Best Exploration games from the 2000s

Best Exploration games from the 2000s [Discovery Queue]

Games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, ranked by the GamesGraph community.
Last updated: October 14, 2026

1

1

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

2003July 2003 by BioWare

RPG, Adventure, Science fiction

RPG, Adventure, Science fiction

7.86 Excellent 1,621 ratings
2

2

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

2006March 2006 by Bethesda Game Studios

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

6.97 Good+ 1,815 ratings
3

3

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

2002May 2002 by Bethesda Game Studios

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

6.93 Good+ 1,034 ratings
4

4

Beyond Good & Evil

2003November 2003 by Ubisoft Montpellier

Shooter, Puzzle, Adventure

Shooter, Puzzle, Adventure

6.85 Good+ 410 ratings
5

5

Fallout 3

2008October 2008 by Bethesda Game Studios

Shooter, RPG, Sport

Shooter, RPG, Sport

6.64 Good 1,944 ratings
6

6

Psychonauts

2005April 2005 by Double Fine Productions

Platform, Puzzle, Adventure

Platform, Puzzle, Adventure

6.56 Good 530 ratings
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7

7

Fable: The Lost Chapters

2005September 2005 by Big Blue Box

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

6.50 Good- 249 ratings
8

8

King's Bounty: The Legend

2008September 2008 by Katauri Interactive

RPG, Simulator, Strategy

RPG, Simulator, Strategy

6.43 Good- <100 ratings
9

9

Aquaria

2007December 2007 by Bit Blot

Platform, Adventure, Fantasy

Platform, Adventure, Fantasy

6.43 Good- <100 ratings
10

10

Myst III: Exile

2001May 2001 by Presto Studios

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

6.37 Good- <100 ratings
11

11

Burnout Paradise

2008January 2008 by Criterion Games

Racing, Sandbox, Open world

Racing, Sandbox, Open world

6.26 Good-- 571 ratings
12

12

Sid Meier's Pirates!

2004November 2004 by Firaxis Games

Real Time Strategy, RPG, Simulator

Real Time Strategy, RPG, Simulator

6.14 Good-- 124 ratings
13

13

Bully: Scholarship Edition

2008February 2008 by Rockstar Toronto

Adventure, Comedy, Sandbox

Adventure, Comedy, Sandbox

6.07 Okay++ 262 ratings
14

14

Garry's Mod

2004December 2004 by Facepunch Studios

Simulator, Sandbox, First person

Simulator, Sandbox, First person

6.00 Okay++ 741 ratings
15

15

Sid Meier's Civilization III

2001October 2001 by Westlake Interactive

Simulator, Strategy, Turn-Based

Simulator, Strategy, Turn-Based

5.96 Okay++ 208 ratings
16

16

Arx Fatalis

2002June 2002 by Arkane Studios

Puzzle, RPG, Adventure

Puzzle, RPG, Adventure

5.81 Okay+ <100 ratings
17

17

Wizardry 8

2001November 2001 by Sir-Tech Canada

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

5.75 Okay+ <100 ratings
18

18

Geneforge

2001December 2001 by Spiderweb Software

Point-and-click, RPG, Strategy

Point-and-click, RPG, Strategy

5.73 Okay+ <100 ratings
19

19

Ninja Gaiden Sigma

2007June 2007 by Team NINJA

Hack and Slash, Adventure, Third person

Hack and Slash, Adventure, Third person

5.71 Okay+ <100 ratings
20

20

Yume Nikki

2004June 2004 by Kikiyama

Adventure, Horror, Isometric

Adventure, Horror, Isometric

5.71 Okay+ 116 ratings
21

21

Mirror's Edge

2008November 2008 by EA Digital Illusions CE

Platform, Puzzle, Adventure

Platform, Puzzle, Adventure

5.71 Okay+ 1,139 ratings
22

22

Divine Divinity

2002September 2002 by Larian Studios

RPG, Hack and Slash, Adventure

RPG, Hack and Slash, Adventure

5.70 Okay+ <100 ratings
23

23

Prince of Persia

2008December 2008 by Ubisoft Montreal

Platform, Puzzle, Adventure

Platform, Puzzle, Adventure

5.68 Okay+ 355 ratings
24

24

RuneScape

2001January 2001 by Jagex

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

5.67 Okay+ 165 ratings
25

25

Gothic 3

2006October 2006 by Piranha Bytes

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

5.64 Okay 235 ratings
26

26

Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor

2004October 2004 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

5.64 Okay <100 ratings
27

27

Nancy Drew: Secret of the Old Clock

2005July 2005 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.62 Okay <100 ratings
28

