Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- #27 Lies of P
- #26 Dredge
- #25 HUMANITY
- #24 Destiny 2: The Final Shape
- #23 The Talos Principle 2
- #22 Jusant
- #21 Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
- #20 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- #19 Wild Hearts
- #18 Sons Of The Forest
- #17 Tchia
- #16 Lies of P
- #15 Sengoku Dynasty
- #14 Hogwarts Legacy
- #13 Pragmata
- #12 Black Myth: Wukong
- #11 Lightyear Frontier
- #10 Stray Blade
- #9 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- #8 Aftermath
- #7 Starfield
- #6 ARK 2
- #5 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
- #4 The Invincible
- #3 Hollow Knight: Silksong
- #2 The Fold: Ingression
- #1 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Modern gamers are very lucky. There are full worlds to explore at our fingertips. Massive fantasy worlds full of dragons and magic as well as space odysseys teaming with discoveries. There are a ton of exploration games already out there for you to enjoy, but for this list, we bring you 15 new games that could be yours to play in 2023.
#27 Lies of P
Platform: PC September 18, 2023
Release Date: PS4 PS5 Xbox One XSX|S September 19, 2023
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
When you look at a game like Lies of P, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the aesthetic and the Soulslike combat. But there are other elements to consider. For example, the city of Krat is full of dark conspiracies and people who need help. It’ll be your job to unravel everything that’s going on in this place and attempt to provide “comfort” to those in need.
But therein lies the twist. Will you tell the truth and give them the honesty they desperately deserve? Or will you tell a lie and see if that makes things better?
It’s your choice what you do. Jump in and see what awaits!
#26 Dredge
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S Switch
Release Date: March 30, 2023
Steam | Playstation | Xbox | Nintendo
There are fewer thrills when you’re out on a boat than taking to the high seas and exploring all that’s out there. That will be one of your many jobs when you play the game, Dredge.
The places you’ll be exploring are a set of islands with plenty of fish and plenty of dangers. Yet, you’re drawn to this place by a mysterious force and are asked to explore the truth alongside the islands.
You’ll also be exploring the waters below because while there are plenty of fish to catch, there are also plenty of…bigger fish…waiting for you below.
So don’t think for a second you’re the alpha on these waters. If you do? Well, you’re going to need a bigger boat.
#25 HUMANITY
Platform: PC, PS4, PS5
Release Date: May 16, 2023
In puzzle games, exploration isn’t always the main focus. But when it comes to a game like Humanity, it’s a natural part of the process, considering what you’re doing.
So what are you doing? Simply put, you’re a dog who must lead humanity to where they need to be. But that isn’t easy when you look at the large masses of people you have to guide and the many ways the levels try to trip you up.
Even if you make it through the 90 in-game levels, you still have a problem. Specifically, you can create levels and throw tests at both yourself and other players! So in a way, your work is never done.
#24 Destiny 2: The Final Shape
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: TBA 2023
Are you ready for the end? But is this “end” really the end? Or is it the beginning of something new? Those are the questions that surround Destiny 2: The Final Shape.
Bungie has been teasing their “endgame” content for some time, and the previous DLC has been leading up to this. Whatever the storyline is, there will be places to explore and action to be had. Whether you take it on solo or you team up with friends so that you take down enemies’ forces together, you’ll have plenty to do.
The only bad thing is that you must wait until 2024 to play it!
#23 The Talos Principle 2
Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: December 2023
Puzzle games are a genre many love to partake in for various reasons. Not the least is, they love to test their brains and see if they can figure out the solutions the developers came up with first.
But you’ll need to be big-brained if you wish to solve everything in The Talos Principle 2.
Why? Because the game isn’t just a puzzle title, it’s an exercise in philosophy and using puzzles to expand your mind beyond puzzle-solving. You’ll be wrapped up in a deep universe where things aren’t as they appear, and you need to dive deeper into the puzzles to learn more about what’s around you.
