[Minor Spoiler] The Whole Game Isn't Open World

[NeverSleeper]

This is NOT a story spoiler:

After Chapter 9, there is no more Open World structure, the story kind of takes over and puts the gameplay on rails. It's kind of the opposite of FFXIII which started out as a series of linear stages until closer to the middle when it becomes more open world.

This is not meant to be negative, this is just letting people know in advance what to expect, because I feel like there are quite a few posters here (I wont name names) that are going to be ranting and trolling about it and exadurate to try to put off potential fans.

[Jumping Squirrel]

You're right and you're wrong. It does become a more story driven experience towards the end of the game, but you are free to return to an "earlier time" if you use Umbra at a sleeping area.

Once you complete the game, you are also taken back to a previous point (right before the end), which allows you to complete other activites. There is also a fair amount of post-ending content that couldn't be accessed before.

So you do have the option at a number of opportunities after Chapter 9 to go back to the open-world, free-reaming gameplay. It's explained once during the game after the feature unlocks, but the game doesn't remind you that you can still go back and explore.

[NeverSleeper]

Originally posted by Wee Albet:

You're right and you're wrong.

No, I'm just right. Yes, you have a menu option to return to the open world, as I mentioned I played it to completion on PS4 so I am aware of this, but the actual game itself becomes linear from there and persists chapters 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

[CatPerson]

The story path becomes linear, yes, not the game as a whole. Semantics, I know. :)

[NeverSleeper]

Originally posted by CatPerson:

The story path becomes linear, yes, not the game as a whole. Semantics, I know. :)

Actually, the game as a whole DOES become linear. There aren't any more side quests after Chapter 9, only the ones that you didn't complete in chapters 1-8. If you choose to go back to the open world, you're literally going back to an earlier point in the game.

[Dark3nedDragon]

I don't get why so many people are obsessed with the idea of 'open world', the whole point of an 'open world' is not that the world itself is open, but that you have the decision to do what you want and how you want it. The description refers to the 'type' of game that initially started this path (rather than linear and locked in games of the past).

If you were to plop Doom into a giant sandbox, where you can spend 40 hours shooting the same characters over and over, according to some that would be an 'open world' game. Witcher 3 on the other hand is an example of why people like an open world, there's choice to be had in what content to do, plentiful side missions, and most importantly of all, all the content feels meaningful and connected.

Whereas Mass Effect 2 was very 'linear' and story driven, it was a much stronger game than Mass Effect Andromeda could ever be. It's easier to differentiate between Open World Sandboxes and Open World Story-Driven content. Skyrim would be an example of a bit of both, with a much higher focus on the story-content (quests, dungeon delving (as many dungeons had related stories along with them and unique items), and a strong focus on the tertiary story lines of the various optional guilds). Mount and Blade would be an example of a strongly-focused Sandbox open world, you may do whatever you want, and all enjoyment comes from playing the game and doing as you want in it (creating what you want out of it). That works in some games, and not others. This model would not work in a Mass Effect game, but does work in something like Minecraft. Whereas the story-driven content doesn't work as well in a game like Minecraft.

The biggest draw for games like FFXV and Mass Effect are the stories, the relationships and actions between characters, not (insert applicable hype tag here).

Would you rather a 'free and open experience' like Mass Effect Andromeda?

[Johnny Silverhand]

Till you get to the end then you can do whatever.

[NeverSleeper]

Originally posted by Satan:

I don't get why so many people are obsessed with the idea of 'open world', the whole point of an 'open world' is not that the world itself is open, but that you have the decision to do what you want and how you want it. The description refers to the 'type' of game that initially started this path (rather than linear and locked in games of the past).

If you were to plop Doom into a giant sandbox, where you can spend 40 hours shooting the same characters over and over, according to some that would be an 'open world' game. Witcher 3 on the other hand is an example of why people like an open world, there's choice to be had in what content to do, plentiful side missions, and most importantly of all, all the content feels meaningful and connected.

Whereas Mass Effect 2 was very 'linear' and story driven, it was a much stronger game than Mass Effect Andromeda could ever be. It's easier to differentiate between Open World Sandboxes and Open World Story-Driven content. Skyrim would be an example of a bit of both, with a much higher focus on the story-content (quests, dungeon delving (as many dungeons had related stories along with them and unique items), and a strong focus on the tertiary story lines of the various optional guilds). Mount and Blade would be an example of a strongly-focused Sandbox open world, you may do whatever you want, and all enjoyment comes from playing the game and doing as you want in it (creating what you want out of it). That works in some games, and not others. This model would not work in a Mass Effect game, but does work in something like Minecraft. Whereas the story-driven content doesn't work as well in a game like Minecraft.

The biggest draw for games like FFXV and Mass Effect are the stories, the relationships and actions between characters, not (insert applicable hype tag here).

Would you rather a 'free and open experience' like Mass Effect Andromeda?

Please read my whole post, I specifically stated that I am a fan of FFXV. Please read the entire post before writing a response, thank you.

[Beemoo]

I actually prefer it this way because by middle of the game, I was so burnt out on sidequests that I wanted to progress the main story. Thank god they didn't spew out more sidequests later in the game.

[❀❀ V ❀❀]

Originally posted by KustNonika:

Originally posted by CatPerson:

The story path becomes linear, yes, not the game as a whole. Semantics, I know. :)

Actually, the game as a whole DOES become linear. There aren't any more side quests after Chapter 9, only the ones that you didn't complete in chapters 1-8. If you choose to go back to the open world, you're literally going back to an earlier point in the game.

Theres a bunch of sidequests in Chapter 14 now

[Ms Triss]

Furthermore, as stated before, more optional content within the pre chapter 9 areas in the open world are ONLY accessalbe AFTER completion of the game. If you finish just the story and ignore everything else you are literally ignoring almost half of the content the game has to offer.