Games Rewarding Exploration Over Combat Heavy Gameplay

The evolution of video game design has increasingly prioritized atmospheric discovery and environmental storytelling over traditional combat loops. Many modern titles leverage open-world environments and intricate puzzle mechanics to engage players without relying on violence. These experiences often utilize minimalist interfaces and non-linear narratives to encourage thorough investigation of their digital landscapes. By rewarding curiosity with lore, visual splendor, or mechanical progression, these games define a genre centered on the joy of the journey.

‘Outer Wilds’ (2019)

Developed by Mobius Digital and published by Annapurna Interactive, ‘Outer Wilds’ features a space program exploring a solar system trapped in a 22-minute time loop. Players navigate various planets to uncover the secrets of the Nomai, an ancient extinct race that once inhabited the system. Knowledge is the only form of permanent progression, as players must use environmental clues to solve complex cosmic mysteries. The game emphasizes discovery over traditional mechanics, rewarding curiosity with narrative revelations about the nature of the universe.

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

Nintendo developed and published this open-air entry in the ‘The Legend of Zelda’ series, which grants players total freedom in the land of Hyrule. The gameplay loop focuses on environmental navigation and physics-based interactions rather than scripted combat encounters. Players are encouraged to climb any surface and explore remote landmarks to find shrines and hidden treasures. This design shift prioritized a sense of wonder and player-driven curiosity within a vast, interactive world that reacts to every experimental action.

‘Subnautica’ (2018)

Developed and published by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, ‘Subnautica’ tasks players with surviving on an alien ocean planet after a crash landing. While dangerous fauna exists, the core experience revolves around exploring diverse underwater biomes and scanning the environment for blueprints. Progression is tied to building better equipment that allows for deeper descents and further exploration of the narrative-rich sea floor. The mystery of the planet’s previous inhabitants provides a compelling reason to venture into increasingly hostile yet beautiful territories.

‘No Man’s Sky’ (2016)

Hello Games developed and published ‘No Man’s Sky’, a procedural space exploration game featuring an entire galaxy of quintillions of unique planets. Players travel between solar systems to catalog alien species, mine resources, and discover planetary landmarks. The game focuses on the experience of being a lonely traveler in a massive universe, with combat serving as a secondary concern to discovery. Ongoing updates have expanded the depth of environmental interactions, making the act of finding a perfect planet the ultimate reward for long-term play.

‘The Witness’ (2016)

Developed and published by Thekla, Inc., ‘The Witness’ is an open-world puzzle game set on a deserted island filled with various structures and natural beauty. Players progress by solving grid-based line puzzles that are scattered throughout the environment. The game relies entirely on visual observation and deduction, as the island itself contains hidden clues required to understand the rules of the puzzles. Exploration is essential to finding the perspective-based secrets that reveal the deeper philosophical themes embedded in the landscape.

‘Firewatch’ (2016)

‘Firewatch’ was developed by Campo Santo and published by Panic in association with Campo Santo. The game follows a fire lookout named Henry in the Wyoming wilderness, where he communicates with his supervisor via a handheld radio. Players navigate the vast forest using a map and compass to investigate strange occurrences while building a complex interpersonal relationship through dialogue choices. There is no combat in the game, as the tension is derived from the isolation and the narrative mystery hidden within the trees.

‘Sable’ (2021)

Developed by Shedworks and published by Raw Fury, ‘Sable’ is a coming-of-age story that follows a young woman on a rite of passage across a desert planet. The game features no combat, focusing instead on climbing, gliding, and riding a hoverbike across vast ruins and dunes. Players choose their own path and determine when to return home based on the masks they collect from the various cultures they encounter. The striking art style and meditative soundtrack enhance the feeling of peaceful discovery throughout the journey.

‘Jusant’ (2023)

Don’t Nod developed and published ‘Jusant’, an action-puzzle climbing game that focuses on ascending an immeasurably tall tower. Players must manage their stamina and climbing gear while uncovering the history of a civilization that once lived on the structure. The gameplay is strictly focused on movement and environmental interaction, with no enemies to fight along the way. Each new height reached provides a different perspective on the surrounding world and its ecological history.

‘Tunic’ (2022)

Developed by Andrew Shouldice and published by Finji, ‘Tunic’ features a small fox exploring a world filled with ancient ruins and monsters. While it includes combat, the true core of the game is the exploration and the reconstruction of an in-game instruction manual. Players must find pages of the manual to learn the game’s mechanics and secrets, often realizing they had the power to access new areas from the beginning. This layer of meta-exploration turns the entire world into a giant, cohesive puzzle box.

