What are the best PS4 walking simulators? It's a curious genre of story-driven games that's become pretty popular. Favouring compelling narratives over intricate gameplay, walking sims are often peaceful experiences that don't require a lot of input. Over the years, lots of brilliant walking simulators have released that are well worth your time. In this list, we're going to take a look at our favourite walking sims on PS4, but be sure to also check out the best PS4 games through the link.
Best PS4 Walking Simulators
Below is a full list of the best PS4 walking simulators. These are our favourites in the genre, as determined by our editorial team.
10. Ether One (PS4)
Ether One is a heart-wrenching tale that tackles the delicate subject of mental illness. This walking sim is a bit rough around the edges, but the premise of entering the mind of a dementia patient in order to try and restore their memories is enticing. The end result plays out similarly to Gone Home, with exploration and environmental storytelling the order of the day. It’s a valiant effort to tell a thought-provoking story, and it was clearly made with a lot of passion.
9. Blackwood Crossing (PS4)
PaperSeven’s ambitious walking simulator might not be as tightly put together as some of the games higher up this list, but it still manages to tell an emotional tale, and attempts to do so in an unconventional way. It follows two orphaned siblings, Scarlett and Finn, and you need to figure out why their relationship is drifting apart by piecing together past conversations. The presentation elevates the title with environments that bleed into each other, giving the game an ethereal feel that’ll keep you engaged.
8. Layers of Fear (PS4)
Perfectionism can be a curse, and Layers of Fear leans on this idea hard. Taking inspiration from Hideo Kojima’s now-iconic Silent Hills teaser PT, this slow walk through a haunted house cleverly uses its first-person perspective to keep you on edge. While the writing can’t keep up with its Oscar Wilde-inspired premise, this is a harrowing trip into the mind of an artist gone mad.
7. Dear Esther
Originally created as a Source mod, The Chinese Room’s minimalistic Dear Esther is one of the walking simulator’s founding forays. Set on a mysterious island, your task is to explore the environment, listening to a series of letter fragments regarding a lady named Esther. It’s through these snippets of prose that the interpretative tale unfolds, and it’s down to you to draw your own conclusions on the story as a whole.
6. Firewatch (PS4)
One of the most anticipated walking simulators of all time, Firewatch launched amid a tidal wave of enthusiasm. Set in the Wyoming wilderness in the late 80s, you play as a park ranger who strikes up a poignant relationship with supervisor Delilah via walkie-talkies. The entire title sees you communicating with the other character, selecting dialogue options that shape the relationship. While its sub-plots fail to really surprise, it’s the relatable and real relationship between two ageing adults that makes this story shine.
Comments 21
Unchartered 4 comes pretty close to a Walking Sim in some parts …
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter needs to be on that list.
"Walking Simulators"
Didn't this start as a derogatory term? Isn't there a better alternative?
@munkholt you could say that about every game where your on foot though.
I tought death stranding was going to be number 1.word up son
Everybodys gone to the Rapture.
Incredible walking sim. That soundtrack, that tone. Total BoC vibes.
@naruball I know, but then I'm struggling to come up with an alternative, any suggestions? Maybe an article should be posted asking the community to suggest a name because every single game "simulates walking". Maybe "Walking Interactive Games".
Nice to have a list of these type games. Iv enjoyed Firewatch and Everyones gone to the Rapture. Got Dear Esther to play next and good to see other simular games.
I absolutely adored Edith Finch, such a wonderful game. Can't say I felt the same about Everybody's Gone to the Rapture though, that game just felt so slow and plodding.
@TheArt Can't come up with anything decent at the moment, but Walking Interactive Games sounds miles better, imho.
I usually enjoy games with a strong story focus, but I can't say that I'm keen on walking simulators. What Remains of Edith Finch and Gone Home are the main two that I've played, and I got bored of them fairly quickly.
My problem with them is probably that there isn't much actually happening in the game. Instead, it's mostly reading about previous events.
Maybe walking simulators just aren't my thing. Or maybe some of the others on this list would be better for me, I dunno.
@Kefka2589 I'd rather call it Zip Line Simulator. 😉
I checked my stats after finishing the main story and I spent way more time getting around using vehicles as well as the aforementioned zip lines. Heck you can even use floating crates to slide down the side of a mountain!
Death Stranding is pretty bloody far from being a 'mere' Walking Simulator but this is the age where people just regurgitate what some others have said and pass it off as being acquired knowledge and wisdom.
As some fiery redhead once said "You know nothing, Jon Snow!".
I'm gonna experience them how they should be experienced...
... by watching a playthrough on Youtube
Big fan of Edith Finch
BUT
Where the f**k is Return of the Obra Dinn??!!?
Of these 10 i have only played the top two. Walking sims i am glad to have experienced.
What about unfinished swan? One of my favs.
Firewatch should be in the top three.
@naruball @TheArt I think there's probably a better name for it. Whilst most of the gameplay will boil down to walking around and interacting with objects, I don't it's entirely fair to focus on that alone. It makes it seem like the sole purpose of those games is simply walking around, whereas it's often the narrative or environmental storytelling that makes them interesting to play.
@Octane exactly!
@Deadcow Totally agree- Ethan Carter is a huge, glaring omission on this list and better than a number of the titles here. Esther was kinda cool but kinda meh, virginia was a short, technical mess.
Gone Home was pretty mediocre and Rapture, although beautiful, was pretty slow to get through. I lost interest a couple of times before I finished it.
I'd be inclined to include Deliver us the Moon. Has a PS5 version also and is free on the upper PS+ tiers. Light puzzles, audio holograms, linear. Wasn't expecting it to be like that, in a good way!
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