A common insult for gamers is for us to go outside and touch grass – but sometimes, the digital grasses are definitely greener on the other side.
These games have an ecosystem that’s so rich, it feels like you might as well be outside and in the elements directly. Withintricate biomesand all kinds of vibrant life, the worlds in these games borderline on breathtaking.
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These puzzles don’t simply scratch your brain, but completely scrambles it.
These worlds are elaborate and feel as real as the world awaiting us outside. Whether it’s due to the flora or the fauna,calling the ecosystems rich might just be an understatement for these games.
What you do in these games exactly will vary, but players will definitely take time to admire the virtual outdoors.
Evolution Unfolded
Ever wanted toplay as Godand see what happens when you mess around with evolution? InSpore, you’ll see the results of that tinkering firsthand, since you’re literally in charge of creating little aliens and evolving them.
The physics are a bit silly, especially if the creature has a body part that tends to be a bit too phallicto be left flopping around, but that silliness is outweighed by just how cool of a concept Spore is.
I remember playing a terrible evolution game in my high school science class, but I ended up understanding more about genetics through this experience than the flash game I was graded on.
The ecosystem interlocks perfectly with itself, with the creatures having different interactions based on how they were created and evolved. Plus, with a planet full of life and resources, it’s practically an Evolution Simulator.
With the insane amount of content that can be adjusted with the creatures and nature itself, it’s no wonder that the game wasin development for nearly a decade.
A Whole, Proper Earth
Red Dead Redemption 2
Fextralife Wiki
There’s something genuinely mind-boggling about just how realisticRed Dead Redemption 2is, and therich open worldis a huge contributor to that. In fact, it’s so full of life that players are constantly finding new material, making itthe best franchise Rockstar has ever released.
The Earth in this game is one-to-one with our own, includinghow the hunting is done.My father in law hunts as a hobby, and he loved the animations for this game and how accurate they areto the real deal.
It’s a proper earth with a proper ecosystem, one that players can genuinely just camp out in and admire for hours. It’sgorgeous to look atanyway.
It’s just baffling how intricate the world is in Red Dead Redemption 2, with the wide selection of animals, fish, and even herbs to collect – and that’s not including anything legendary. It takes the phrase “Happy Hunting” into a literal manifestation.
8Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord
Adventure is Outdoors
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
Normally when people think of Medieval aesthetics, they think of fantasy games. Mount and Blade, despite being Medieval, isn’t fantasy. In fact, it’s more focused on reality, specifically horse-mounted combat.
The sequel,Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord, is nearly identical to the first game, but with better graphics and controls since it came out over a decade later.
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Sometimes, you have to keep track of everything yourself.
Not only this, but the outdoors in this game are fantastic.The geography of Calradia has well-established regions (and factions), acting more like a sandbox rather than offering direct quests. Multiple types of terrain lead to different outcomes, mostly in your combat encounters.
You as the player can choose to join any of these factions, or carve your own pathway. Evenfor beginners, there’s a lot that can be taken away from the rich open world.
The Wilds of Distant Planets
When it comes to thePikmingames,Pikmin 3takes the cake with its stunning, towering world, each area based on the four seasons.
You manage a collection of little plant creatures called Pikmin as they gather resources to get back to their home planet —since these creatures are unspeakably tiny, that ends up making the world unspeakably large.
Yet, the ecosystem is thriving, even as you go in and discover all the wildlife that inhabit this world. They serve as hazards, puzzle pieces, and of course, decorations for an incredibly dense biome.
It’s no wonder that Pikmin 3 is themost popular game in the franchise– it’s stellar, all the way down to the awe and wonder that comes with taking in the outdoors.
6Terra Nill
Interactive, Environmental Strategies
Nature heals with time, and there’s no better proof of that than seeing buildings that have long been abandoned be taken over by Mother Nature herself. Most games would have players repairing these buildings and create a sprawling utopia – but not Terra Nil.
In fact, inTerra Nil, you’re doing the opposite —you tear down these buildings, making room for the natural Earth. Thinkterraforming in reverse.
It’s agood strategy game if you’re newto the genre, since you have to manage your natural resources and make a plan before you just start tearing everything down. After all, you want the ecosystem to thrive due to your actions.
IfAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsoverwhelmed you at the prospect of all the things you have to build, take comfort in Terra Nil with all that you have to tear away. It’s genuinely impressive to see how the environment has become a strategy mechanic, and it’s done absolutely wonderfully.
5Horizon Series
A Commentary on Machines vs. Man
Horizon: Zero Dawn
TheHorizongames aren’t your typicalpost-apocalyptic stories. It’s a post-apocalyptic world in recovery,a cautionary talefor all of us still enjoying the beauty of our world – without a genuinely healthy planet, there is no way to sustain life.
Many make it clear thatHorizon: Zero Dawnis leagues better thanHorizon: Forbidden Westwhen it comes to story, but the ecosystem and exploration of the open world is fantastic in both.
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These worlds are fun to explore, but you don’t have to get lost in them.
You play as Aloy, exploring the world that’s been taken over by robotic animalsin order to bring life back from the brink of extinction. This isn’t a made up world, either, as we see the devastating aftermath of the Golden Gate Bridge – it’sourworld. It’s a reminder for us to cherish the world we have, especially since we don’t want to see it crumble apart.
Despite all the timely commentary, the game’s environment is unspeakably rich and lively, even though the life we’re looking at is mostly synthetic.
4Subnautica
A Whole New Underwater World
Subnautica
Marine life has been fascinating to humans since we learned that we aren’t alone in the water, andSubnauticatakes it to the next level by throwing players intoa vibrant, alien ocean full of life and wonder.
It’s anopen world game that, surprisingly, doesn’t have any combat, since players are meant to explore, catalogue, research, and gather resources. All the while, they have to avoid any hostile life forms, and evenregulate their temperature in the DLC.
The fauna in this game is just awe-inspiring, with unique creatures of all shapes, sizes, and colours. It’s just familiar enough to our own living bodies of water, but different in every other way to keep us on edge.
Each playthrough is unique, lively, and fun, and it’s an excellent way for maritime fans to scratch that underwater itch without the risk of crush depth.
3Monster Hunter Series
The World is Completely Alive
Monster Hunter Wilds
Every time I see something about theMonster Huntergames, I’m blown away at the world I’m seeing. To say the ecosystem is rich is selling it short — simply put, the world is active, it’s whollyalive.
Just saying,you could be flying to one biome for a particular quest, and you could accidentally fall into another, that doesn’t easily happen in most gaming ecosystems. It’s a genuinely impressive feat.
This isn’t even touching on the multitude of different monsters that you’re able to hunt as you get better gear. Each beast is unique with their own unique routine and circle of life, and it’s presented as such, requiring players to take a different approach as they would with hunting in the real world.
It’s all the best parts of hunting, without actually taking any lives – and it’s all masterfully done in a massive, fantasy world more active than our own.
2Minecraft
Endless, Diverse Biomes
When it comes toimpressive gaming biomes, none takes the (cubed) cake as well asMinecraft, which is home to literally dozens of different ecosystems in the open sandbox.Each of these biomes are endless, born from procedurally generated seeds, and they’re stunning.
Each of these lands are packed with various blocks of flora, and various different fauna depending on the habitat. For example, normal foxes that are in the Plains end up being Arctic Foxes in the winter biomes.
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This world continues to evolve and update, too, adding more and more to the ecosystem for all kinds of life and experiences, evenbeing relaxing in some cases. It’s one of the richest examples of how to do a pure sandbox, and it’s fantastic.
The best part is, everyone has their favourite biome, no matter how long they’ve been playing the game. Everyone has their beliefs, but we all know that the Cherry Blossoms were the best addition the game has ever had.
1Rain World
The Richest Ecosystem in Platforming
Rain World
I don’t care about how poorlyRain Worldwas rated,it’s actually great(even more so since its many quality of life updates), and the ecosystem is simply incredible, standing out as one of the richest in all of gaming.
You play asa cat-like scavenger trying to stay alive in this world that’s incredibly hostile.New players might find the game intimidating, but everyone is able to see first-hand how active the ecosystem in the game is. The main objective is to strategise and play it smart (and of course,don’t fall off the platforms).
On top of an ecosystem unlike any other,the puzzles in this game are also tons of fun, and it’s honestly great to see more and more players finally give it the love critics avoided.
It’s a new approach to exploring a living world, working as a predecessor toStrayin that regard. Just saying, if you like soaking in the world around you (no pun intended), you’ll love Rain World and all it has to offer.