28

Nancy Drew: Legend of the Crystal Skull

2007October 2007 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

5.62 Okay <100 ratings
29

29

Eve Online

2003May 2003 by Fenris Creations

RPG, Simulator, Strategy

RPG, Simulator, Strategy

5.61 Okay 130 ratings
30

30

Gravity Bone

2008September 2008 by Blendo Games

Platform, Simulator, Adventure

Platform, Simulator, Adventure

5.60 Okay <100 ratings
31

31

Tomb Raider: Anniversary

2007June 2007 by Buzz Monkey Software

Shooter, Platform, Simulator

Shooter, Platform, Simulator

5.58 Okay 267 ratings
32

32

Evolva

2000June 2000 by Computer Artworks

Shooter, Strategy, Adventure

Shooter, Strategy, Adventure

5.58 Okay <100 ratings
33

33

Sacred

2004March 2004 by Ascaron Entertainment

RPG, Fantasy, Isometric

RPG, Fantasy, Isometric

5.57 Okay 137 ratings
34

34

Risen

2009October 2009 by Piranha Bytes

RPG, Hack and Slash, Adventure

RPG, Hack and Slash, Adventure

5.55 Okay 206 ratings
35

35

Universe Sandbox

2008May 2008 by Giant Army

Simulator, Sandbox, Educational

Simulator, Sandbox, Educational

5.54 Okay <100 ratings
36

36

DarkStar One

2006June 2006 by Ascaron Entertainment

Simulator, Science fiction, Exploration

Simulator, Science fiction, Exploration

5.53 Okay <100 ratings
37

37

Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure

2004December 2004 by Nihon Falcom

Platform, RPG, Hack and Slash

Platform, RPG, Hack and Slash

5.53 Okay <100 ratings
38

38

X2: The Threat

2003August 2003 by Runesoft

Simulator, Strategy, Science fiction

Simulator, Strategy, Science fiction

5.53 Okay <100 ratings
39

39

Ballance

2004April 2004 by Cyparade

Platform, Puzzle, Arcade

Platform, Puzzle, Arcade

5.49 Okay <100 ratings
40

40

Siege of Avalon

2001September 2001 by Digital Tome

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

5.48 Okay <100 ratings
41

41

Disney Princess: Enchanted Journey

2007October 2007 by Disney Interactive

Puzzle, Adventure, Kids

Puzzle, Adventure, Kids

5.46 Okay <100 ratings
42

42

Eschalon: Book I

2007November 2007 by Basilisk Games

RPG, Fantasy, Stealth

RPG, Fantasy, Stealth

5.46 Okay <100 ratings
43

43

Nancy Drew Dossier: Resorting to Danger!

2009August 2009 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Exploration

Point-and-click, Adventure, Exploration

5.45 Okay <100 ratings
44

44

Tales of Monkey Island

2009July 2009 by Telltale Games

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.45 Okay <100 ratings
45

45

Samorost 2

2005December 2005 by Amanita Design

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.42 Okay- 110 ratings
46

46

Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy

2009June 2009 by Her Interactive

Adventure, Exploration, Retro

Adventure, Exploration, Retro

5.40 Okay- <100 ratings
47

47

Saira

2009December 2009 by Nicklas Nygren

Platform, Puzzle, Adventure

Platform, Puzzle, Adventure

5.40 Okay- <100 ratings
48

48

Myst IV: Revelation

2004September 2004 by Ubisoft Montreal

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.39 Okay- <100 ratings
49

49

Galaxy on Fire 2

2009March 2009 by Fishlabs

Shooter, Simulator, Science fiction

Shooter, Simulator, Science fiction

5.39 Okay- <100 ratings
50

50

Clutch

2009June 2009 by Targem Games

Racing, Arcade, Third person

Racing, Arcade, Third person

5.39 Okay- <100 ratings
51

51

Xenus 2: White Gold

2008October 2008 by Deep Shadows

Shooter, RPG, Open world

Shooter, RPG, Open world

5.39 Okay- <100 ratings
52

52

Zapper: One Wicked Cricket!

