The Best Exploration Games

Update : Lego Horizon Adventures added at rank #38.
1

A Short Hike (2019)

View Similar Games
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

Outer Wilds (2019)

View Similar Games
96
Review score
Logo of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds

Xbox One Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Playstation 5 PC Windows 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
  • discovery
  • puzzle
  • open-world
  • space
  • sci-fi
  • adventure
  • endless
  • first-person
  • day
  • story

3

Sizeable (2021)

View Similar Games
96
Review score
Logo of Sizeable Screenshot of Sizeable Screenshot of Sizeable Screenshot of Sizeable

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

4

Teacup (2020)

View Similar Games
96
Review score
Logo of Teacup Screenshot of Teacup Screenshot of Teacup Screenshot of Teacup

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

5

Eastshade (2019)

View Similar Games
94
Review score
Logo of Eastshade Screenshot of Eastshade Screenshot of Eastshade Screenshot of Eastshade

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

6

Alba: a Wildlife Adventure (2020)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of Alba: a Wildlife Adventure Screenshot of Alba: a Wildlife Adventure Screenshot of Alba: a Wildlife Adventure Screenshot of Alba: a Wildlife Adventure

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

7

Submerged: Hidden Depths (2020)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of Submerged: Hidden Depths Screenshot of Submerged: Hidden Depths Screenshot of Submerged: Hidden Depths Screenshot of Submerged: Hidden Depths

stadia PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One

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

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
  • puzzle
  • adventure
  • sailing
  • walking-simulator
  • platform
  • collectible
  • relaxploration
  • narrative
  • third-person
  • combat
  • post-apocalyptic
  • discovery

8

TOEM (2021)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of TOEM Screenshot of TOEM Screenshot of TOEM Screenshot of TOEM

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

Castlevania DominuS Collection (2024)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of Castlevania DominuS Collection Screenshot of Castlevania DominuS Collection Screenshot of Castlevania DominuS Collection Screenshot of Castlevania DominuS Collection

Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Three incredible action adventure games from the Castlevania series have finally returned, for the first time! But wait, there's more! Haunted Castle Revisited, a redesigned version of the very first Castlevania arcade game, makes its debut!

Buy

  • metroidvania
  • platform
  • pixel
  • rpg
  • vampire
  • action-adventure
  • action
  • exploration
  • 2d
  • dark
  • remake
  • compilation
  • arcade
  • piracy
  • time-consuming

10

STARDROP (2024)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of STARDROP Screenshot of STARDROP Screenshot of STARDROP Screenshot of STARDROP

Mac OS PC Windows

Gumdrop was peacefully sleeping in their asteroid when a mysterious force smashed it to pieces above the orbit of a nearby planet. Venture through a whimsical world to collect all the lost star droplets, slivers, and shards in this 3D platformer collectathon.


  • 3d
  • space
  • casual
  • collectathon
  • exploration
  • mystery
  • sci-fi
  • funny
  • first-person
  • platform
  • story
  • adventure
  • atmospheric
  • lore
  • walking-simulator

Not seeing your game?