The best open world games with instant loadouts

Almost every good open world game has variety. There is always so much content to enjoy and places to see, and some of the most enjoyable parts are being able to create personalized builds that suit your tastes and preferences. But many times, you can get stuck playing as a single archetype or character for an entire playthrough.

However, some games allow you to remove all friction between builds and quickly change to your desired play style on the fly. This can be done through loadouts, weapon changes, or complete character overhauls, and regardless of how they work, these games make the entire experience much more enjoyable at the click of a button.

“Immediately” is a bit of an overstatement in some cases and may require several steps. Some titles also implement some restrictions, such as limiting loadout swapping when not in combat.

external

True RPG freedom

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• Quickslots allow you to quickly switch between styles.

• Supports dramatically different combat approaches

externalLike any good RPG, it encourages experimentation on the fly by allowing players to build around magic, melee combat, ranged combat, or hybrid combinations that incorporate abilities from multiple paths. Once abilities and equipment are unlocked, quickslots allow players to switch between completely different fighting styles without creating a new character. This is very useful considering how tough the world and gameplay are.

This flexibility is especially important during exploration, where different enemies and environments reward different strategies. I prefer swords over bows in certain dungeons, but on open plains I find that switching to the ranged setting changes how each encounter plays out without having to reset or revert.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Historic setting, modern convenience

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• Loadouts allow you to swap builds on the fly.

• Switch between Warrior, Hunter, and Stealth settings

Odyssey Equipment Loadouts introduced one of the best quality of life features in the franchise. Instead of manually changing all your gear, you can save multiple presets and switch between them almost instantly from the inventory screen, which may be less immersive, but it definitely makes the gameplay a lot better.

What makes this feature so important is how distinct the different parts of the game are. You'll face bustling fortresses and quiet villages on the outskirts, as each part requires a special approach that no single build can ever provide. I think this game is one of the best games in the series, and the loadout features put a lot of effort into making it feel just as good.

Tom Clancy's The Division 2

Weapons are not too big

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• Equipment slots can be swapped during battle.

• Specialization in all activities

Looter Shooter is basically built around the idea of ​​equipment and items. Division 2 It's no different. You'll have access to a variety of weapons and slots that you can customize to create incredibly deep builds, but unlike other games where the swapping process can be tedious, here you can swap builds on the fly with just a few clicks of a button.

One build is great for solo exploration, and the other is designed specifically for raids or PvP. Being able to move between the two builds makes completing the raid and venturing into the Dark Zone a lot less frustrating than it would otherwise be. I really enjoy trying new things and being able to customize my builds, and I found this version's build swaps to be one of the best in the entire genre.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint

the only limit is you

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• You can save multiple gear loadouts.

• Quick movement between slots

Ghost Recon Breakpoint It gives you tremendous freedom in how you approach missions, and the loadout system supports just that flexibility. You can store complete sets of gear, so you can simply swap between sniper, assault, stealth, or melee builds whenever you need them, and as many of you know, the situation almost always calls for a new gun.

Different missions often reward specific tactics, so the ability to change the entire setup without having to manually equip every weapon and attachment means that gameplay flows and there's absolutely no downtime, no matter how big the world. And as if that wasn't enough, the game offers one of the most extensive arsenals of any shooter, making the entire loadout swap even more impressive.

who was once human

Adaptation is key

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• A specialized combat build is possible right in your inventory.

• Designed with diversity in mind

Once human The survival-focused open world constantly introduces new enemy types and challenges, so you'll never get too used to having just one weapon in your pocket. Not only is flexibility incredibly valuable, but it's also a powerful tool that can be leveraged through loadout configurations that can be saved and swapped out as situations change.

Whether you're preparing for an expedition, a world boss, or a high-level encounter, you can instantly jump between completely different weapon combinations and armor setups. This is something I used in almost every single session due to the large amount of variety within the game. In a sense, experimentation is not optional, but a core part of gameplay that must be exploited or left behind by the apocalypse.

monster hunter wild

Keep hunting longer

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• There are two primary weapons in a single loadout.

• You can change your fighting style while hunting.

In the past, Monster Hunter Although the game does offer limited ways to engage targets when hunting; wildA major limitation has been removed from the beginning. You now have access to two separate primary slots that can be equipped with basically any weapon combination you can think of. Of course, some will be better than others.

This means that depending on the situation or what kind of support your group needs, it's entirely possible to start a fight with a bow, switch to a greatsword once the monster is weakened, or use complementary weapon types in pairs. I believe this single feature improves the core gameplay significantly over the previous features and ensures much more variety from the beginning to the end of the journey.

fallout 76

Even the apocalypse can be liberating

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• Loadouts with instant perks and special changes

• A single character can support radically different approaches.

fallout 76 The Punch Card Machine transformed character progression by allowing players to save multiple special and perk loadouts rather than having to manually switch between items over and over again. Instead of permanently committing to a single build, you can now change your Wastelander's weapons and passive buffs in seconds. This is a feature that many people have been asking for and is now accessible.

Combined with different weapon and armor sets, it's easy to maintain a dedicated archetype without having to create multiple characters. For a game built around long-term progression, this is one of the most useful quality-of-life features Bethesda has added, and it's a bonus that made me come back and really fall in love with the game.

nio 3

Samurai and ninja in one

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• Always have two builds: Samurai and Ninja.

• There is almost a need for constant exchange between them.

All of these games encourage you to explore different loadouts, but never actually put you in that situation. nio 3 Team Ninja is an exception, as they designed their combat system to facilitate two simultaneous builds that complement each other. Throughout the entire campaign, players will have access to both samurai and ninja loadouts, with certain weapons only being tied to one archetype.

The samurai build is slower but attacks harder, while the ninja can jump around while using much less stamina. They have a variety of skills and yokai abilities that make them better suited to certain situations or bosses, and ignoring one of them means cutting your toolkit in half. for Nio Veterans, the Ninja build may take some getting used to, but it will become second nature over time.