24 Sandbox games like Assassin's Creed II that you should try

If Assassin's Creed II worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, the same is here. Both also lean on a sci-fi setting and single-player focus. The distance is in visuals and progression — its own ground is 3D presentation.

The resemblance to Assassin's Creed II is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on fantasy world and single-player focus. What it adds of its own: puzzle design.

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to Assassin's Creed II — the two agree on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on historical setting and single-player focus.

The resemblance to Assassin's Creed II is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay.

What brings it close to Assassin's Creed II is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and world. To that it adds skill tree progression and a third-person camera. Its own ground is shooting mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere.

What brings it close to Assassin's Creed II is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics, and the two track each other on genre, tone and world. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in progression — its own ground is shooting mechanics and tactical combat.

Shelved next to Assassin's Creed II for good reason: a sandbox world, stealth mechanics and single-player focus. The common ground extends to a third-person camera. Where the two diverge is tone and game mode: cozy, relaxing feel and offline play.

What brings it close to Assassin's Creed II is adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, and the two track each other on combat, game mode and tone. Both also lean on ranged combat and fantasy world. The distance is in genre and progression — its own ground is third-person shooting.

What brings it close to Assassin's Creed II is adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, and the two track each other on tone, world and progression. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on genre and game mode: this one brings co-op play.

If Assassin's Creed II worked for you because of adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, the same is here. The common ground extends to melee combat and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and genre: shooting mechanics and co-op play.

It resembles Assassin's Creed II most in how it is built: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is genre and progression: shooting mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere.

What carries over from Assassin's Creed II is adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a third-person camera. They part company on setting and genre: this one brings shooting mechanics and a cyberpunk setting.

What carries over from Assassin's Creed II is adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. To that it adds stealth mechanics and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and genre: this one brings shooting mechanics and a first-person view.

The common ground with Assassin's Creed II is structural: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and a sandbox world. To that it adds a third-person camera and stealth mechanics. They part company on genre and progression: this one brings shooting mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere.

What it holds in common with Assassin's Creed II is shape: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration. Both also lean on melee combat and single-player focus. The distance is in genre and progression — its own ground is third-person shooting.