Best Walking Simulators

Key Takeaways

• Walking simulators focus on immersive storytelling over action, offering unique gameplay experiences in mysterious settings.
• Many underrated titles in the genre offer gripping narratives and emotional depth, making them worth exploring.
• Players who enjoy immersive gameplay will find walking simulators like “The Exit 8” and “Proteus” intriguing.

Walking simulator games are an interesting type of video game. Rather than having a lot of action, walking simulators are exactly what they sound like. They heavily focus on their stories, often with mystery or horror elements, in which players walk around. Most of these titles are short and can be beaten in just a couple of hours. Because of this, many gamers underestimate how great the genre can be. Be it a person who has never tried this genre before or a fan looking to find another title to enjoy, most of the titles players can find in this genre are some of the best walking simulators ever made.

It goes without saying that fans who love unique adventure titles and mysterious stories will have a great time with the following games, some of which are legendary for all the right reasons. This gameplay loop doesn’t seem all that inviting, but it doesn’t take too long for these games to sink their claws into a player, keeping them hooked till the very end of a story-rich experience that will leave them dreading the ending after a point.

Updated on November 6, 2024, by Mehrdad Khayyat: Sometimes the other elements of a game like narrative or environmental storytelling are so impressive and engaging that the developers don’t see the need to aim for a complex gameplay system. So, they go ahead with mechanics as simple as walking and interacting with objects.

Against all odds, the number of masterpieces in the walking sim genre is not few. Actually, for those looking for impactful stories, walking sim is one of the major genres to explore, especially if the player doesn’t want to face a gameover screen too much due to challenging gameplay systems.

Some of the games on the list may include some simplistic gameplay mechanics other than just walking.

29 The Exit 8

A Thrilling Walk In An Underground Station

Liminal spaces have become all the rage in modern times. These unnerving corridors and locations can be effective at scaring players if done properly, which is why games like The Exit 8 will intrigue any fan of unique walking simulators. The game focuses on the allure of liminal spaces, making sure that players do everything in their power to avoid anomalies while trying to uncover the mystery surrounding the game.

While this game may not be great for those who get scared too easily, players willing to brave a few horrors will love what The Exit 8 has to offer. The title is pretty short, and most people should get through it in a single sitting after getting a vague idea of what they’re doing.

28 Yume Nikki

Exploring Eerie Dreams In A Pixelated World

Yume Nikki is one of the most legendary walking simulators of all time, with the dreams of Madotsuki being quite surreal and even horrifying. Exploring her dreamscape and unlocking all the effects to complete the game makes for a great time while also shedding more light on the main character and her personality.

It’s easy to see why Yume Nikki is one of the most popular video games ever, and it inspired several other games, too. Its 3D remake was decent, although it still failed to capture exactly what made the original such an amazing title to explore.

27 Sunset

A Slow-Burn Investigation Adventure

Walking simulators are already pretty slow-paced as is, and Sunset takes this to a whole new level. The game takes a very human and in-depth look at the effect war has on people, making for a grueling tale full of hardship and strife.

Many people didn’t get the allure of Sunset because of its extremely slow pace, but players who stuck through its opening were rewarded with a gripping narrative and heartbreaking stories. The effect war has on people is not an alien concept in the slightest, but Sunset does just enough to separate itself from the rest of the pack.

26 Scanner Sombre

Discovering Stories Of The Past In A Cave

Scanner Sombre is a visually striking walking simulator that will keep players hooked through its short runtime. The game uses the inherent mystery attached to cave exploration to make for an amazing experience that needs to be experienced firsthand, with descriptions not doing justice to this masterpiece.

It helps that the sinister nature of this game keeps players on their toes as well, making for a highly immersive experience. Scanner Sombre is easily one of the most underrated games around that deserves to be played by fans of engaging walking simulators.

25 Pools

Walking Past Empty Pools Has Never Been So Scary

Pools is a pure walking simulator. All the players have to do is walk along a variety of pools, and listen to the ambient sounds. There is no jumpscare and no otherworldly being. It’s just the player and a series of pools, and the feelings that could be different from one player to another.

