The Best Exploration Games

Update, : ASTRO-NOT added at rank #48.
1

Outer Wilds (2020)

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90
Review score
Logo of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds

Android Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Unravel the mysteries of the universe in Outer Wilds, an award-winning open world game. Explore an ever-evolving solar system, uncover alien secrets, and enjoy a thought-provoking narrative. With no enemies to fight, you're free to discover at your own pace. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in space!


Pro:
  • Unique and immersive gameplay experience
  • Beautiful and intricate world-building
  • Thought-provoking narrative
  • Encourages fearless discovery
  • Captures the mysteries of the universe
Cons:
  • May cause motion sickness
  • Game's physics can lead to unexpected deaths

  • exploration
  • mystery
  • puzzle
  • discovery
  • open-world
  • space
  • sci-fi
  • adventure
  • endless
  • first-person
  • story
  • day

2

A Short Hike (2019)

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99
Review score
Logo of A Short Hike Screenshot of A Short Hike Screenshot of A Short Hike Screenshot of A Short Hike

PC Windows Mac OS Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One Linux

Join Claire on her vacation and take a hike to the top of Hawk Peak in A Short Hike. Meet quirky characters, gather collectibles and uncover secrets across the charming island park. Enjoy the original soundtrack that perfectly captures the game's atmosphere. Don't let the game's title fool you, there's plenty of adventure waiting for you on this short hike.


Pro:
  • Immersive gameplay with a captivating story and charming characters
  • Beautiful pixel art and evocative soundtrack that complement the game's atmosphere perfectly
  • Rich and detailed world with lots of secrets to uncover
  • Short and concise game that provides an enjoyable and fulfilling experience
  • Great value for money
Cons:
  • Cumbersome inventory system
  • No map

  • park
  • relaxing
  • exploration
  • cute
  • adventure
  • flight
  • open-world
  • walking-simulator
  • inventory
  • parkour
  • funny
  • nature
  • platform
  • vertical
  • short

3

Unsighted (2021)

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86
Review score
Logo of Unsighted Screenshot of Unsighted Screenshot of Unsighted Screenshot of Unsighted

PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox One Playstation 4 Android

UNSIGHTED invites you into a post-apocalyptic world where you have a ticking clock before your own expiration. With Metroidvania-like gameplay, fully interconnected world, and an interesting story that allows for tough choices, the game provides a balanced mix of exploration, combat, and character progression. With additional modes like co-op and rogue-lite, UNSIGHTED guarantees a high replay value. A game that creatively brings several game designs together to make a fun and polished game.


Pro:
  • Balanced mix of gameplay elements
  • Interesting story with tough choices
  • High replayability with additional modes
  • Polished sound and graphics
  • Responsive controls
Cons:
  • Writing could be better
  • Characters feel one-dimensional
  • Dialogue interrupts gameplay

  • pixel
  • exploration
  • boss
  • top-down
  • robots
  • metroidvania
  • dungeon
  • combat
  • puzzle
  • war
  • post-apocalyptic
  • souls
  • platform
  • rpg
  • crafting

4

Axiom Verge 2 (2021)

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83
Review score
Logo of Axiom Verge 2 Screenshot of Axiom Verge 2 Screenshot of Axiom Verge 2 Screenshot of Axiom Verge 2

Nintendo Switch Xbox One Xbox Series X PC Windows Linux Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Dive into Axiom Verge 2, an epic adventure that takes you into a mysterious parallel universe. As Indra, unravel the secrets of this world, battling monsters, hacking machines, and exploring ancient ruins. With intriguing gameplay, unique combat mechanics, and a refreshing protagonist, this game offers an immersive, fast-paced, and thrilling experience.


Pro:
  • Excellent game design with a lot to discover
  • Unique combat mechanics that encourage stealth and hacking
  • Refreshing protagonist that breaks stereotypes
  • Improved aesthetic with varied pixel art and haunting music
  • Gameplay is fast-paced and responsive with a diverse array of weapons
Cons:
  • Level tree imbalance and unclear progression at times
  • Combat feels optional and some weapons are underutilized
  • Occasional confusion in navigating the open world
  • Less emphasis on bosses and limited weapon options

  • boss
  • exploration
  • platform
  • metroid
  • retro
  • boss-fight
  • classic
  • sci-fi
  • alternate
  • pixel
  • combat
  • metroidvania
  • narrative
  • adventure
  • fight

5

Alba: a Wildlife Adventure (2020)

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90
Review score
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IOS iPhone Xbox Series X/s Mac OS Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure takes you to a beautiful Mediterranean island to save endangered animals and clean up litter. With over 60 species to document, using your phone app, you'll go on an adventure to make a difference in the world around us. Enjoy a relaxing and feel-good experience with a great soundtrack and stunning visuals. Join Alba and her friend Ines and help them on their mission to save the island and the world!


