All posts tagged in Exploration
Aug 7, 2024
Creatures of Ava is a unique creature-saving game set in a fantastic alien world. Play as Vic, a young explorer who has set out to explore the planet named Ava. Alongside Tabitha, a researcher, you’ll confront an infection called “the withering” by the local race of Naam. The creatures of this beautiful world are being affected by this mysterious disease that’s depleting their populations, but you’re determined to remedy that.
Use a special flute to tame over 20 wild creatures, and get to know the Naam. Their customs are strange, but you’re determined to learn them. More importantly, you’ll explore four different biomes across the planet of Ava. While out and about, take in the beauty of the planet and help the native creatures heal from the withering. The non-aggressive combat mechanics in Creatures of Ava are meant for healing and not defeating, which makes this the perfect cozy exploration game. As you restore the planet you’ll come to understand what the infection is and how it came to be. But that’s only the first step to defeating the withering. You also need to undergo a change in perspective in order to truly understand how to stop the infection!
Release Date
Creatures of Ava releases today on Steam and Xbox! There’s also a free demo available so you can try before you buy.
- Jul 24, 2024
Ready for a wholly engaging story about long-lost family secrets? Open Roads by Open Roads Team is an immersive interactive fiction featuring gorgeous artwork that tells exactly that story. Play as Tess Devine as she and her mom discover a old notes and letters hidden in the attic. Within these pages are hints of a family secret and the location of a lost treasure located somewhere along the Canadian border. And instead of leaving well enough alone, Tess and her mother, Opal, set out on an unforgettable road trip.
On this road trip, you’ll explore a series of old family properties that have long since been abandoned. There, you’ll search for more information about the family secret. Dig up memories and more hints as Opal begins to remember past events she’d long since buried. As you search these old homes, you’ll not only discover the truth of those family secrets, but you’ll discover a deeper relationship with Opal. In classic road trip style, you’ll fiddle with the radio and chat with Opal as you journey from location to location. And experience the beautifully hand-drawn animations while you engage in unique dialogue systems that move the story along!
Release Date
You can find Open Roads on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox now!
If you enjoy interactive fiction, maybe give Zipp’s Cafe a look!
- Jul 3, 2024
If your favorite part of life sim games is filling in the different collections for places in town like the library, aquarium, or museum, then Museum Keeper by developer Red Thorn Interactive might be perfect for you! In this cozy exploration game, you get to build your dream museum from almost the ground up. Located in a small town, the museum is the town’s shining hope for an economic revival. So your job is to get that museum up and running to attract tourists and revive the town!
You have total control of how the museum turns out as you get to decorate the place to your heart’s content. You also get to staff it, choose the exhibits, and go hunting for the artifacts you’ll display! Go exploring the underground where you’ll find artifacts based on real life historic artifacts found around the world. Engage in battles against monsters who want to stop you from your research. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for museum thieves, too! You’ll encounter them in Museum Keeper and they’re determined to make money off the valuable artifacts you display. And get to know the quirky cast of townspeople as they come visit you or you visit them. Each one has their own unique interests that draw them to the museum.
Release Date
Museum Keeper is currently listed on Steam where you can add it to your Wishlist. There is no release date available, however.
- Jun 27, 2024
SPYxANYA: Operation Memories is an exciting adventure game based on the popular anime and manga Spy x Family. In the game, you play as the cute and mischievous Anya as she tries to complete a school assignment. Her class has been instructed to create a photo diary full of memories. Spend your days filling in that diary in classic Anya fashion!
During the week, participate in daily classes at the esteemed Eden Academy. There, you’ll meet your fellow classmates including Damian and Becky. In the evenings, spend time with Yor, Loid, and loyal Bond. The weekends are where you’ll really get to make memories, though! Go on 10 different exciting family outings to the beach or visit the art museum for some culture. While you’re out, keep an eye on subjects worthy of being photographed for your school assignment.
