Games Rewarding Exploration Over Combat Heavy Gameplay

Video game design is changing. Instead of focusing mainly on fighting, many new games emphasize exploring immersive worlds and learning the story through the environment itself. These games often feature large, open areas and clever puzzles to keep players engaged, without needing a lot of violence. They often have simple on-screen displays and let players explore the game world in any order they choose. Players are rewarded for being curious, discovering hidden stories, beautiful sights, and new abilities. This focus on exploration and discovery is creating a new type of gaming experience where the fun comes from the journey, not just the goal.

‘Outer Wilds’ (2019)

Outer Wilds, created by Mobius Digital and published by Annapurna Interactive, is a space exploration game where you’re stuck in a 22-minute time loop. You’ll travel to different planets, investigating the remnants of an ancient, vanished civilization called the Nomai. Instead of leveling up, you progress by learning and solving the solar system’s mysteries using clues you find in the environment. The game focuses on the joy of discovery, and being curious is the key to unlocking the story and understanding the universe.

‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017)

Nintendo created ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’, a game that lets players freely roam and explore the world of Hyrule. Instead of relying on set battles, the game emphasizes exploring the environment and using physics to solve puzzles and overcome challenges. Players can climb almost anything and discover hidden shrines and treasures. This new approach focuses on creating a sense of discovery and letting players experiment with the world around them, which responds realistically to their actions.

‘Subnautica’ (2018)

In ‘Subnautica,’ created by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, you’re stranded on an alien ocean planet after a spaceship crash. The game focuses on exploring colorful underwater environments and scanning for resources to build better gear. This equipment lets you dive deeper and uncover the story of the planet and the civilization that once lived there. While there are dangers in the water, the real draw is the beautiful and mysterious world waiting to be discovered.

‘No Man’s Sky’ (2016)

No Man’s Sky, created by Hello Games, is a space exploration game where players can journey through a vast galaxy filled with an almost infinite number of unique planets. The game centers around exploring this massive universe, discovering alien life, gathering resources, and finding interesting places on each planet. While there is some combat, the main focus is on the feeling of being alone and discovering new worlds. Regular updates have added more ways to interact with the environment, making the search for the ideal planet a rewarding long-term goal.

‘The Witness’ (2016)

‘The Witness’, created by Thekla, Inc., is an open-world puzzle game taking place on a beautiful, abandoned island. Players solve line puzzles found throughout the environment to advance. The game emphasizes visual thinking and deduction, as the island holds the key to understanding how the puzzles work. Exploring the island is crucial for discovering hidden secrets and uncovering the game’s underlying philosophical ideas.

‘Firewatch’ (2016)

Firewatch is a game created by Campo Santo and published by Panic. Players take on the role of Henry, a fire lookout stationed in the Wyoming wilderness. He communicates with his supervisor using a walkie-talkie. The game focuses on exploring the expansive forest with a map and compass, investigating unusual events, and developing a deep connection with another character through conversations. Unlike many games, Firewatch doesn’t involve any combat; instead, it builds suspense through a sense of isolation and a compelling story unfolding in the woods.

‘Sable’ (2021)

‘Sable’ is a beautiful coming-of-age adventure game where you play as a young woman exploring a vast desert planet. Created by Shedworks and published by Raw Fury, the game isn’t about fighting – it’s about freedom and discovery. You’ll climb, glide, and ride a hoverbike across stunning landscapes, meeting different cultures and collecting masks. The game lets you choose your own path and decide when you’re ready to return home, all while enjoying a calming atmosphere thanks to its unique art style and music.

‘Jusant’ (2023)

Jusant, created by Don’t Nod, is a climbing puzzle game where you scale a massive, endless tower. You’ll need to carefully manage your energy and equipment as you explore the ruins of a lost civilization that once inhabited the tower. The game is all about skillful movement and interacting with your surroundings – there are no enemies, just a focus on climbing and discovery. As you climb higher, you’ll unlock new views and learn about the tower’s rich ecological past.

‘Tunic’ (2022)

Tunic, created by Andrew Shouldice and published by Finji, is an adventure game where you play as a tiny fox exploring a world of old ruins and creatures. Although there’s fighting, the main focus is discovering secrets and learning how the game works by finding pages of an in-game instruction manual. As you piece the manual together, you’ll often realize you had the ability to reach new areas all along! This unique approach makes the entire game feel like one big, interconnected puzzle.

