Under a different sky: a selection of games with a vacation and travel atmosphere
We all want to stop from time to time. Turn off the news, turn off our worries and at least for a few hours feel like we are somewhere else – by the ocean, in the mountains, on the narrow streets of a quiet city or on a train passing by landscapes that we don’t want to forget. However, for many reasons, this is not always possible in reality. And here games come to the rescue. This selection is about such game projects. About those that transport us to another state and space. They have (almost) no place for hurry, no pressure, but rather contemplation, journey, peace or a light drive. Here are collected games that inspire travel, give a vacation atmosphere, discover other rhythms of life. Sometimes because of the plot, sometimes simply because of the landscape or mood. A few hours in them is like a breath of fresh air.
Travel, roads, discoveries
The road is not a direction, but a state. The games in this section create a space in which you want to move forward, stop at random places, talk to strangers, and not rush to conclusions. Here, the route is more important than the goal.
A Short Hike
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre adventure, cozy
Year 2019
A short journey across a mountain island turns into a pleasant adventure. You play as a bird that climbs to the top, meets others along the way, catches fish, looks for treasures and simply enjoys nature. An easy, kind and leisurely game that feels like a weekend in a small national park. It seems to create the mood of a summer day in a reserve, when everything is possible, but nothing is necessary.
Dordogne
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre adventure
Year 2023
Mimi returns to her late grandmother's house in the Dordogne region, where she finds letters and memories from her childhood. The game combines the present and the past, allowing you to experience summer through the eyes of a child: with walks, smells, voices and colors of rural France. Watercolor graphics enhance the mood of gentle nostalgia. Dordogne is not just a journey, but a return to an emotional space where memory comes alive. Here, a vacation is about reconnecting with yourself, your memory and those who are no longer there.
Firewatch
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre adventure
Year 2016
Henry flees from personal difficulties and takes a summer job as a ranger in a Wyoming national park. The lonely fire lookout, the forests, the canyons and the radio conversations with his colleague Delilah - all create an atmosphere of isolation, but at the same time connection. Gradually, the story is revealed, subtle, personal, tense, but full of silence, the smell of pine trees and the evening sky. Firewatch is a game about escape, the distance between people and that fragile peace that can be found in the middle of nature, even if it is temporary.
Lake
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre adventure
Year 2022
1986. Meredith comes from the metropolis to her hometown of Providence Oaks to temporarily replace her father at work as a mailman. Her route is quiet streets, a lake, conversations with familiar and new people. The player delivers mail every day, decides how to respond to offers, and gradually feels that the small town has its own rhythm and charm. Lake is not a drama or a challenge, but a simple story about a turning point in life, where a vacation turns into a chance to stop and think about what you really want.
Road 96
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre adventure
Year 2021
In the fictional country of Petria, teenagers run away from home to cross the border and gain freedom. Road 96 is a series of procedurally generated hitchhiking trips: different characters, different drivers, different stories. The trips are accompanied by chance encounters, risks, choices and music. The atmosphere of the road is the main attraction of the game. Road 96 balances between the political background and the freedom of youth, turning each trip into a unique experience with notes of nostalgia, discovery and escape from everyday life.
A prequel, Road 96: Mile 0, was released in 2022, telling the story of the two characters before the events of the original game. It is more linear, but helps to better understand the world of Petria and the personal motives for escape.
SEASON: A Letter to the Future
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5
Genre adventure, visual novel
Year 2023
The heroine leaves her village to record a world about to be struck by a mysterious cataclysm. She rides a bicycle, takes photographs, records sounds, keeps a diary and talks to those she meets. The spaces between villages, waterfalls and ruins are filled with peace and uneasy foreboding. Everything seems fragile, temporary, beautiful precisely because it disappears. This is a game about contemplation, preserving memory and the desire to capture the moment. This is not just a journey, it is an attempt to understand the time that passes and the world that will be left behind.
We have a great review of SEASON: A Letter to the Future.
