The 9800X3D just came out, so I’m looking to upgrade my 2017 PC to join the modern era, which means I’m waiting to play Baldurs Gate 3 (runs, but not ideal), Dead Space Remake (poorly optimised), Space Marine 2, Cyberpunk, Metaphor etc when I build my new rig in a couple of months.
In the meantime, I’ve finished some indies like Rise of the Golden Idol, first run of Satisfactory, did the Elden Ring DLC.
Then, there’s the gap from now till the next RGG game and Monster Hunter, which would really scratch that action, open world itch.
Any recommendations for action games that feels like you’re doing some exploration? Trying to get into a flow state. I may actually take a break and go read a book instead.
Witcher 3 for sure.
Control.
Dark Souls 3.
Bloodborne.
Not exactly action, but Shadows of Doubt has moments of action, lots of exploration, and amazing detective mechanics.
Valheim
Subnautica
The Little Big Adventure remake.
Metro Exodus
Haven’t heard a couple of these, will check out Shadow of Doubt
It’s a little janky, and the blocky aesthetic may or may not be your thing, but it handles the idea of detective work better than any other game I’ve ever played. It’s not just “Walk around in detective vision until you assemble enough clues for the character to tell you the solution.” You have to actually think about things, examine the evidence, assemble a theory of the crime. Which is doubly impressive given that every crime is procedurally generated.