Sometimes, players just want to wander, take in the scenery, and maybe unravel a few mysteries—without constantly looking over their shoulder for the next fight. Open-world games without enemies are rare, but when done right, they’re something truly special. These peaceful adventures let players focus on exploration, creativity, or simply soaking in the atmosphere.
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These excellent open-world games might not grab players right away, but they get better and better as players learn their intricate systems.
Here are seven open-world games that embrace serenity, creativity, and pure exploration over sweaty combat encounters.
7 Shape Of The World
A World That Grows as You Wander
Shape of the World
- Released
- June 5, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Hollow Tree Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Exploring an alien forest that grows and changes around you sounds like something out of a dream, and Shape of the World fully embraces that surreal, meditative vibe. The landscape doesn’t just exist—it reacts. As players move, plants sprout up, trees bloom, and new paths reveal themselves, making the environment feel truly alive.
With no enemies or challenges, players are free to just wander, letting the music and visuals create a hypnotic experience. It’s more about being present in the moment than achieving a goal. Walking through a glowing archway transforms the world around you, changing colors and sounds like a living painting. It’s an abstract journey with a focus on curiosity rather than conquest.
6 Astroneer
Taking a Breath in a Universe Full of Stars
Astroneer
- Released
- February 6, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Exploring an alien planet sounds like it would be full of danger, right? Not in Astroneer. This game hands players the keys to colorful, voxel-based planets where they can build, craft, and terraform to their heart’s content. The freedom to shape the landscape into anything from a sprawling base to a series of wacky tunnels makes every session feel like a sandbox experiment.
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What’s truly special about Astroneer is how it turns survival into something more laid-back and creative. While gathering resources and managing oxygen are technically survival elements, there’s no looming threat trying to eat you alive. It’s more about figuring out how to use your tools to create something incredible. Traveling between planets, digging deep into caves, and piecing together new tech gives a satisfying sense of progress without a hint of combat. It’s just you, your rover, and the endless, colorful expanse.
5 Feather
When Flight Is the Only Objective
There’s something therapeutic about gliding through a beautiful landscape with no purpose but to fly. In Feather, players become a bird, soaring over sunlit hills, diving through narrow canyons, and gliding across shimmering waters. There’s no plot to follow, no missions to complete, and definitely no enemies. Just the joy of movement, set to a soothing soundtrack.
What makes Feather stand out is how it embraces pure exploration. As players discover new areas, the music shifts, matching the changing scenery. The multiplayer aspect subtly adds to the experience, letting other birds join in the flight, but without any direct interaction. It’s like a digital escape where players can unwind and simply exist, flying just because it feels good.
4 Lake
A Postwoman's Peaceful Journey
Lake
- Released
- September 1, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Gamious
- Publisher(s)
- Whitethorn Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Delivering mail doesn’t usually scream excitement, but Lake turns it into something genuinely heartfelt. Set in the picturesque town of Providence Oaks during the 1980s, players take on the role of Meredith Weiss, a software developer who temporarily takes over her dad’s mail route. As Meredith drives around the lake, she reconnects with old friends, makes new ones, and contemplates what she really wants out of life.
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What sets Lake apart is its storytelling. The game’s open world is small but filled with personality. Each stop on the route brings a different story, from the quirky cat lady to the grumpy mechanic. While the game doesn’t have traditional challenges, the choices Meredith makes shape the ending, adding a bit of narrative weight to an otherwise peaceful experience. Sometimes, it’s just nice to cruise along the lakeside road, listening to the radio and delivering letters.
3 The Witness
When Puzzles Are the Only Challenge
The Witness
- Released
- January 26, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Alcohol Reference
- Developer(s)
- Thekla Inc.
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
Not every island needs monsters lurking behind trees. In The Witness, players explore a deserted, mysterious island full of intricate puzzles. The world itself is a maze of clever environmental clues, where solving one problem often leads to unlocking an entirely new area. The genius here is how the island feels like a giant, interconnected brain teaser.
There’s something quietly compelling about wandering through its abandoned paths, piecing together clues, and gradually uncovering the island’s secrets. With no combat or enemies, every bit of tension comes from players figuring out how to interpret the world itself. It’s a test of logic, patience, and perception, wrapped in an eerie but beautiful landscape.
2 Eastshade
A World of Paintings Come to Life
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
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
In Eastshade, players are not warriors but painters, exploring a gorgeous, hand-crafted world to capture its beauty on canvas. The goal is simple: find breathtaking views and turn them into paintings. The townsfolk are more interested in art than heroics, and the quests often revolve around creativity rather than conflict.
The peaceful atmosphere is complemented by thoughtful storytelling, as players meet characters who all have their own little struggles and dreams. Whether it’s helping a fisherman find inspiration or painting a family portrait, the game never forces drama. Instead, it’s a contemplative experience, where wandering through forests and chatting with villagers feels as fulfilling as any grand quest.
1 A Short Hike
A Short But Unforgettable Hike
A Short Hike
- Released
- April 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
It’s amazing how much heart can fit into just a couple of hours. In A Short Hike, players control Claire, a young bird who sets out to climb Hawk Peak. The island is small but packed with little secrets—hidden treasures, quirky characters, and peaceful lakes where you can fish or just sit and relax.
What makes it truly special is how it captures that sense of freedom. Players aren’t forced to rush to the summit; they can glide from cliffs, chat with fellow hikers, or even race in a foot race. It’s a game where the journey is far more important than the destination, and every step feels like a small, joyful adventure.
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