28 Sandbox games like Far Cry 3 that you should try

Matches like this one are rare: it meets Far Cry 3 on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to a first-person view and single-player focus. It sets itself apart with deep RPG systems and tactical combat.

It shares the essentials of what Far Cry 3 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and co-op play. The distance is in combat and visuals — its own ground is 3D presentation.

It shares the essentials of what Far Cry 3 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and co-op play. Where the two diverge is combat and progression: base building.

On paper it is what Far Cry 3 is — strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on progression and game mode: this one brings roguelike runs and procedural generation.

It shares the essentials of what Far Cry 3 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. The distance is in progression and tone — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere.

It shares the essentials of what Far Cry 3 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals: a third-person camera.

Same family as Far Cry 3: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds skill tree progression and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and tone: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.

It shares the essentials of what Far Cry 3 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and combat: a third-person camera.

It comes from the same genre as Far Cry 3 and shares open world exploration, melee combat and co-op play. Both also lean on exploration and discovery. The distance is in visuals and combat — its own ground is a third-person camera.

The genre is the same as Far Cry 3’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and tone: dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.

What brings it close to Far Cry 3 is open world exploration, melee combat and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and world. To that it adds exploration and discovery. They part company on tone and visuals: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.

Shelved next to Far Cry 3 for good reason: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in visuals and progression — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.

Genre puts it alongside Far Cry 3, and so does strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and stealth mechanics. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in visuals and progression — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.

What brings it close to Far Cry 3 is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, 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 game mode and progression — its own ground is a sci-fi setting.

If Far Cry 3 worked for you because of open world exploration, melee combat and single-player focus, the same is here. The common ground extends to loot and gear systems. Where the two diverge is tone and visuals: dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.