The world today has grown increasingly tense on the climate crisis front, with the urgency of environmental issues becoming more and more prominent. The always-expanding world of video games has provided plenty of entertainment that has emphasized green concerns over the years.
Some of these environmentally-focused gaming experiences have managed to provide immersive experiences for players, while also helping to raise awareness of climate-related problems. Such games often encourage players to consider more sustainable practices, confront environmental problems, and appreciate the interconnection of the natural world and human communities. At their best, these types of games can help to increase both a greater appreciation for the planet at large, and a general sense of shared responsibility for its well-being.
8 RPGs That Explore Environmental Conservation Themes
Nature and its ruin and/or conservation are among the core themes of these following video games.
5 Anno 2205
An Effective City-Builder On Earth And In Space
This eclectic city-builder has a bit of something for everyone in its gameplay. On top of the city-building, it also serves as a rewarding economic simulator, and provides some surprising real-time strategy action as well.
As the title suggests, the game is set in the future, and sees players having to work on fostering and maintaining sustainable societies both on Earth and, eventually, all the way to the moon. The game's sense of expansion and accomplishment make it a rewarding experience. Once players have progressed enough on Earth, they can begin putting together the budgeting for moon expeditions. It makes for a thought-provoking game that heavily emphasizes resource and financial management. Through the use of futuristic technology and the maintenance of ecological balance, gamers can enjoy an effective meditation on the importance of protecting the planet's natural resources.
4 Donut County
A Bizarre, Land-Consuming Experience
In Donut County, gamers take on the role of a hole that just keeps on growing. As it expands and deepens, it begins to swallow up objects from the world around it.
While this sounds simple at a glance, the game is more complex than expected. It emphasizes maneuvering the hole to strategically set up engulfing the environment in each level. When water gets involved, players must be especially cautious, moving the hole to drain the area and get to the objects that need to be consumed. A light bit of silly fun at a glance, Donut County carries a message of environmental ownership by covering themes such as waste, consumption, and the impact of human involvement on the natural world.
3 Spore
An Epic Life-Charting Simulation
This surprisingly ambitious life simulation game takes players on an epic ride, starting with the beginning of a species. From single-celled organisms up to breathing mammals, players get to create their own lifeforms.
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Along with the concept of life creation, Spore provides an interesting blend of real-time strategy, procedural generation, and RPG elements. The life-development can move into futuristic fare. Players can develop their species to the point of high-tech space travel, making this one of the most ambitious simulation games ever developed. The various stages of life offer thoughtful meditations on environmental welfare and synergy, as the lives developed expand and multiply. Spore is one of the most thought-provoking, endlessly playable games out there.
2 Cities: Skylines - Green Cities
Eco-Friendly Urban Development
Cities: Skylines
- Released
- March 10, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Colossal Order
- Publisher(s)
- Paradox Interactive
- Steam User Rating
- 93%
As the title suggests, this Skylines expansion encourages players to develop environmentally friendly cities. To do so, players must implement sustainable urban planning, tackle pollution, and, of course, emphasize the use of renewable energy resources. The game's main thematic purpose is environmental awareness. Successful elements of city-building include prioritizing sustainable infrastructure and balancing the demands of an ever-growing population.
By highlighting the importance of environment conservation, the game encourages players to think critically about the environmental impact that urban development can have. Providing players with plenty of tools to develop environmentally-conscious cities, Green Cities is a fun city-building experience.
1 Eco
Asteroid Suspense & Environmentally-Focused Gameplay
Eco
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- February 6, 2018
- Developer
- Strange Loop Games
- Publisher
- Strange Loop Games
- Steam User Rating
- 82%
This ambitious world-building simulation challenges players to develop an entire civilization. On top of that, players must prepare for an impending asteroid strike that could destroy the whole planet if it is not stopped.
Players must strike a balance between building the technology needed to prevent the asteroid from hitting, and maintaining a healthy environment. This forces players to act carefully when it comes to resource management. Balanced diets and food consumption also come into play. Gamers must consider the health of their citizens, while considering the state of the surrounding land. Eco functions as a planet-saver on two levels. Eco-conscious development functions alongside the more dramatic impending asteroid collision, providing players with an expansive gameplay experience.
7 Games About Saving The Environment
These masterful games give great priority to saving the environment.