Pools puts its emphasis on delivering an atmospheric experience without saying a single word or implementing any complex gameplay element other than walking. The game actually challenges the player’s inner thoughts in different types of locations.

24 Stela

Witnessing The Advancement Of An Ancient World

Stela is an adventure through generations with a spectacular soundtrack and captivating visuals. During the entire game, the player will control a female character passing through different settings, each telling the stories behind the final days of an ancient empire, which has undeniable connections with the history of humans on Earth.

From the pointless wars that cost countless lives to technological advancements, the player sees it all while running past the threats and solving minimal puzzles. There are no dialogues in Stela. Everyone will have their own understanding of these settings, which is the reason why Stela becomes a one-of-a-kind experience for every gamer.

Unfortunately, Stela is no longer available for purchase on Steam as the game was delisted earlier in 2023.

23 Still Wakes The Deep

A Psychological Horror Experience On A Remote Oil Rig

For those looking for a great story to follow with simplistic gameplay, Still Wakes The Deep could be a short but worthy experience. The game follows some supernatural events that happened on an oil rig around Scotland in the 1970s. The player will have to explore the oil rig and find a way to save their crew.

There are no weapons or superpowers to use. Players just venture forward, listen to the dialogues, and learn more about the eerie situation on the oil rig. Still Wakes The Deep comes with stunning visuals, a great soundtrack, and veteran voice actors that make it a great cinematic experience.

22 Jusant

A Peaceful Mountain Climbing Experience

Jusant is a slow-burn game with environmental storytelling. The player is a rock climber determined to reach a mountain’s peak. As the player makes progress, they encounter abandoned camps with letters left over from their inhabitants, which slowly unravel the story of the game and what has happened in the mountain.

The main challenge of the game is climbing up the mountain, as it comes with platforming challenges. Every stage of the game reveals new mechanics and new biome in the mountain which comes with its own set of challenges. There are no dialogues in the game. All the player can hear is the beautiful sound of nature next to a relaxing soundtrack.

21 Virginia

A Noir Detective Adventure Inspired By Twin Peaks

A game where players take on the role of a fresh FBI graduate by the name of Anne Tarver, the mystery explored in Virginia is the best part of the experience. The narrative will keep players on their toes and ensure that they are constantly thinking about the true nature of this story till the very end.

Uncovering the case of a young missing boy piece by piece makes for a pretty riveting and engaging gameplay loop. Players who love well-written stories and tantalizing mysteries will be more than happy with what Virginia has to offer.

20 Dear Esther

Unique Storytelling Packed With Unforgettable Soundtrack

Dear Esther begins once the main character arrives on an island. As the players explore the island, they can hear a man read letters to a woman named Esther. It is up to the players to determine what these beautifully written letters actually mean in order to figure out the true story of the game.

As the story progresses, players see how stunning the island is. Finally, they reach the top of it, where the main character wanted to go all along in order to be with Esther. But all these secrets unfold in a meaningful way that keep players interested in the next revelation.

19 Fears To Fathom Series

Story-Rich Horror Episodes Narrated By Survivors

Ever wished for an analogy horror game series? Well, Fears To Fathom is an indie video game series with top-notch psychological horror stories to keep players engaged until the very end. Each game comes with a new story, usually narrated by the person who managed to survive the incident.

Fears To Fathom features some creative gameplay elements other than walking, but they never go complex and never give you weapons to shoot. The gameplay is indeed in service of the story to deliver a great atmospheric experience.

18 Layers Of Fear (Remake)

A Horror-Infused Adventure Set In An Ever-Changing Mansion

Layers of Fear is an excellent psychological horror game that received a deserved remake. While some people wondered if this updated release was necessary in the first place, there’s no denying that the title looks gorgeous and even more immersive than it did before.

The idea of playing through an artist’s waking nightmare as his creations come to life in the most bizarre and horrifying ways possible is quite unnerving and a huge reason why people love this game so much. It may not stick the landing, but the journey that Layers of Fear puts players through is quite remarkable.