Tchia
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre action/adventure
Year 2024
Inspired by the culture of New Caledonia, Tchia immerses you in the atmosphere of this vibrant archipelago, where you can swim, play the ukulele, climb palm trees, fly with a wingsuit, and most interestingly, inhabit any object or animal, from a coconut to a bird. The game exudes the lightness of an open world, where there is no pressure, but space to explore, play and create. It is a journey with a warm heart: it is like a summer vacation, where fantasy and a child's sense of freedom blur the line between fairy tale and reality.
The Tourist
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre action/adventure
Year 2020
At first glance, it's a game about a simple island vacation: palm trees, surfing, sun and a camera in your pocket. But behind the relaxed atmosphere, The Tourist hides an unexpectedly deep layer of mystery. The player travels between islands, explores ancient structures, solves puzzles, meets eccentric characters and immerses himself in the rhythm of carefree, but not so ordinary tourism. The game is small, bright and pleasantly leisurely - the perfect virtual vacation with a touch of mystery.
Photography, observation, beauty
A look that clings to details. In these worlds, you don't have to run somewhere, it's important to just be. Photography here is not a competition, but a way to look more closely, notice changes in light and capture something fleeting. A space that opens up to those who know how to observe. After all, almost every vacation is accompanied by a camera: in a phone, a simple digital or film "soapbox" or a Polaroid.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Apple Arcade
Genre adventure
Year 2020
Alba comes to her grandparents' summer vacation on a Mediterranean island, where nature clashes with human neglect. With a camera and good intentions, she explores beaches, forests and villages, helps animals and fights to preserve the reserve. At the heart of the game is the warmth of childlike initiative, the simple joys of relaxation and a caring attitude towards the world. This is a story about small changes that make a big difference. And about how a vacation can become a real adventure.
Eastshade
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre adventure, photography
Year 2019
As a wandering artist, you arrive in the picturesque country of Eastshade to fulfill a last promise to your mother and paint the places she loved. Eastshade takes place in a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. The player travels through forests, coasts and towns, communicating with the inhabitants and looking for the best spots to create a canvas. There is no fighting, pressure or danger here, only beauty, peace and the desire to see more. Every painting is an impression, every encounter is a reason to stop and listen. This is a game about contemplation, creativity and the slow revelation of a world that you want to preserve on canvas and in your memory.
TOEM
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre adventure, photography
Year 2021
In a black and white world drawn by hand, you embark on a journey to see a mysterious natural phenomenon called TOEM. The hero travels through many Scandinavian towns armed with a camera, curiosity and a desire to help those he meets. The game encourages you to stop, look closely, and catch moments: in landscapes, in dialogues, in little things. Each photo here is a way of interacting with the world and its inhabitants. TOEM is a light, warm and witty journey that reminds you of how much you can see if you just look around.
A quiet and slow life
Everything here is slower. There is no need to rush anywhere, no need to achieve big goals. Just home, nature, familiar faces, a little bit of everyday life and taking care of yourself and others. In these games, the most important thing is to just be. To be for a while in a place where time does not rush.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Platforms Nintendo Switch
Genre life simulator
Year 2020
You start with a tent on a deserted island, but over time you create a real home with a garden, furniture, neighbors and your own rhythm of life. New Horizons takes its time: each day brings small joys - a new fish, a conversation with a neighbor, a found shell. There is no pressure or competition in this world, just you and a calm routine. The game has become a symbol of digital vacation during the forced isolation of the COVID-19 epidemic, and continues to remain the perfect place to escape from the noise, bustle and news. Ironically, the global goal in the game is to pay off the mortgage for this large-scale move to the island.
Cozy Grove
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre life simulator
Year 2021
The heroine finds herself on a magical island inhabited by friendly ghosts, most of whom look like anthropomorphic bears. During the day, she helps them regain their memories and colors, and in the evening she just walks, fishes, or makes jewelry. The events of Cozy Grove unfold in real time, so its passage stretches for weeks, like a slow walk. Each action is a small concern, each day is a new fragment of the story. The game combines peace, sadness, and warmth into one leisurely, very human adventure, where even ghosts are not scary, but require understanding.
