I’m looking for games that have a narrative twist revealing that the world you’re exploring was once similar to our own but has transformed into a new, often bleak fantasy setting. I enjoy games like Xenoblade and Metaphor, where bits of lore are scattered throughout for players to uncover. I did try Outer Wilds but I’m really drawn more to settings that have a cataclysmic backstory. Just to give you an idea of what I’ve played, I enjoyed the Xenoblade series, Horizon games, and Metaphor: Re Fantazio. Any recommendations?
8 Answers
Have you tried *Rain World*? You play as a creature navigating a world that clearly had humans once. The difficulty might be off-putting, but the secrets it holds about past civilizations are intriguing.
You should definitely check out *Horizon Zero Dawn*. It has a fascinating backstory that ties into a more advanced world that collapses into a primal setting, revealing what happened through exploration.
I’ve played it! Thinking I might add a list to my post.
*Mass Effect* has some deep storytelling that unearths history behind different civilizations, and *Subnautica* gives you a little hint of the world that was lost under the sea. Both are great for lore lovers!
I totally agree about Subnautica! It’s such an immersive experience.
*Kenshi* is also worth checking out. A lot of the world’s lore is hidden in notes or through conversations. It’s dark and gritty, but rewarding for lore enthusiasts.
*NieR Automata* is kind of similar—it explores the remnants of past civilizations in a unique way, plus it has a really emotional story.
You might find *Enderal: Forgotten Stories* interesting. It dives deep into the history of a previous civilization, affecting the current storyline—definitely gives off that cataclysmic vibe without going into traditional fantasy tropes.
If you like a bit more structured discovery, give *Heaven’s Vault* a shot. It’s a unique puzzle-exploration game with a rich narrative, focusing on translation and ancient secrets that echo lost civilizations.
I second *Heaven’s Vault*! The translation mechanic is like nothing I’ve played before.
*The Forgotten City* is a time-loop game that unravels mysteries of an Ancient Roman city where you discover remnants of a lost world. It’s right up your alley! I’d also throw in *Etrian Odyssey*, as it hints at a post-apocalyptic Earth too.
I’ll back you on *Forgotten City*! Such a cool experience.
I just picked it up! Hope I can get into it.