Sandbox games

[mckill2009]

I've heard about sandbox games but no idea on what they are and differs from open world games, so can you explain it here? and what are top 5 of the best sandbox games?...

 

[saphiree]

I think it's basically the same thing.

 

[Adiktuz]

minecraft... really...

if you want fighting, maybe mount and blade can count...

 

[Gilles]

There are so many good ones. A couple that I've recently played and enjoyed are:
-Skyrim
-Far Cry 3
-Grand Theft Auto series. V looks amazing.
-Saints Row Series

 

[mckill2009]

I want to know what is the difference between open world and sandbox games, is it the same?, coz from what I've read outside, sand box are the 'mods' of a particular open world games, is it true?...

 

[Adiktuz]

you call minecraft a sandbox even without mods...

 

[mckill2009]

coz it uses boxes? XD...idk why minecraft is so popular in 2013 where graphic engines are abundant...

 

[Adiktuz]

and it has sand... hahaha... have you tried playing it? it's really fun to play and does not need high specs too... graphics is not the whole point of games (though a lot of kids think that, they determine whether to buy a game or not based on graphics)...

plus, as of now, I don't think there is another game that does what minecraft does... or at least does it as good as minecraft does...

and if you're really concerned with graphics, there are HD texture packs that you can download

 

[mckill2009]

not interested atm...afaik, it's a strategy game, I thought at first that it's like load runner...

 

[Adiktuz]

can be... since building things take some strategical thinking... though I only really play that to build things...

it's a nice game to play when you're bored... most sandbox that I play are like that... XD

but seriously, minecraft is one of the best examples of sandbox since it has both sands and boxes, and actual sandboxes... hahahahahahaha

 

[chobibo]

@mckill
Sandbox games don't restrict the player by enforcing objectives or any of the sort whilst Open ended games may or may not contain (optional) an objective for the player to perform. Both of them, however, offer a non-linear gameplay.

 

[mckill2009]

so is it ok to say that skyrim for example is a sandbox game coz it offers many non enforced quests?

 

[Adiktuz]

I'd say it's an open-world game... because you still have a definite, clearly stated main objective... sandbox is just a sandbox, you don't have a clear objective defined by the creator...

 

[chobibo]

I forgot to mention that sandbox games provide tools to manipulate game environment while you play, at least that's what wikipedia says. If we use that definition then Skyrim is not a sandbox game, since it lacks the said feature.

EDIT: I agree with Adiktuz, since Skyrim has areas you can't go without completing or undergoing a quest (like Sovngarde).

 

[Adiktuz]

Just think of it like this:

Open-world: Creator gives you game, gives you objectives (Storyline etc), let's you decide when you want to do it or if you want to do it at all

Sand-box: Creator gives you game, do what you want with it

 

[chobibo]

Sandbox games are more of a simulation app than a game.

 

[Adiktuz]

to some extent yeah, due to the extensive control that you have over the world...

 

[DESTROYER123]

I think that Garry's Mod is a sandbox.

 

[saphiree]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_world Wikipedia is your friend

 

[Gilles]

Sandbox redirects you to open world on wikipedia. From what I knew/am reading now, sandbox and open world are basically the same thing.

 

[mckill2009]

I can browse that wikipedia anytime, but point being, I dont like to read that much to 'know' something, I'd like shortcuts and brief explanation...

From what I've understood now;

Open World is like;
1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 (goal is 5)

Sandbox means;
1+4 = 5
2+3 = 5
5*1 = 5
5/1 = 5
etc...

same thing, goal is 5...conclusion, sandbox games are more dynamic than open world, although sandbox canbe an open world, but not vice versa...

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

They are pretty much the same. But from my experience, I feel that:

Sandbox: Maybe you have a bunch of unlimited recources, and mess with the world

Free World: You use the world to turn it into a sandbox

Anyone agree with me?

 

[DESTROYER123]

I think that:
Minecraft=Sandbox
Skyrim (TESV)=Open World (+GTA+++)

 

[chobibo]

No, sandbox redirects to non-linear video game level design.
Ah fuck, wikipedia does redirect sandbox to open world, but the sandbox link on the open world article links to non-linear blah blah. Sorry Giles, I stand corrected.

 

[Xonok]

I think that:
Minecraft=Sandbox
Skyrim (TESV)=Open World (+GTA+++)

This.

Sandbox and open world are definitely not the same. They can exist together, but they are fundamentally different.
In this case minecraft is also an open world RPG, which somewhat makes it less into a sandbox, but it's still close enough due to having so much do build.

Sandbox - A game where you have vast control over the environment(godgame)
Open world RPG - A game where you control a main unit(maybe others too, but doesn't matter) and you do not have a specific plot or storyline that you have to follow OR you can follow it, but don't need to.