As a Chronic Fog Cleanser, Open World Games Scare Me

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My gaming mind has been meticulously honed to conquer Soulslikes, ascend leaderboards in hero shooters, or master that challenging parkour level in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. However, there’s one aspect of gaming that truly unnerves me. It’s not the House Beneviento section in Resident Evil Village… It’s the task of dispersing fog in open-world games.

For me, losing myself for hours in open-world games that I strive to complete fully, and then finding out I’ve barely touched the game’s vastness, is a real shock. It’s happened in games such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, recent Far Cry series, and even older ones like Xenoblade Chronicles.

Among all the games I’ve played, nothing quite seized me like the 50 hours I spent immersed in Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

The Xenoblade Chronicles series has always been expansive, but the third (and potentially last) installment took things to an entirely new scale. Its open world seemed endless, inviting me as a curious explorer to delve into every hidden corner of its sprawling science-fiction landscapes. The game’s ‘fog of war’ mechanic kept me constantly exploring uncharted territories, seeking the reward of a fully unveiled map. My meticulous mind yearned for this completion, and I imagine Noah, Mio, and their party were rather weary from all that climbing and hiking.

Instead of saying “Assassin’s Creed Shadows wasn’t too bad,” you could rephrase it as “Assassin’s Creed Shadows wasn’t terrible.” To explore the game, all I had to do was locate the nearest Synchronization Point and use Naoe and Yasuke’s senses to scan the surroundings. Occasionally, there were areas shrouded in fog or marked with mysterious symbols, but I tended to avoid them until a quest demanded that I investigate those spots.

Ghost of Tsushima is an outstanding game that skillfully manages the concept often referred to as the veil of ignorance. Unlike other games, I didn’t have to explore every nook and cranny; instead, the game gradually revealed itself to me as I progressed through the missions. Furthermore, the natural environment played a significant role in guiding me: subtle wind directions and animal sounds subtly hinted at where I should go next.

As a gamer, let me tell you, Elden Ring really delivered! What I found truly captivating was the Map Fragments that opened up vast sections of this incredible world. But, getting my hands on those fragments wasn’t easy; it took some serious determination and skill. Yet, every time I managed to reach one, the sense of accomplishment made it all worthwhile.

However, all three Xenoblade Chronicles games provide vast, intricate worlds to discover. While many locations are optional, it’d be nicer if the fog lifted more frequently, wouldn’t it? The idea of climbing a colossal mountain (that might stretch over two kilometers) just to unveil half of it can feel disappointing. My meticulous mind isn’t particularly fond of that.

One reason I didn’t complete Xenoblade Chronicles 3, a game I adore for its melancholic narrative and captivating music, was that it felt incredibly overwhelming. The numerous possibilities of where to explore left me feeling frozen and unsure about which direction to take.

I honestly worry about open-world games that have a confusing “fog of war.” It’s puzzling why I can’t view the map once I’ve soared over an area or synced with a tower.

It’s quite possible that the problem lies with me, there’s no denying it. However, this sentiment rings true for every gamer out there who faces the disheartening reality of conquering a map only to find themselves even more lost within the vastness of the world they’re already struggling to navigate.

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2025-05-12 14:03