17 Tacoma

Unfolding The Secret Stories Of 6 Crewmates

A sci-fi walking simulator that takes place on an abandoned space station, Tacoma wields this setting brilliantly to craft an immersive narrative. Players are tasked with uncovering the mystery behind the disappearance of the crew while gaining valuable information from its central AI system, ODIN.

The game was made by Fulbright, the developers behind the critical and commercially successful walking simulator, Gone Home. While Tacoma was certainly bigger in scope, it didn’t manage to capture the same energy, which was a shame.

16 The Beginner’s Guide

Unique Gameplay Approach For Unique Audience Only

The Stanley Parable is one of the funniest and most unique video games ever made. The creator of this title didn’t stop there, releasing another title that hasn’t reached the heights of popularity that its predecessor did but still managed to have an impact on people who actually tested the experience out.

The Beginner’s Guide is an excellent title that details the personal struggles of a developer while working on a video game. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but fans who resonate with this thought process will have a great time uncovering it in The Beginner’s Guide.

15 Before Your Eyes

Emotional Story With Creative Gameplay Mechanics

The innovation in Before Your Eyes is something that most people will love. Many gamers are struggling to find narrative experiences that engage them in new and different ways. So, seeing a game like Before Your Eyes engross players in a magical adventure makes for a great time. Not only does this game feature an impressive narrative that focuses on a person’s memories, but it is also home to a unique real-life blinking mechanic where the webcam plays a major role in furthering the narrative.

With every blink, players will jump through a person’s memories, experiencing some happy moments. As a result, most people wouldn’t mind blinking over and over again until the game decides to explore some darker and more disturbing memories. At this point, blinking almost becomes a curse, and players may start crying from a mixture of overflowing emotions and trying to keep their eyes open for as long as possible.

14 That Dragon, Cancer

A Story Of Loss And Grief

Another game with an incredibly unique art style that focuses on a young boy is That Dragon, Cancer. However, this title, which is based on a true story, is an incredibly sad one.

After their son Joel is diagnosed with cancer, his parents, who are based on the creators of the game, go through experiences that nobody should ever have to face. This beautifully heartbreaking insight into Joel and his parents’ lives results in one of the most impactful and underrated video games ever made.

13 Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture

Like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, this game has the player explore an abandoned town. Here, they must learn about the people who lived in the town and discover what was going on in their lives before they all disappeared.

Two scientists, Stephen and Kate, discovered a disease that can kill people without making contact with others. It can infect people through technology, and the victims disappear after they pass. Though the main story of the game revolves around the struggle that the scientists face against the disease, there are quite a few side stories, too.

12 The Unfinished Swan

Finding The Stories Hidden In A Surreal World

After a woman who didn’t complete her painting of a swan dies, her son, Monroe, finds himself inside an artist’s world. Players control him as he follows the swan and learns the story of the king who ruled this world.

With its creative design and the history of the king’s world, The Unfinished Swan proved itself to be one of the most unique walking simulators ever created.

11 Proteus

Enjoy The Beauty Of Nature With A Dynamic Soundtrack

A game that uses procedurally-generated environments to make exploration feel fresh every time, Proteus is easily one of the most unique walking simulators that gamers can check out. There’s no narrative to uncover, with players being led through the world with smart audio cues and great music.

Proteus may be light in the gameplay department, but most people wouldn’t mind after seeing how calming this title can be when everything clicks. It’s a game made for specific tastes and is a pretty interesting example of how video games can qualify as an art form.

10 Firewatch

A Mysterious Adventure With Strong Emotional Twists

When Henry tried to escape his life by becoming a fire watcher, he had no idea how scary the job would be. At the beginning of the game, players learn about the life he led leading up to his arrival at Shoshone National Forest, and they can make decisions on the experiences he had.

Once Henry starts speaking to another fire watcher and boss, Delilah, the two work together to uncover mysteries in the forest, though they never actually see each other. However, it may have been best if they never searched for the answers to their questions.