Summary
Video games are considered to be an excellent way of escaping reality. They can carry players from enchanting and mysterious realms to real-life places that few rarely have a chance to visit. As not everybody lives closer to nature, they also offer a way for people to experience the verdant forests or the pristine oceans virtually.
Whether it is exploring the deep forestsor diving underwater to discover the flora and fauna, games are capable enough to make players experience nature in their own unique kind of way. Here are titles that are best known for their open-world nature exploration.
Rockstar has had a great reputation for making open-world games for a long time, and it is safe to say thatRed Dead Redemption 2is by fartheir best work. Theworld ofRDR2has so much to offer, with countless quests and activities to do, NPCs to meet, and places to explore.
The game takes the player to the countrysideto uncover the beauty of the world ofRDR2. From the green plantations to the sparkling grand lake and from the abandoned settlement of Colter to the busy city of Saint Denis, everything is crafted in great detail. With such exceptional world-building, players won’t easily find themselves bored.
The world of Teyvat is magically beautiful and the open world ofGenshin Impactlets players get lost in the nature it offers. Thegame features 7 nationsand each has its unique ecosystem. From the beautiful windy city of Mondstadt to the tall Rocky Mountains of Liyue or from the icy region of Dragonspine to the islands of Inazuma where thunder strikes all the time, the game isfull of interesting and scenic areas to explore.
The exploration inGenshinis more than just looking at the scenery, as there are hidden locations, mysterious landmarks, and complex puzzles that reward players when completed. With still a few nations left to come out in the game, the world ofGenshin Impactkeeps on expanding.
Discussing natural exploration and not mentioning theZeldafranchise would be heresy. The vast world of Hyrule invites players for agrand adventure with plenty of things to do. Looting enemy camps for treasures is one aspect of the game, but the title also has its fair share of mysterious landmarks and complex hidden puzzles awaiting the players to solve them.
The world is not only huge, but it is also diverse, as players can walk through the lush and green open fields to the icy-cold mountains. Visiting places like the ruins of the Temple of Time, walking on the beaches of Necluda sea, or climbing Mount Lanaryu,Zelda: Breath of the Wilddoes astellar job with its world-building thanks to these iconic landmarks.
Everything feels alive in Hyrule as the world interacts realistically. Fruits can be plucked from trees and grass can be set on fire.Even the cold affects the players, forcing them to wear warmer clothesto survive the lower temperatures. It’s a well-thought-out open world with everything working in harmony.
The oceans are deep and an unknown territory for humankind andSubnauticaprovides players an opportunity toexplore an alien version of the mysterious oceansdigitally. It’s a thrilling journey to explore the unknown and the frightening challenges that lie below the surface.
One might think that resources will be scarce underwater. However,Subnauticadoes the contrary by showcasing some of therichest ecosystems. From the shallow kelp forests to deep underwater islands full of aquatic life ranging from passive creatures like the Cuddlefish to aggressive alien sharks that swim in the deep waters. Natural Exploration is Subnautica’s forte as players swim around understanding the aquatic flora and fauna as they explore the depths of mysterious Crystal Caves, the blazing Lava Lakes, or the Grassy Plateaus that cover the vast seafloor.
The positional audio is another great thing aboutSubnauticaas it gives players a better understanding of their surroundings. The game looks stunningas it shows a different aspect of the aquatic ecosystemfeaturing all sorts of alien bizarreness.
The world ofThe Witcher 3is huge,mesmerizing yet deadly and brutal for the weak. From walking through the dense jungles around the northeastern parts of Ard Skelling and seeing the sacred Oak Tree Gedyneith or passing through the Hanged Man Tree, which shows the brutality of war, the world ofWitchershowsboth sides of nature—brutality, and beauty.
The ruins of Seidhe Llygad Amphitheater, the beautiful villages in Skellige, the busy city of Novigrad, and the Witcher’s home at Kaer Morhen are just a few highlight locations that are not only visually impressive but also packed with lore.
One can only imagine what it would feel like to live in the Stone Age. TheFar Cryseries takes a trip back in time in a game that sticks to its roots yet delivers a different experience.
Far Cry Primalfollows a storyline as players take the role of a hunter called Takkar whose role is to establish his tribe as the dominant one. The game’s main appeal is not its story but thebeautiful character designs and the pre-historical world.Exploring the thick forests,taming wild animals like the sabertooth and the bear, and fighting enemies from various tribes form the core gameplay.
Sometimes, taking a break from everything and enjoying simpler activities is the right call to make.A Short Hikeis one such game that takes players on a peaceful adventurein the digital wilderness. It’s akin to an art form that gives people a different way to enjoy video games without having to worry about objectives, enemies, character abilities, and so on.
Every corner of Hawk Peak is gorgeous, from the windy cliffs north of Meteor Lake to the isolated Lighthouse, or to the dense forests of the provincial park. With exploration at the forefront of the charming, relaxing title, it’sfull of those wonderful, mundane momentsthat will remind players of empty summer days from their childhood.
Hunting is one way to explore natureandtheHunter: Call of the Wildis like a dream come true for people who want to have that outdoor experience while comfortably seated. Being a hunting simulator, it requires players to follow the same suit as a hunter to track down a wide variety of animals.
The game features some of thebest digitally generated forests.Trekking across the snow-covered mountains or walking across a large lake or a dense forest,Call of the Wildhas naturally beautiful locations as its backdrop to its core gameplay loop. The Lakeside area of Layton Lake District and the open fields of Hirschfelden Hunting Reserve are truly majestic and abundant with natural resources and life.
The world feels lively as players actually find themselves in a forest as they can experience nature digitally. The sound of dry leaves, the faint howling of animals, or the wind rustling all make for a highly immersive plunge into nature.
Ghost of Tsushimahassome of the best blade-to-blade combatplayers can experience in any video game, it’s not the only thing it excels at. With its absolutely gorgeous open world that takes the players into feudal Japan, theopen world is a sight to behold.
AAA games are known for their graphics andGhost of Tsushimadoesn’t miss the mark. Being an open-world game, it’s packed with dense grass, trees, and stunning landscapes that will leave the player awestruck.
The icy cold mountains of Mount Jaaku might be tough to traverse, but the frozen views are absolutely worth the trek. The Golden Temple, where the elegant towers look equally stunning in daytime or night, is a perfect spot to stop at for some in-game photos. Similarly, the field of Equinox Flowers is easily one of themost poetically beautiful sceneries.
Firewatchis a treat for those looking for a gripping narrative and, at the same time, looking for a great open world to explore.Players take the role of a fire lookout in the vast lonely woodsand their only line of contact is with their supervisor. While exploring the woods, it is soon revealed that there is a mystery behind these deep forests, and players are set on a quest to find the answers.
The in-game art is fantastic and immersive, and exploring places like the Beartooth Point, Ruby River or Cottonwood Creek is a delightful experience from a first-person perspective. Players can find signs of wildlife inFirewatchwhile exploring the vast national park. Traces left behind by bears can be observed and other animals like Elks, turtles, or raccoons can be found while exploring the dense forest.
Climbing the rocks or rappelling down cliffs, there are a fewdifferent ways to traverse the picturesque world. However, there is a catch to free exploration, as players are required to finish the game once to unlock the free-roam mode.
