25 Video Games That Allow You To Travel and Cure Wanderlust

Travel may have changed forever and for some trips abroad to far-flung destinations could be a long way off. Wanderlust is calling and it’s hard to scratch the itch.

Luckily for us, there are several video games that will allow you to explore multiple places and worlds, all from the comfort of our homes.

In just a few clicks you can be flying over mountains, traversing jungles, driving through the British countryside, or diving under the sea.

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Best Video Games That Allow You To Travel
Final Thoughts

Best Video Games That Allow You To Travel

Pack your virtual bags, we’re going for a ride.

Earth – Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Age: Everyone

Platform: Windows, Xbox One

Released: TBA

An upcoming new-gen title, Microsoft Flight Simulator, will be one of the best games to explore every possible Earth location.

The game will feature every part of the Earth. With 7 petabytes of satellite imagery being used as a reference, the game will be able to simulate every airport, city, and landscape available for us to visit.

What’s amazing is that the game will feature an accurate representation of a dynamic weather system, proper lighting per region, and accurate 3D representations places in the world.

So, if you’re tired of the rain where you currently are, you might as well take a break and vacation in a few tropical islands in Southeast Asia.

This one is perfect if you’re trying to make a plan for your next trip once this coronavirus pandemic is over.

The Middle East – Journey

Age: Everyone

Platform: PS3, PS4, Windows

Release Date: March 2012

It’s no wonder why this game holds up to this day.

It’s visually stunning, the music is an emotional masterpiece, and the world will let you feel what it’s like to be lost in the ancient ruins of The Middle East and its Arabian deserts, set in an astounding fantasy world.

The beauty that separates this game from its open-world cousins is that you’re not just here to play the game, but to visually and emotionally experience feel the journey.

Journey really is a rare gem that is worth a look.

Europe – Euro Truck Simulator 2

Age: Everyone (10+)

Platform: Linus, Mac, Windows

Release Date: October 2012

Feel like visiting Europe while enjoying the beautiful Scandinavian countryside? Euro Truck Simulator 2 has got your back.

You will play as a trucker whose sole mission is to deliver packages all across Europe. Want to visit Latvia? No problem.

Feel like crossing the Italian highways to get to Poland? Easy.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a paradise for people who want to experience European beauty, and countries you can visit include the United Kingdom, Estonia, Hungary, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and many more.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is the land-based counterpart of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. If you’re tired of waiting for the MFS release, why not try Euro Truck Simulator 2 for a fresh experience.

Under the Sea – Subnautica

Age: Everyone (10+)

Platform: Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: December 2014

Subnautica is probably one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the ocean without having to go anywhere near a wet suit.

The game is set on a planet filled with nothing but a large ocean and rich variety of aquatic life, from large squids and a mutant shark to different types of fishes and humongous flora.

They all cohabitate in the ocean with a deep and complex ecosystem.

U.K. – Forza Horizon 4

Age: Everyone (10+)

Platform: Windows, Xbox One

Release Date: September 2018

Are you tired of the slow-paced driving in Euro Truck Simulator 2? Why don’t you give Forza Horizon 4 a try?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a fan of city highways or country roads, because no matter where you like, Forza will have it all as it is set in the United Kingdom.

Explore the vast and open environment of Great Britain, from Edinburgh, up to Broadway and the Cotswolds, with hundreds of cars at your disposal.

New York – Spider-man

Age: Teen (13+)

Platform: PS4

Release Date: September 2018

If you’re not a fan of driving a truck across Europe, why don’t you fly a truck across New York? Well, now you can, thanks to Marvel’s Spider-Man.

If you ever wanted to visit Times Square at any time of day and you’re having trouble getting there, you can just fling a couple of spider webs and weave your way around the entire cityscapes of New York City.

The open world in this game is massive as it stretches the whole of the Manhattan area. Perfect for anyone who fancies a trip to the big apple.

Europe and Africa – Uncharted 4 – A Thief’s End

Age: Teen (13+)

Platform: PS4

Released: May 2016

One of Naughty Dog’s pride, Uncharted 4 – A Thief’s End is the final installment of the game in the Uncharted series.

Generally well-regarded as one of the best storytelling game by many fans, Uncharted 4 offers a good mix of exploration and combat.

The game isn’t an open-world adventure but you can still explore many parts of the world.

For the most part, you’ll be playing a linear story that follows several places from the cityscapes of Italy, up to Madagascar’s rich deserts.

