Open-world games are all about exploration, or at least that's one of their biggest appeals. Every fan of the genre knows the feeling of being unable to sit still, especially during those first few hours when the entire map is unfamiliar and every road seems exciting. However, even the most experienced adventurers often overestimate themselves, especially early in a game.

Most times, this doesn't lead to anything worse than an embarrassingly quick U-turn. However, there are some games that punish early exploration faster than you can say "skill issue." Of course, you shouldn't be discouraged from wandering off the main path altogether. Sometimes, coming back and conquering an area you failed as a newbie makes the experience more rewarding. Here are some open-world games that make you think twice before wandering too far too soon.

As with any game, looking hard enough for flaws in Final Fantasy 2 will probably uncover as many as your heart desires. Its dungeon design, activity-based progression, and counterintuitive leveling system are only the beginning; the cherry on top is the way the game handles early exploration, and frankly, exploration in general. Much of the overworld is accessible surprisingly early, and even the paths are designed in such a way that they seem like they're inviting players to wander wherever they please.

Most open-world games feature exploration, but these titles absolutely nail this part of the gameplay loop. Travel, explore, and discover.

The problem is that enemy difficulty can change very quickly and unexpectedly. One wrong turn can suddenly put an inexperienced party up against monsters that are way stronger than expected.

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