Pro:
  • Cute and wholesome with calming music and nice art
  • Addictive gameplay focused on exploring and photographing wildlife
  • Strong sub-theme of photography
  • Fun story with a good message
  • Bug-free and runs smoothly
Cons:
  • Limited achievements
  • Traversal can be boring towards the end of the game
  • Game could have been longer with more content

  • exploration
  • open-world
  • adventure
  • relaxing
  • cartoony
  • nature
  • collector
  • creature
  • cute
  • colourful
  • family-friendly
  • construction
  • economy
  • 3d
  • table

6

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023)

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84
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor offers thrilling combat, impressive parkour, and a Hollywood-style storyline that will appeal to both newcomers and fans. You can customize and play how you want, from difficulty levels to companion colors. While lacking in new gameplay mechanics and suffering from technical issues, the game is still entertaining for Star Wars fans and boasts fantastic graphics and sound design.


Pro:
  • Thrilling combat
  • Impressive parkour
  • Hollywood-style storyline
  • Customizable gameplay
  • Fantastic graphics and sound design
Cons:
  • Lacks new gameplay mechanics
  • Suffers from technical issues
  • Limited potential for creativity
  • Inconsistent frame rates and screen tearing

  • fight
  • combat
  • action-adventure
  • platform
  • exploration
  • open-world
  • narrative
  • battle
  • boss
  • puzzle
  • skill
  • adventure
  • boss-fight
  • story
  • action

7

Sable (2021)

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79
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Android

Sable is an open world RPG with no combat, set in a Moebius-inspired desert. You play as Sable, about to embark on a rite of passage known as The Gliding - exploring the deserts, doing odd jobs for strangers and earning badges to turn into new masks.


Pro:
  • Unique open world setting inspired by Jean "Moebius" Giraud
  • Customizable bike and character
  • Heartfelt story of self-discovery
  • Relaxing atmosphere with stunning visuals and music
  • Many memorable moments
Cons:
  • Occasional audio bugs & stuttering
  • Limited scale world compared to larger games
  • Flattening palette in certain interiors at night

  • exploration
  • open-world
  • self-discovery
  • puzzle
  • platform
  • sci-fi
  • relaxing
  • narrative
  • adventure
  • stylized
  • comic
  • lore
  • discovery
  • book
  • combat

8

Pikmin 4 (2023)

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88
Review score
Logo of Pikmin 4

Nintendo Switch

Pikmin 4 is a highly engaging and enjoyable game that focuses on exploration and the feeling of being small in a human world. The addition of Oatchi, a playable character who can jump, swim, and carry the Pikmin army, fundamentally changes the gameplay and adds a new dynamic to the series. Pikmin 4 is a near flawless game that offers a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Buy

Pro:
  • Engaging gameplay with new dynamic
  • Unique abilities and challenges with new Pikmin species
  • Strategic night missions
  • Helpful rewind feature
  • Dandori Battles and Challenges add competition and efficiency
Cons:
  • Limited co-op mode
  • Constant mention of Dandori can become tiresome
  • Minor issues with Pikmin getting stuck in the environment

  • strategy
  • real-time
  • cooperative
  • puzzle
  • exploration
  • battle
  • plant
  • tower-defense
  • squad
  • dungeon
  • split-screen
  • earth
  • adventure
  • resource
  • competitive

9

Submerged: Hidden Depths (2020)

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84
Review score
Logo of Submerged: Hidden Depths Screenshot of Submerged: Hidden Depths Screenshot of Submerged: Hidden Depths Screenshot of Submerged: Hidden Depths

Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 PC Windows stadia Playstation 5 Xbox Series X/s Xbox One Xbox Series X

Explore a sunken world in Submerged: Hidden Depths as you navigate through a non-combat third-person 'relaxploration' adventure. Immerse yourself in this beautiful and haunting world while collecting relics and searching for the seeds of salvation. Enjoy the beautiful graphics, atmosphere and music that make for an awesome gameplay experience.

Buy

Pro:
  • Beautiful graphics and atmosphere
  • Interesting way of storytelling through drawings and actions
  • Awesome music
  • Improved gameplay from the previous game
  • Relaxing game with no combat
Cons:
  • Laid-back gameplay may be too chill for some
  • Minimal parkour and platforming
  • The boat can be frustrating and ruins immersion

  • exploration
  • relaxing
  • open-world
  • walking-simulator
  • sailing
  • adventure
  • collectible
  • narrative
  • emotional
  • puzzle
  • post-apocalyptic
  • combat

10

TOEM (2021)

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90
Review score
Logo of TOEM Screenshot of TOEM Screenshot of TOEM Screenshot of TOEM

Linux Xbox One Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox Series X/s Mac OS PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Embark on a heartwarming journey in TOEM, a delightful photography game set in a magical black-and-white world. Help quirky characters, solve puzzles, and capture the beauty of your surroundings with your camera. Enjoy the relaxing landscape, chill beats, and the freedom to explore at your own pace. Despite its short length, TOEM's charming and pressure-free gameplay will leave you wanting more.


Pro:
  • Sweet art style
  • Cute music
  • Engaging and addictive gameplay
  • Freedom to complete quests at own pace
  • Dense and filled with opportunities for photography
Cons:
  • Relatively short game
  • Limited camera movement
  • Absence of a fast travel system
  • Almost entirely in black and white

  • editing
  • hand-drawn
  • photo
  • relaxing
  • cute
  • exploration
  • puzzle
  • adventure
  • soundtrack
  • photography
  • cozy
  • wholesome
  • music
  • funny
  • nature

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