I’m really into games where my character isn’t the main focus and their actions don’t really change the world, or where they exist in a place that’s seen better days. One of my favorite inspirations is a fictional game called Vermis, which is actually a series of 80s/90s style video game manuals that details a dungeon crawler in a dark fantasy world. It features a setting where heroes are absent, gods are dead or missing, and you’re just struggling to survive in a world that’s past its prime. I’ve played an interesting Skyrim mod that takes place after the main events, where the Dragonborn has failed, and the world, including cities and dungeons, is just abandoned with only a few NPCs and dragons roaming around. There’s no clear story; it’s all about survival. Also, I love classics like Dark Souls, not just for the gameplay, but for the lore of a world in decay where every choice seems to lead back to the same cycle. Vintage Story, which originated as a Minecraft mod, also has a similar vibe with ruins scattered everywhere and you learn through environmental storytelling. I’m searching for more games like these—preferably those where you’re left to navigate the remnants of civilizations that thrived long ago. Any suggestions, whether FPS, turn-based, or open world?
5 Answers
Have you played Returnal? It’s a roguelite where you play as Selene, an astronaut who crashes on an alien planet that was once home to an advanced civilization that’s now extinct. It gives off that haunting vibe of a forgotten world, and it’s one of my all-time favorites!
Check out Animyst! It’s set in a world tens of thousands of years after civilization fell. You rise from the dead in a vast desert filled with ancient ruins and almost no memory of your past. It’s free to play, but just a heads up, it’s technically an MMO with minimal players.
You should definitely look into games like Kenshi, Rain World, and Nier Automata! All of these have themes that echo the idea of a dead or dying world where your existence feels pretty insignificant.
Mad Max is a solid choice too! It’s got that desolate feel of a world that’s moved on beyond human civilization.
Horizon Zero Dawn has that post-apocalyptic feel, blending nature and old technology in a way that feels both majestic and lonely. Might be right up your alley!
I’ll need to check that out! Sounds like it could be just what I’m looking for.