User:Klichka/Exploration

There is an obvious niche of gameplay or theme that is not yet filled by current genres properly. This is the exploration genre. In these games the objective is mostly concerned with getting around barriers in a seemingly non-linear fashion. It differs from a sandbox in having a set, albiet abstract goal. (Figure out what is happening, how to get past barriers, what the goal is, etc.) It is a subset of adventure games and defines itself by having large complex environments and more emphasis on the environment and discovery and indirect story telling. Almost every bit of information gathered is incidentally gathered. The player is left to fill in the blanks rather than having things explained to them.

Castlevania/Metroid are small examples of this genre although cliche has worn away the discovery aspects of some. Games such as Exile and Cholo are better examples with their abstract interfaces that leave the player to discover how to play.

Games such as Sam and Max are not exploration games since the story is told directly.

Compare Sam & Max v Exploration

Player is left to figure out how to advance through the game

Contrast

Exploration games are about discovery, nothing is relayed directly and usually nearly everything is done as an observer. The emphasis is on the environment and evaluating the situation to determine objectives rather than aiming to obtain a specific item. Goals are not clear and a heavy focus on navigation is required rather than object oriented gameplay.

Story telling is done in a direct style in Sam and Max whereas exploration you are never given any information outside the background and the objective is not only to complete the game but to understand what you are doing.