For the most part, you’ll be exploring ruins and finding treasures, as well as fighting off enemies.

It’s a pretty fun game, and it won’t give you too much trouble in the puzzles since they’re fairly easy to solve.

Colorado – Horizon Zero Dawn

Age: Teen (13+)

Platform: PS4, Windows

Release Date: February 2017

One of the most visually stunning and gorgeous open-world action RPGs, Horizon Dawn Zero, will have you in awe, especially with the amount of gameplay and tons of replayability it offers.

Explore the vast wilderness and environmentally-luscious greeneries that the game can offer.

The game takes place in Colorado, now infested with giant robot creatures and beautiful nature reserves, where humans are the ones that are always in danger of getting stomped on.

Horizon Zero Dawn tops the games of post-apocalyptic genres simply for being spectacular.

The gameplay is definitely one that is almost similar to open-world RPGs like the Witcher 3, but it doesn’t really fall short of things to do, especially if you’re always on the run against the territorial and hostile metal-plated animals.

Peru – Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: Linus, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: September 2018

Shadow of Tomb Raider is the most satisfying reboot of Lara Croft games franchise over the years.

Relive your nostalgia, now in full H.D. 1080p (4K, if you have one) and play as Lara Croft, the female counterpart of Nathan Drake from the Uncharted 4 series.

Experience the joy of exploring ancient ruins, the rich native culture of Peru, and the undiscovered beauty of both Central and South America.

You will meet not-so-friendly people along the way, but you can greet them in various ways. For example, with a knife, a bow, or a gun.

Choose how to live your rogue life and become the embodiment of freedom without boundaries.

Ancient Greece – Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: October 2018

Wise men say, “Only fools rush in,” but Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato cannot stop anyone from doing a Leap of Faith straight into a haystack after surveying Athens’s from above.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is one of the most satisfying games in the franchise. Who wouldn’t want to explore Ancient Greece?

You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the center of Greek philosophy and knowledge in Athens, the lush environment of Kephallonia Island, the rich and culturally-diverse city of Korinthia, and many more.

You might as well explore the Lost City of Atlantis while you’re at it. You won’t meet Zeus here in Odyssey, that’s from a different game, but at least you can send your enemies to him.

Nepal – Far Cry 4

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows

Release Date: November 2014

Do you know what the definition of insanity is? It’s playing the same game over and over again, expecting different results. But that’s exactly what Far Cry 4 offers.

The game is set in the fictional countryside of the Himalayan alps, in the country of Kyrat.

The rich culture of Nepal and its atmosphere can be experienced by playing this game, especially if you ignore the danger, like the civil war and people shooting at you for no damn reason.

The game features the legends of the Kyrati culture that allows the player to experience both the real and supernatural beauty of its rich and astounding lore.

Japan – Ghost of Tsushima

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4

Release Date: July 2020

Recently released, Ghost of Tsushima will allow you to explore several regions in Japan, and the beautiful sakura blossoms during the Mongolian invasion, which is a pretty terrible start for such a visually-amazing game and a peaceful tour in the land of the samurai.

What’s amazing about Ghost of Tsushima isn’t just about the combat and the gameplay mechanics they added, but the Photo Mode.

It’s one of the best features the game has to offer, and if you’re a fan of editing photos, you’ll have the perfect vacation shot in Japan, as well as its serene and stunning environment and traditions, all without spending thousands of dollars to get there.

Whether you want to fight dirty or with honor, it’s up to you. The game itself is already a masterpiece without the fighting, but it’s even better now since you can put enemies down in a single slash of your master-crafted katana.

This the perfect game for Japanese aesthetic enthusiasts and those who wish to master the blade.

Ancient Egypt – Assassin’s Creed Origins

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: October 2017

Done exploring Ancient Greece in Odyssey? Why not try exploring Ancient Egypt as well?

Discover the roots and the start of a great civilization, you’ll play the first assassin in the history of Assassin’s Creed. Play as Bayek, a very tough and incredibly chill guy who is on his way to get revenge.

You see, when you’re playing Origins, you’ll be able to explore the beautiful and very sandy cities of Egypt, from Giza up to Alexandria, as well as the Pyramids of Giza, and the beautiful Nile River.

Unless you hate sand because it’s coarse, rough, irritating, and can get anywhere, this game is definitely one helluva deal for such a magnificent description of what it’s like to be ruled by Cleopatra.

It’s fascinating to see camels running faster than horses in this game, much more than a group of angry hippos destroying an entire village of fishermen.

