32 Best NEW Exploration Games Of 2024 To Get Lost In

Exploration in large-scale games has become a classic thing to feature in many games, and these titles in 2024 show that off rather well.

Update: We will continue to update this list periodically throughout the year, so you will likely see some games removed or added. These games are not ranked in any particular order, as the focus here is to showcase titles we are excited to see hit the marketplace.

#32 Silent Hill 2

Platforms: PC, PS5
Release Date: October 8, 2024

Steam | PlayStation

Would you be surprised to see Silent Hill 2 on this list? You really shouldn’t! Sure, it might not be a typical exploration game, but you can’t deny there is plenty of exploration in this survival horror gameplay experience. Players are going through the town of Silent Hill and battling the horrifying monsters that roam within it. While James is seeking out his beloved deceased wife within the town, navigating around the area is not easy. You’ll deal with closed-off areas, locked doors, and mind-twisting puzzles affecting the environment. Getting lost in this town would be incredibly easy, but fortunately, you have a map that can help you get from point A to point B. 

#31 Europa

Have you ever wanted to explore the moon of another planet? What about a moon that has been terraformed by a lost civilization? In Europa, you play an android who wanders around this moon and attempts to figure out everything that happened to those who once lived there.

The best part is that there are no enemies to fight or traps to avoid getting caught in. You’ll simply wander around the moon and uncover some of the secrets that lie within. Oh, and you get a jetpack to help you traverse through the open areas. Doesn’t that sound great?

So what are you waiting for? The moon of Jupiter awaits!

#30 Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition (PC)

Open-world games are arguably the best ones when it comes to exploration, and looking at Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition, you’ll find a massive stretch of land to explore both within the main campaign and its DLC. In the sequel, you again play Aloy, who continues her journey to save the world from various forces.

In this new land, you’ll have to earn the trust of those around you, which means going out and doing various side quests to defeat foes, get items and so on. The more you do, the more you’ll see and the more allies you might get to your cause.

#29 Content Warning

You know the phrase “looking for trouble?” Well, Content Warning is that phrase in video game form. That’s because you play a being, or one of a group of beings, who thinks it’s a great idea to go down to the planet below you and attempt to film some scary videos featuring the freaky denizens that reside there. Why would someone go and do that? Simple, because if they upload the right kind of scary video, they’ll get rich!

Thus, you’ll wander around and attempt to find scary places and beings to “mess with” and get the best video possible. The better you do, the more money you make!

#28 Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

To be honest here, the true “exploration” in this game isn’t about the areas you go to or where you have to land to fight the next boss. Instead, in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, the true “exploration” is figuring out what kinds of builds to do with your character to defeat all the enemies that you come across. It won’t be easy, especially since FromSoftware cranked up the difficulty to ensure that all your tricks from the main game wouldn’t work. They’re mean like that.

Regardless, with a new area to traverse, numerous new bosses to fight, and plenty of builds to figure out, you’ll be busy “exploring” for some time.

#27 Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Here’s another game where “exploration” comes in many forms. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance isn’t a simple repacking of the original title from Atlus but a true expansion of its story and world. You’ll still have the option to play the main game’s campaign, where you’ll fight to save the world from the forces of light and dark that try to rip it apart.

Or, you can do the “Vengeance” storyline and find yourself going up against a group of demons who have their own plans for the world and don’t mind the loss of life if it means getting the win.

So pick your side and see where it leads you!

#26 Crow Country

Have you ever wanted to truly explore an amusement park? As in, when no one else is around? In Crow Country, you’ll get to do that, but with a dark twist. You see, something happened here that left the place closed.

The man behind the park, Edward, is gone, and you seek to find him, along with the truth about what happened there. It won’t be easy, especially since there are monsters that mysteriously inhabit multiple parts of the park!

Just as important, you need to explore your role within the game. Why are you there? What is your connection to Edward? Play the game and learn the truth!

#25 Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred

The Prime Evil is still on the loose, and he must be stopped. You are one of the only ones who can challenge him, and that means you’ll need to enter familiar yet new lands to put a stop to his plans. In Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred, you’ll journey to Nahantu, where all sorts of evil are being plotted. Whether you use your favorite class or embrace the power of the Spiritborn, you’ll have plenty to do and many areas to explore.

You don’t have to fight alone, though. You can bring on mercenaries to your team and even do co-op with other players to ensure you always have backup.

#24 The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Hyrule has always been a wondrous place to explore, regardless of whether it’s rendered in 2D or 3D! The twist with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is that you won’t see this new version of the kingdom through Link’s eyes but through Princess Zelda’s. When a mysterious rift takes Link, the King of Hyrule, and parts of the entire kingdom away, Zelda is the only one who can make things right!

As you would expect from the land of Hyrule, there are numerous areas to explore, and each has familiar races and faces to interact with. Plus, there are numerous side quests that litter the land, and that don’t even touch on the Still World that you can explore!

