Open-world games have come to the forefront of the gaming industry in more recent years, enchanting players with the scope of their worlds and the depth of the stories spread across every inch of the world. While hit open-world games for more mature audiences such as The Witcher 3 and Death Stranding have garnered many fans, there are many child-friendly games that also deserve some recognition.
While these games may have more simplistic approach to mechanics and veer away from hard-hitting story beats, there is still plenty of fun and adventures to be had for both children and adults alike.
5 Grow: Song Of Evertree
This indie game oozes with fantastical charm with a vibrant, colorful world, amazing cartoon like graphics, and plenty of family-friendly fun for everyone! Grow: Song of Evertree would have flown under the radars of many due to its independent development, but it is certainly worth of peoples attention that are looking for some light-hearted fun, or to provide a young child in their life a game to engage their brains while providing entertainment.
Grow: Song of Evertree is an open sandbox game that allows the player to interact at their own pace, and to build their own unique worlds while meeting NPCs the player can deepen their bond with to form close friendships, and decorate their world and home to their hearts content. With the game still receiving updated from the developer, this game is one to watch to see what new mechanics, items and characters are introduced.
4 Untitled Goose Game
This is a game that needs very little introduction as it took the gaming world by storm upon its release in back in September 2020. Though its premise and graphics are strikingly simple, Untitled Goose Game proved to be a beloved title among gamers thanks to its mischievous charm, and all the laughs it provided.
In this game, players control the titular goose as he wreaks havoc in a lovely little peaceful village, terrorizing the inhabitants through a number of ways. Part of the appeal of the game is discovering fun new ways to ruin peoples day, but all the methods are harmless pranks that mildly inconvenience or annoy the villagers rather than causing any physical harm, making this game safe for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
3 Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Another hidden indie-gem, Chicory is a game that is colorful as its title suggests. Set in a 'coloring book' world, the player can draw on just about anything, adding splashes of color to the world. The adventure game follows the tale of the titular artists number one fan to track down Chicory, was has mysteriously vanished. They pick up the brush, and assume powers of paint and colors to foray through an adventure filled with exploration and puzzles.
While this game is safe for players of all ages, its story sometimes hits on profound beats that older players could really appreciate, and instill lessons of virtue on younglings. It encourages artistic expression which is vital for children to engage from a young age. Combining charming graphics, a surprisingly deep story and the ability to color the world, this game is a must-try for everyone.
2 Astroneer
Players can experience worlds filled with adventure in Astroneer. In this open-world sandbox title, players assume the control of an astronaut tasked with traveling to alien planets. There are a total of seven different planets players can visit, each with their own unique flora, fauna and overall look to ensure the game remains interesting and unique. When players reach a planet, they can build structures by gathering resources, create vehicles for exploration and even dive beneath the surface to see what lies beneath.
This game is rated safe for everyone to enjoy with no violence, gore or unsettling horror elements, instead just offering vibrant worlds, and encouraging teamwork with its integrated multiplayer mode that will see players creating their bases together. With plenty of creative choices available to players they can even create their own fun games inside their bases to enjoy with other players, such as a Rocket League like vehicular soccer game.
1 A Short Hike
This charming indie open-world adventure game was released near the end of the modern 8-bit Renaissance, bringing players the fictional world of Hawk Peak Provincial Park in charming, pixilated graphics. Players are free to interact and explore the island at their leisure in a number of ways, whether its climbing, soaring, or hiking, as the game's title suggests. There are marked trails that can lead gamers through the intended map of the world, but there is nothing to stop players exploring off the beaten road to see what the backcountry of the world has to offer.
The island is populated by other explorers the player can meet and interact with that can aid the player in their quest to the summit and vice versa. Along with inhabitants, Hawk Peak is also home to troves of treasure eagle eyes players can spot and take that can help them reach new heights, but the game also has more to offer then the journey to the summit, allowing players to fish or swim for a fully relaxed and immersive experience.