‘Disco Elysium’ (2019)

ZA/UM developed and published ‘Disco Elysium’, a role-playing game where players control a detective investigating a murder in a fictional city. Instead of traditional combat encounters, the game uses a complex dialogue system and skill checks to resolve conflicts. Exploration is vital, as talking to citizens and examining every corner of the environment provides the evidence and political insights needed to solve the case. The narrative rewards players who take the time to wander and engage with the rich history of the district of Martinaise.

‘Return of the Obra Dinn’ (2018)

‘Return of the Obra Dinn’ was developed by Lucas Pope and published by 3909 LLC. Players take on the role of an insurance inspector for the East India Company who must determine the fate of the crew on a ghost ship. Using a magical pocket watch, the player explores frozen moments in time at the point of each crew member’s death. Success depends on keen observation of the ship’s layout and the subtle details within each scene to identify individuals and their causes of death.

‘Journey’ (2012)

Developed by thatgamecompany and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, ‘Journey’ is a brief but emotionally resonant game about traveling toward a distant mountain. Players glide across sand dunes and ruins, occasionally meeting other anonymous travelers along the way. The game features no combat or dialogue, relying on visual storytelling and musical cues to guide the player through its world. The sense of scale and the beauty of the environments make the simple act of moving forward a rewarding experience.

‘Abzû’ (2016)

Giant Squid developed ‘Abzû’, which was published by 505 Games, as an artistic exploration of the depths of the ocean. Players control a diver who interacts with thousands of fish based on real-world species across several underwater ecosystems. The game omits combat and survival mechanics, allowing the player to focus entirely on the fluid movement and the vibrant colors of the sea life. Secret locations and hidden statues provide additional context for the diver’s purpose and the history of the underwater world.

‘What Remains of Edith Finch’ (2017)

Developed by Giant Sparrow and published by Annapurna Interactive, this title is a collection of strange tales about a cursed family in Washington State. Players explore the sprawling Finch house, entering the bedrooms of deceased relatives to experience their final moments through various gameplay vignettes. Each room serves as a self-contained exploration of a character’s personality and history. The game rewards thorough investigation of the house’s cluttered and highly detailed environment to piece together the family tree.

‘The Forgotten City’ (2021)

Modern Storyteller developed ‘The Forgotten City’, which was published by Dear Villagers, as a mystery game set in an ancient Roman underground city. Players must navigate a time loop to prevent a catastrophe triggered by the breaking of “The Golden Rule.” While combat is an option in specific segments, the most effective way to progress is through conversation and environmental discovery. Uncovering the secrets of the inhabitants and the city’s origins is the primary goal of the narrative.

‘A Short Hike’ (2019)

Adam Robinson-Yu developed and published ‘A Short Hike’, a charming game about a bird named Claire who is hiking up Hawk Peak Provincial Park. The objective is to reach the summit to get cell phone reception, but the game encourages players to take their time exploring the trails. Along the way, players can fish, find hidden items, and help other hikers with minor tasks. The gentle atmosphere and lack of pressure make the exploration of the small island a peaceful and rewarding endeavor.

‘Eastshade’ (2019)

Developed and published by Eastshade Studios, ‘Eastshade’ casts the player as a traveling artist exploring a picturesque island. Instead of fighting, players spend their time talking to locals and capturing the landscape on canvas to complete commissions. Solving problems for the island’s inhabitants often requires finding specific locations or witnessing certain natural events. The game emphasizes the beauty of the world and the importance of observation, rewarding players for their artistic eye.

‘Stray’ (2022)

BlueTwelve Studio developed ‘Stray’, which was published by Annapurna Interactive, featuring a stray cat in a city populated by robots. Players use feline movements to navigate the vertical environment, jumping across pipes and through small openings to find secrets. The game focuses on environmental storytelling, with the cat interacting with the world in ways that reveal the history of the “Companions” who live there. Finding hidden memories and badges encourages players to explore every alleyway and rooftop.

‘Gone Home’ (2013)

Developed and published by Fullbright, ‘Gone Home’ is a narrative exploration game set in an empty house in 1995. Players assume the role of Katie, who returns from abroad to find her family missing and the house full of moving boxes. By examining everyday objects and reading letters, players piece together the events that occurred during Katie’s absence. The game is a foundational title for the “walking simulator” genre, proving that a compelling story can be told entirely through environmental investigation.

‘Myst’ (1993)

Developed by Cyan and originally published by Brøderbund, ‘Myst’ is a landmark puzzle game that takes place on a mysterious island. Players travel to different worlds, known as Ages, by interacting with special linking books found in the island’s library. Every environment is a massive logic puzzle that requires players to take notes and pay close attention to sound and visual cues. The lack of time pressure or enemies allows for a purely cerebral experience focused on the satisfaction of uncovering hidden mechanisms.

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