9 Games For People Who Love The Great Outdoors

For those moments when you want to go for a hike, but you can't bring yourself to get off the couch, here's a list of video games that nature appreciators will love.

1. Firewatch

Campo Santo / Via polygon.com

No joke, literally the only thing you can do in Firewatch is hike. That's it. You can hike around the beautiful Wyoming wilderness. And it's great. You will be shocked how engrossed you'll become in a game where the only action you can take is to put one foot in front of the other, and maybe call someone on a radio.

2. The Long Dark

Hinterland Games

Perhaps the greatest achievement in The Long Dark comes from when you have finally found enough warm clothes and leveled up your fire-starting skill high enough to safely spend a night out under the stunning stars of Northern Canada. Of course, you will probably freeze to death a hundred times before that happens.

3. Assassin's Creed: Black Flag

Ubisoft

Good news for your wallet, that Caribbean vacation you've wanted to take will be a lot cheaper if you buy it from a GameStop in the form of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. Just the trailer shown at E3 to premiere the game would make anyone want to go island hopping.

4. Dear Esther

Dear Esther

If you feel like your in the mood to do a little cave spelunking, but also you don't want to get wet and the couch is so comfy, maybe you should just play Dear Esther instead.

5. Skyrim

Bethesda Softworks / Via songsofskyrim.wordpress.com

Do you want to get lost in the majesty of the Aurora Borealis? Do you want to look up in the sky and see just how big the universe is? Would you also like to hunt trolls? Oh boy, do we have a game for you.

6. Red Dead Redemption

Rockstar Games

If Red Dead Redemption doesn't make you want to go visit the Grand Canyon or Arches National Park, we don't know what will. Sure, there's plenty of shooting and killing, but the best moments are the ones where you're out on the mesa with nothing around but your thoughts. Well, you, your thoughts, and that cougar.

7. World of Warcraft

Blizzard Entertainment / Via s294.photobucket.com

One of the biggest reasons to try and level up in World of Warcraft is so that you can explore more of the game's lush, expansive world. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to hike into the eye-catching Arathi Highlands, only to be mowed down by a Level 28 Fleshstalker.

8. The Witcher 3

CD Projekt RED / Via kotaku.com

What is it about fantasy games, oft loved by the most indoorsy of kids, that makes them such fertile ground for beautiful vistas? No matter what it is, The Witcher 3 is no exception.

9. Grand Theft Auto V

Rockstar Games / Via playstationlifestyle.net

Usually people think of the GTA series as games that take place in the inner-city, but GTA V takes place in the (fictional) California city of Los Santos. Also, there's plenty of gorgeous nature surrounding Los Santos, including wildlife like this deer!