Update/Correction: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands is not a first person shooter. I think they initially intended it that way, but it is actually third person. 

2016 was a good year for free roam/open world games as you had two very big ones release close to the end of the year.

There was Mafia 3 with its 1960s version of New Orleans complete with the Italian Mob, revenge and the Civil Rights movement and racism of the time period. The game play was nothing new, but the story was just superb and in my opinion made it one of the best open world games of last year. You can read my review of the game here.

Watch Dogs 2 was another huge release around the end of 2016 and was a big improvement over the original Watch Dogs. The hacking was done better and had much more of a purpose. The setting was also better than the more gritty Chicago of the original.

Having it based in San Francisco was much more refreshing and it seemed more vibrant and alive than what was in the original Watch Dogs. I also like that there are surrounding areas in the game such as Oakland and Silicon Valley. I still have a review of it coming soon, I’m just now getting into the multiplayer portion of it.

There was also an HD version of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim released that had improved graphics and even allowed limited use of mods on the PS4 version (Microsoft was not as strict on their version and has a lot more mods). Other than the mods and improved graphics, there’s nothing else new to the game that you haven’t already seen from the original version released in the last generation of systems.

There were also some other open world games released in 2016, but I did not get a chance to play them at this time. If I get some more free time (and can stop playing my current open world games), that might change.

It is now time to take a look at the upcoming free roam games of 2017 that will be coming to the PS4.

Spiderman

Spiderman is back and in a big way to the PS4 and it looks like it will be a huge free roam game. While there have been Spiderman games in the past, one of which was actually a decent open world game, this one looks to turn things up even further with improved graphics, gameplay, action and an even larger map to swing around in.

As far as a plot for the game, not much has been revealed, however about a week ago, Gamesradar posted an article which stated that the website IMDB had briefly posted a plot of the game where he faces the Green Goblin. It is also revealed that Peter Parker has an adult life in which he is married and has a kid.

The article does mention though that the plot was quickly removed from IMDB’s site so we don’t know if it is truly legitimate or they released the real plot in error. In either case, it does sound interesting and is a game I will definitely keep on my radar.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands

I’ll admit that I’ve never really played any of the Ghost Recon games, but from everything I’ve heard about them, they are great first person shooters to play. As you can tell, I’m not big into first person shooters, but I have played some in the past (thanks to some convincing from friends) and did actually enjoy them. (Correction, it is NOT a first person shooter)

With that in mind, everything that has been released so far about Ghost Recon: Wildlands may just mix the best of both worlds which is actually a third person game in an open world setting.

 

According to Ubisoft, the game will take place in a very large free roam version of Boliva, South America. You’re apparently taking a team of Ghosts (a name for a group of an elite special operations team) and are sent behind enemy lines to take down a ruthless drug cartel whose leader has turned the country into one of the most lawless places in the world.

There is a great trailer of the game on YouTube and the graphics look superb. I’m not used to playing open world games in a first person setting so it will definitely take some getting used to for me. In order to probably prepare for it, I may purchase the open world game Far Cry 4 which is also a first person shooter.

Red Dead Redemption 2

This will probably be the biggest open world game of the year especially since it is a game from Rockstar and trust me, when they release an open world game, the entire video game world pays attention.

This is probably the biggest free roam game I’m really excited for this year. I’ve got the first Red Dead Redemption (which is a sequel of sorts to a former game called Red Dead Revolver) and had a lot of fun with that game on the PS3.

I loved the setting of the old west though it took place more in the beginning of the early 20th century. From the info Rockstar has released of Red Dead 2, it will take place in a little bit of an earlier time than the first Red Dead Redemption and a bit more in the plains area of the US.

It also looks like there will be more than one playable character very similar to Grand Theft Auto V. We will have to wait and see of course and there hasn’t really been much word of whether or not there’ll be an online multiplayer, but the first trailer of the game looks very promising. It’s slated to come out in the 4th quarter of this year, just in time for the holidays.

Other Free Roam Games

There are more open world games besides just those 3 that should be coming this year. There’s Shenmue 3, which if you remember quite a long time ago, the original came was released on Sega’s very last home console which was the Dreamcast. Shenmue was well received and had what was considered ground breaking graphics at the time.

Resident Evil 7 is on the way, though it is not a traditional free roam game that we are all used to, but you will be able to explore the main setting that the game takes place in which is a plantation or mansion. It looks really good and something that should not be missed especially if you’re into horror.

There’s also a new Mass Effect game, a new zombie game coming that promises to be open world, the next God of War could be free roam, and more. There’s also other games in development too that haven’t been announced yet so you’ll definitely want to stay tuned.

I for one would love it if Rockstar would release a new Midnight Club game. That was one of my most favorite open world racers that originated on the PS2 and also had a game on the PS3. I for one would also like to see a new Driver game from Ubisoft.

There you have it folks, a look at some of the upcoming free roam games of 2017. In the meantime, check out the trailer of Red Dead Redemption 2 released by Rockstar. Feel free to post your thoughts below. What are some of the free roam games you’re looking forward to in 2017?