Spiritfarer
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre adventure, management, platformer
Year 2020
As Stella, the player controls a boat that transports souls to the afterlife. You have to build homes for your passengers, cook food, talk, fulfill last wishes, and finally say goodbye. Spiritfarer combines management, exploration, and deep emotion without losing its light visual style. It is a game about caring, loss, and gratitude, offering a leisurely journey where each stage is filled with meaning. A vacation here is a crossing, where the important thing is not the destination, but the way you live the journey together.
Stardew Valley
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre life simulator
Year 2016
After escaping the office routine, the player inherits a plot of land in the countryside and gradually turns it into a thriving farm. The daily routine forms itself: vegetable garden, fishing, mining, fairs, acquaintances, evening dances. Stardew Valley is not only about harvesting, but about how everyday tasks turn into relaxation. The game world is warm, unhurried, with its own rhythm and character. Here you can disappear for an hour or a month, regain a sense of the weight of simple things and, without rushing, create something of your own.
Sport, nature, drive
Sun in your eyes, wind at your back, body in motion. There is no time for verbosity here – it’s all about the feeling. Speed, freshness, lightness. A vacation doesn’t always have to be peaceful, sometimes it’s a slide down a slope or a scuba dive.
Dave the Diver
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch
Genre action/adventure, management
Year 2023
During the day, the player dives into the blue abyss, exploring the seabed, catching fish and discovering the secrets of the depths. In the evening, he runs a sushi restaurant, preparing dishes and serving customers. Dave the Diver skillfully combines arcade dynamics, management and humor, creating a feeling of a resort adventure. The atmosphere of the tropics, jazz music, warm colors and a light tone make the game something between a summer vacation and an adventure series. This is a game that is not afraid to combine genres and always surprises with new details.
Dave the Diver is regularly updated and features exciting collaborations with projects including Dredge, Godzilla, Like a Dragon and more, adding new characters, dishes and adventures. It's a summery vibe with a hint of sea salt and everyday wonders.
Dungeons of Hinterberg
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S
Genre action/RPG
Year 2025
In the picturesque Alpine village of Hinterberg, magical dungeons are opening up, attracting tourists and adventurers. The player plays as Liz, a law student on vacation who explores magical dungeons, solves puzzles and fights monsters during the day, and relaxes, makes friends and explores the everyday life of the town in the evening. Dungeons of Hinterberg combines fantasy dynamics with the vibe of a cozy mountain town, where every day has its own rhythm and balance between action and rest. This is a game about escaping routine, finding yourself and adventure among the mountains and magic.
Forza Horizon (series)
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox One / Series X|S
Genre arcade car simulator
Year 2012 – 2021
Forza Horizon is more than just a car simulator, it's a celebration of speed, music, and exploration. Each game in the series invites you to a new open-world automotive festival: the player drives freely, participates in races, discovers picturesque locations, and amasses a collection of cars.
Forza Horizon 4 moved the action to the UK with its changing seasons, and Forza Horizon 5 took it to the vibrant Mexico with its deserts, jungles and volcanoes. It's not just racing, it's also open worlds where the vacation lasts forever, on four wheels and with an explosive soundtrack.
Although the series began as an offshoot of the Forza Motorsport simulator, Horizon became the face of the brand. Its spirit of free travel, beauty, and carefreeness made the original series fade into the shadows and made Forza Horizon the perfect embodiment of a virtual car tour of the world.
Steep
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre sports simulator
Year 2016
Steep invites you to explore the Alps, not on foot, but on a snowboard, skis, paragliding or in a wingsuit. It's a game about freedom in the mountains: here you don't force yourself to compete, but you let yourself choose your route, pace and style. The vast landscapes, the soft light, the sound of the wind - everything works to create the mood of a winter holiday, full of drive and space.
In 2021, Riders Republic, the spiritual successor to Steep, was released, swapping the snow for US national parks, adding new sports (bikes, skateboards, snowmobiles), and emphasizing mass races. It's an extreme sports festival with color, music, and multiplayer that feels like a resort on steroids.