2002October 2002 by Blitz Games

Platform, Adventure, Third person

Platform, Adventure, Third person

5.38 Okay- <100 ratings
53

53

Nancy Drew: Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon

2005September 2005 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.37 Okay- <100 ratings
54

54

The Lord of the Rings Online

2007April 2007 by Standing Stone Games

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

5.37 Okay- 147 ratings
55

55

Nancy Drew: Treasure in the Royal Tower

2001August 2001 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

5.37 Okay- <100 ratings
56

56

EverQuest II

2004November 2004 by Darkpaw Games

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

5.36 Okay- <100 ratings
57

57

Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek

2007June 2007 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Exploration

Point-and-click, Adventure, Exploration

5.35 Okay- <100 ratings
58

58

Tomb Raider: Legend

2006April 2006 by Crystal Dynamics

Shooter, Platform, Adventure

Shooter, Platform, Adventure

5.35 Okay- 314 ratings
59

59

Torchlight

2009October 2009 by Runic Games

RPG, Hack and Slash, Fantasy

RPG, Hack and Slash, Fantasy

5.34 Okay- 336 ratings
60

60

Way of the Samurai 3

2008November 2008 by ACQUIRE Corp.

Fighting, RPG, Adventure

Fighting, RPG, Adventure

5.33 Okay- <100 ratings
61

61

Nancy Drew Dossier: Lights, Camera, Curses!

2009June 2009 by Her Interactive

Adventure, Mystery, Exploration

Adventure, Mystery, Exploration

5.32 Okay- <100 ratings
62

62

Return to Mysterious Island

2004November 2004 by Kheops Studio

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.32 Okay- <100 ratings
63

63

Nancy Drew: The Haunted Carousel

2003August 2003 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Horror

Point-and-click, Adventure, Horror

5.31 Okay- <100 ratings
64

64

Sea Dogs: City of Abandoned Ships

2009May 2009 by Akella

RPG, Crafting, Choices Matter

RPG, Crafting, Choices Matter

5.30 Okay- <100 ratings
65

65

Tomb Raider: Underworld

2008November 2008 by Crystal Dynamics

Shooter, Platform, Adventure

Shooter, Platform, Adventure

5.29 Okay- 274 ratings
66

66

Flower

2009February 2009 by ThatGameCompany

Puzzle, Simulator, Adventure

Puzzle, Simulator, Adventure

5.28 Okay- 247 ratings
67

67

Nikopol: Secrets of the Immortals

2008September 2008 by White Birds Productions

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.28 Okay- <100 ratings
68

68

Myst V: End of Ages

2005September 2005 by Cyan Worlds

Puzzle, Strategy, Adventure

Puzzle, Strategy, Adventure

5.27 Okay- <100 ratings
69

69

X3: Reunion

2005October 2005 by Egosoft

RPG, Simulator, Strategy

RPG, Simulator, Strategy

5.26 Okay- <100 ratings
70

70

X3: Terran Conflict

2008October 2008 by Egosoft

RPG, Simulator, Strategy

RPG, Simulator, Strategy

5.26 Okay- <100 ratings
71

71

Nancy Drew: Ransom of the Seven Ships

2009July 2009 by Her Interactive

Adventure, Exploration, Retro

Adventure, Exploration, Retro

5.26 Okay- <100 ratings
72

72

Nancy Drew: The Secret of Shadow Ranch

2004August 2004 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

5.25 Okay- <100 ratings
73

73

Polda 5

2005November 2005 by Zima Software

Adventure, Comedy, Exploration

Adventure, Comedy, Exploration

5.25 Okay- <100 ratings
74

74

Nancy Drew: The Final Scene

2001November 2001 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Thriller

Point-and-click, Adventure, Thriller

5.25 Okay- <100 ratings
75

75

Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand

2002August 2002 by Her Interactive

Adventure, Exploration, Retro

Adventure, Exploration, Retro

5.25 Okay- <100 ratings
76

76

Kao the Kangaroo

2000December 2000 by Tate Interactive

Platform, Adventure, Arcade

Platform, Adventure, Arcade

5.25 Okay- <100 ratings
77

77

Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake

2002November 2002 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

5.22 Okay-- <100 ratings
78

78

East India Company

2009July 2009 by Nitro Games

Real Time Strategy, Strategy, Fantasy

Real Time Strategy, Strategy, Fantasy

5.21 Okay-- <100 ratings
79

79

Nancy Drew: Danger by Design

2006July 2006 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.20 Okay-- <100 ratings
80

