Core Mechanics
Best Exploration Games
Discovering new areas and secrets
48 games ranked by exploration intensity
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Windows
Open worldExplorationLinear storySolo contemplativeMelee combat
No Man's Sky
WindowsmacOS
Open worldExplorationSandboxShootingCrafting
DARK SOULS™ III
Windows
Skill masteryExplorationOpen worldMelee combatTense
Enderal: Forgotten Stories
Windows
ExplorationOpen worldLinear storySolo contemplativeFantasy mythology
OMORI
WindowsmacOS
TensePixel artExplorationExistential dreadLinear story
Valheim
WindowsmacOSLinux
Open worldExplorationFantasy mythologySandboxCrafting
Wartales
Windows
Open worldExplorationSandboxTurn-based combatMethodical
Renowned Explorers: International Society
WindowsmacOSLinux
ExplorationDiplomacyMethodicalTurn-based combatSolo contemplative
Lies of P
WindowsmacOS
Skill masteryExplorationDialogue choicesMelee combatSolo contemplative
ZERO Sievert
Windows
Pixel artOpen worldExplorationShootingTense
7 Days to Die
WindowsmacOSLinux
Open worldVoxelExplorationSandboxShooting
Forza Horizon 5
Windows
Vehicle controlOpen worldExplorationPhotorealisticCo-op chaos
Age of Wonders 4
Windows
Map scaleDialogue choicesExplorationMethodicalTech/research trees
Fallout: New Vegas
Windows
Open worldExplorationShootingSandboxSolo contemplative
Stellaris
WindowsmacOSLinux
Territory controlMap scaleExplorationSandboxSci-fi technology
ENDLESS™ Space - Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleExplorationSandboxMethodicalResource management
Offworld Trading Company
WindowsmacOS
Base managementCity/empire buildingExplorationCompetitive rankedResource management
Interstellar Space: Genesis
Windows
Map scaleTurn-based combatExplorationSandboxOpen world
Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion
Windows
Map scaleSandboxExplorationResource managementDiplomacy
Monster Hunter: World
Windows
Open worldExplorationSkill masteryMMO socialCo-op chaos
Pax Nova
Windows
Map scaleExplorationDialogue choicesMethodicalResource management
Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Dialogue choicesExplorationLocal multiplayerTurn-based combatMethodical
Horizon Zero Dawn™ Complete Edition
Windows
Open worldExplorationStealthLinear storySolo contemplative
Terraria
WindowsmacOSLinux
Open worldSandboxExplorationPixel artPlatforming
Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleExplorationMethodicalTech/research treesTurn-based combat
Outer Wilds
Windows
ExplorationOpen worldTenseSci-fi technologyMystery and detective
Satisfactory
Windows
Automation designOpen worldSandboxExplorationResource management
Techtonica
Windows
Automation designSandboxCity/empire buildingExplorationResource management
Fallout 4
Windows
Open worldExplorationSandboxSolo contemplativeLinear story
Oxygen Not Included
WindowsmacOSLinux
Base managementSandboxExplorationOpen worldResource management
Galactic Civilizations IV
Windows
Map scaleExplorationSandboxSci-fi technologySpreadsheet territory
Dwarf Fortress
WindowsLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldExplorationBase management
Settlement Survival
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingSandboxExplorationPixel artBase management
Surviving the Aftermath
Windows
City/empire buildingOpen worldExplorationResource managementBase management
Sapiens
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingOpen worldExplorationBase managementResource management
ENDLESS™ Legend
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleExplorationOpen worldSandboxMethodical
The Wandering Village
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingAutomation designExplorationBase managementSandbox
Anno 1800
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxExplorationDialogue choicesBase management
Anno 1404 - History Edition
Windows
City/empire buildingExplorationResource managementBase managementMap scale
Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes
Windows
City/empire buildingTurn-based combatExplorationSandboxSolo contemplative
Cliff Empire
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingSandboxExplorationMinimalistBase management
Conquest of Elysium 5
WindowsmacOSLinux
ExplorationAsync communityLocal multiplayerTurn-based combatMethodical
IXION
Windows
City/empire buildingExplorationDialogue choicesSci-fi technologyBase management
TheoTown
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingExplorationBase managementResource managementPixel art
Pillars of Eternity
WindowsmacOSLinux
ExplorationOpen worldFantasy mythologyLinear storySolo contemplative
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
WindowsmacOSLinux
Dialogue choicesOpen worldExplorationTurn-based combatDeep systems
Imperiums: Greek Wars
Windows
Map scaleExplorationSpreadsheet territoryResource managementTech/research trees
Stranded Deep
WindowsmacOSLinux
Open worldExplorationSandboxCraftingResource management