I really really enjoyed the gameplay loop in Half Life 2 where you have a vehicle and traverse the map in a linear way. You travel, stop, solve puzzles, fight and again travel (and get upgrades along the way).
You kind of form a relationship with your vehicle. It was such a great feeling. It feels like a journey and was oddly satisfying and scratched this specific itch.
Any game suggestions that can trigger a similar feeling? Bonus if there’s some survival stuff thrown in like hunger, fuel, vehicle maintenance etc. :)
EDIT: Just to add, I get a similar feeling when I play FTL. You have a ship that you continue improving, and you are going from point A to B with adventures along the way.
It’ll be a very different experience from Half Life, but I’d recommend Spiritfarer! There’s a sort of hunger mechanic, although it’s for the other characters that stay on your boat. Your ship is upgradable and you can place all sorts of structures on it. By the end of the game, it really feels like it’s uniquely yours.
Fantastic game but a little emotionally draining if you cry a lot. :)
Kentucky Route Zero.
Maybe Titanfall 2? Not an open world, linear level progression, some quick navigation puzzles.
It’s more oriented towards combat though. so may not be what you’re looking for
There is a great indie game called Dredge where you are a fisherman who has to manage an upgrade their boat by catching different varieties of fish, while following a story. You start going up against these lovecraftian creatures on your journeys, gets very weird and cool. Also the art style and graphics are gorgeous.
Sounds very up your street in terms of forming a relationship with the vehicle, there are survival aspects on how long you can be out at sea for and things. Plus lots of fun stuff on the way to discover
That looks freakin awesome! I’m definitely going to try it out. Thanks!
The Walking Dead series by Telltale Games ticks a lot of these boxes. You travel, fight, solve puzzles, manage relationships, and make meaningful choices. It’s got a lot in common with FTL even though it’s a completely different genre.
The Legend of Zelda games, specifically the gamecube era, might be something you’d like. Twighlight princess and windwaker for example…
Metro Exodus has some sections like that, but also some annoying open-world parts.
I see, thanks for the suggestion. I think I have it in my Steam library, so I’ll try it out soon.
They’re sort of open-world, but Sunless Sea and its sequel Sunless Skies might be up your alley. They’re based in the same fictional universe as Fallen London if you’re familiar with that.
Far Lone Sails
But i get attached to vehicles in all games. Lol
Halo, GTA, Saints Row, etcI second FLS, it’s an unforgettable experience
This looks pretty interesting! First time I’m hearing about this game. I’ve just wishlisted it and will probably try it out soon. Thanks!
Also Far: Changing Tides came out recently as well. It’s the sequel to Far: Lone Sails. You’d like both of these, I think.
