Best Indie Games That Reward Curiosity

Many games, especially those from older generations, frequently direct players with a heavy hand. It’s not uncommon to play a game that tells players exactly where to go, or even funnels them down very specific paths.

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Best Linear Games With Immersive Atmospheres

A linear story often requires a gripping atmosphere, and that’s exactly what these highly immersive games offer as players dive into them.

However, some games, linear and not, frequently reward players for treading off the beaten path. By rewarding player curiosity, these games are able to provide satisfying gameplay loops that encourage exploration and often result in more immersive experiences.

1

The Long Dark

A Simulation In Which Curiosity Is Key To Survival

Released

August 1, 2017

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood, Language, Violence

The Long Dark is a slow and quiet game that focuses its efforts on simulated survival in harsh and hostile environments. The unforgiving nature of The Long Dark puts a heavy emphasis on thoughtful exploration and methodical play, as resources must be managed with efficiency in order to survive.

Because stagnation and apathy often lead to certain demise in The Long Dark, players are encouraged to constantly seek out new locations. As a result, curious players who explore and take risks are more likely to discover valuable supplies and, as a result, stick it out for another day.

2

Disco Elysium

A Quiet RPG That Requires Patience & Curiosity

Released

October 15, 2019

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence

Disco Elysium is a story-driven point-and-click adventure game with a unique, painterly art style and a focus on world-building. The game’s cast of colorful characters and distinctive, downtrodden environments paint a world that’s consistently rewarding to explore, but curious players are likely to get the most out of Disco Elysium.

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While finely-tuned mechanics and intricate gameplay systems can certainly drive a game forward, almost any title is made better through atmosphere.

Disco Elysium is a text-heavy game, supported by an ensemble of talented voice actors. With the abundance of dialogue options available, many of which are entirely optional to pursue, it’d be easy to skip through much of this text, or simply pick the options that progress the conversation fastest. However, there are many poetic treasures nestled in every interaction in Disco Elysium, and players who seek out these interactions with patience and curiosity will often be rewarded with thought-provoking texts.

3

CULTIC

A Brutal FPS That Motivates Exploration

Systems

Released

October 13, 2022

ESRB

nr

As with many old-school first-person shooters, CULTIC rewards players who keep an eagle eye peeled for secrets. CULTIC‘s FPS action is particularly deadly, thanks to a variety of aggressive enemies that often outnumber the player from superior positions, and this puts a greater emphasis on tight, clever play in which every bullet counts.

As a result, finding a hidden ammo stash or some extra dynamite is no mundane event, but rather a surge of power that can help players blast through their next combat encounters. This also goes hand in hand with the game’s horror elements, allowing players to feel safer when equipped with a healthier supply of weapons and ammunition.

4

Fallen Aces

An Immersive Action Game With Open Level Design

Systems

Fallen Aces is an action-packed brawler with a slick, pulp comic-book art style and immersive-sim gameplay. In the game, players roam open-ended levels, taking out a variety of goons in an action sandbox that facilitates creative play. Further supporting this player agency is an abundance of weapons and items that allow players to approach combat from a multitude of angles.

Again, the level design helps tremendously with this, providing a variety of tactical positions and hidden nooks that can be explored and taken advantage of. More importantly, many weapons and various supplies are distributed throughout the levels, some hidden, rewarding players that act on their curiosity and deeply explore the detailed environments.

5

Gloomwood

A Creative Combination Of Immersive-Sim & Survival-Horror

Systems

Released

September 6, 2022

ESRB

t

Gloomwood is a stealth-focused immersive-sim set in a rich and detailed Victorian city, packed with fantastical elements and horrific creatures. The game certainly excels with this immersive setting, but it’s the design of these environments and the abundance of goodies hidden in its nooks and crannies that reward the most curious players.

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Not only will curious players see more of Gloomwood’s world, but they’ll also gather more information, find better vantage points, and generally become better equipped as the game goes on. Gloomwood also has its fair share of survival horror elements, with limited ammunition and a punishing save system that emphasizes resource management. As a result, every extra item or piece of ammunition that players can scavenge from their surroundings can have a meaningful impact on progress.

6

Pacific Drive

Systems

Released

February 22, 2024

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language

Succeeding with its dark, surreal world and immersive, melancholic atmosphere, Pacific Drive is a unique experience both for its gameplay and setting. Tasking players with delving into supernatural hot zones in a beaten-up and possibly sentient station wagon, players must gather what they can from each zone and extract before things get too hairy.

However, it’s quite easy for the player to overstay their welcome in these zones, as there’s always an extra piece of loot to be found in its ruined, overgrown environments. Leaving too soon can also be detrimental, however, and Pacific Drive rewards players who explore until the very last moment, driven from one location to the next out of sheer curiosity.

7

Hollow Knight

A Metroidvania Punctuated By Hidden Nooks

Released

February 24, 2017

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood

​​​​​​​Hollow Knight is a deeply atmospheric Metroidvania set in an immersive underground world, illustrated in a charming hand-drawn art style. The game has many strengths, from its beautiful presentation to its evocative soundtrack, but it’s the design of the interconnected world that makes Hollow Knight tick.

The Metroidvania structure naturally encourages players to explore every nook and cranny, searching for new upgrades to improve and progress. But there’s more reason to be curious in Hollow Knight than pure progression, with many secrets to be discovered throughout its world. From optional bosses and entire locations to simple interactions with tucked-away NPCs, the magic of Hollow Knight lies in the details, rewarding curiosity with memorable moments.

8

Caves Of Qud

An Impressive Open World With An Abundance Of Unique Items

Systems

Caves Of Qud is an open-world RPG that plays like an old-school roguelike. Succeeding with its meaningful RPG character progression, deep customization, and tactical, unforgiving combat encounters, Caves Of Qud offers many strengths. However, its greatest strength is arguably its detailed and distinctive science-fantasy world.

Players are encouraged to explore the game’s world not only to complete various quests, but to discover new and powerful equipment and items. This immense variety of loot keeps exploration exciting, but those that dare to venture into Qud‘s farthest reaches and deepest depths will often find the biggest rewards.

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