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Overall, minigames are a hard thing to get right in video games. For one thing, minigames need to be interesting and full of unique mechanics. If minigames are too boring, players will lose interest in them, making them a chore to play through constantly. At the same time, the minigames need to be fast enough to not take up too much time from the main game itself. If they last too long, they will get in the way of the main game. This makes things like cooking, fishing, and, of course, lockpicking minigames a delicate thing to balance. However, here are 10 of the best examples of lockpicking minigames that get the formula right.
10. Deus Ex
Although it’s more of a hacking minigame, Deus Ex’s sci-fi setting brings locks to the future via hacking. This hacking will task players with capturing nodes in an attempt to find information or complete the objective they need. The system can be hectic and fun at times, though it does take up a lot of time occasionally. Despite this, it still is one of the best lockpicking minigames in gaming history.
9. The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Next, we have Skyrim a classic RPG with a quick and painless lockpicking minigame. While lockpicking, players will need to move their lockpick to the correct position through trial and error. The further the lockpick is from the correct spot, the quicker the lock will jam. The minigame only takes a moment and is fun in its simplicity.
8. Wolfenstein: The New Order
Wolfenstein: The New Order has an interesting yet simple lockpicking minigame that flows seamlessly from gameplay. In this game, players will need to position a line of locks in front of a green arrow by rotating the lock. Generally, this minigame is very fun and painless, though at times, the locks can become finicky and frustrating.
7. The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
As far as lockpicking minigames are concerned, Oblivion edges out Skyrim by just a little bit. In Oblivion, lockpicking is a bit more interesting in both presentation and application. Players will need to test various tumblers and push them with the lock pick to eventually unlock the device. This has a lot of depth to it overall and is a fun alternative to the average style of lockpicking.
6. Fallout 3
Once again, the Fallout series contains both normal lockpicking and some of the best hacking minigames. For lockpicking, the game functions almost the same as Skyrim. However, the hacking minigame provides a fun word puzzle that creates a nice distraction from the usual Fallout gameplay.
5. Thief Simulator
As far as Thief Simulator goes, the lockpicking minigame is the best due to its importance to the game as a whole. Overall, the lockpicking itself feels much more grounded and important in the context of the game. As far as the minigame is concerned, This Simulator provides some more variety than your average game, though they just use clones of Skyrim and Oblivion lockpicking.
4. The Order: 1886
In terms of presentation, The Order: 1886 has one of the cleanest and best lockpicking minigames of all time. When lockpicking, the game will take a unique X-ray view of the inner machinations of the lock. After players will need to slowly move the lock while feeling for the correct vibrations. Although it’s a bit more complicated and time-consuming, this lockpicking minigame is worth it.
3. Dust: An Elysian Tail
Overall, Dust: An Elysian Tail has one of the best styles of any lockpicking minigame in gaming. Players will need to quickly input a series of buttons before running out of time. If all the buttons are correctly inputted, the lock will open. However, this minigame looks amazing with wonderful graphics and sound design.
2. Thief Series
Out of any lockpicking minigame on the list, Thief excels in so many different categories. In this game, players will need to move their lockpick to the correct position to set various tumblers and unlock the device. Firstly, the minigame is clean and fun, though it takes some time to compete. This, however, only adds to the level of tension overall.
1. Splinter Cell
Finally, Splinter Cell has arguably the best lockpicking minigame in gaming. Like many of the lockpicking games on this list, the Splinter Cell minigame tasks players with pushing various tumblers into place. However, the 3D model of the lock, with the complexity of the minigame itself, adds to the tension of this lockpicking minigame. Overall, this tension is what makes a lockpicking minigame special, which puts Splinter Cell at the top of the list.