80

Nancy Drew: Danger on Deception Island

2003October 2003 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.19 Okay-- <100 ratings
81

81

Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition

2008April 2008 by Ubisoft Montreal

Platform, Adventure, Fantasy

Platform, Adventure, Fantasy

5.19 Okay-- 162 ratings
82

82

Spore

2008September 2008 by Maxis

Real Time Strategy, RPG, Simulator

Real Time Strategy, RPG, Simulator

5.19 Okay-- 486 ratings
83

83

Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice

2008July 2008 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.18 Okay-- <100 ratings
84

84

Poptropica

2007July 2007

RPG, Sport, Adventure

RPG, Sport, Adventure

5.18 Okay-- <100 ratings
85

85

Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu Cave

2006October 2006 by Her Interactive

Adventure, Exploration, Detective

Adventure, Exploration, Detective

5.15 Okay-- <100 ratings
86

86

The Path

2009March 2009 by Tale of Tales

Strategy, Adventure, Horror

Strategy, Adventure, Horror

5.14 Okay-- <100 ratings
87

87

Nancy Drew: Message in a Haunted Mansion

2000November 2000 by Her Interactive

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

Point-and-click, Adventure, Mystery

5.14 Okay-- <100 ratings
88

88

Runes of Magic

2009March 2009 by Runewaker Entertainment

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

5.13 Okay-- <100 ratings
89

89

Necronomicon: The Gateway to Beyond

2000October 2000 by Cryo Interactive

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

Point-and-click, Puzzle, Adventure

5.09 Okay-- <100 ratings
90

90

Boiling Point: Road to Hell

2005May 2005 by Deep Shadows

Shooter, Racing, RPG

Shooter, Racing, RPG

5.09 Okay-- <100 ratings
91

91

Far Cry 2

2008October 2008 by Ubisoft Montreal

Shooter, Adventure, Stealth

Shooter, Adventure, Stealth

5.06 Okay-- 610 ratings
92

92

Hacker Evolution

2007July 2007 by Exosyphen Studios

Puzzle, Simulator, Non-fiction

Puzzle, Simulator, Non-fiction

4.97 Mediocre++ <100 ratings
93

93

Euro Truck Simulator

2008August 2008 by SCS Software

Racing, Simulator, Non-fiction

Racing, Simulator, Non-fiction

4.89 Mediocre++ <100 ratings
94

94

Two Worlds

2007May 2007 by Reality Pump

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

4.51 Mediocre <100 ratings
95

95

Pat & Mat

2009October 2009 by Bohemia Interactive

Puzzle, Comedy, Dark

Puzzle, Comedy, Dark

Needs more reviews
96

96

Knights of the Chalice

2009August 2009

RPG, Turn-Based, Fantasy

RPG, Turn-Based, Fantasy

Needs more reviews
97

97

Millennium 2: Take Me Higher

2009December 2009 by Aldorlea Games

Racing, RPG, Sport

Racing, RPG, Sport

Needs more reviews
98

98

Beacon

2009December 2009 by ChevyRay

Platform, Side view, Rogue-like

Platform, Side view, Rogue-like

Needs more reviews
99

99

Sub Command

2001October 2001 by Sonalysts

Simulator, Strategy, Third person

Simulator, Strategy, Third person

Needs more reviews
100

100

Miner: Dig Deep

2009February 2009 by Substance Games

Simulator, Adventure, Side view

Simulator, Adventure, Side view

Needs more reviews
101

101

Tank Universal

2008August 2008 by Dialogue Design

First person, Choices Matter, Exploration

First person, Choices Matter, Exploration

Needs more reviews
102

102

Lunnye Devitsy

2009July 2009 by Boss Baddie

Platform, Puzzle, Metroidvania

Platform, Puzzle, Metroidvania

Needs more reviews
103

103

MilMo

2009December 2009

RPG, Adventure, Exploration

RPG, Adventure, Exploration

Needs more reviews
104

104

Millennium: A New Hope

2009September 2009 by Aldorlea Games

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

RPG, Adventure, Fantasy

Needs more reviews