HT Games
Here are some excellent sandbox games for the PS3, broken down by genre:
Open World Adventure:
* Grand Theft Auto V: Arguably the gold standard of sandbox games, offering an expansive world with missions, heists, side activities, and plenty of freedom to explore and cause mayhem.
* Red Dead Redemption: A Western epic with a compelling story, a vast world, and engaging gameplay focused on exploration, hunting, and gunfights.
* Just Cause 2: Features an immense island nation to explore, with wacky gadgets and a focus on chaotic destruction.
* Sleeping Dogs: A blend of open world action and undercover cop thriller, with an emphasis on hand-to-hand combat and Hong Kong-style environments.
* Saints Row: The Third: Over-the-top, comedic action with a wide variety of activities and a focus on customization and humor.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs):
* The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: A sprawling fantasy RPG with massive world, deep character customization, and tons of freedom in how you progress.
* Fallout 3: A post-apocalyptic RPG with a massive world, compelling story, and a focus on choice and consequence.
* Fallout: New Vegas: A standalone expansion of Fallout 3, with a different storyline and a world filled with factions and choices.
* Dragon Age: Origins: A fantasy RPG with a rich story, a complex combat system, and a deep world to explore.
Action/Adventure:
* Batman: Arkham City: An open-world action game with a sprawling metropolis to explore, thrilling combat, and compelling story.
* Prototype: A unique open world game where you play as a shapeshifting monster with the ability to absorb the abilities of others.
* Infamous 2: A superpowered action game with a complex moral system and the ability to choose your path as a hero or a villain.
* The Last of Us: While not completely open world, it has a large, detailed world to explore and features stealth, combat, and crafting elements.
Racing:
* Burnout Paradise: An open-world racing game that emphasizes speed and destruction with a focus on driving through a sprawling city.
* Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit: Features a variety of racing styles, a focus on police chases, and an open world setting.
Other:
* LittleBigPlanet 2: A creative platformer with a user-generated content system, allowing you to build your own levels and share them with others.
* Minecraft: A sandbox game focused on building and exploring, offering endless possibilities for creativity. (Not officially released on PS3 but available through PlayStation Store)
Tips for choosing the best game:
* Consider your interests: What kind of world do you want to explore? What kind of gameplay do you prefer?
* Read reviews: See what other players think about the games you are interested in.
* Check the price: Some of these games can be quite expensive, so be sure to compare prices before you buy.
Have fun exploring these awesome worlds!