Find something that piques your interest? Take a picture of it. Pretty butterflies, swings you enjoyed swinging on, and other fun sights can all serve to fill your picture diary. SPYxANYA: Operation Memories has more than just photography, though! There are 15 different minigames you can play. These minigames are inspired by the anime, but some are originally created specifically for the game. You can earn over 80 pieces of clothing, accessories, and hairstyles to dress up Anya, Yor, Loid, and Bond in. Dressing them up can further enhance your special photographs, too!
Release Date
SPYxANYA: Operation Memories is launching June 27th on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation!
If you enjoy photography games, but prefer fun little critters, check out Flutter Away. And if you just like the peaceful adventure of photographing whatever you see, then Lushfoil Photography Sim might be for you.
- May 23, 2024
Begin your new life as Chief Farmer in Sky Harvest by Hamzah Kirmani. Your grandfather once held that title, and excelled at the job. Now it’s your turn to honor his legacy. Play as Zach or Zoya and work hard to transform the floating sky island from an overgrown mess into a lush farm full of produce. However, farming isn’t all you’ll do!
Sky Harvest is an open-world adventure game that takes place in the whimsical town of Magica. There, you’ll rebuild your floating sky island farm, but you’ll run your own little bistro. Cook tasty dishes for your customers, or even just for the love of cooking. Forge friendships with the locals to unlock unique perks. Plus, complete quests or go fishing! You can even equip your trusty jetpack to explore the far reaches of Magica to uncover secrets and simply explore.
Release Date
Sky Harvest is set to release on Steam sometime in 2025. There is currently a demo available, and you can add it to your Wishlist now!
Don’t forget to check out Tales of Seikyu, too!
- May 8, 2024
Simpler Times is an interactive meditation experience by developer stoneskip. that promises beautifully poignant moments. You play as Taina, who is getting ready to move out of her childhood home to begin the next exciting chapter of her life. The game takes place in your childhood bedroom as you relive memories and learn how Taina became the creative and expressive person she is today!
This is another game perfect for the super casual gamer as there are no timers, no scores, no combat, and no anxiety-inducing scenarios. Simpler Times offers a reflective, contemplative story experience instead. Listen to music, paint, watch the world outside your window, read, and solve notes at your own pace. Each object in the room has a story to tell about the past, a story that takes place over 10 years and in four different months and seasons. There’s even a lovely lo-fi soundtrack to accompany you through your observations and puzzles.
Release Date
Simpler Times is set to release on Steam, though there is no release date available. There is a demo to try out, though!
The atmosphere of this game reminds me of Behind The Frame!
- May 1, 2024
Endless Ocean Luminous lets you explore the tranquil waters of the ocean. Start your watery adventure by customizing your very own diver. Use the character customizer to pick a color scheme for diving suit. You can even utilize stickers and emotes! Dive into the Veiled Sea, an unexplored region, to discover new sights that change with every dive. Use your scanner to identify and learn about over 500 different species of marine life. Some of them are thought to be extinct, or even mythical. Play solo or connect to Nintendo Switch Online and play with up to 29 other people in one session and take a leisurely swim or focus on cataloging the sea life as fast as you can!
Release Date
You can find Endless Ocean Luminous on Nintendo Switch now!
Beyond Blue is another gorgeous ocean exploration game!
- Apr 10, 2024
If you’re looking for a cozy walking simulator with very short gameplay, look no further! Cozy Trip is a beautifully crafted indie game by developer Morning Shift Studios where you simply enjoy the exploration. Relax as you wander around a small town bordered by a forest. Take in the sites of the quaint little town and the charming forest. Uncover hidden treasures in a low-stakes scavenger hunt. And enjoy the lovely soundtrack that compliments the cozy gameplay as you get to know your surroundings.
Release Date
Cozy Trip is available now on Steam.
There are plenty of walking sims or other exploration games out there, so if that’s what you enjoy, here’s a short list of more: Lake, Submerged: Hidden Depths, Wilderless.