Together, both games form an imaginary journey into a world where nature is a playground for extreme adventures and activity is relaxation.
Real places and inspiration for travel
In these games, travel is not the main goal, but it is present in every detail. Here, you want not so much to play as to look around: at the streets of Paris, the rooftops of Marrakech, the villages of Bohemia or the islands of South America. These are virtual locations that awaken the desire to see their real prototypes.
Assassin's Creed (series)
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre action/adventure, action/RPG, stealth/action, open world
Year 2007 – 2025
Assassin's Creed is a historical adventure deeply rooted in real-life locations, often modern tourist attractions. The player finds themselves in Jerusalem during the Crusades, Renaissance Florence, revolutionary Paris, Victorian London, Ptolemaic Egypt, ancient Greece, Viking-era Scandinavia, or Sengoku Japan. Cities, temples, streets - everything is recreated with attention to architecture, everyday life and atmosphere.
Despite the sci-fi foundation with the Animus and the modern storyline, the main part of each game is the carefully recreated historical eras that you want to wander through for hours. The latest installments in the series have a Discovery Tour mode available - an educational version without combat, where you can freely wander and listen to historical commentary.
Assassin's Creed transforms virtual travel into an exploration of humanity's cultural heritage. It's an example of how a game full of dynamics and intrigue can inspire you to see the world with your own eyes.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance I & II
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre role-playing game, open world
Year 2018 - 2025
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a series of realistic role-playing games set in Medieval Bohemia at the beginning of the 15th century. No magic, monsters, or fictional nations. Just history, people, weapons, churches, forests, and villages. The player finds himself in the role of a simple son of a blacksmith who becomes a participant in the political and military events of that time.
The first part captivates with its authenticity: architecture, language, clothing, food and everyday life - everything is recreated with attention to detail. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II expands the map, adds the city of Kutná Hora, new types of weapons, an improved combat system and cinematic presentation of the plot.
These games are not about the journey as a goal, although the second part begins as a journey itself, but about the place where the events take place, so tangible that it awakens the desire to visit the real places where the references were filmed - from medieval Czech fortresses to ancient churches. This is a historical journey without embellishment, but with a deep immersion in the era.
Grand Theft Auto (series)
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Genre action, open world
Year 1997 – 2013
The GTA series is not only a satire on society or criminal stories, but also virtual cities that live their own lives. The series recreates fictional but recognizable places: Los Santos is Los Angeles, Liberty City is New York, Vice City is Miami. The player not only completes missions, but also rides aimlessly, listens to the radio, photographs street art, catches the sunset over the embankment.
GTA V took urban environments to the next level, with mountains, desert, ocean, villages, and a metropolis all in one world. The highly anticipated GTA VI, set in Vice City, promises to take the city's atmosphere even further.
Despite the plot dynamics and criminal themes, the series makes you want to see the same landscapes, roads, and neon signs that come to life in the game in person. This digital journey through America is somewhat exaggerated, but exciting and very familiar from Hollywood films.
Tom Clancy's The Division
Platforms Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre action/RPG, open world
Year 2016, 2019
The Division is a tactical online shooter that takes the player to the devastated cities of the United States after a global epidemic. The first part recreates a winter Manhattan on Christmas Eve, the second - an abandoned, green-covered summer Washington. Both games are impressive in their level of detail: familiar streets, subway stations, museums, government buildings - everything looks realistic and atmospheric.
The player completes combat missions, but between firefights, you can stop by a coffee shop, look into an abandoned store, or simply walk through familiar neighborhoods, recreated with accuracy from the map.
While The Division isn't about travel and certainly not about vacations, its urban worlds are so recognizable that they make you look at the real New York and Washington from a different angle. It's a look at tourism in times of crisis - and at the same time a confession of love for the urban landscape. The expansion Tom Clancy's The Division 2: Battle for Brooklyn was recently released, so the series is still alive and well, and we may see a sequel.
And what games give you the mood for a vacation or a trip? What would you add to this selection? These can be big games with an epic plot, but with moments that remind you of summer and peace, or small, intimate projects that focus on just such a mood. Share in the comments.