10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for open-world adventures, I can confidently say that these games offer some of the most exhilarating means of traversal in gaming today. From soaring through the skies as Link in Tears of the Kingdom to swinging effortlessly between skyscrapers as Spiderman, these titles have truly revolutionized the way we explore virtual worlds.


When it comes to playing video games, there’s a common tendency to assume that as long as the crucial, highlight-worthy scenes are well executed, everything else in the game will automatically follow suit.

In reality, things usually work in reverse; if the fundamental aspects aren’t properly established, people won’t hang around long enough to witness the grand spectacles or impressive moments that come later.

To illustrate, let’s consider the movement mechanic in video games. This method of moving from point A to point B significantly impacts the gaming experience, and if the navigation process is cumbersome or unenjoyable, it can lead to a less than satisfying player experience overall.

Fortunately, many video games excel at movement mechanics, making exploring extensive landscapes an enjoyable experience rather than a chore.

To prove my point, here are ten outstanding examples of awesome traversal mechanics in video games.

10 Forspoken

It’s Not All Bad, Promise

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

Let’s begin by showcasing a game that might catch many off guard when found among top picks across all categories, but trust me, Forspoken excelled in one crucial aspect: movement or navigation through the game environment.

Ignoring the slow start, the sparse setting, the annoying character, and essentially everything else, you’ll discover that the thrilling action, reminiscent of parkour, is truly enjoyable to engage with.

Although it may not boast famous landmarks, the world is undeniably striking and pleasing to the eye during exploration. Moreover, the array of abilities accumulated throughout your journey seamlessly enhances the smoothness of the movement system within the game.

If you’re willing to tolerate a standard open-world structure and some subpar storytelling, Forspoken offers an enticing experience that feels like a thrilling parkour playground.

9 Omno

Not Quite Journey, But Close

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

In contrast to games with precise controls, walking simulators and puzzle platformers often prioritize immersion in the game environment over intricate movement mechanics.

Yet, games such as Omno, provide fulfillment through fluid movement, and it certainly falls into this category.

In simpler terms, this indie game, labeled as a ‘puzzler’, provides a relaxed experience where you can roam through expansive landscapes across multiple biomes. It also includes platforming challenges, puzzles, and many other engaging activities. However, what truly captivates players is the diverse and impressive methods for traversing the world that Omno offers.

Regarding transportation, it could be a hoverboard for navigating sandy slopes, a wand for instantly crossing over vast gaps, or drifting effortlessly through the skies without gravity’s pull.

Omno imbues every action with a sense of satisfaction, which has led some to liken it to a spiritual sequel to Journey in several aspects. Quite an accolade!

8 LocoRoco

Big Katamari Vibes

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

In earlier times, when Wii motion controls and Virtual Reality were not available yet, game developers had to use their imagination to create travel experiences that felt engaging and thrilling.

In simpler terms, even though technology was rudimentary at the time, the game LocoRoco skillfully provided a groundbreaking format that would shake the world, quite figuratively, via the trigger buttons on the PSP.

By rotating the screen horizontally, the user navigates their adorable blob characters by adjusting the world’s orientation. They can also fragment these characters into minute particles, creating an experience reminiscent of inserting a coin into intricate coin-operated toys as you guide them from point A to B.

This concept is repeatedly exploited brilliantly, resulting in an enduring delight that remains one of the most playful, imaginative, and vibrant creations to ever appear on our screens. Therefore, don’t hesitate to give LocoRoco a spin; you’ll be as hooked on it as I am before long.

7 Death Stranding

Help Bridges Build Bridges

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

This might seem unexpected or unusual, and indeed, it often is. However, simply because a traversal mechanic lacks enjoyment or fulfillment doesn’t automatically make it poor quality.

Death Stranding presents a travel system that makes even simple chores difficult over short distances, while small errors can lead to disastrous outcomes.

However, it’s the distinctive allure of Kojima that truly elevates this game, with each challenge overcome triggering a unique dopamine surge unlike any other. Plus, the built-in sense of danger and reward adds an electrifying thrill.

This game reminds me of Marmite, and not everyone may appreciate the fun of building tall stacks or going at a slow, tortoise-like speed. To be clear, I understand why some players might feel this way.

For individuals grasping Death Stranding’s intentions and finding it appealing, the journey turns out to be a soothing, satisfying, and unexpectedly engaging one.

6 Gravity Rush 2

What Goes Up Must Come Down

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

In my gaming days, I’ve seen my fair share of games featuring reduced and no gravity environments. I can still recall countless hours spent in multiplayer matches of Unreal Tournament 2004 on low-grav maps, where the fun was just off the charts.

Yet, it’s not creativity that resides in the principle of gravity itself; instead, it’s the innovative applications of this concept that truly distinguish a game. And let me tell you, Gravity Rush certainly delivers on this front, pushing boundaries beyond what one might expect.

Navigating through Gravity Rush provides a liberating sensation, allowing you to jump, glide, and plummet without feeling any weight, all while possessing the ability to manipulate gravity and spin it around, sending you tumbling off in an entirely new direction.

