If you were a fan of What Remains Of Edith Finch, here are some more Walking Sims you’ll definitely enjoy.
When some people hear the words « walking simulator, » it’s not something that immediately hooks people as a potentially popular video game genre. But believe it or not, games that fall under this niche category can actually be quite compelling. What Remains of Edith Finch is a prime example of this.
The game told its story through first-person exploration with very little gameplay, such as puzzle-solving or platforming. Instead, What Remains of Edith Finch relies on visual storytelling to capture the player. There are not many games out there that have taken this exact approach but by focusing on pure exploration and storytelling, walking simulators are worth giving a shot.
Updated October 7, 2023, by Chris Birsner: Over the years, walking simulators have taken plenty of criticism for not having enough gameplay. But people enjoy the genre so much because it immerses players in a world and tells a story effectively without putting up difficult obstacles for players to overcome. What Remains of Edith Finch is a perfect example of a situation like this. In the game, players experience each individual story of the Finch family through new gameplay ideas, but none of it involves deep gameplay mechanics. Walking simulators have continued to evolve and get more popular over the last decade, especially in the indie game space, and there are plenty for fans of the genre to try. 17 Abzû
A game called a « walking simulator » where the main means of traveling is swimming may feel strange, but the exploring element of Abzû is reminiscent of other games in the genre. The player controls a nameless diver in a third-person perspective as she swims around an ocean exploring every nook and cranny.
Along the way, she is guided by a great white shark that leads her to wells that restore life to the ocean. Abzû has no dialogue and strictly uses its visuals to tell the story. 16 The Forgotten City
The mod community for video games often goes the distance in expanding gameplay and story for titles that are already filled with them. But it’s not often mods become so popular that they become their own games, much like The Forgotten City did.
Originally a Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City features a mystery about a buried Roman city and a significant rule being broken that turns all the civilians into golden statues. The game features a unique time loop mechanic that repeatedly brings players back to the start of the day to figure out the path to victory. 15 Sludge Life
It’s rare for walking simulators to involve a ton of character interaction, but Sludge Life throws players into such a unique world that it is hard not to talk to all the wild individuals. A game about vandalism, players are GHOST, a tagger who is looking to make a name for themselves.
Players can roam around the many islands that make up Sludge Life, which includes acquiring unique abilities that make exploring the area a lot more interesting. There are even some controls and mechanics that are just meant to entertain the player rather than progress the story, so it serves as a delightful sandbox. 14 Proteus
If players are just looking to vibe with a chill experience and no goal in mind, Proteus can provide just that. The game revolves around a player moving through a procedurally-generated, three-dimensional pixelated environment and listening to fitting music as they experience each of the four seasons, from spring to winter.
Along the way, players will notice that different elements of nature that surround them affect the music as it is playing. Players can even take photos with the game using the « save a postcard » feature.