#23 Starfield: Shattered Space

One of the things that Bethesda promised with its new sci-fi IP was that there would be “plenty to explore’ in its universe. To be fair, they did live up to that promise, but it wasn’t always as they teased. Specifically, there was plenty in the game to see, but that didn’t mean it was worth seeing. In Starfield: Shattered Space, Bethesda is hoping to fix some of that by giving gamers some new content to enjoy and new areas to explore.

A new event within the universe gets the attention of multiple parties, including you. You’ll need to explore what this rift in space is and why certain parties are attempting to harness its power.

#22 Pacific Drive

A drive through the Pacific Northwest doesn’t seem like such a bad thing, does it? Except in Pacific Drive, you’re going to be racing through a special zone where weird things are happening left and right, a storm is right behind you and is trying to kill you, and the only thing keeping you alive is your car. So, yeah, it’s not a simple drive through the wilderness.

What happens in this game depends on the choices you make, and each playthrough will go differently depending on what you do. So pimp your ride, explore as much as you dare, and try not to get caught in the storm.

#21 Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Ubisoft knows that with its beloved assassin franchise, they’re not just getting the opportunity to see various classes of warrior tie into their storyline, but the ability to reshape key moments of history itself to their universe. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll get to see that happen with Feudal Japan.

The game is set in the Sengoku period of Japan, where new faces and weapons threaten to change Japan’s core values. A Samurai and a Ninja are the only ones who can shape things for the better, and you’ll play as both.

You’ll get to explore Japan at a key point in its history, and attempt to save it from dark forces.

#20 Palworld

Ah, yes, Palworld. We’ve talked about this game in other lists, and honestly, we’re not sure whose hair-brained idea it was to clone a certain “pocket monster” franchise in this way. But they did it, and now we have to suffer the consequences.

As you likely guessed, the title is put in a world where you can find and collect monsters for your various desires and needs. The twist is that some of these desires are a bit twisted compared to other monster collector games.

You can give the monsters guns to use in battle, you can make them workers in a factory, and you can eat them. We’re just going to leave it there and move on.

#19 ALOFT

Have you ever wanted to fly something larger than life? How about flying an island around a hurricane? That’s not a hypothetical, as ALOFT will let you do just that. You’ll put sails on said island and attempt to use the hurricane’s winds so you can find new places to land.

Once you make it to a new island, you’ll search it for items and resources you can use to better your journey and grow what you can do.

Oh, and did we mention there are evil fungi in this game that you’ll need to battle? That does seem like an important thing to note.

#18 ROUTINE

Numerous space adventures have you trying to find answers in an abandoned ship or station and being unaware of the dangers that are all around you. ROUTINE is another game that will do that, except that you’re on a moon base this time.

You go to said base when you lose contact with those inside. But once you get there, you learn you’re not alone. Just as bad, the one who’s there with you thinks you’re the problem. Well, that’s not going to go well, now is it?

You must search the base for answers, fight off what your foe throws at you, and try to make it out alive.

#17 Destiny 2: The Final Shape

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.

#16 Pax Dei

Plenty of MMOs like to be set in the medieval era, possibly because of all the freedom that it grants them. Pax Dei is another set in that period, and as you would expect, it grants players options on grand scales as they attempt to make their way through the world.

For example, you can stay in a small plot of land and build up a home, a clan, and see how big you can make things. You’ll be protected by divine entities so that you can focus on that.

Or, you can head outside of your homestead and see what else awaits you. There will be dangers, but you can make it through, right?

#15 The Lost Wild

There are plenty of games that have you facing dinosaurs as threats. But in The Lost Wild, you’ll be met with a slight change in their “style.” Specifically, you’ll have to deal with dinosaurs that act like natural animals instead of the aggressive-style foes you’ve faced in other games.

That’s not to say that the dinosaurs won’t attack you because they will if you give them the chance. But you can also just avoid them and not give them the chance to strike.

While you avoid them, you’ll need to learn the truth about where you are and seek out how everything is happening. But whether you survive all this is up to you.

#14 DokeV

Yep, we’re doing ANOTHER “lookalike” of a certain Nintendo franchise. Do devs really have no ideas of their own? We’re really starting to wonder.

So, in this case, we’re talking about DokeV. The game was first announced back in 2019 and has gone through numerous changes over the years. One featured a genre change from MMO to an open-world adventure title.

Another unique element is that the game devs wanted the world to feel “familiar,” as though there were monsters in our world right now. How this will work out is anyone’s guess, but it will be at least interesting to see when it’s finished.

#13 Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

Have you ever noticed how there are plenty of games that focus on you taking on gods and their armies and trying to wipe them all out? We’re not saying every game has you playing someone like Kratos, but we notice how many similar things are out there.

Either way, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will set you on a path to clash with gods after a dimensional portal has been opened, and the result leads an undead army to your doorstep.

With humans fighting off extinction, you will be part of an army that is attempting to fight back and take the world for humans once more. Weapons and magic are at your disposal, so use both to get the job done!