San Francisco – Watch Dogs 2

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: November 2016

This game is just GTA V with hacking and cool gear. It’s no wonder why this game is on our list.

Watch Dogs 2 is a very lighthearted and fun game to explore. It’s one of those games that you can play in many different ways.

The game is visually pleasing, the overall environment doesn’t sound as dead as any other game, and the people are quite loud (and you can hear what they’re usually talking about, even on SMS).

The general atmosphere of the game looks exactly (or better) than what you’ll see on the streets of San Francisco.

The core gameplay of this game is great fun. It’s an instant buy.

Montana – Far Cry 5

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: March 2018

Probably one the best-liked Far Cry game in the series, Far Cry 5 takes place in the state of Montana.

This game is the definition of exploration—no minimaps, no HUDs, no maps, and fewer indicators that usually clutter up your screen.

There’s so much more to explore in this game; you can hunt animals like deer and bears for their meat and skin, or hike the mountainous regions with your Cessna, visit farms and small villages.

It’s definitely something you’ll see yourself in the real world, especially if you’re a U.S. citizen.

Far Cry 5 fleshes out the game’s open-world aspect, which gives the player a lot to explore and the freedom to do whatever they want.

Caribbean – Assassin’s Creed Iv: Black Flag

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, Windows, Wii U

Release Date: October 2013

Aargh matey, you up for some booty hunting?

Assassin’s Creed IV takes place in the scenic and visually-stunning Caribbean archipelagos and islands.

Explore the rich environment that The Bahamas, Cuba, and Jamaica have to offer.

Hunt killer whales, meet various types of aquamarine life, swim deep underwater to find hidden treasures and get wealthy in the process, or put down an enemy pirate and naval force ships.

You’re a pirate. The sea is yours as you are part of it.

You are no longer a mindless assassin whose noble ambitions and sense of justice are the primary driving force of the series.

As a pirate, you are the bane of the English, Dutch, and Spanish navies. Explore as much as you like and live off of your hard work.

The grind never stops. Keep hustlin’.

Los Angeles – Grand Theft Auto 5

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Windows

Release Date: September 2013

GTA V is Rockstar Games’ most successful game, and it’s no doubt why you’re going to love this game.

Any fans of San Andreas always have been dreaming of a beautiful, next-gen GTA to play with, that is almost as good as GTA IV, with the amount of enjoyment that San Andreas can offer.

GTA V is one of the best games that you can play to explore the entire city of Los Santos, which almost looks similar to Los Angeles.

This game is the closest you can get to exploring the landscape of California.

A beautiful bay area, tall buildings, and commercial areas, mountainous regions where you can ride your dirt bike.

A sky that has air traffic, jet skis in the ocean, and a diverse array of people. This game has it all and more.

This is even better on P.C. because of the tons of mods and customizations it can offer, as opposed to playing it with a console. But, even in vanilla gameplay, this game offers so much.

American Frontier – Red Dead Redemption 2

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: October 2018

Ready for some Wild West action?

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the sequel to the fantastic Red Dead Redemption, a timeless classic.

Take the helm of a troubled man, out here to ride on his horseback, take his horse to the old town road, and explore the American Frontier, during the Age of Cowboys and bounty hunting.

RDR2 is a very good game that explores the Wild West, featuring wild animals, wildlife, and teams of bandits. The old country is fraught with danger but you’ve got this.

Boston – Fallout 4

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: November 2015

As post-apocalyptic games go, Fallout 4 doesn’t fall short of its shares of the environment of what it is like to wake up in the middle of nowhere, after a nuclear fallout (hence the name).

Boston‘s depiction of a once lively city still has its charm, especially if you think your neighbors are extra loud during the morning, you’ll be glad that they’re all but memories of the old world.

Fallout 4 plays especially well for enthusiasts who want to explore what it’s like if Chernobyl happened, but people are still living there despite the radiation.

The game features a wide variety of bizarre creatures that spawned during the nuclear fallout along with many famous Bostonian landmarks.

Washington D.C. – The Division 2

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Google Stadia, Windows

Release Date: February 2019

The Division 2 is a sequel to the first game, The Division (obviously).

Explore the ruined city of Washington D.C., the capital of great landmarks such as The White House, Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and many more.

If you ever feel like you need to cement your patriotism, come and play The Division 2 and see if you can make your mark among the anarchy.

Oregon – Days Gone

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4

Release Date: April 2019

Have you ever wondered what’s it like to be a part of a biker gang?