#22 Jusant
Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: November 2023
Many titles have tried to defy what it means to be a “fantasy title” or to give players a “true sense of exploration.” But in Jusant, you’ll get a fresh twist on the game.
That’s because your goal in the title will be to climb up a massive tower and experience everything it offers on the way up.
But it’s not as simple as it sounds. You’ll need to learn how to climb with precision while also using the tools you have on you to help preserve your stamina. Additionally, you’ll need to use the various plants and other things of interest in the biomes you enter to ascend further.
#21 Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: TBA 2023
What happens when one of the top operatives in the world is sent into enemy territory and must take out both his former mentor and their special forces unit? Well, you get a game where you’ll go over a lot of territory.
Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater is the prequel title to the entire saga involving Solid Snake. You’ll play his “father,” Naked Snake, back in the days of the Cold War.
When an incident turns the world on its head, Naked Snake will fight enemy generals, his mentor in The Boss, and the Cobra Unit to try and stop the world from going to war.
You’ll explore the region, grab what you can, and use it to survive the fights to come.
#20 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Releease Date: April 28, 2023
Steam | Playstation | Xbox
It was only a matter of time before this franchise embraced the open-world feel of numerous other games and made it their own. Star Wars Jedi Survivor will have you play Cal Kestis again, and you’ll once again explore the numerous worlds, moons, and stations of the galaxy far, far away. However, this time, you’ll get to go to places with a bit more depth.
Specifically, you’ll go to worlds where you can go off the beaten path and unlock new side missions. Or, you can return after learning new powers and abilities and see what new options you have available to you.
So don’t be afraid to take a beat and see what these worlds offer you.
#19 Wild Hearts
Platform: PC February 16, 2023
Release Date: PS5 XSX|S February 17, 2023
Steam | Playstation | Xbox
One of the things that most monster-hunting titles do is give you a vast realm to explore. Why? Because they know that not all monsters would live in the same habitat. Nor would they want to “mingle” with other species because of the fights they’d start.
In Wild Hearts, you’ll have a unique fantasy version of Japan to wander through as you look for the Kemono, monsters that have suddenly gone rabid.
You’ll encounter new Kemono and new areas to battle in as you explore. You can help warp the battlefield to suit your needs using ancient technology! So get into the fight and see where your exploration takes you!
#18 Sons Of The Forest
Platform: PC
Release Date: February 23, 2023
What could be better than going to an island paradise? Well, nothing if that’s actually where you’re going. But in Sons Of The Forest, “paradise” isn’t the word you will be using for the place you’re in.
When a mission to find a billionaire goes wrong, you’ll have to wander the island and get resources to survive and fight off monsters that come your way.
You can explore the entire island from the start, opening up many options for you and choices on how to survive. Plus, the longer you play the game, the more the seasons will change. So how will you adapt to what the island throws at you?
#17 Tchia
Platform: PC PS4 PS5
Release: March 21, 2023
What happens when your father has been kidnapped by a tyrant that rules an archipelago? You go out to find him, that’s what!
As Tchia, you’ll do everything you can to venture from island to island in the archipelago and do what it takes to reach your father. The good news is that you have abilities to help with that. For example, you can possess animals or objects and use their skills to overcome obstacles!
So become a bird to fly high in the sky or a tire to roll around the island at high speeds! Search high and low for things you need, and experience the wondrous island world you’re a part of.
#16 Lies of P
Platform: PC PS4 Xbox One XSX|S PS5
Release: August 2023
Are you ready for a tale of Pinocchio like you’ve never seen before? If so, Lies of P is ready for you.
In the game, you play a version of the beloved character, who is a mechanized puppet. You awaken in a city you don’t recognize and find a note telling you to find “Mr. Geppetto.” As you seek him out, you’ll go through a dark city full of terrors and must lie to all you meet.
With deep combat and a unique twist on the tale you know and love, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. So why not step into the game and see how many lies you can tell?
