Games With The Best Progression System Ever Designed

Let’s have it this way: Leveling up in your respective video games and getting more and more powerful and capable as the hours pass by is one thing, but the in-game world also reacting to it hyperdynamically is certainly another. I decided to put together a dedicated piece, going over some titles out there with the most satisfying progression system, so each and every upgrade feels meaningful and valuable. 

Surprisingly, not a lot of games in this business can make the list, with only an anointed few being built in a specific way that allows the player to have that kind of reward waiting for them ahead. In most scenarios, it’s just numbers and statistics that you have to be wary of, but when it comes down to the forthcoming games, that’s not the case. 

Leveling Up Feels Real Special In These Titles 

In case you’ve got a contribution to make to the list, feel free to post a comment down below, so we can all chime in on the discussion. 

1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

If you’re all about keeping it different, Kingdom Come: Deliverance will test your mettle like no other, with Kenshi being the only game probably to match how large-scaled this game is. Warhorse Studios’ magnum opus puts you in a grueling world with no hand-holding. The story is what you’re going to make it out with your character, hopping from town to town, recruiting men for your army, and then going to war with other strongholds to exhibit your would-be dominance. 

It’s a first-person open-world RPG done exceptionally right, so there’s no reason for you to skip it, especially if you love progression grounded in reality. The combat of the title is yet another facet that demands a ton of attention.

You don’t get better at this game by manifesting the best gear or picking up the sharpest weapon; you improve by practicing the same fundamental skills, and implementing them on higher levels. 

2. Crackdown 

A special shoutout to the icon that the Crackdown franchise was back in the day, but is now something of an ancient relic. The first Crackdown, in my opinion, is fantastic — a lot better than the third game at least — and features all-out mayhem as the protagonist, who is super-enhanced, powers up from one level to the other in an attempt to take down the cities biggest crime lords. 

One of the biggest ways Crackdown makes fantastic use of its upgrade system in the sense that you’re able to progress Agent’s strength substantially. As compared to your first mission, you’ll find yourself dramatically overpowered, which will be a sight to behold in its own right. 

3. Subnautica 

I’ve recommended Subnautica time and time again for various reasons. It’s a game that discourages fast travel and encourages exploration, it’s a game that’s stressful in its own right as well, and, of course, it’s something that features super rewarding progression. Thanks to the ever-looming constant threat of whatever’s out there in the blue, you’re often scared to leave the shallows and make further discoveries.

And that’s exactly where the beauty of this game lies. Subnautica is amazing in many facets, and you should really give it a genuine go. 

4. Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War

The sequel to the 2014-released Shadow of Mordor, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War employs Warner Bros.’ patented Nemesis system. This is an incredibly unique way to go higher up the hierarchy in an RPG, but it’s such a shame how no other title could be allowed to replicate the functionality. Shadow of War is an action title, with fantastic combat and impressive visuals, but perhaps, its most stand-out trait is its organic progression. 

The Nemesis feature practically brings a good balance between the level scaling of you and your enemies, so boss encounters feel genuine, and there’s always a point percent chance of even a regular Ork becoming your most vicious enemy. 

5. Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds has an exceptionally fulfilling, one of the most perfect endings in gaming, but you’ll need to do a fair bit of heavy lifting to get there. For what it brings to the table in terms of sheer gameplay, it’s truly a video game treasure that does not get recommended enough. That’s because Outer Wilds is played through gained knowledge. 

The areas that are barred from access at the beginning of the game can be unlocked straight away — you can even beat the title at the start — if you know what you’re doing; no tools or any other weapon is required. It’s really an out-of-this-world experience. Better try it to believe it. 

6. Terraria 

Last but not least, Terraria is another game that I’d like to suggest to everyone out there looking for rewarding gameplay. It’s a genre-defining title that has gone on to inspire a number of other noteworthy works of art, like Core Keeper, Valheim, and even Grounded. You take your time with the exploration, stumbling upon materials of different nature to upgrade your gear gradually, and then putting all that together to go toe-to-toe against buffed up bosses.