Games With Environmental Messages Woven into Gameplay

Video games have increasingly served as a medium for exploring complex ecological issues through interactive systems. By integrating environmental themes into core mechanics, developers challenge players to consider the impact of human activity on the natural world. From resource management to restoration projects, these titles use immersion to highlight the fragility of our planet. The following games demonstrate how storytelling and gameplay can advocate for environmental awareness.

‘Final Fantasy VII’ (1997)

Developed and published by Square, ‘Final Fantasy VII’ follows a group of eco-terrorists fighting against a predatory mega-corporation. The Shinra Electric Power Company drains Mako, the planet’s lifeblood, to power advanced technology at the cost of the environment. Players experience the literal decay of the world as industrialization suffocates nature, leading to catastrophic consequences for every living being. The gameplay revolves around preventing a total planetary collapse caused by corporate greed and resource depletion. This narrative underscores the importance of protecting the Earth’s natural energy.

‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ (2017)

Guerrilla Games developed this title, which was published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, set in a post-apocalyptic world where nature has reclaimed Earth. Players take on the role of Aloy, discovering how past human negligence and rogue artificial intelligence led to the extinction of organic life. The game focuses on the delicate balance between high technology and biological preservation throughout its vast open world. Its mechanics emphasize survival in a landscape where mechanical beasts mimic an extinct ecosystem. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of losing control over industrial progress.

‘Subnautica’ (2018)

Unknown Worlds Entertainment developed and published ‘Subnautica’, a survival game set on an alien ocean world. Players must manage resources while witnessing the impact of a crashed starship’s radiation on the local flora and fauna. The narrative explores themes of conservation and the ethical implications of extracting resources from a pristine habitat. Gameplay mechanics require players to live in harmony with the sea or face the consequences of ecological imbalance. It challenges the player to consider their footprint on an untouched world.

‘Eco’ (2018)

Strange Loop Games developed ‘Eco’, a simulation title where players must build a civilization to stop a meteor while protecting the ecosystem. Every action, from cutting down trees to dumping industrial waste, has a direct and measurable impact on the surrounding environment. Players must pass laws and manage resource consumption to prevent total environmental collapse before the meteor arrives. The game serves as a complex laboratory for understanding the intersection of global economy and ecology. It highlights the difficulty of achieving progress without destroying the natural world.

‘Terra Nil’ (2023)

Developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital, ‘Terra Nil’ is a reverse city-builder focused on ecosystem reconstruction. Players use advanced technology to purify soil, clean oceans, and reintroduce wildlife to barren, post-industrial landscapes. Once the environment is fully restored, players must recycle their buildings and leave no trace of their presence behind. The mechanics prioritize ecological health over industrial expansion and permanent settlement. It offers a meditative look at the labor required to heal a broken planet.

‘Abzû’ (2016)

Giant Squid developed ‘Abzû’, which was published by 505 Games, as an underwater exploration adventure that emphasizes environmental healing. Players restore life to desolate areas of the ocean by interacting with marine creatures and ancient technology. The game highlights the interconnectedness of marine life and the profound beauty of healthy aquatic biomes. Its gameplay is designed to foster a deep emotional connection between the player and the sea. By revitalizing the deep, players experience the joy of a thriving ecosystem.

‘Endling: Extinction is Forever’ (2022)

Herobeat Studios developed this survival game, published by HandyGames, which follows the last mother fox on Earth. Players must protect their cubs while navigating a world devastated by human pollution, deforestation, and climate change. The mechanics emphasize the daily struggle of wildlife to survive in an increasingly inhospitable and fragmented habitat. It provides a sobering perspective on the direct consequences of environmental destruction on individual species. This title forces players to confront the reality of human-driven extinction.

‘Beyond Blue’ (2020)

E-Line Media developed and published ‘Beyond Blue’, a game inspired by the documentary series ‘Blue Planet II’. Players take the role of a deep-sea explorer and scientist, using high-tech tools to observe and track marine life. The gameplay focuses on non-invasive research and the critical importance of ocean conservation. By documenting the health of the ocean, players learn about the real-world threats facing marine ecosystems today. It bridges the gap between entertainment and environmental education.

‘Flower’ (2009)

Developed by thatgamecompany and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, ‘Flower’ allows players to control the wind to guide petals through various landscapes. The game depicts the struggle between the grey, industrial city and the vibrant, natural world. By blooming flowers, players restore color and vitality to dead environments and grey urban spaces. The gameplay acts as a meditative exploration of nature’s resilience and the peace found in ecological restoration. It visualizes the transformative power of a healthy environment.

‘Civilization VI: Gathering Storm’ (2019)

Firaxis Games developed this expansion for the strategy series published by 2K Games, introducing climate change as a core mechanic. CO2 emissions from power plants lead to rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and more frequent extreme weather events. Players must decide whether to continue using fossil fuels or transition to renewable energy sources like wind and solar. The game forces players to manage the long-term environmental consequences of their diplomatic and industrial choices. It reflects the real-world complexity of global climate policy.

