Games that offer expansive worlds full of hidden secrets are continuing to grow in popularity. Horizon Forbidden West, Elden Ring, and Tunic are just a few examples of recent games that encourage exploration. Studios of all sizes are continuing to produce breathtaking and atmospheric worlds, just waiting to be explored.
While having large open worlds is a common occurrence in exploration games, smaller worlds can be just as packed full of things for players to discover. Exploration games also come in a variety of flavors from relaxing walks through parks to high stakes survival games. Fans looking to explore alien planets, sunken ruins, mystical lands, and even the wilderness have plenty of options.
10 Submerged: Hidden Depths
- Release Date: March 9th, 2022
- Platforms: PC, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Stadia
Players will explore the ruins of a sunken world in Submerged: Hidden Depths. In Submerged, players will take on the role of Miku and Taku, a pair of siblings scouring the city. One of the siblings wants to use their curse for good, while the other wants to prevent it from separating them.
In Submerged, players will have to use a variety of methods to traverse the area, from their boat to climbing. The now deserted ruins are also home to breathtaking creatures, as well as plenty of mysterious relics to discover.
9 FixFox
- Release Date: March 31st, 2022
- Platforms: PC
FixFox is a sci-fi adventure game where players will take on the role of a quirky mechanic on a fascinating planet. Players will attempt to repair an interstellar beacon, construct mechs, and solve the greater mystery that they find here.
In FixFox, players have the option to traverse the planet on foot or with their trusty scooter and other mechs. Each machine features a unique personality, and can be repaired using unconventional tools. Players can also end their day by sitting down with some of the friends they make and enjoying a meal. Residents of the planet may even offer soups, rice bowls, and pudding.
8 Silt
- Release Date: Spring 2022
- Platforms: PC
Players looking for a darker and more atmospheric world to explore will want to keep an eye out for Silt. Silt is an underwater puzzle adventure game, where players will have to dive deep to uncover long-forgotten mysteries.
The underwater world is full of strange lifeforms that will either help or hinder the player's journey. There are various regions to explore from vistas and ruins. Players can also possess some of the underwater life to help them solve puzzles.
7 XEL
- Release Date: Q2 2022
- Platforms: PC
XEL is an action-adventure game set in a sci-fi fantasy world. Players will take on the role of Reid who finds themselves shipwrecked on the strange planet, and will explore the world and uncover all its hidden mysteries and dark past.
The game features a vibrant overworld and challenging dungeons to explore. In addition to traditional combat mechanics, players can use gadgets and upgraded weapons to rise above their enemies. There are also plenty of characters to meet wandering around the world. Players can also actively engage with both the environment and NPCs.
6 Mika and The Witch's Mountain
- Release Date: 2022
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Playstation 4
Players will take on the role of an aspiring witch in Mika and The Witch’s Mountain. To complete their training, players will have to help out townspeople by delivering packages. Delivering packages also helps players gain useful upgrades.
Mika and The Witch’s Mountain is a combat-free game, meaning players can explore the island to their heart's content. However, the elements may make some deliveries more of a challenge. There are also plenty of secrets to find around the mountain, and townspeople also have many stories to share as a reward for helping them.
5 Lil Gator Game
- Release Date: 2022
- Platforms: PC
In Lil GatorGame, players will embark on a wholesome adventure as a little gator. There are plenty of new people throughout the world to meet and help, and every area has something to discover and new challenges to overcome using the power of imagination.
While there are plenty of friendly faces, making new friends won’t always be easy, and some characters may take more convincing. In addition, players can also collect arts and crafts supplies scattered around the world. These supplies can be used to make a variety of items to help bring the playground to life.
4 The Garden Path
- Release Date: 2022
- Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch
Players will be put in charge of a vast wilderness full of life and curiosity in The Garden Path, which explores the quiet moments of a life well-lived. There are plenty of characters to meet, stories to hear, plants to nurture, and tea to brew.
Time in the game passes alongside time in the real world, meaning players will have a chance to experience their garden at all hours if they choose. In addition to gardening, players can trade with the other inhabitants, fish in ponds, and use their gardens as a space to reflect.
3 Slime Heroes
- Release Date: 2023
- Platforms: PC
In Slime Heroes, players will save the day from corruption as adorable slimes. Players who want to save the world with their friends can do so online or via split-screen cooperative modes.
The world of Slime Heroes is full of mysterious and mystical plants and creatures. Players can mix and match different skill gems and elements together to create thousands of unique abilities. There are also plenty of hidden passageways and treasures to find. The entire story can be played through with a friend, so players can each create unique magic abilities that make them the ideal team.
2 Time on Frog Island
- Release Date: TBA
- Platforms: PC, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch
Players will find themselves stranded on a strange island full of frogs after a shipwreck in Time on Frog Island. In order to repair the ship, players will have to trade with the locals to gather everything they need. Trading will take players around the island, where they will meet a cast of friendly characters. Puzzles and hidden treasures are just a few things that can be found in the game.
Time on Frog Island encourages players to take their time exploring the world. Fishing and farming can also be used to craft various brews that can help further traverse the island.
1 Smalland
- Release Date: TBA
- Platforms: PC
Smalland is a multiplayer survival game where players will be surrounded by massive hazards. Players will be tasked with building encampments and turning those into settlements.
In Smalland, puddles become lakes, trees become skyscrapers, and birds see the players as a snack. While most of the creatures in the game will be hostile toward players, others can become valuable allies and mounts. The weather and changing seasons will also create an additional challenge that players will have to navigate. Players can upgrade their equipment and unlock useful abilities to make taking down giant threats more easily.
