Best Open-World Games Where You Play The Only Human Character, Ranked

Summary

Playing as the only human character in a game world offers unique exploration options and challenges.
These games provide a variety of narratives, challenges, and environments, creating engaging experiences.
The Witness and Spiritfarer are some top open-world games that deliver on this premise.

Currently, it appears that video games are being developed for virtually any imaginable scene or scenario, catering to a wide range of player fantasies. From controlling animals and playing as monsters, to being the lone human in a world filled with others, there’s usually a game available to suit every preference.

Experiencing life as the lone human figure in a virtual realm opens up an array of possibilities, ranging from discovering desolate landscapes bereft of life to navigating through territories inhabited by either hostile or friendly non-human entities. Open-world games that feature a single human protagonist offer distinctive exploration opportunities, and here’s a list of some top-tier examples â the ranking is based on a blend of their overall excellence and widespread appeal.

8. Praey For The Gods

Battle Colossal Gods In A Harsh World

In the spirit of Shadow of the Colossus, Praey for the Gods is situated in a world perpetually shrouded in frost, where towering deities are the hero’s targets for destruction. The storyline is sparsely spoken, as the solitary hero and her enigmatic canine ally navigate through this harsh and unforgiving landscape, engaging in combat with colossal beasts, hordes of the undead, and other perils.

Fatigue, hunger, and extreme cold can all negatively impact the player’s performance and potentially lead to their demise if not properly managed. The only other human-like character is Gorm, who is deceased, but his corpse and notes are found. Interestingly, some of the enemies, known as “The Champions,” share a resemblance with humans, although they exhibit extraordinary height and strength.

7. The Solus Project

Alone On An Alien Planet

In The Solus Project, humans find refuge after Earth’s demise, settling on the alien planet Gliese-6143-C. However, the player’s character encounters an unexpected predicament, becoming stranded and isolated. Hidden mysteries abound across the five interconnected islands, which are intricately connected via a labyrinth of caves.

Existing solo on this inhospitable world poses numerous challenges, since temperatures fluctuate significantly from day to night. Other factors such as sleep deprivation and decaying vegetation can substantially affect well-being. Ultimately, the aim is to invent a means of communication to reach out to potential fellow survivors, with the hope of reuniting and eventually reestablishing civilization in the future.

6. Spiritfarer

Grant Spirits Their Final Wishes

As a devotee, I found myself stepping into the shoes of the renowned Spiritfarer, named Stella. My mission was to gradually enhance my vessel, provide solace for the spirits who embarked on this journey with me, and help them resolve their unfinished business before guiding them through the Everdoor. Accompanied by my loyal feline companion, Daffodil, I seemed to be the lone human inhabitant in this world, where the primary spirits assumed animal forms, while other non-player characters were spectral figures cloaked in hoods.

Although they may seem to be beasts in appearance, these spirits were actually humans at one point, some of whom Stella was acquainted with during her life. Each spirit retains a unique personality. Globally, players will come across other beings such as dragons and the Tortoise Sisters, along with Francis the Roaming Merchant – an onion monkey who trades trinkets.

5. Miasmata

Stave Off Illness On A Strange Island

In the game titled Miasmata, it appears that scientist Robert Hughes is the sole human survivor on a treacherous island filled with threats eager to claim his life. The island could potentially hold the remedy for his enigmatic affliction, making the search for medicinal plants and fungi a crucial aspect of gameplay. However, players must be vigilant as a dreadful creature and various hazardous environmental factors can lead to instant death if precautions aren’t taken.

Players need to apply authentic mapping skills progressively to complete the map, even as they can navigate the island using their own recollection. Various outposts, notes, and hints indicate that previous inhabitants populated the island at one time, but now, those individuals have inexplicably vanished, leaving Robert to fend for himself in isolation.

4. The Pathless

Effortlessly Travel Across The Land And Lift Curses

Accompanied by her loyal and potent eagle ally, the Hunter embarks on a journey through a varied terrain in “The Pathless”, aiming to remove the afflictions bestowed upon the deities. Despite its brevity, it offers much within its open-world environment, easily navigable via the Hunter’s speedy dash ability and the eagle’s powers, while also requiring the use of her archery skills to vanquish adversaries.

The main villain, known as Godslayer, initially might have been a human, but now appears immensely powerful and corrupted, boasting powers akin to deities. Wearing the Mask of the Ancients, he gained entry into the spirit realm to pilfer the Sun Sword, and it is on his account that countless humans and gods have met their end.

3. Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture

Walk Around A Deserted Village In Rural England

In the game titled “Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture”, the identity of the player-character isn’t explicitly defined. Instead, you explore a charming yet fictional English village named Yaughton, uncovering a heartrending narrative that unfolds in 1984. The story revolves around the poignant last moments of the villagers and those residing near it, before an enigmatic “rapture”-like event takes place, apparently ending all their lives.

In this game, the player is led through brief sequences that recall past interactions among the inhabitants. These scenes are illuminated by floating lights, with characters depicted as streams and specks of light instead of traditional models. Additionally, there are radio broadcasts, phone calls, and a wealth of narrative details hidden within the game world through objects left behind.

2. The Witness

Solve Hundreds Of Brainteasing Puzzles

In this rephrased version, the game “The Witness” stands out as an exceptionally engaging open-world title, immersing players in a solitary adventure on an island teeming with intricate puzzles. Unlike traditional puzzles, these are intentionally challenging but not insurmountable. They often culminate in those satisfying “Aha!” moments when understanding dawns. If players find themselves at a standstill, the game suggests they explore a new location and revisit the stumped puzzle later on.

As a dedicated fan, I must say, the game boasts more than 500 brain-tickling puzzles, some of which are cleverly concealed. Yet, there’s no filler content; instead, each puzzle is thoughtfully crafted to keep us engaged for countless hours. Audio and visual clues are scattered throughout to spark our curiosity, and as we conquer each area, the central mountain gradually unveils itself, inviting us to take on “The Challenge”.

1. Subnautica

Survive Underwater On An Alien Planet

On the alien ocean planet 4546B, following a spaceship crash-landing, Ryley Robinson is left stranded and must manage to endure by himself. The game Subnautica, presented in a first-person viewpoint, challenges players to construct intricate habitats while delving into the vast underwater environment, all with the objective of staying alive. Consequently, essentials like food, water, and oxygen become critical factors for survival.

In this setting, Ryley isn’t isolated; instead, he encounters hostile marine life and even discovers alien structures deep under the sea. There are also islands to investigate near the water’s surface, but most of the game unfolds submerged, revealing the secrets of this enigmatic world and its denizens.

2025-06-04 12:37