#15 Sengoku Dynasty
Platform: PC
Release: 2023
Life has many paths. We all know that the choices we make can alter the course of where that path leads us. In Sengoku Dynasty, you play a father who has four main choices ahead of him, and he must select one to pick the future he feels is best for him and his daughter.
He could be a leader and attempt to lead the village he calls home to greatness. He could be a craftsman and attempt to start a trade that will provide for his family forevermore. He could be a warrior and fight off any who dared harm his village. Or he could be a monk and attempt to gain inner peace and blessings from the gods.
Your choice defines his path.
#14 Hogwarts Legacy
Release Date: 10 Feb 2023 | Platform: PC PS5 Xbox Series X|S
(PS4 Xbox One April 4, 2023) Switch (July 25, 2023)
Camera: Third Person
Multiplayer: No
Co-op: (Local: No | Online: No)
Genre: Open World, RPG, Fantasy, Action RPG
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
What’s not to love about getting to explore a massive castle? That’s what we thought. The good news is that Hogwarts Legacy doesn’t let you explore “any old castle.” Instead, it enables you to explore the legendary Hogwarts from the perspective of a newly arrived student.
You’ll create your student, then set off on an adventure throughout the castle and the grounds and do whatever you desire.
You can focus on learning spells or finding magical beasts to ride. Or you can go and do battles with fellow students to test your magical might! So explore to your heart’s content and see what awaits you! We’re sure it’ll be magical.
#13 Pragmata
- Developer: Capcom
- Publisher: Capcom
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Release: 2023
One of the most mysterious games on this list, Pragmata has kept its gameplay details pretty much under wraps. It was first announced in 2020 with a cool cinematic trailer, but since then, there has only been a small apology video released to announce the delay. Regardless, this action-packed space adventure looks very promising. Pragmata takes place in a dystopian world on the moon in the near future. The game will center heavily on storytelling while also featuring futuristic tech. The station on the moon looks a lot like New York, except something terrible has happened. The main two characters are the only two people as far as we can see in the trailer. There’s a holographic cat, so it should be a good time.
#12 Black Myth: Wukong
- Developer: Game Science
- Publisher: Game Science
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows
- Release: 2023
Created by Chinese indie developer Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong is an action-RPG starring – well, it’s a mystery. Not a ton is known about the exact plot of the game, but we do know that it is based on the 16th Century Chinese novel, Journey to the West. Plus, a couple of gameplay trailers have revealed the kind of action we can look forward to. You play a humanoid monkey wielding a magical, black iron staff. Traveling across the land on a mission to learn and grow stronger, you will fight a variety of enemies, many of which are based on traditional Chinese folklore.
You will have some unique abilities too. In the gameplay trailer, we see our main character transform into a golden cicada and fly around. That’s one way to explore. Other cool things, like your staff expanding to trip an entire army or the ability to freeze your enemies, are all part of why this game looks pretty great.
#11 Lightyear Frontier
- Developer: FRAME BREAK, Amplifier Game Invest
- Publisher: Amplifier Game Invest, FRAME BREAK
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
- Release: Spring 2023
Lightyear Frontier is one part farm simulator and one part alien world exploration game. As a little unnamed explorer, you will settle on an alien planet and get to work on making it a home. With the aid of a nifty mech suit, farming is fun and flashy. The crops are unique too, so it’s another nice twist on a farming simulation game. Plant, harvest, and protect your crops from the weather and the hungry critters that also occupy the world. The critters are also especially cute.
The exploring comes in when your farm is running smoothly. Go out of your slice of home and see what else the planet has to offer. Though there will be plenty of sightseeing, there is also a mysterious history to the planet. Discover ruins of an ancient civilization and try to figure out what happened to them. You can farm and explore alone or in a team of up to four people, so there is plenty to look forward to.
