Summary
- Smaller open world games like Lake, Minit, and Tchia offer intimate exploration without overwhelming players.
- Games like Eastshade & Sable focus on meaningful experiences within contained spaces rather than vast maps.
- A Short Hike stands out with charming characters and hidden treasures despite its compact scale.
A lot of players will resonate with the idea that bigger is not always better when it comes to open world games. Sometimes, a world that’s small in scale but full of wonder and charm can be much more engaging than one that's packed with filler.
The more compact worlds in the games on this list offer freedom and exploration without the fatigue of something bigger. Players can examine every nook and cranny without having to spend hours moving from one edge of the world to the next. Whether gamers have limited playtime or are looking for a more intimate, these games prove that smaller scales can still equal big adventures.
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10 Lake
A Cozy Corner
Lake
- Released
- September 1, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Gamious
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Lake is a narrative slice-of-life game set in a single lakeside town. It's filled with stories that players can jump into, as well as some relaxing gameplay. Driven by day-to-day progression, players can see all the scenery before sunset. The world itself is not stuffed with mechanics, and instead encourages players to explore as much as they can. Taking time to slow down and enjoy the view is one of the many appeals of this game.
The game is set in the 80s, with players following the story of Meredith Weiss as she fills in for her father in his role of mail carrier in her hometown. Over the game's 2-week story, players will deliver lots of mail and, more importantly, influence Meredith's relationships with others to see if she chooses to stay in her hometown, or return to her corporate life.
9 MINIT
Open World With A Timer
MINIT
- Released
- April 3, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
MINIT is a top-down adventure that takes open-world designs that players might know and flips them on their head. With only one minute per life, players must learn all the secrets there are out there, but fast. As the world is small, this does make it less challenging and instead more like a mystery. The clever design of the game allows players to learn more each time they repeat the processes every minute. They can master the landscape and explore it as much as they like.
Players must be ready to fight foes, help the people outside and uncover secrets, all while trying to find the cure for their one-minute day. The concept is simple, but fun for players looking for something with an unusual game mechanic.
8 Season: A Letter To The Future
Focused And Deliberate
Season: A Letter to the Future
- Released
- January 31, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Scavengers Studio
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Season: A Letter To The Future is a slow-paced narrative adventure. Its map is limited, but the small, interconnected zones are so dense that players will appreciate every new moment they find, or new story they get to hear. The limitation may not be for everyone, but players who appreciate small worlds will take the time to appreciate the detail and atmospheric focus of the game as they travel by bike. Traditional open worlds leave a lot of space, whereas this one offers a more intimate experience that players can enjoy and immerse themselves in.
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The game allows players to collect memories before something washes them away. As they record and meet new people on their journey, players will find out more about the world, and what will happen in the next season.
7 Little Witch In The Woods
Charming And Manageable
- Genre: Life simulator, RPG
- Developer: SUNNY SIDE UP
- Available On: Steam, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Mac
Little Witch In The Woods is a witch simulator, but in a very cute way. Starting off with a single region, the player’s world expands gradually. This makes it the ideal game for shorter gaming sessions and those who like an easy navigation system. Ellie is the main character in the game, who is looking to complete her apprenticeship successfully.
Sometimes players can be overwhelmed by the scale of larger maps. With this game, there is none of that overwhelming pressure, and instead a charm that leads them to meaningful interactions and a cozy progression system. Small tasks all add up, and that is all players need to focus on.
6 RiME
Compact Puzzle Exploration
Rime
A land of discovery stretches out before you. Explore the beautiful yet rugged world of RiME, a single-player puzzle adventure. In RiME, you play as a young boy who has awakened on a mysterious island after a torrential storm. You see wild animals, long-forgotten ruins, and a massive tower that beckons you to come closer. Armed with your wits and a will to overcome—and the guidance of a helpful fox—you must explore the enigmatic island, reach the tower's peak, and unlock its closely guarded secrets.
- Released
- May 26, 2017
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
RiME is a linear game per se, but the areas open up with progression in a way that does not become overwhelming, and instead just encourages players to keep exploring. Each section of the game is designed in a way that is both beautiful and emotionally resonant. An open feel to a game does not have to mean a massive map. The emotive atmosphere is enough to keep players coming back.
In the game, the player is a young boy who wakes up to find themselves on a mysterious island after a terrible storm. With the help of a fox guide, players must explore the island and find the secrets of the tower's peak.
5 The Pathless
Open World With Flow
The Pathless
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Giant Squid
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
The Pathless features contained zones that are divided up, but the layouts feel tight with very minimal UI. The result of this wonderful combination is a fluid exploration system with high-speed traversal that does not do or feel too much. In the game, players become the Hunter, a master archer looking to remove a curse from a mystical island.
Every zone in this mythic action-adventure is just big enough. Players can still have the wonder of a new place, but instead of getting lost, they are instead able to master this new space. Some players will prefer a game that focuses on precision instead of vast places to go, and this game nails that concept.
4 Eastshade
Exploration With Purpose
Eastshade
- Released
- February 13, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Mild Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Eastshade Studios
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World
Eastshade is a first-person walking simulator with a rich world that is still contained. Players can enjoy visual storytelling and meaningful exploration-based side quests. Players can walk over the map in a matter of minutes, but will not feel that it is lacking in any way. This game focuses on the small things that make a space feel lived in and wondrous. With art, nature, and connection as the themes of the game, players will see the world from a small but creative perspective.
The player is a traveling painter, looking for inspiration on the surrounding island. Using the easel, players can capture the world with paint and canvas, and uncover secrets along the way. Helping others on the island with their needs will help players find friendship, and the exploration-based gameplay means that players can even find those unforgotten places to create.
3 Sable
Minimal Design, Maximum Vibe
Sable
- Released
- September 23, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Shedworks
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
The map of Sable could not be called enormous by any stretch of the imagination, but each of the biomes and spaces feels worth exploring, and they all feel distinct. The combat-free world encourages a kind of organic movement that will not overwhelm a player in how they want to get things done. The scale almost feels personal, giving players a sense of freedom while keeping an intimate, grounded vibe.
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Players must guide Sable through her gliding rite of passage, which will take her to unusual landscapes, including vast deserts that need to be traversed using the hoverbike. The art style is unique, and the soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast allows players to immerse themselves in Sable's world.
2 Tchia
Adventure Without Overload
Tchia
- Released
- March 21, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Awaceb
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Adventure
The open world of Tchia is a collection of islands that feel just right for the player. With whimsy and bright spaces to explore, the map feels digestible, perfect for a player new to the genre or this kind of slower game type. The map’s scale allows players to glide, climb, or even sail through the space without feeling pulled around in too many directions. There is a true sense of discovery without the need for additional room to fill with overwhelming clutter.
Inspired by New Caledonia, the tropical landscape is ready to be explored, and players can use their Soul Jump ability to move into animals or even objects. The world is rich and vibrant, but still feels approachable even for players who have not explored this type of gameplay before.
1 A Short Hike
Small Map, Big Heart
A Short Hike
- Released
- April 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Adam Robinson-Yu
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
A Short Hike is an exploration platformer full of charming characters, lots of secrets, and enough hidden treasures to keep players interested and invested in the game, even keeping the scale of the game in mind. Every path in this compact map is easy to explore, even though it never leaves players feeling empty. Every corner of the world reveals something meaningful to explore, making it one of the best games of its kind.
Players help their bird character Claire make their way to the summit, as she visits her Aunt May in the Hawk Peak Provincial Park. They will encounter plenty of charming characters and do quests for them, but can also just enjoy their time fishing and swimming too.
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