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In recent years, it’s been great to see games that cater to relaxation and well-being needs. Just look at the success of games like Animal Crossing. But there have also been a number of other games, where you can have these kinds of experiences. Games where you can forget about the imminent threat to mankind and enjoy exploring some stunning natural landscapes.
In a lot of open-world games, it is very easy to get so drawn into progressing the story or quests. You simply put on the way-marker and rush through the world missing out on a lot of what it has to offer. Turning it off and having a wander allows you to more actively take notice of the world you’re immersed in.
Natural sights and sounds can do wonders for our well-being. If you’ve ever been to a spa, you might have spent a little time in one of their relaxation rooms. These rooms feature projections of natural landscapes and sounds of rushing water or waves crashing. All these things and more are in a lot of open world games, you just have to stop and notice them.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s saving the world attempts have been slowed down by the inclusion of photo mode! I’ve found great joy in finding and taking pictures of beautiful locations. It’s also nice to see my player characters take a break from their busy schedule to chill out by the beach.
There are many games and series in which these kinds of experiences are possible. Here are three of my favourites...
Horizon: Forbidden West And Zero Dawn
I’ve spent a lot of time enjoying Aloy’s latest adventures in the Forbidden West. Like with Zero Dawn, it’s an absolute joy to explore!
The world that Guerilla has created for us is staggeringly beautiful from its flowing grasslands to its dense steamy jungles to its sandy coastlines. Set in post-apocalyptic North America, there are a lot of familiar landscapes. Being on the Californian coastline, brought me right back to hiking holidays around Big Sur.
As well as being beautiful to look at and interact with, Horizon’s worlds are rich with environmental storytelling. The landscape features many trinkets and ruins from our now extinct society. There’s a lot of satisfaction in investigating these areas and figuring out what might have happened there.
Death Stranding
At face value, the world of Hideo Kojima’s surreal 2019 epic doesn’t sound like an appealing place to be. But there is a desolate beauty to this version of post-apocalyptic America that grows on you. As Sam Porter Bridges (played by Norman Reedus), you spend a lot of the game making deliveries across a rugged and dynamic landscape.
In many ways, Death Stranding is the perfect hiking simulator (as long as you can stay out of the way of the game’s supernatural and human enemies).
The game mechanics force you to slow down and observe the landscape. For example, the terrain you’re traversing has a huge impact on your gaming experience. To get by in this world, you’ll need to engage with the landscape you’re traversing like you would in a real hike. This includes observing contours, packing efficiently and planning routes. If you’re like me, this may well make you want to start planning your next real hike!
Red Dead Redemption 2
If Death Stranding can be described as a hiking simulator, then perhaps Red Dead Redemption 2 can be described as a camping simulator. The first Red Dead Redemption was great to mosey around, but the second game went that extra mile to let you inhabit its world. The game is well known for its fantastic driving storyline. But sometimes it’s nice to get away from the drama for a bit and have a wander of Rockstar’s sprawling open world.
For example, there are many secluded woodlands to go hiking in near Valentine for you to enjoy. Once there, you can track some of the game’s wildlife and study them for your compendium. Or you can go on the hunt and cook them up over a campfire with some freshly picked thyme. After a night in your tent, you can wake up to the morning rays over the land, brew up some coffee on the stove and then spend the morning fishing!
And that’s my list. Has this got you thinking about any games you’d like to have a wander in? Let us know and tag us on social media @zatugames!