The Best Exploration Games for Playstation 4

Update : Paper Flight - Relic Hunter added at rank #50.
1

Outer Wilds (2019)

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96
Review score
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Xbox One Android Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Xbox Series X PC Windows Playstation 4

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!


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

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

2

A Short Hike (2019)

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99
Review score
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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.


What we like:
  • 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
What could be improved:
  • 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
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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.


What we like:
  • Balanced mix of gameplay elements
  • Interesting story with tough choices
  • High replayability with additional modes
  • Polished sound and graphics
  • Responsive controls
What could be improved:
  • 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
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Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch wii u vita PC Windows Mac OS Linux

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.


What we like:
  • 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
What could be improved:
  • 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

Submerged: Hidden Depths (2020)

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84
Review score
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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.


What we like:
  • 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
What could be improved:
  • 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

6

Eastshade (2019)

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94
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One

Embark on a peaceful and wholesome adventure as a traveling painter exploring the beautiful island of Eastshade. Engage with unique and captivating characters, complete quests, and create works of art that impact the world around you. With stunning visuals and a mesmerizing score, Eastshade offers a unique and uplifting experience that will leave a lasting impression on you.


What we like:
  • Captivating characters and engaging quests
  • Stunning visuals and attention to detail
  • Art creation adds an extra layer of gameplay depth
  • Soothing and relaxing experience
  • Strong plot and exploration opportunities.
What could be improved:
  • Technical flaws including glitches and crashes
  • Mixed bag of voice acting.

  • open-world
  • relaxing
  • exploration
  • walking-simulator
  • crafting
  • beautiful
  • combat-free
  • rpg
  • first-person
  • atmospheric
  • photography
  • adventure
  • story
  • fantasy
  • violent

7

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch (2021)

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78
Review score
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Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is an incredible adventure game set in a gorgeous, vast dieselpunk world. You take on the role of Rayton, a disgruntled former resistance soldier, to reclaim your mechanical fist and fight your way through the hierarchy of the city. Explore rich, interconnected environments packed with secrets and traverse through snowy mountain tops to bustling neon cities. Unlock weapons and abilities to progress further, use precision-based platforming segments and master combo-based combat system with three different weapons to be successful.


What we like:
  • Interconnected World
  • Diverse Gameplay
  • Deep Combat System
  • Rich Visuals & Soundscape
  • Challenging yet Rewarding
What could be improved:
  • Some May Find Bosses Difficult
  • There's a Lot of Travelling

  • metroidvania
  • platform
  • exploration
  • boss
  • combat
  • combo
  • fight
  • boss-fight
  • mech
  • war
  • narrative
  • steampunk
  • side-scrolling
  • challenging
  • robots

8

Hindsight (2022)

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75
Review score
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Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone Mac OS PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One Android

What if the physical objects of everyday life, the possessions we hold close, were actual windows to the past? Peer into distant memories and unseen futures in Hindsight.


  • narrative
  • narration
  • cinematic
  • emotional
  • exploration
  • point-and-click
  • story
  • hidden-object
  • interactive
  • drama
  • stylized
  • fiction
  • relaxing
  • colourful
  • puzzle

9

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)

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89
Review score
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Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5 stadia Xbox One

Jedi: Fallen Order is a third-person adventure game set in the Star Wars universe. You are a former Padawan who must hide from the Empire while learning to hone your connection to the Force and become a Jedi. The game features stunning graphics and sound design, an engaging story with unexpected twists, challenging Lightsaber combat that requires practice, and plenty of collectibles to discover across multiple worlds.

Buy

What we like:
  • Rich design and scale
  • Wonderful wildlife
  • Diverse cast of characters
  • Rewarding Lightsaber combat that improves with practice
  • Deep customisation options for your Lightsaber
  • Replayable due to hidden loot and hidden pathways opening up over time
  • Fantastic score and sound design
What could be improved:
  • Combat based on animation rather than reflexes can be difficult to master
  • Some areas may become repetitive or boring
  • Predictable moments in story

  • exploration
  • souls
  • combat
  • action-adventure
  • puzzle
  • fight
  • third-person
  • metroidvania
  • platform
  • story
  • adventure
  • boss-fight
  • boss
  • battle
  • swordplay

10

No Man's Sky (2016)

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89
Review score
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PC Windows Android Mac OS Xbox Series X osvr psvr Playstation 5 Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

No Man's Sky is a massive universe-sim sandbox experience that lets you explore an infinite number of planets with unique lifeforms and environments. Upgrade your ship and suit for survival and choose your own path - whether you want to be a trader, fighter, or explorer. The game offers great graphics and good VR support with the ability to play with friends and share your discoveries.

Buy

What we like:
  • Deliver on promises
  • Great graphics
  • Cross-play enabled
  • Good VR support
What could be improved:
  • Some bugs present
  • Not challenging enough
  • No co-op progression

  • inventory
  • survival
  • exploration
  • sci-fi
  • crafting
  • pirates
  • resource
  • trading
  • aliens
  • discovery
  • multiplayer
  • sandbox
  • space
  • management
  • open-world

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