28 Sandbox games like Far Cry 4 that you should try

The resemblance to Far Cry 4 is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on skill tree progression and a first-person view.

It shares the essentials of what Far Cry 4 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in setting and combat — its own ground is a contemporary setting and 3D presentation.

Same family as Far Cry 4: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. 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.

What brings it close to Far Cry 4 is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, tone and world. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is setting and combat: post-apocalyptic world and base building.

The genre is the same as Far Cry 4’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds a first-person view and single-player focus. They part company on progression and tone: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere.

What brings it close to Far Cry 4 is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, tone and world. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings a sci-fi setting and a third-person camera.

The genre is the same as Far Cry 4’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and combat: this one brings a third-person camera.

Genre puts it alongside Far Cry 4, and so does 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.

Same family as Far Cry 4: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and stealth mechanics. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and progression: dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.

On paper it is what Far Cry 4 is — strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and co-op play. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: dark, oppressive atmosphere and a sci-fi setting.

Shelved next to Far Cry 4 for good reason: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and online features. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

The genre is the same as Far Cry 4’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in visuals and game mode — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.

It comes from the same genre as Far Cry 4 and shares strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and combat: this one brings punishing difficulty and offline play.

It shares the essentials of what Far Cry 4 does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and stealth mechanics. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in setting and game mode — its own ground is a sci-fi setting.

Shelved next to Far Cry 4 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 combat — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and a third-person camera.