Summary
Ever navigate to an in-game area for a main story quest and get sidetracked by the collectibles and side quests you find along the way? There is a time and place for linear progression, but sometimes, wandering around the world with no particular objective in mind can be both satisfying and time-consuming. Thankfully, there is more freedom than ever to traverse open worlds and plunder dungeons in games fromStarfieldtoBaldur’s Gate 3.
Most exploration games are available on console, but the PC has higher frame rates for a sharper image and more immersive gaming experience. On a high-performance PC, you can easily and happily get lost in the games with the greatest opportunities to roam and make new discoveries.
Updated on June 19, 2025, by Mohamed El Ouardighi:Exploration games are among many people’s favorites because they typically provide a unique world and settings for you to explore, whether it’s for side quests, collectibles, or just to admire the beautiful environment. As it’s a new year, we’ve refreshed this list for you to enjoy some of the best exploration games on your PC!
Assassin’s Creed Odysseyhas one of the most extensive map in the series to date. The map is based on ancient Greece and features depictions of Greek architecture, such as the Parthenon and Acropolis in Athens. It is worth pausing to take in the sea views and statues of Greek gods.
On the other hand, some areas seem empty with few quests and monotonous imagery. The game makes up for its dull moments with the freedom to explore without being totally constrained to a linear storyline, as well as dialogue choices that shape your gameplay.
We could easily include all Assassin’s Creed games on this list, as each of them features unique settings, butValhallahas earned its spot here. Transporting players to 9th century England, Valhalla immerses them in the Viking Age as Eivor, a fierce Norse warrior.
As an exploration-focused title, Valhalla unfolds in a vast open-world environment, allowing you to traverse lush landscapes with rich attention to detail. Capturing the essence of Viking culture, Valhalla offers a captivating adventure through history with abundant exploration opportunities, including secret quests, NPCs, and more.
With almost unlimited ways to play,Minecrafthas the potential for exploring, building, crafting, and fighting. Minecraft is a unique title because, in multiplayer mode, you’re able to visit other players’ worlds and see what they have created. Then, in your own world, you can either roam a pre-made template or customize a map from scratch. It is also possible to travel to the Nether, where you can gather items and resources.
Regardless of your playstyle, exploring the terrain is essential to getting the most out of Minecraft, and the sheer size of the world makes this a never-ending task.
Hollow Knightis an action-adventure, indie game. It is rightfully regarded as one ofthe best 2D games on Steam. The 2D art style brings the surroundings to life, and each area has varying details and different color palettes to set it apart from previous locations.
In the game, you play as the Knight, who searches the depths of Hallownest. There are creatures to battle, but much of the emphasis is on traversing the caverns. Hollow Knight is a difficult game to beat, but running around and uncovering secrets are massively entertaining.
Fallout: New Vegasis set in the greater area of the ruins of Las Vegas, encompassing much of Nevada, California, and Arizona. Gameplay is flexible, so you’re able to explore the wasteland at your leisure. Doing so will reward you with weapons and ammunition to prepare yourself for combat. The items you find can go toward crafting and cooking, too.
New Vegas is one of the better games on PC that combines first-person shooter elements with RPG-style exploration. Much of the world is deserted, but the casinos and NPC dialogue liven up the land.
We can easily list all the Far Cry games because each of them offers a unique experience with different antagonists, storylines and of course different settings. One constant is the diverse maps you get to explore as you progress through the main story. In Far Cry 5, for instance, you find yourself immersed in the rural landscapes of Montana as you hunt down Joseph Seed and his cult.
The open world is brimming with various discoveries to uncover, and each character you encounter feels distinct in their own way. Every location holds something waiting to be found, whether it’s a hidden cache, treasure, or even an enemy base. Additionally, you have a roster of Guns for Hire companions who join you on missions and help you tackle enemy bases and keep you company. If you’re a fan of hunting and crafting, Far Cry games have plenty to offer in that department as well. So, while we’ve highlighted Far Cry 5 as my personal favorite, each game in the series offers its own unique charm, ensuring that you may enjoy them all equally.
If you’re a fan of the Far Cry series and the Avatar movies,Avatar: Frontiers of Pandorais the perfect exploration experience for you. Set in the beautiful world of Pandora, you play as a Na’vi on a mission to save the world and oppose the RDA, but that’s just the main storyline. The game extends far beyond that, especially when it comes to exploration, which is essential for survival.
Apart from engaging in battles, you may hunt animals, gather resources, craft your gear, and even cook your own meals in the midst of a stunning forest setting. What’s more, you can take a serene ride on your Ikran and bask in the beauty of the game.
Available on Windows,Horizon Zero Dawnis another open-world game which takes place in a post-apocalyptic future overrun by robotic enemies. The map consists of various natural terrains, from jungles to snowy mountain ranges, and recreatesreal-world locations in Utah, Arizona, and Colorado.
You assume control of Aloy, who comes from the Nora tribe, a group of hunters and gatherers. By simply following the main story, you will journey across the western United States and see most of what the Horizon Zero Dawn map has to offer.
Elden Ringis commonly known for its high level of difficulty and dark fantasy, but its expansive world deserves just as much recognition. There are dozens oflocations in the Lands Betweenthat you won’t want to miss. Some areas hold coveted chests, and others are made up of a series of underground tunnels.
But Elden Ring is not solely an exploration game: as you wander around, you will run into challenging bosses to tackle. When paired with combat, the landscape turns into a beautiful battlefield.
The acclaimed storytelling aside, the high fantasy world ofThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntis reason enough for this title to be on your radar. The design draws on Slavic folklore, resulting in a massive realm to investigate as you look for the protagonist Geralt of Rivia’s adopted daughter Ciri.
Early in the game after Geralt wakes from his dream, you can freely roam the Continent. It is easy to get sidetracked by optional quests,Monster Hunts, hidden treasure, and discovering new locations. The main story only takes about 50 hours to beat, butcompletionists will spend an average of 179 hourson the Continent.
