Summary
- Minecraft in Peaceful Mode offers a soothing, calm open-world experience without enemies, perfect for creativity and relaxation.
- Spiritfarer provides an emotionally rich open world with customizable gameplay that allows players to explore at their own pace.
- Immortals Fenyx Rising offers a streamlined open-world experience with focused quests, fun combat, and light-hearted gameplay.
The open-world genre in gaming can offer players a lot of freedom, but not every gamer wants 100 quests they need to complete to progress. Nor does every player want a world so big that they can get lost and confused about where to go next. Sometimes, expansive environments and too many crafting materials can feel overwhelming.
The titles on this list keep their concepts more streamlined, without losing the wonder of exploration or the thrill of learning about a setting for oneself. Whether gamers have never played this type of game before, or are looking for something more relaxing than stressful, there is something for everyone to explore.
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10 Minecraft (Peaceful Mode)
Boundless Creativity & Limitless Building
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Minecraft, when set to peaceful mode, becomes one of the most soothing open-world sandbox experiences that players can have. Players can still do all the mining, crafting, and exploring that they know and love, but without worrying about the enemies and monsters they may encounter.
Players can build at their own pace, and the freedom that the game mode offers is hard to match. Without enemies, Minecraft becomes an even calmer and more serene place. It's perfect for players looking for a fun weekend project or some shorter creative sessions.
9 Spiritfarer
Afterlife Management
Spiritfarer
- Released
- August 18, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Language, Use of Tobacco, Violent References
- Developer(s)
- Thunder Lotus Games, Kowloon Nights, Canada Media Fund
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Indie Games, Simulation
Spiritfarer is not a traditional open-world game, but it does offer players an expansive sea to chart and explore, and a customizable boat to sail the open ocean. The gameplay itself is modular, meaning that players can choose when to do activities such as crafting, cooking, and fishing. The journey never gets overwhelming. Instead, it's emotionally rich, making players want to jump back into this narrative adventure as soon as they can.
8 Immortals Fenyx Rising
Streamlined Design
Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Released
- December 3, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Immortals Fenyx Rising takes the open world formula that Ubisoft knows and does well, and trims all the excess from it. With clear progression and focused quests, players will appreciate the manageable pace. Meanwhile, this mythology action-adventure game still offers fun combat, puzzles, and exploration. There is a lightness to the overall gaming experience thanks to its vibrancy and humor. If players are looking for something a little less intimidating, this might be the game for them.
7 Lake
Mail Over Mayhem
Lake
- Released
- September 1, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Gamious
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Lake offers players the chance to swap epic quests for small-town reconnection. Players deliver mail in this cozy 1980s environment that will leave them feeling full of warmth and nostalgia thanks to its narrative-focused, slice-of-life gameplay. Each new day brings a list of simple but appreciated decisions to make, and driving routes that combine with a relaxing open world that puts no pressure on players. Instead, it offers a gentler pacing than they may be used to with other games.
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6 Submerged: Hidden Depths
Calm Beneath The Surface
Submerged: Hidden Depths
Boat, climb, solve and explore in the beautiful ruins of a sunken world.
A drowned city, crumbling tips of skyscrapers stubbornly standing above the waves. Deserted villages, now inhabited by enigmatic creatures. And beneath the surging ocean waits an anguished, angry presence.
Submerged: Hidden Depths is a non-combat third-person “relaxploration” adventure, set in the sunken ruins of a beautiful world. Take on the role of Miku and Taku – one cursed with a mysterious power that she wants to use for good, the other determined not to let it tear them apart.
Features
• Boat across tranquil waters and storm-driven white-caps
• Explore, climb and interact with the remains of a once-towering city
• Collect mysterious relics of a distant past
• Scour the buildings for the seeds of its salvation.
- Released
- December 3, 2020
- ESRB
- E
- Developer(s)
- Uppercut Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Platformer
Submerged: Hidden Depth is a hauntingly beautiful flooded world that is deliberately slow. Instead of fighting something big and scary, they can instead put their focus on discovering what lies in store for them, climbing and sailing through the setting's post-apocalyptic beauty. The game is simple in the best ways. The visual storytelling element, lack of combat, and low stress allow players time to breathe, without being something that they can put down easily. There is so much to do and explore, even at a slower pace.
5 Eastshade
Stress-Free Exploration
Eastshade
- Released
- February 13, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Eastshade Studios
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World
In Eastshade, players feel like the pen (or the brush) is mightier than the sword. Instead of being warriors, players are artists who answer gentle questions through a painting mechanic, filling the space with wonder, and are rewarded for their creativity. There is no danger to hide from in this game. Instead, players immerse themselves in the scenery around them, the rich NPC interactions, and the story. If someone is craving a quiet immersion with a sense of whimsy, this might be the perfect game for them.
4 A Short Hike
Tiny World With Huge Charm
A Short Hike
- Released
- April 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Adam Robinson-Yu
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Though the game is small in scale with a lot of compact pieces, the open-world design will leave players with plenty to explore. A Short Hike embodies everything that works with the traditional open world genre, and makes it smaller and just as charming with its quick goals and joyful movement.
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3 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Freedom With Purpose
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild helps ease players into the systems they need to learn, and encourages a version of self-directed play that allows them to be rewarded for their curiosity. This organic exploration, coupled with the ambient worldbuilding, keeps players from feeling overwhelmed by the open world. There is a lot to explore and the world feels rich with experiences, but it doesn't feel cluttered. Every discovery feels earned and manageable. For players looking for a game with structure without too many strict paths to follow, this could be perfect.
2 Tchia
Island Sandbox
Tchia
- Released
- March 21, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Awaceb
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Adventure
Tchia is set in a New Caledonia-inspired world, featuring lighthearted exploration and a heartwarming story that players will be talking about for years to come. The mechanics are creative, and the overall tone of the game feels playful thanks to laid-back quests and musical moments. The game is also very forgiving. This means that players don’t feel overloaded, and instead get to focus on the relaxing open-world experience that they may need after a long gaming session of something more intense.
1 Sable
Exploration With No Expectations
Sable
- Released
- September 23, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Shedworks
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Sable focuses on the idea of discovery without all the danger that some open-world games can bring. Players need to explore the mysterious desert planet, but they can do so at their own pace, without the need to follow strict guidelines. There is no combat in the game, or any time pressure. It is an almost meditative journey, uncovering stories with the help of some gliding and climbing. This game is perfect for players who want the beauty of a new game without all the burnout of a traditional open-world title.
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