Fallout 4 vs Ylands
Fallout 4
Fallout 4 is the latest installment of the highly-acclaimed game franchise, Fallout. This time around, the developers went above and beyond, and completely revamped the rather outdated V.A.T.S. and turn it into a slow-motion-based aiming system rather than outright pausing the game mid-combat. The game has a massive graphics and sound overhaul as well. The visuals are a lot better than before and the devs added in something that was previously unprecedented - voice acting for the main character. The companions play their roles a bit better as well but they still tend to glitch out, or in some cases, disappear altogether. Thankfully, for PC gamers, you can use the command console to bring them back.In addition to its usual (and still epic) open world plus complete freedom features, this game also has a main storyline that forces you to pick a side in a war between factions, the Institute, the Brotherhood and the Railroad (the Minutemen are somewhat neutral in this game). However, the cream of the crop of this game is its sandbox aspect. In this game, even the junk items have their uses as you can use them to craft or modify your weapons, but also to build bases for settlers to inhabit and also a few extra places for you to stash some supplies in addition to your home in Diamond City.
Fallout 4 may have been ranked down on Steam due to Bethesda's decision to make paid mods, but the game itself is still a pretty good sequel for its combat system alone even if you don't like the storyline as much.
Ylands
Ylands is a sandbox adventure game that has a gameplay that's a lot like a massively expanded version of Minecraft with a lot more resources for you to gather, items to craft, and amazing things to build. Instead of being "just a game", Ylands is more like a platform, much like Roblox is, where players are given the tools to create whatever worlds or games they like, be it a fun go-kart racing game that's inspired from Lega Racers or even a watery world where epic pirate-themed naval battles can take place. The worlds are completely interactive as well and every action you do will modify, no matter how slightly, the game environment of that segment of the world you happen to be in. In fact, if you change a terrain and populate it with an entirely different diversity of flora and fauna, you can basically change the climate system there.Unlike Minecraft though, Ylands has opted for a more polygonal appearance which gave it the extra leverage it needed to overcome the painful dismissal and degratory label of being simply a "Minecraft clone" - which admittedly, Ylands is most definitely not. The game has so much going for it and players truly have all the freedom within the game's pretty wide parameters to literally create anything they like. Of course, the game also supports sharing, so you can let other players in Yland enjoy that (for example) crazy maze-running game you've just made!
Ylands is most certainly impressive to say the least. However, due to its indie origins, not many players know about the game, let alone buy it on Steam. So, if you really like Minecraft-like sandbox games, you simply must give this game a try, and if you've had a great time there, be sure to recommend it to your friends or even buy it for them as their Christmas/ birthday gift!