#10 Stray Blade
- Developer: Point Blank Games
- Publisher: 505 Games
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S
- Release: April 20, 2023
In Stray Blade, you play an unnamed “Adventurer,” who had finally found the legendary land of Acrea the Lost Valley. And then died. Brought back to life by your new companion, Boji, you find that you cannot leave Acrea. Your mission is to travel the war-torn valley and try to restore balance by collecting combat skills while Boji collects pieces of lore. If you die in battle, Boji can bring you back. The really cool part is that with everything you do, you create change. By winning or losing, when you revisit a place, the results of your previous actions will create a change to reconcile with. This means you get to explore a continuously evolving environment. And the environments are beautiful. From ancient city ruins to lush forests to freezing caves, there is a lot to see on your mission to get stronger and release yourself from this beautiful land. Keep an eye out for Stray Blade!
#9 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Developer: Insomnia Games
- Publisher: PlayStation
- Platforms: PlayStation 5
- Release: 2023
Maybe the place you really want to explore is New York City. But only if you can do it in style. Enjoy being Spider-Man in this open-world, action exclusive for the PS5. Playing as Peter Parker or Miles Morales, you can explore the big city on foot, or way more fun, by web. While you swing from building to building, you will also fight crime using your superhero powers and your environment. Just like the character we know and love, a key part of the story is the setting, so use your head when fighting the bad guys. Speaking of which, the villain alone should get Spider-Man fans excited! Get ready to take on Venom in 2023.
#8 Aftermath
- Developer: ONE-O-ONE
- Publisher: META Publishing
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
- Release: TBA
Your surroundings have never been more important than in Aftermath. This psychological horror survival game takes the everyday items and makes them crucial in a post-catastrophe urban environment. You play an astronaut named Charlie as she crash lands back on Earth. Except a terrible alien invasion has happened in her absence and her once familiar city is fragmented and seemingly deserted. As an invisible enemy hunts her, Charlie has a more important mission on her mind: find her daughter.
Like most survival games, health, stamina, sanity, and hunger/thirst all need to be maintained to keep going. Then while you look for Sammy, the daughter, you can also be highly observant of your surroundings. Explore this messed up but familiar city while also creating blueprints of useful equipment, gathering materials, and creating the tools you need to survive.
#7 Starfield
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S
- Release: September 06, 2023
Starfield will take you on a journey beyond our Solar System as you play a customizable space explorer. Played in either first or third-person perspective, you get to be a member of Constellation, a space exploring organization. The Settled Systems, which a places for you to explore as far as 50 lightyears outside of our Solar System, hold many interesting things. You will encounter large alien creatures and determine if they are friend or foe. You can gather minerals and other resources along the way too.
The game switches to more of a first-person shooter style when you encounter pirates. The good news is that you can swap weapons mid-battle by using a game-pausing menu. There is plenty of fighting and observing to keep everyone happy. If you’re a fan of Star Wars, but want some fresh stories, then keep an eye out for Starfield next year.
#6 ARK 2
- Developer: Studio Wildcard, Grove Street Games
- Publisher: Studio Wildcard
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S
- Release: 2023
In this sequel to ARK: Survival Evolved, explore a planet teeming with invasive prehistoric species while trying to survive. You play Vin Diesel’s character, Santiago, as he does everything in his power to protect his daughter, Meeka, from harm. Described as a survival sandbox game, the world is your oyster. Find parts for your weapons and customize them in one of a million different ways. You can then use your weapons to fight back against the other inhabitants of the world. New to ARK 2 is the ability to camouflage your appearance and your scent in order to avoid predators. Of course, it wouldn’t be an action game without melee attacks and even parkour. The setting is also very beautiful. Lush forests, numerous waterfalls, and towering rock features are yours to explore. Basically, there is going to be a ton to do in this game, and it will be pretty hard to get bored with it. And if you need a little more structure in your life, there are world events to participate in, or not, all the time.
