Games where the main pleasure is discovering the world yourself: peering over the next hill, descending into a cave, finding something the developers have hidden off the main path. The map doesn't guide you every step, and curiosity is rewarded with secrets, the world's history, rare finds, or simply a beautiful view. For those who prefer to slowly explore levels rather than rush to the finish line.
An open world is about size and freedom, and exploration is about rewarding curiosity. There's a small game full of hidden treasures, and a vast world with almost nothing to see.
What to choose if you have little time?Consider metroidvanias and walking simulators : they're compact and just as fun to explore as larger RPG worlds.
All world exploration games on the site are available for torrent download — sort the list by rating, size, or year of release.