Well, don’t fret, because in Days Gone, you’ll be able to play as one. Days Gone is an open-world, survival, action RPG.

The environment is filled with a variety of species, including the very hungry and carnivorous zombies that are always in groups.

The game is set in Oregon. Experience what it’s like to be a biker gang member and a wildlife hunter by eliminating a variety of enemies, which includes bad people most of the time.

This game is the perfect substitute for The Forest since this game offers forest reserves, rivers, and mountain ranges that are always available to explore, minus the base building.

Tamriel – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: Nintendo Switch, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: November 2011

Ah, yes. Todd Howard’s favorite baby. This game has been ported as many times as the bugs it has.

Skyrim is one of the best RPGs in the video gaming industry. Many people actually enjoy this game even if most of the time, the A.I. is dumbed down to a walking rock level.

This game offers so much content for you to last just about 50 hours and feel like it’s time to put it down.

Nevertheless, the beauty which this game offers is the rich and beautiful province of Skyrim, from the continent of Tamriel.

Skyrim offers a lot of places to explore, from rivers, caverns, dungeons, sanctuaries, castles, forts, snowy mountains, plains, and many more.

All in all, due to Skyrim’s popularity, a lot of people managed to practice their graphics and modding skills in Skyrim due to the game’s less complex system that allows it to be incredibly and visually awe-inspiring.

Unknown – Monster Hunter World

Age: Teen (13+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: December 2017

Monster Hunter series has always been one of the best games that features a wide variety of exploration options.

These include abundant and colossal trees from the Ancient Forest, the stinking paradise of death that is Rotten Vale, the beautiful and coral reef jungle that is Coral Highlands, and the coarse and cavernous place that is Wildspire Waste.

It’s the core gameplay and general atmosphere of the Monster Hunter games that make it a refreshing game to play and get lost in. With the expansion of Iceborne, you’ll be introduced to a lot more maps that are waiting to be explored.

The game features several types of environments for every kind of adventurer or hunter you want to be.

MHW is rich and filled with great detail and storytelling about the existence of monsters and how the people survive in the treacherous and dangerous world of apex predators.

Monster Hunter World is definitely one of the most satisfying games, simply because of its natural environment that goes hand-in-hand with the great gameplay it can offer players.

The Continent – Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Age: Mature (17+)

Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows

Release Date: May 2015

The Witcher 3 is hands down, one of the best RPGs of this decade. Few RPGs can match this one hell of a masterpiece by CD Projekt Red.

One of the best things about Witcher 3 is the exploration that makes the player travel The Continent, featuring the beautiful cities of the Novigrad region, The White Orchard, Velen, Skellige, the magical realms of Isle of Mists, and many more.

Honestly, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is incredible. The dialogue isn’t bland. The people aren’t necessarily emotionless and devoid of any kind of personality.

The cities are booming with vibrant and colorful designs and looks that make you feel like you’re living inside the game, and not just playing it.

What’s more, The Witcher 3 offers so much content that 100, 200, or even 400 hours isn’t enough to cover every bit.

There are times that you’ll waste a single day just riding your white horse while exploring the places of interest or just enjoying the view and scenery that it can offer.

Witcher 3 is a must, and people, regardless of whether they are a gamer or not, should at least experience this masterpiece.

Alternative Earth – Super Mario Odyssey

Age: Everyone (10+)

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: October 2017

Nothing bad can be said about this game. It looks incredible, everyone can play it, and it’s a sight to see when trying to play the game that honed most of every gamer’s childhood.

This game is the definition of “growing up but not growing out” of the things people tend to overlook and enjoy.

Super Mario Odyssey is one of the best games that came out this decade, and honestly, it’s kind of satisfying and rewarding to see that most of our childhood’s favorite game is coming out fresh and new while retaining the elements of what we used to love about them.

It’s kind of exhilarating, it’s fun, it’s enjoyable, and it’s not stressful.

You’ll explore jungles, safaris, deserted places, underwater dungeons, ruins, and even a city replica that looks like Manhattan.

Everything that Super Mario Odyssey offers is something that you can’t simply refuse or just ignore by not playing it.

This game is one of its kind, and everyone is encouraged to at least try and see the real adventure that resides within this game.

Final Thoughts

These games are merely suggestions that will allow you to explore the world or the world in your mind by playing them.

With the amount of stress that’s already in this world, I think we should at least give our minds a sense of peace, and with these games, you can get lost easily.