‘Disco Elysium’ (2019)

‘Disco Elysium’ is a role-playing game created by ZA/UM where you play as a detective solving a murder in a made-up city. Unlike many games, it doesn’t rely on fighting; instead, you use conversations and skill-based challenges to overcome obstacles. Exploring the world and talking to people is key, as you’ll uncover clues and learn about the city’s politics to crack the case. The game especially rewards players who take their time to explore and learn about the history of the Martinaise district.

‘Return of the Obra Dinn’ (2018)

Lucas Pope created the game ‘Return of the Obra Dinn,’ which was published by 3909 LLC. In the game, you play as an insurance investigator tasked with figuring out what happened to the crew of a ghostly ship. You’ll use a special pocket watch to examine frozen scenes of each crew member’s final moments. To succeed, you’ll need to carefully study the ship and pay close attention to details to identify who died and how.

‘Journey’ (2012)

‘Journey,’ created by thatgamecompany and published by Sony, is a short but deeply moving game where you travel towards a faraway mountain. You’ll float across deserts and ancient ruins, sometimes encountering other silent players. The game doesn’t have any fighting or talking; instead, it uses stunning visuals and music to tell its story. Simply moving through this beautiful and vast world is a surprisingly fulfilling experience.

‘Abzû’ (2016)

Giant Squid created ‘Abzû’, published by 505 Games, as a beautiful and artistic dive into the ocean’s depths. Players take on the role of a diver who can interact with thousands of realistic fish in diverse underwater environments. Unlike many games, ‘Abzû’ doesn’t include combat or survival elements, letting players simply enjoy the graceful movement and colorful life of the sea. Discovering hidden locations and statues reveals more about the diver’s mission and the history of this underwater world.

‘What Remains of Edith Finch’ (2017)

What Remains of Edith Finch, created by Giant Sparrow and published by Annapurna Interactive, tells a series of unusual stories about a family haunted by a curse in Washington State. As players wander through the large Finch house, they step into the bedrooms of family members who have passed away, reliving their last moments through short, unique experiences. Each room offers a glimpse into a character’s life and personality, and the game encourages you to carefully explore the detailed, messy house to uncover the family’s history.

‘The Forgotten City’ (2021)

‘The Forgotten City’ is a mystery game created by Modern Storyteller and published by Dear Villagers. Set in an ancient Roman city hidden underground, the game challenges players to solve a mystery within a time loop. A disaster will happen if players break ‘The Golden Rule,’ and they must figure out how to prevent it. While you can fight in certain parts, the best way to advance is by talking to characters and exploring your surroundings. The main focus of the game is discovering the story of the city and its people.

‘A Short Hike’ (2019)

‘A Short Hike’ is a delightful game created by Adam Robinson-Yu where you play as Claire, a bird hiking to the top of Hawk Peak Provincial Park. While the goal is to reach the summit for cell service, the game is designed to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, encouraging players to explore the island. You can fish, discover hidden treasures, and assist fellow hikers along the way. Its calm and pressure-free environment makes exploring the island a truly peaceful and satisfying experience.

‘Eastshade’ (2019)

In ‘Eastshade,’ you play as a wandering artist discovering a beautiful island. Unlike many games, there’s no combat – instead, you’ll chat with people and paint landscapes to fulfill requests. Helping the locals usually involves finding special places or observing things happening in nature. The game focuses on the island’s beauty and encourages you to really look at your surroundings, rewarding players who have a good eye for art.

‘Stray’ (2022)

‘Stray,’ created by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive, puts you in the paws of a stray cat exploring a robot-filled city. You’ll use natural cat movements – like jumping and squeezing into tight spaces – to get around and uncover hidden areas. The game tells its story through the environment, letting you piece together the history of the robot inhabitants, known as “Companions,” by how the cat interacts with the world. Exploring every corner of the city, from alleyways to rooftops, is rewarded with hidden memories and collectibles.

‘Gone Home’ (2013)

‘Gone Home,’ created by Fullbright, is a story-driven game where you explore an empty house as Katie, returning home in 1995 to find her family gone. You uncover what happened while she was away by looking at objects and reading notes left behind. It’s a key game in the ‘walking simulator’ style, demonstrating how a captivating story can be told simply through exploring your surroundings.

‘Myst’ (1993)

Okay, so ‘Myst’ is this classic puzzle game, made by Cyan and originally published by Brøderbund. It takes place on this really intriguing island, and you explore by finding these special books that transport you to totally different worlds, called Ages. Each place is basically one huge puzzle – you really have to think things through, take notes, and listen closely to everything around you. The cool thing is, there’s no rush and no enemies trying to get you, so it’s all about the joy of figuring stuff out and discovering how everything works.

Please share your favorite exploration-based gaming memories in the comments.

2026-01-22 00:17