10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for immersive narratives and contemplative gameplay, I must say these walking simulators have captured my heart in their unique ways. Each of them offers a distinct perspective on life, humanity, and the mysteries that lie within our souls.


Crafting an engaging walkthrough game requires a skillful storyteller, as it’s a genre that doesn’t allow for mediocre games to be disguised by flashy mechanics or striking visuals.

Each game distinctly stands apart, yet they all harbor a common passion for creating immersive worlds and narratives, setting them apart from others.

Revisiting games developed using this method may seem less enticing for some players due to reduced replay value, but exceptional walking simulators like these are so profound that just one playthrough is enough to create an indelible impression.

10 Dear Esther

Loneliness Feels Good

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

The barren Outer Hebrides, located in Scotland, serve as a backdrop for an uncomplicated yet enchantingly beautiful walking simulation game.

At The Chinese Room, the developers aim for a straightforward objective: traverse the island, and let the game handle the rest of the experience.

In Dear Esther, you have the freedom to unveil its enigmatic tales and secrets at your leisure, giving ample opportunity to appreciate the stunning surroundings immersed in.

This is a purist’s interpretation of a walking simulator in the best way possible.

9 Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture

A Masterpiece of Sound and Vision

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

The world as we’ve known it has come to an end, and you find yourself observing the post-event scenario in a peaceful, rural town located in Shropshire, East Midlands.

Despite its bleak initial setup, it’s unexpectedly serene to admit that Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture offers one of the most tranquil gaming journeys you can encounter.

The speed in Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture can be misleading at first, yet it gradually pulls you in more and more as you move through its various stages.

“This game will tug at your heartstrings, so make sure to have some tissues handy, and don’t forget to call up your buddy when you’re done.

8 INFRA

Inspecting a Crumbling City

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

Exploring the realm of INFRA, you’ll find yourself stepping into the role of a dedicated civil engineer, relentlessly tracing problems back to their origins.

To navigate decaying buildings while relying on your reliable camera, aiming to expose disconcerting facts concerning the infrastructure of your city… assuming you manage to make it through, that is.

The charm of the INFRA world lies in the fact that, despite being merely a public servant carrying out seemingly mundane duties, your actions have a profound impact on the lives of numerous individuals.

It is a love letter to civil engineers, wrapped in an engaging walking simulator full of challenging puzzles.

7 The Invincible

A Love-Letter to Hard Sci-Fi

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

The acclaimed science fiction author StanisÅ‚aw Lem has significantly reshaped the genre, while Polish powerhouse game developers 11 bit studios (known for games like ‘This War of Mine’ and ‘Frostpunk’) have assisted Starward Industries in bringing Lem’s legacy into the digital realm.

The tale unfolds on the barren world of Regis III, with astrobiologist Dr. Yasna finding herself isolated and grappling with acute amnesia.

The Unconquerable provides you with a toolkit and an aesthetically pleasing, cohesive game world, all crafted within the narrative framework of the game itself.

Only what your character’s view shows is visible to you. The weight of the bulky spacesuit makes each step sound heavy. The edges of your helmet restrict your field of view and it becomes foggy due to your breath.

In Regis III, the key to enduring is by delving deeper, and even during the most nerve-wracking instances, The Invincible manages to bring pleasure to this exploration.

6 Journey

Cooperative Artwork

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

In this game, you’ll embark on an adventure primarily focused on discovery, immersing you (alongside your stylish attire) within the captivating universe of Journey.

You’ll soar above ruins accompanied by one of the most renowned game soundtracks, which is Grammy-worthy.

Instead of the typical solitary “walking simulator” games, Journey offers a unique twist with its cooperative multiplayer features.

In this cooperative game, you can finish the entire experience alongside another player, but there’s a poignant twist: you’ll never discover the identity of your partner. The focus here lies primarily on the adventure itself rather than reaching the end point.

5 The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

An Open World of Possibilities

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I’ve encountered numerous “walking simulators” set within expansive open worlds. However, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter stands out distinctly due to its unique and deliberate execution of this concept.

As I embarked on this thrilling supernatural journey, the game made it abundantly clear – I was on my own, tasked with unraveling the mysteries that lay before me.

In other games, behavior labeled as hostile or lazy might turn players off. But for me, diving into the world of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, it’s a different story. Instead of deterring me, this exploration becomes even more intriguing.

The basic idea appears straightforward: young Ethan Carter pens a letter to his idol, a ghost hunter, requesting your help. Upon arriving at his residence, however, Ethan is nowhere to be found. Clues to solve the mystery are scattered for you to discover instead.

4 Firewatch

A Boring Job Meets Burning Curiosity

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

Picture this cocktail: comedy, mystery, and the desolate wilderness of Wyoming.

Campo Santo, the developer behind Firewatch, has skillfully balanced all its components, with a small, sunny walkie-talkie serving as the unifying thread.

In the tumultuous year of 1989, you take on the role of Henry, a man grappling with inner turmoil, serving as a fire watcher high up in the mountains.

According to your supervisor Delilah, your role essentially involves maintaining a vigilant stance at your post. However, unexpected situations might arise where you’re required to take action beyond just observing. The game Firewatch, in essence, offers an engaging experience that balances relaxation with excitement.

3 Death Stranding

Saving Humanity, One Delivery at a Time

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

As a gamer, I find myself in a perilous situation where humanity hangs by a thread. It seems that only one individual possesses the power to rescue us all – a man who embodies eternal life akin to an indomitable Deliverer on Demand. This enigmatic figure is none other than Norman Reedus’ character, offering hope in these dire times.

The essence of Death Stranding is both intriguingly peculiar and captivating, which is a distinctive trait of games created by Hideo Kojima.

In Death Stranding, the game demands skills like inventory management, maintaining personal cleanliness, constructing bases, and fighting, but it truly excels in the act of walking.

In this game, you navigate through intricate landscapes that are renowned for their sophisticated walking and climbing mechanics. A hasty choice to take the shortest route or complete multiple cargo deliveries in a single attempt might lead to disastrous consequences.

2 SOMA

Horrors Live Under the Sea

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

In contrast to the idyllic depiction of underwater life through Sebastian’s lively songs in “The Little Mermaid,” Frictional Games envisioned a very different reality when developing SOMA.

The game offers a unique blend of beauty and horror in its portrayal of humanity, immersing you in a subaquatic research station that’s eerily deserted, yet teeming with intelligent life.

Isolated from external connections, PATHOS-II safeguards somber mysteries, yet it thoughtfully probes the essence of existence.

SOMA is a game that combines an immersive exploration experience with a chilling psychological horror narrative. Rather than relying on traditional jump scares, it uses thought-provoking queries to instill a sense of dread within you.

If you’re not fond of unexpected scares, then you’ll appreciate that SOMA offers a ‘Safe Mode’, which allows for an exploration experience free from any hostile confrontations.

1 What Remains of Edith Finch

Childlike Joy and Mystery Reimagined

10 Best Walking Simulators, Ranked

Stepping into the world of “What Remains of Edith Finch,” I find myself inhabiting the young Edith Finch, wandering through our grand family estate. Yet, my dear relatives seem to have vanished, leaving me with a sense of profound solitude and longing.

The only means of finding out where they are is by carefully examining their home for any hints, and this is where the game What Remains of Edith Finch truly excels.

The game is a narrative masterpiece that goes all in on taking the wildest reaches of your imagination and turning it into something tangible.

Experiencing Edith’s tale feels like riding an emotional roller coaster, a journey that every game enthusiast should take at least once.

Read More

2024-10-18 18:09