10 Best Games to Make You Feel Outdoorsy

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With so many notifications, fleeting online events, and quick videos competing for our attention, it’s easy to forget about the simple things happening around us. After spending time chasing rewards in games or online, it’s good to remember to step outside and appreciate nature – the sunshine, the birdsong. If this sounds like advice from an older generation, you’re exactly right, and that proves my point!

It’s tough to motivate myself to go outdoors when I have so many games waiting to be played. My list of PC JRPGs is huge, and they won’t play themselves! Sometimes, we need a little encouragement. Perhaps playing games with beautiful outdoor settings can give us a similar feeling to being outside, or even inspire us to turn off the screen and actually go out – even if just for a little while.

10. Death Stranding

Nothing Wrong With A Good Temperate Zone

Seriously, Death Stranding deserves to be on this list! You play as Sam Porter Bridges, traveling through a broken world and reconnecting people. The game’s environments are stunningly beautiful – the cloudy skies and lush landscapes create a uniquely calming yet lonely atmosphere. You spend most of your time as Sam delivering packages, and you’re free to approach each delivery however you like, as long as the packages arrive safely.

This game isn’t exactly a celebration of nature. It’s definitely not relaxing or peaceful – expect a fairly bleak and unsettling experience, especially with the constant threat of unsettling encounters. Despite that, I think its unique, dark atmosphere is worth noting for players who prefer something different. Plus, there’s a particular gameplay element that appeals to those who enjoy a bit of chaos – or just enjoy being silly.

9. Hey You, Pikachu!

Let’s Go Camping With Pikachu!

I spent a lot of my childhood exploring the world of Pokémon with Pikachu, especially places like Vridian Forest and Cobalt Island – when I wasn’t outside playing at my grandma’s or on my trampoline! I always thought ‘Hey You, Pikachu’ did a fantastic job of making those environments feel real for a Nintendo 64 game. The little details, like being able to rustle the leaves in Ochre Woods and watching Pikachu run through them, were really immersive – when the microphone actually worked, that is.

Honestly, exploring all the different places in Hey You, Pikachu was just a joy. I loved it so much that years later, I actually rebuilt Springleaf Field in a personal project – that should tell you how much this game stuck with me! And there was this amazing camping area where you could hang out with Pikachu in a tent, which was a total dream come true. I really wish I could have gone camping with my little buddy again and again.

Wait, what’s that? You don’t have a way to play Hey You, Pikachu? At all? Aw, shucks.

8. Ghost of Tsushima

A Great Game That Encourages Traveling

Let’s get down to business. Ghost of Tsushima puts you in the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai defending his home island from a Mongol invasion. You’ll use swordsmanship and stealth to fight back while exploring a stunning open world. Beyond the action, the game thoughtfully explores themes of honor, violence, and what it means to protect yourself. It’s a powerful and visually beautiful experience.

While Ghost of Tsushima doesn’t quite offer the feeling of stepping outside – with its iconic Japanese landmarks like shrines and distant views of Mt. Fuji – it does provide a beautiful escape to Japan. Whether you prefer to experience Japan in person or virtually, through Jin’s journey in 1274, is up to you. And if you do go to Japan, please bring me along!

7. Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Protect Nature With Cute Critter Companions


Image via Ember Lab

I recently played Kena: Bridge of Spirits, and it’s a really cool action-adventure game where the world itself feels like a character. You play as Kena, and basically, you’re exploring this huge, beautiful open world, fighting enemies, and uncovering hidden stuff. The story is about being a spirit guide and helping lost souls, but there’s this powerful, corrupting force messing everything up. It’s my job to take care of it, and let me tell you, it’s a challenge!

Kena: Bridge of Spirits really rewards players for exploring its beautiful, expansive world. As you journey on foot to complete quests, you’ll discover adorable creatures called Rot, who follow you around and enhance your combat abilities. This creates a satisfying gameplay cycle that’s both calming and engaging. The game’s focus on nature and its environment also makes it easy to become immersed in the world.

6. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

By The Gods, Someone Actually Made Retro JRPG Graphics Modern

Enjoy Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs)? If so, you’ll likely appreciate Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. Like many RPGs, it’s a very long game with a huge world and a detailed story. What really sets it apart is how much effort goes into making even the smallest characters feel believable – there are tons of quests and hundreds of NPCs to interact with. Plus, it’s a visually appealing game if you like the classic JRPG art style.

I’ve always loved how older Japanese RPGs used pixel art – it just gave them a really special feel you don’t see much anymore. The original Trails in the Sky was a perfect example, and I was so happy to see they’ve managed to bring that same vibe to the newer games. Seriously, Liberl has never looked so good! If you’re thinking of getting into this series just for how beautiful the world is, be warned – it’s HUGE! All the games are connected and take place in the same world and around the same time, so it’s a big commitment!

Now that I think about it, this suggestion could easily keep you indoors for hours instead of getting you out and about. My apologies!

5. Tales of Arise

Gather ‘Round The Campfire

If you’re looking for a reason to stay home and play, Tales of Arise is a gorgeous JRPG that will truly impress you. Its large, open environments feel like beautiful watercolor paintings, making exploration a joy, even as you experience the story of a world struggling under occupation. The real-time battles flow seamlessly within these expansive landscapes.

You can also make camp each night, complete with a campfire, and use the downtime to have personal conversations with your companions, which helps build your relationships. While these chats don’t drastically change the story, they added a cozy feeling to the game for me – it almost made me want to roast marshmallows! Hopefully, it will for you as well.

4. Stardew Valley

A Green Farm Is a Happy Farm

Feeling burnt out with your office job, you discover a letter from your grandfather revealing you’ve inherited his farm in Stardew Valley. Hoping for a fresh start, you move to the valley to try your hand at farming, making friends with the locals and building relationships with any animals you choose to care for. Stardew Valley’s popularity comes from its freedom – you can build and run your farm however you like.

If you enjoy being outdoors, I recommend checking out Forest, Wilderness, or Meadowland Farms. Your old company is attempting to expand into the next town, and you can work with adorable, jelly-like creatures called Junimos to improve everyone’s spirits. Alternatively, you could side with the company and let them take over. It’s your choice, but those little faces are hard to resist!

3. The Forest

One of the Best Ways to Go Camping Despite Distance… And the Genre

It’s tough to get outdoors with friends when everyone lives far apart. But what if you could still enjoy nature together? The Forest is a great game for friend groups – you can team up with up to 7 players to explore a beautiful, resource-rich peninsula and build wooden bases together.

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It’s worth mentioning that The Forest is a survival horror game, so you will run into cannibals as you explore. However, the game is very open, letting you progress at your own pace and discover the story when you’re ready. This freedom allows you to really appreciate the beautiful world, which is why I especially enjoy playing it with friends in co-op mode.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

A Modern Day Classic

We’ve seen a lot of huge, beautiful open-world games, but when it comes to really feeling like you’re surviving in the wild, nothing hits quite like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The name really fits – you start with practically nothing! You’re thrown into this massive world and have to hunt, gather, and find resources just to get strong enough to take on Calamity Ganon. It’s a total scramble to survive at first, which is awesome.

The world of Hyrule constantly invites you to explore. Whether you’re running across vast landscapes or simply riding your horse, the beautiful scenery draws your attention. Even basic tasks, like cooking to restore health, emphasize the importance of connecting with the kingdom you’re fighting to protect. Compared to its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, Breath of the Wild feels perfectly grounded, making it a wonderful game to return to.

1. Deltarune

That’s It, I’m Forcing You to Go Be a Person

The games on this list are all beautiful to look at and do a great job of immersing you in their natural environments. While Deltarune’s graphics aren’t as polished as some of the others, it offers something unique. A key part of the game involves exploring a charming, small town – you’ll need to visit it to advance the story and unlock new chapters.

If you haven’t been inspired to go outside by other games, this one will at least get you interacting with a town full of interesting characters. Each conversation changes as the story progresses, and many characters have multiple things to say. There’s even a hidden character who only appears if you spend time near the lake – a nice, optional detail and a little something special for fans of Undertale.

Wait, what? You can skip most of these sections? Aw, come on!

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2026-05-31 19:41