‘Okami’ (2006)

Clover Studio developed ‘Okami’, published by Capcom, which draws from Japanese mythology to tell a story of restoration. Players control the sun goddess Amaterasu in the form of a white wolf, using a celestial brush to bring life back to a cursed land. The gameplay involves purifying corrupted zones to restore the natural beauty of the world and its inhabitants. It emphasizes the spiritual and physical necessity of a healthy, thriving environment. This artistic journey highlights the sacred nature of the Earth.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ (1991)

Developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega, this classic platformer pits a fast hedgehog against the villainous Dr. Robotnik. The antagonist’s primary goal is to turn innocent animals into robots to fuel his industrial empire. Players must free these animals and destroy the polluting machinery to restore the natural beauty of the zones. This core conflict serves as an early example of the fight between nature and unchecked industrialization in media. The gameplay reinforces the idea that technology should not come at the expense of living creatures.

‘Alba: A Wildlife Adventure’ (2020)

ustwo games developed and published ‘Alba: A Wildlife Adventure’, a game about a young girl saving her island’s Mediterranean ecosystem. Players clean up trash, repair bridges, and photograph local wildlife to convince the community to protect a nature reserve. The gameplay encourages local activism and highlights how small actions can lead to significant environmental change. It focuses on the importance of biodiversity and the preservation of natural habitats from commercial development. The game demonstrates the power of community-led conservation efforts.

‘Frostpunk’ (2018)

11 bit studios developed and published ‘Frostpunk’, a society survival game set during a global volcanic winter. Players must manage a steam-powered city, making difficult moral choices to ensure the survival of the human race in extreme cold. The game explores the themes of resource scarcity and the extreme lengths humanity must go to when the climate fails. It serves as a grim reminder of the absolute dependence humans have on a stable environment. Survival depends on the careful management of limited natural resources.

‘Stardew Valley’ (2016)

ConcernedApe developed ‘Stardew Valley’, which was published by Chucklefish, as a farming simulation focused on sustainability. Players inherit a grandfather’s farm and must restore it while resisting the influence of the Joja Corporation. The game promotes organic farming, community cooperation, and the restoration of local community centers over corporate expansion. It emphasizes the value of living off the land and respecting seasonal cycles. This interactive experience fosters an appreciation for the environment through daily virtual labor.

‘Factorio’ (2020)

Wube Software developed and published ‘Factorio’, a game about building and maintaining massive automated factories on an alien planet. As players increase production, they generate pollution that enrages the local alien wildlife, leading to frequent attacks. This mechanic creates a direct feedback loop between industrial expansion and environmental backlash. Players must eventually balance their technological progress with defense or more sustainable energy solutions to survive. It provides a unique perspective on the environmental costs of mass production.

‘Cities: Skylines – Green Cities’ (2017)

Colossal Order developed this expansion for the popular city-builder published by Paradox Interactive. It adds features that allow players to build eco-friendly towns with electric vehicles, organic shops, and waste-to-energy plants. The gameplay focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of urban areas and improving the health of citizens through green spaces. It demonstrates the logistical challenges and benefits of sustainable urban planning on a large scale. This expansion encourages players to rethink how modern cities interact with nature.

‘Firewatch’ (2016)

Campo Santo developed ‘Firewatch’, which was published by Panic, a narrative-driven game set in the Wyoming wilderness. Players take on the role of a fire lookout, monitoring the environment for signs of smoke and protecting the forest from human-caused fires. The game highlights the isolation and beauty of protected natural areas while emphasizing the responsibility of stewardship. Its mechanics focus on observation and the preservation of a delicate, fire-prone ecosystem. It builds a sense of duty toward the protection of public lands.

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

Nintendo developed and published ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’, where nature acts as a primary character. Players explore a world where the ruins of civilization are being reclaimed by the wild, necessitating a deep understanding of natural elements to survive. The gameplay mechanics utilize weather, temperature, and wildlife interactions to ground the player in the ecosystem. It celebrates the majesty of the natural world while warning of the dangers of uncontrolled technological advancement. This approach turns environmental awareness into a tool for progression.

‘Outer Wilds’ (2019)

Mobius Digital developed ‘Outer Wilds’, published by Annapurna Interactive, as an exploration game set in a solar system on the brink of a supernova. Players must uncover the secrets of an ancient civilization while dealing with the inevitable end of their sun’s life cycle. The game explores the entropic nature of the universe and the beauty of ecological and cosmic cycles. It encourages a perspective of stewardship and curiosity toward the natural laws governing existence. By navigating these changes, players witness the fragility of planetary life.

Please share which of these games made you think most about our planet in the comments.