Even though Ubisoft has been around since the 1980s and has developed and published countless games, it can be easy to forget the company has other properties besides Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s. The brand has become so synonymous with its biggest franchises, that a “Ubisoft game” is shorthand for open-world action-adventure titles that litter their maps with markers.
While the company’s blockbuster IPs tend to hog the limelight, Ubisoft has published its fair share of standalone games. Some are even pretty good and provide a nice change of pace from the Watch Dogs or Just Dances of the world. What are the best games developed by Ubisoft that have no sequels?
As Beyond Good and Evil 2 has been announced and might even one day be released, the first game will have to miss out.
10 Eagle Flight
Designed for VR headsets, Eagle Flight served as an early example of the hardware’s potential. Taking place in a future without humans, an eagle is permitted to fly over and through a gorgeous but haunting version of Paris. The titular bird wants to set up a nest in the city, a process that is met with some competition from other animals.
Eagle Flight controls incredibly well for a VR game, providing moments of awe-inspiring majesty as the bird soars above Paris. While not a must-own VR title, it is definitely one to consider.
9 Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game
Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s novels, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game is a loving throwback to classic beat-’em-ups that once reigned supreme in arcades. With four playable characters and seven evil exes to defeat, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game is a surprisingly deep and long game, at least for its genre.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game - Complete Edition has been confirmed for an early 2021 release. Therefore, it is only a matter of time before this enjoyable beat-’em-up makes an appearance on eighth-generation consoles.
8 Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Available on a plethora of systems, Valiant Hearts: The Great War is a unique puzzle adventure game set during World War I. Told from the perspective of four characters, Valiant Hearts prioritizes its storytelling above everything else, delivering an experience that seeks to educate more than entertain.
Valiant Hearts does not shy away from showing the grim realities of war, and it is by no means a game that everyone will enjoy. However, anyone looking for something completely different from the typical Ubisoft release should check it out.
7 Immortals Fenyx Rising
In many ways, Immortals Fenyx Rising is a compressed version of the typical Ubisoft game. Its map is big, just not Assassin’s Creed Valhalla big. Its melee combat is flashy and comes with its share of cool moves, but attacks do not have much weight to them. The story can be a touch intrusive, although its comedic tone is a welcome change of pace from most of the publisher’s releases. The world is split into various zones that are quite distinct, even if the basic gameplay loop is rather repetitive. While there is a decent amount of side content, most are not plot-driven quests.
Immortals Fenyx Rising is not going to convert anyone sick of the Ubisoft formula, but it might satisfy those who want to jump into an open-world that does not require investing a hundred hours.
6 From Dust
From Dust is a god game that is not also a power fantasy. As the deity of a tribe, your purpose is to shape the land and try to keep your people alive and thriving, two things that nature seems keen on challenging.
Although it can be quite frustrating, especially in some of the later maps in the campaign, From Dust has a certain beauty that is inspiring. As destruction and devastation are always one tsunami away, the game is also constantly intense.
5 Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
In a crossover that nobody wanted, Nintendo’s Mario and Ubisoft’s Rabbids teamed up for a tactical RPG. The concept behind Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle might sound rather bizarre, but the actual game plays out like a (far) more accessible version of XCOM.
Strategy veterans who are not especially interested in Mario or the Rabbids are unlikely to find much to enjoy here, but Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is tailor-made for beginners to the genre.
4 ZombiU
As the standout game in the Wii U’s launch line-up, ZombiU made great use of the system’s GamePad, turning it into an inventory that forced players to look away from the screen. Even today, Ubisoft’s game serves as one of the best examples of the Wii U’s potential, even if the console failed to meet expectations.
Although far from a perfect survival horror title, ZombiU did a stellar job emphasizing the “survival” aspect of its genre.
3 For Honor
Server issues and a lack of content caused For Honor to get off to an underwhelming start, but the live service game went from the strength to strength over the next few years. An online-driven action fighting game pitting various types of heroes against each other, For Honor’s versatile combat system manages to be accessible while still retaining a learning curve.
Even if For Honor’s best days are behind it, the game still provided years of worthwhile content.
2 King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie
Along with having one of the most convoluted titles ever, King Kong is also among the most surprisingly great movie tie-in games of all time. Split between first-person sections featuring Jack Driscoll and third-person levels starring Kong, Ubisoft Montpellier’s adaptation is an action-packed adventure with immersive environments, engaging combat, and a constant sense of danger.
Movie tie-in games have earned their negative reputation, but every once in a while something special is released. King Kong is one such game.
1 Child Of Light
Ubisoft is not associated with turn-based RPGs, which explains why Child of Light feels so unusual for the publisher. A side-scroller with rhyming dialogue and an engaging active-time combat system, Child of Light delivers a compact adventure that plays out almost like a fairy tale.
With multiple unlockable characters and a charming story, Child of Light oozes personality from every pixel. For those who prefer Square Enix-type games, Child of Light is a great candidate.
NEXT: The 10 Best RPGs Of The Generation (According To Metacritic)