#12 Sand

We don’t like sand, it’s course and…oh, we’ve made that joke before? Our bad. It’s a really funny joke, though!

Anyway, in Sand, the game not the entity; you’ll be one of many characters who venture to a sand-covered world that is full of mystery and potential. Specifically, you’ll have the potential to strike it rich as numerous treasures are hidden throughout the sands from a fallen empire long ago.

But to get to the treasure, you’ll have to use your Trampler vehicle to the best of your ability. Outfit it the way you want, customize it to meet your desires, and then sit off to see what this world offers! Will you find the treasure beneath the sandy surface?

#11 Little Devil Inside

When the world doesn’t believe in the things you know are real, then the only thing to do is go out into the world and find them for yourself!

In Little Devil Inside, you will be the assistant to a professor who seeks to prove the dangers that exist right outside of humanity’s doorstep. Does that sound dangerous? Good! Because it is.

No matter how you look at it, things will get weird. So be prepared for the various missions you’ll undergo, and ensure you can take on the creatures that you find. Otherwise, they’ll be the ones “taking care” of you.

#10 Once Human

How is one supposed to survive when the whole world is infected, and there’s no way to cure it? In Once Human, you’ll have to answer that question for yourself. You are one of the many infected humans, planets, and animals that reside in this world after a unique alien invasion.

But the difference is that you have the power to change things, but it comes at a heavy cost. The more you use your abilities, the more complicated things get. Plus, the world is infected, so that means trying to eat or drink to stay alive will cause problems of their own.

So, how can one survive in a world where death is literally the best way out?

#9 Where Winds Meet

China has been the setting for many video games over the years, and Where Winds Meet is yet another that you’ll get to dive into. But the twist is that this game will have a more mythical feel mixed with tons of variety for you to enjoy.

For example, while you play a swordsman character, you’ll also have the ability to wield magic, giving you plenty of possibilities in battle.

The player will have many options for going forward in this world, which means you’ll be able to change things based on your decisions. So choose wisely, as everything depends on it.

#8 Nightingale

While we’ve shown you plenty of worlds to explore so far, and we have more to come, you could argue that Nightingale will give you the most lands to explore of any game we’ll show. Why is that? The title is based on the concept of traveling through portals to different realms. Each one will have its own unique flair and style, and you’ll have to survive it.

Whether you play alone or with friends, your goal is to craft your way through each portal realm and then find the “last bastion of humanity” that lies beyond your reach.

It’s you vs. the realms. Good luck with that!

#7 Enshrouded

Platform: PC
Release Date: January 24, 2024 (early access)

Steam

When you’re dealing with RPGs nowadays, you’ll get vast realms to explore by default. However, the trick is whether the worlds are worth exploring. In the case of Enshrouded, it might catch your eye for the right reasons.

The game puts you in a land that has been cursed thanks to man’s greed. Isn’t that always the way? You’re merely trying to survive in it and will need to scour the land for resources to build you up into something special.

The more you travel, the more you’ll learn about the realm, how it came to be, and whether it can be saved from “The Shroud” that covers it.

#6 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

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!

#5 Black Myth: Wukong

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.

#4 Dragon’s Dogma 2

Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: March 22, 2024

Steam | PlayStation | Xbox

Why would you want to explore the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2? The better question is, why wouldn’t you when it has so much to offer?

The team behind the game noted that they didn’t want Capcom to start the title until they had the OG squad together once again. They then wanted to use the new technologies of the world and gaming to enhance the experience of the game in every way imaginable.

So, when you dive into the title, you’ll have much to do and plenty to explore. From fantastical locations to monster dens and everything in between, you won’t be lacking in things to do.

#3 Lightyear Frontier

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.

#2 Star Wars Outlaws

There have been many places to explore in the games we’ve shown you. But which ones take you to a galaxy far, far away?

Exactly, Star Wars Outlaws is a title no one saw coming when it was announced in June, but it made a big splash instantly. You’ll play an outlaw who is desperate for a clean slate but will have to deal with “scum and villainy” to get that opportunity.

Explore familiar and new worlds, seek out the best path to your freedom, and don’t be afraid to shoot first and ask questions never. Don’t forget, you’re a “bad guy,” so they created a hyperdrive…for quick getaways.

#1 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Surprised? Shocked? Are you wondering how in the heck we can put this game over all the others on this list? Well, guess what? It’s our list! And if you’re thinking about this logically, this is the perfect game to put at the end of the list.

Why? Because Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is about exploring our world while also trying to get people safely around the world. This simulator isn’t just a simulator. It’s what real pilots use to train themselves to be ready for the real deal!

So, if you think you have what it takes to be a real pilot? You’ll want to explore this game first.

Disclaimer:

ARK 2, Instinction, Crimson Desert, Towers of Aghasba, Ashfall, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Avowed, Gothic 1 Remake and Dune: Awakening were removed as they are now slated for 2025.