Experiencing this results in some truly captivating world designs, platforming, and gameplay that you’re unlikely to forget, even though the first “Gravity Rush” had its initial glitches, the subsequent version rectifies many of these issues, offering a refined experience that’s well worth playing right now.

So, if you want to tell Issac Newton where to stick his apple, then give Gravity Rush 2 a try.

5 Just Cause 4

Maximum Destruction

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

I usually hesitate to suggest the “Just Cause” series to people, as it tends to be light on narrative depth and substantial content.

If you’re seeking a playground with plenty of excitement and the freedom to wreak havoc wherever you go, Just Cause might be the ideal game for you as my first suggestion.

Throughout the series, the intense action and diverse gunplay are fantastic, yet what truly sets Just Cause apart is its exceptional parachuting system.

Using a parachute and a grappling hook allows you to seemingly disregard physical laws, enabling you to soar continuously across the expansive landscape at your convenience.

It’s really fun to discover all sorts of mind-boggling stunts using physics, and when you’re airborne, why not add some excitement by taking out enemies and instigating a rebellion?

This game offers a playful, lighthearted experience where it seldom adheres strictly to reality or the rules of physics. Yet, surprisingly, this approach turns out to be quite enjoyable.

4 Yoku’s Island Express

Express Delivery

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

In many Metroidvania-style games, you’ll frequently predict the movement abilities and enhancements before embarking on your journey. Commonly, these include a dash, a wall jump, and a double jump, among others.

Yet, I’ve never encountered any other game that employs hitting a dungeon beetle as if it were a pinball for its primary movement mechanic quite like Yoku’s Island Express.

Yoku is a laid-back and vibrant game in the style of Metroidvania, where you navigate the world using a sequence of pinball-like mini-games. To fully discover the island, you’ll need to unleash your inner arcade enthusiast.

This design decision feels quite unusual yet effective, and what makes it even better is the inclusion of engaging puzzles and an intriguing narrative. In essence, this game truly offers everything you could ask for.

To assist a small dung beetle in realizing his aspirations of becoming an agile postman, jump right into it as soon as possible.

3 Tchia

A Tropical Paradise

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

To put it simply, Tchia may seem visually stunning with its Pixar-like appearance, but the overall experience is somewhat inconsistent. The game features far too many mini-games, disappointing combat, and a narrative that falls short compared to the deep emotional impact of Pixar’s stories.

Spending time exploring the beautiful tropical haven of New Caledonia is nothing short of wondrous.

In a unique twist, Tchia shares many features with an unnamed Zelda game, but what truly sets it apart is the Soul Jumping ability. This feature empowers players to command any of the island’s inhabitants.

In this game, you have the ability to move swiftly like a bird in flight, run as gracefully as a gazelle, swim with agility similar to a fish, and even transition smoothly from one to another at incredible speeds. Despite the fact that fast travel is an option within the game, I’m confident that the sheer pleasure of moving around will make it unlikely you’ll ever use fast travel once.

So, if only to experience this Soul Jumping mechanic alone, Tchia is worth checking out.

2 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Look Out Below!

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

Indeed, as I had predicted, we would discuss Zelda, and it’s quite fitting given the profound impact that Breath of the Wild, not to mention its upcoming sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, has had on numerous other games. They have all drawn inspiration from this influential open-world exploration style.

In Breath of the Wild (BOTW), players were offered an exceptionally user-friendly system for exploring vast open worlds. This included scaling any visible cliff using agile movement, as well as soaring across long distances by gliding effortlessly through the air, making it a breeze to reach distant locations.

Credit is due to TOTK for expanding on an already robust base, introducing more depth through vertical exploration, and providing numerous chances to soar through the air, which is incredibly exciting!

Additionally, you’ll find intricate navigation systems available for use, which essentially means that the scope of your travel is limited solely by your creativity.

These popular titles such as Genshin Impact, Fenyx: Immortals Rising, Palworld, among others, have chosen a common structure for their game designs, and it’s not hard to understand why they’ve done so.

This game is often hailed as one of the best ever made, so why not give it a try and discover for yourself why it generates such excitement.

1 Marvel’s Spiderman 2

Does Whatever A Spider Can

10 Best Games With Amazing Traversal Mechanics

You knew it was coming, and if you didn’t, you need to have your Spidey senses checked.

The “Marvel’s Spider-Man” series transforms the web-swinging mechanics from the PS2 game based on Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2, which were smooth but outdated, into a refreshed system that provides a contemporary feel, making it incredibly rewarding to play and master.

From the get-go, as the game throws you straight into a thrilling battle scene, your initial strikes feel smooth, instinctive, and rewarding. The journey towards perfecting this skill throughout the game is just as delightful.

The title offers an authentic Spider-Man adventure, where towering buildings rush by as you swing, and danger lurks hidden in every nook and cranny.

Incorporate an exceptional, self-created Spider-Man tale, numerous engaging open-world actions, and smooth fighting mechanics, and you’ve got all the ingredients for one of the top open-world games in today’s era.

Stock up on your web canisters, don the well-known mask, and venture into the bustling city that’s always awake.

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2024-11-08 14:39