#5 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
- Developer: GSC Game World
- Publisher: GSC Game World
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S
- Release: 2023
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl is a combination of cool things. It’s a horror survival game that is played as a first-person shooter and features strong sci-fi tropes and themes. In this game, you will venture into a post-apocalyptic Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, an area highly affected by weird anomalies. The game is open-world, so you get to explore the area, searching for weapons, food, and other survival supplies. In the meantime, you will have a litany of foes to take down, including other humans who are shooting back at you. Far more terrifying are the anomalies: invisible “bubbles” suspended in the air that will explode you into a million tiny pieces if you run into one. Tossing objects ahead of you to check for them sounds like a great idea. Finally, if you venture down into the old labs, the monsters you will find there are toothy and terrifying!
Though it was originally set to be released in December 2021, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the home of GSC Game World developers, has delayed the launch date. However, it does appear that the developers are planning to release this game in 2023 despite the difficult situation.
#4 The Invincible
- Developer: Starward Industries
- Publisher: 11 bit studios
- Platforms: Windows, PS5, Xbox Series X
- Release: 2023
For those of you looking for a space adventure with hard sci-fi elements, you are going to want to try The Invincible. Based on the novel by Polish futurologist, Stanisław Lem, this game takes you to the planet Regis III. You play an astrobiologist named Yasna when an exploratory mission turns into a desperate search for missing crewmates. Using atompunk tech, you will follow the science to solve the mystery. Along the way, your choices will determine future gameplay. For example, when interacting with robots or other humans, you can decide whether you are making a new enemy or a new ally.
Exploration is key in this game. Played from a first-person perspective, you make your way through the sandy terrain, tunnels, and surface labs. Because you’re searching for your crew on a totally new planet, there’s a lot of observing. What are the robots doing? What plant life do you see? But you’re not alone, so watch your back!
#3 Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Developer: Team Cherry
- Publisher: Team Cherry
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Release: 2023
In a sequel to the popular Hollow Knight, you can explore a whole new world. Hollow Knight: Silksong is an action-adventure, Metroidvania game with beautifully detailed 2D environments and an original orchestral score. Play as the warrior princess, Hornet, after she has been captured and brought to another planet. As she moves toward her goal, she will pass misty moors, large, gilded cities, coral forests, and more. Along the way, she will craft weapons to engage a variety of new enemies. The acrobatic fight sequences will take her over and under the platform levels she is exploring. Outside of fighting, solving mysteries and performing quests are also a large part of the game. Fans of the first game won’t want to miss this!
#2 The Fold: Ingression
- Developer: Audvyr Studio
- Publisher: Fulqrum Publishing
- Platforms: PC
- Release: TBA
The Fold: Ingression is a Lovecraftian horror and Viking love child that looks delightfully creepy. You play a novice Norwegian exterminator named Amund who is sent to a countryside church for work. The Eikherad stave church is old and beautiful, so you find yourself exploring the grounds. The waking nightmare begins as you stumble upon some of the Viking-age secrets the grounds hold, and while each day brings new things for you to explore, the entire place seems to be changing. While new places appear, parts you have already visited will change enough to make you doubt yourself. You also appear to be gaining an ancient power, but beware! Using it may be more than your sanity can handle.
This is the first game in a series that feature ancient worlds inspired by Norwegian lore and H. P. Lovecraft’s stories. When the ancient ones stare back at you, will you be able to stay afloat? Playing from the first-person perspective enhances the thriller horror tone of the game. So, if you’re a fan of Lovecraftian horror, be on the lookout for this one!
#1 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Developer: Nintendo EPD
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Release: May 12, 2023
Yes, we have included a game on this list that currently does not have a name, but it’s one to look out for! The sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has been in the works since 2017 and was originally going to be released in 2022. Though not much about the plot is known yet with Nintendo being pretty secretive about it all, the trailer shows us all we really need to know to get excited. In this single-player, action-adventure game, you get to soar through the clouds to explore a breathtaking collection of floating islands and cities. In the trailer, we see golden fields and ancient temples, as well as some possible rocky adversaries. Also, amidst a creepy miasma of black and purple tendrils, a dark castle liberates itself from the ground. What waits for you in this new castle in the sky? Find out next year!