Best Open-World Games With Alchemical Systems

Open-world games are widely varied, allowing players to experience different mechanics while exploring diverse stories and settings. The freedom offered in these universes creates an immersive and personalized experience, where each player can make their own decisions about how to explore the environment.

One common mechanic in these games is allowing players to be true alchemists, exploring a variety of combinations to create tonics and other powerful potions to aid their chances of survival during adventures. These games tend to vary in the complexity of their alchemy mechanics, but there are many interesting options for players who enjoy this aspect of an open-world game.

10 Red Dead Redemption 2

Arthur Morgan Can Use Some Tonics

Red Dead Redemption 2 boasts one of the most complex and incredible open worlds ever created by Rockstar. In it, players follow the story of Arthur Morgan. Arthur has many different skills, one of which is producing tonics to aid his journey throughout the game.

However, unlike other complex systems in the game, the alchemy mechanics in Red Dead Redemption 2 are simpler. Ingredients are found in nature, and creating tonics is a straightforward activity. It takes little time to perform, but is a great help to players.

9 Dragon Age: Inquisition

The Inquisitor Needs Potions In The Fight Against The Fade

Dragon Age: Inquisition, released by BioWare in 2014, stands out for its open world with vast landscapes, captivating narrative, and engaging characters. The player, in the role of the Inquisitor, faces supernatural threats and political intrigue in a mission to restore order in Thedas.

The game’s alchemy system is not very complex, but it offers a good variety of options for what players can produce to help in the Inquisitor’s journey. Options range from simple tonics that offer elemental resistances, to grenades to injure enemies.

8 Baldur’s Gate 3

One Of Many Systems By Larian

Larian Studios put significant effort into making Baldur’s Gate 3 a complex game. It brought many of the best elements of Dungeons & Dragons into a video game. Players have numerous possibilities for creating their characters and also approaching the story.

However, something few players use is the game’s alchemy mechanic. Although not as complex as in other Larian games, it allows players to create some potions on their own. Players can usually find ingredients while wandering the world, without needing to spend their gold coins to buy them.

7 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom

Link Can Mix Items To Create Elixirs

Link, in his journey to save Hyrule from Ganondorf’s influence, can do a lot while exploring the various locations in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom. During the adventure, he will need to face various enemies and also overcome some challenges, such as puzzles or extreme weather.

For the latter, he can use his alchemy skills to create various different elixirs that will be fundamental in his journey. Unfortunately, this mechanic is also not very complex. Players only need to select some ingredients and mix them with monster parts in a cooking pot. However, the game allows players to be creative in their inventions, and many combinations are possible.

6 Hogwarts Legacy

Learn The Art Of Potions At Hogwarts

The first open-world game set in the Wizarding World allows players to explore the complexities of Hogwarts castle, as well as adjacent regions of this universe. Players can venture into the village of Hogsmeade and other locations not mentioned in the books or movies.

One of the mechanics that helps players in this journey, as a fifth-year student, is the ability to use the Room of Requirement in to cultivate plants. These can later be used in potions for the player to use during combat against enemies.

5 Minecraft

Create Many Different Potions

Minecraft offers an open world full of possibilities, where creativity is the only limit. Players explore and shape the environment to their liking, facing challenges and discovering hidden secrets in the vast blocky landscape.

In the game, alchemy is an essential mechanic for survival and progression. Using ingredients that they collect in different ways, players can create potions that offer various effects, from health regeneration to fire resistance. Although the potion system is relatively simple, it allows for a wide variety of useful combinations for different situations.

The Dragonborn Can Forget The Main Quest To Craft Potions

Skyrim is one of the most iconic open-world games ever created by Bethesda. In it, players explore a vast and detailed kingdom, facing dragons, uncovering mysteries, and interacting with a multitude of characters while forging their destiny as the Dragonborn.

Alchemy in Skyrim is a fundamental mechanic, allowing players to create various potions and poisons using ingredients found throughout the world. This system offers great depth, enabling complex combinations that can enhance abilities, restore health, or harm enemies. Players who master it can grant themselves numerous advantages during gameplay.

3 The Witcher 3

Geralt Needs Alchemy To Be A Witcher

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an acclaimed game that places players in the role of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter, in a vast open world filled with stunning landscapes and supernatural challenges. The engaging narrative and political intrigue keep players immersed in the story.

In the game, alchemy is one of the most important mechanics for Geralt’s survival. He can create various tonics, oils, and bombs using ingredients found during his journey. These creations enhance his combat abilities, or help heal wounds. They are indispensable for exploiting the weaknesses of various enemies encountered along the way.

2 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Larian Created A Complex System For The Game

Divinity: Original Sin 2, another game by Larian Studios, offers a complex and detailed alchemy system where players can create a wide range of items. Among the options are various potions, grenades, and runes, all crafted from intricate combinations of ingredients found in the world. This system allows players to experiment with different recipes and maximize the use of available resources.

Additionally, alchemy in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is not limited to just healing and damage. Effects include increased resistances, temporary attribute boosts, and the creation of utility items. This complexity makes alchemy a vital and engaging part of gameplay, enriching the experience in the world of Rivellon.

1 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

A Highly Complex Alchemy System

Kingdom Come: Deliverance features a non-magical alchemy system, offering one of the most realistic and complex experiences within open-world games. Henry, the protagonist, can create potions that aid in his journey, such as healing tonics and stamina elixirs, using natural ingredients found in the world. Alchemy in this game is detailed, requiring knowledge and skill to prepare the mixtures correctly.

This system excels by emulating historical alchemical practices, providing a unique depth to the game. The developers have done a remarkable job creating an alchemy system that stands out for its authenticity and complexity, enriching the player experience in Kingdom Come: Deliverance.