The Best Exploration Games

Update : Tales of Kenzera: ZAU added at rank #43.
1

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.


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

2

Meridian 157: Chapter 3 (2021)

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97
Review score
Logo of Meridian 157: Chapter 3 Screenshot of Meridian 157: Chapter 3 Screenshot of Meridian 157: Chapter 3 Screenshot of Meridian 157: Chapter 3

IOS iPhone PC Windows Mac OS

You have ventured this far, now there is no turning back. Uncover the island’s dark history by travelling through crumbling caverns and mysterious laboratories, but be warned, some may not be too welcoming of your presence…

Buy

  • exploration
  • cinematic
  • point-and-click
  • puzzle
  • lovecraftian
  • hidden-object
  • investigation
  • adventure
  • atmospheric
  • casual
  • detective
  • realistic
  • survival-horror
  • challenging
  • sci-fi

3

Outer Wilds (2019)

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

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

4

Sizeable (2021)

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96
Review score
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PC Windows

Sizeable is a relaxing and peacefull puzzle/exploration game! Shrink and grow your way through small dioramas in search of hidden objects!

Buy

  • relaxing
  • hidden-object
  • minimalist
  • puzzle
  • exploration
  • isometric
  • 3d
  • top-down
  • colourful
  • casual
  • tactile
  • diorama
  • cute
  • linear
  • single-player

5

Teacup (2020)

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

Teacup is a short and wholesome narrative adventure game with a focus on exploration and non-linear progression. You play as the titular Teacup, a shy and introverted young frog who loves drinking tea and reading. The day before she is to host a tea party at her house, she realizes she is completely out of tea, and thus must venture into the woods around her to find the herbs she needs to restock her pantry. During your adventure you will meet the charming inhabitants of the forest. Some are talkative, some are grumpy, but all of them will lend you an ear on your adventure. Explore this gorgeous watercolor world filled with friendly animals, playful minigames, puzzles, and beautiful, calming wilderness.


  • nonlinear
  • scroller
  • cute
  • exploration
  • adventure
  • narrative
  • relaxing
  • horror
  • family-friendly
  • colourful
  • coffee
  • story
  • non-linear
  • funny
  • 2d

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.

Buy

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

Alba: a Wildlife Adventure (2020)

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90
Review score
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IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox One

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!


What we like:
  • 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
What could be improved:
  • 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

8

TOEM (2021)

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

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.


What we like:
  • Sweet art style
  • Cute music
  • Engaging and addictive gameplay
  • Freedom to complete quests at own pace
  • Dense and filled with opportunities for photography
What could be improved:
  • 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

9

Before I Forget (2020)

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90
Review score
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Xbox Series X Xbox One Nintendo Switch Linux Mac OS PC Windows

Explore the present to uncover the past, in a short story of love and loss and a life well-lived.A narrative exploration that examines a world where memories are constantly fading and jumbled. A game about dementia and what happens when you can't hold onto the things you've done or the people you've loved.


  • walking-simulator
  • short
  • exploration
  • emotional
  • beautiful
  • mystery
  • narrative
  • atmospheric
  • first-person
  • thought-provoking
  • stylized
  • 3d
  • piano
  • colour
  • dream

10

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)

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89
Review score
Logo of STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order Screenshot of STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order Screenshot of STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order Screenshot of STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order

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.


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

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