown upon, yet has become one of the most common activities across most role-playing games and other such titles. The idea of breaking into a lock might seem rather boring, but games have done a great job of making this simple act quite entertaining by integrating a minigame that players can interact with for the purposes of opening certain locked chests, containers, doors, and everything else along the same lines.
However, with the prevalence of lockpicking in modern titles, it's only a given that some players might be getting sick and tired of these boring minigames that end up feeling like nothing more than elaborate ways to extend a game's playtime. Thankfully, the following games don't fall into this trap, with their lockpicking shenanigans being fairly interesting for the most part.
10 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion is a great game that continued the legacy of the parent series following the runaway success of Morrowind. Featuring a massive world and improvements to both visuals and combat, Oblivion was a step up in every regard.
Even something as simple as lockpicking was a ton of fun in this game, with players having to push and lock tumblers in a lock with utmost precision. Depending on the player's Security skill, locks could break after a given number of attempts.
9 Fallout: New Vegas
For the most part, modern Bethesda games use a lockpicking system that many people are quite familiar with to this day. One such title that uses this minigame to great effect is Fallout: New Vegas.
This title is lauded by many as one of the best modern RPGs of all time, and its lockpicking makes for a simple yet great way to add to the game's immersion. Players needed to gain certain levels before they could even attempt unlocking certain doors or chests, with this minigame itself being fairly challenging without being too hard.
8 Thief: The Dark Project
Thief: The Dark Project is one of the best immersive sims of all time, combining horror and stealth into one fun package. Given the title of this game, it's only a given that lockpicking plays a major role in deciding how things play out.
Lockpicking seems like a simple affair, with players needing to try out one of two uniquely-shaped lockpicks on any door. However, this minigame is more auditory than visual, with certain sounds indicating if a door is opened or on the verge of unlocking.
7 Bully
Bully's lockpicking isn't exactly all that nuanced, with players having to figure out combinations for the various lockers in the game. However, this does let players immerse themselves in Jimmy's role even more.
After all, only a delinquent would go out of their way to open each and every locker they can find in a bid to get some goodies. Being caught in the act leads to punishment, so players should try avoiding this act when any authority figures are nearby.
6 Dust: An Elysian Tail
Dust: An Elysian Tail is an action-packed Metroidvania title that fans of the series need to check out. It also has a pretty unique take on lockpicking that is nowhere near as frustrating as most people would expect.
Instead of the usual minigames that players find in these titles, Dust has players inputting a set of random button combinations within a definite time. It's a simple and fast-paced way to open up chests without breaking the fast-paced gameplay of this title.
5 Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs is a fun take on an open-world game that pretty much no one expected. The game appeared from the ashes of the True Crime series, with its amazing hand-to-hand combat and fun chase sequences being quite a blast in their own right.
At a glance, the lockpicking of this game doesn't seem like anything special, with the game using the same tumbler locking concept that has appeared several times in other titles. However, for what it's worth, this lockpicking does get quite tense when players stealth around since it happens in real-time.
4 Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Splinter Cell is a stealth series by Ubisoft that is in dire need of a new title, with the reveal of the Splinter Cell remake being welcomed by a starved fanbase. Given the focus on sneaking around in these games, it's only a given that lockpicking would play a major role here.
Chaos Theory is considered by many to be the best Splinter Cell game in the series, with its lockpicking mechanics being quite realistic and ingenious. It might be simple, but the sheer tension players experience while picking a lock in this series is unmatched to this day.
3 Gothic
Gothic is one of the most underrated titles on this list. It might be dated, but the sheer immersive nature of this title coupled with the amazing sense of progression made it quite brilliant in its own right.
Lockpicking itself was a fairly simple yet immersive affair, with players having to rely on the correct sounds to unlock most chests. Nailing the correct combination after a ton of trial and error is surprisingly satisfying, even if the loot may not be worth it.
2 BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea - Episode 2
BioShock Infinite is a great game with an amazing DLC that lets players revisit Rapture once again. The second Burial at Sea episode lets players control Elizabeth, with the unique gameplay additions to her character being quite fun indeed.
One such innovation includes lockpicking, with players needing multiple lockpicks to initiate the unlocking process. Players can either play it safe and unlock containers without any goodies or try to unlock a blue pin to get some Noisemaker Bolts for their troubles.
1 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Depending on a player's control scheme, lockpicking in Kingdom Come: Deliverance can either be great or the most frustrating thing in the world. Using a mouse and keyboard makes lockpicking infinitely simpler than a controller.
Regardless, players who get some practice with lockpicking will find later instances to be a breeze in comparison to the start of the game. This holds true for pretty much every gameplay mechanic in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, with Henry definitely hammering in the point that he really is a blacksmith's son and nothing more.