Sandbox Games

[BreakABone]

Other than GTA.

What are some of your favorites?
Which went too far from the path?

Where do you want to see the genre going?

Anyhow, this thread came about for two reasons.
1)Currently playing GTA IV like most of you people.
2) For some reason got to thinking about True Crimes. And I just thought it had a novel idea (the concept of your actions having consequences on the actual game with 3 endings depending on if you were a good cop, bad cop or just neutral). The problem with the game is it takes on a VERY alien nature in the last 1/4th or so that really just destroys it.

[Aladuf]

My favorite by far is Crackdown.

I'm not sure where I'd like to see the genre go, I'd like them to have far more exploration a la Crackdown. And also, maybe not be so plot driven, keep that minimal and let me just run/drive around and do nothing for hours.

[GameMaster]

Imagine a world where you can travel anywhere by foot or horse.

Congratulations, you've just imagined Shadow of the Colossus.

This game invented the sandbox genre and so far, no game has been epic enough to defeat it.

[Bond]

Crackdown for sure. It was simply pure fun.

[Typhoid]

Final Fantasy?

[Yoda9864]

Oblivion, hands down. I've spent many an hour walking around the forests hunting deer.

[Renwood]

Imagine a world where you can travel anywhere by foot or horse.

Congratulations, you've just imagined Shadow of the Colossus.

This game invented the sandbox genre and so far, no game has been epic enough to defeat it.
You're amazing.

[Aladuf]

ohdeargod. Renwood and GM agree on something. just... ohdeargod.

[gekko]

Crackdown.

[Renwood]

ohdeargod. Renwood and GM agree on something. just... ohdeargod.
Sarcasm. Shadow of the Colossus is my favorite game. It did not invent the sandbox genre. It does too many things well to award it praise for what it did not.

[Dyne]

I'm finding GTA4 is really the best of the best so far in terms of dickery. I played Crackdown but I should probably play it some more.

[BreakABone]

Here is what I want from future sandbox games.

1)Find a way to rip-off the Godfather Blackhand Edition controls. The melee is the best in ANY sandbox game in my opinion. The shooting is very nice and allows you to target seperate body parts.

2)More variety in mission, I know it is tough doing what you are generally doing in some of these games. But more missions where you scare people instead of killing them. Maybe more missions like the side missions in Saints Row like hurting yourself in public to get money or causing mayhem to rival businesses so your stock goes up. I'm sure if they watch enough gangster movies they can find something new.

3) A more cohevise storyline. I know it defeats the purpose of some free-roaming game but being able to do the missions out of order sometimes disrupts the flow of the story. Find a way to make it all work and still be open.