Death Stranding split players right down the middle. Some called it a walking simulator wrapped in pretentiousness. Others found it the most emotionally resonant exploration game ever made. Sam Bridges hauling cargo across post-apocalyptic America while building human connection isn’t like anything else Kojima has made. If you’ve finished both games and want more that hit the same notes, you’re in the right place.
This list cuts straight to 15 alternatives that genuinely deliver atmospheric exploration, traversal-focused gameplay, or emotional storytelling. No filler picks, no “kind of similar” stretches.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| # | Game | Open World | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Death Stranding 2 | Yes | $69.99 | PS5 |
| 2 | Metal Gear Solid V | Yes | $19.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 3 | The Last of Us Part II | Yes | $49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 4 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Yes | $59.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox |
| 5 | No Man’s Sky | Yes | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
1. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Why it’s similar
Same delivery-focused gameplay and atmosphere with expanded world traversal and storytelling. The direct sequel.
What makes it unique
Australian and Mexican settings replace post-apocalyptic America. New tools and vehicles expand traversal options.
Key features
- Australian/Mexican setting
- Expanded vehicle systems
- New delivery mechanics
- Direct sequel storyline
Price: $69.99 Platforms: PS5
Where to Buy
Available on PlayStation Store.
2. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Why it’s similar
Same Kojima design philosophy with open-ended missions and traversal systems. The closest match for Kojima’s systemic gameplay.
What makes it unique
Mother Base building lets you recruit enemies as soldiers. Open-world Afghanistan and Africa allow approach-from-any-angle missions.
Key features
- Mother Base building
- Open-world Afghanistan/Africa
- Buddy system (D-Dog, Quiet)
- Hundreds of optional side ops
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
3. SnowRunner
Why it’s similar
Terrain-focused traversal gameplay with planning routes and managing cargo. Pure delivery vehicle simulation.
What makes it unique
Realistic terrain deformation affects every vehicle. Heavy hauling across snow, mud, and rivers tests your route planning skills.
Key features
- Terrain deformation physics
- 60+ heavy vehicles
- Co-op multiplayer
- Active modding community
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
4. Days Gone
Why it’s similar
Lonely open-world atmosphere with survival traversal and narrative progression. Motorcycle traversal echoes Death Stranding’s vehicle traversal.
What makes it unique
Massive Freaker hordes with hundreds of zombies on screen. Motorcycle traversal across the open Pacific Northwest.
Key features
- Massive zombie hordes
- Motorcycle traversal
- Open Pacific Northwest world
- 30-hour campaign
Price: $49.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
5. The Last of Us Part II
Why it’s similar
Emotional storytelling and survival themes with slow-paced immersive world design. Narrative ambition rivals Kojima at his best.
What makes it unique
Dual protagonist structure presents two opposing perspectives on the same conflict. Roguelite No Return mode adds endless replayability.
Key features
- Dual protagonist campaigns
- No Return roguelite mode
- Crafting and skill trees
- 25+ hour campaign
Price: $49.99 (Remastered) Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
6. Sable
Why it’s similar
Exploration-focused gameplay with minimal combat. Atmospheric world and journey-driven structure.
What makes it unique
Stunning Moebius-inspired art style with no combat. Hoverbike traversal across a desert filled with mysterious ruins.
Key features
- Moebius comic art style
- No combat gameplay
- Hoverbike traversal
- Coming-of-age narrative
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
7. Journey
Why it’s similar
Emotional exploration and environmental storytelling with relaxed pacing and atmosphere. The genre-defining wordless journey.
What makes it unique
No dialogue, no UI, no instructions. Anonymous online co-op pairs players together for shared journeys across the sand.
Key features
- Anonymous online co-op
- Wordless storytelling
- 2-3 hour experience
- Multiple endings via replay
Price: $14.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, iOS
Where to Buy
Available on Epic Games Store and Steam.
8. No Man’s Sky
Why it’s similar
Exploration-focused progression with resource management and traversal systems. Procedural sci-fi survival on a galactic scale.
What makes it unique
Procedurally generated universe with 18 quintillion planets. Multiplayer expedition events run as seasonal content.
Key features
- 18 quintillion planets
- Multiplayer expeditions
- Base building
- Continuous free updates
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
9. Elite Dangerous
Why it’s similar
Long-distance travel and isolation themes with open-ended exploration gameplay. Real-scale Milky Way galaxy.
What makes it unique
1:1 scale recreation of the entire Milky Way galaxy. Real interstellar travel takes minutes to hours.
Key features
- 1:1 Milky Way galaxy
- VR support
- Trading and exploration economies
- Odyssey expansion adds FPS gameplay
Price: $7.49 (often discounted) Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
10. Subnautica
Why it’s similar
Exploration and survival in hostile environments with atmospheric discovery-focused gameplay. Underwater alien world rivals Death Stranding’s strangeness.
What makes it unique
Underwater alien planet setting with no traditional combat. Submarine building progression creates personalized deep-sea exploration.
Key features
- Underwater alien world
- Submarine building progression
- No traditional combat
- 35-hour campaign
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
11. Outer Wilds
Why it’s similar
Discovery-driven exploration with environmental storytelling and curiosity-based progression. Knowledge replaces traditional progression.
What makes it unique
22-minute time loop forces strategic planning. Echoes of the Eye DLC adds an entirely new mystery.
Key features
- 22-minute time loop
- Knowledge-based progression
- Echoes of the Eye DLC
- 6-planet solar system
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
12. Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Why it’s similar
Traversal-heavy open-world gameplay with survival and tactical planning. Auroa island echoes Death Stranding’s remote isolation.
What makes it unique
Realistic survival mechanics including injury, fatigue, and hunger. Drone enemies require thermal-evading stealth.
Key features
- Auroa island setting
- Realistic injury system
- 4-player co-op
- AI Teammates mode
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
13. Mad Max
Why it’s similar
Harsh world traversal and survival with resource management and exploration. Vehicle-focused gameplay echoes Death Stranding’s truck driving.
What makes it unique
Vehicle-focused combat with full car customization. Avalanche Studios’ open world rewards exploration with upgrades.
Key features
- Vehicle combat focus
- Magnum Opus car building
- Mad Max film world
- 30+ hour campaign
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
14. Red Dead Redemption 2
Why it’s similar
Slow immersive pacing and world-building with journey-focused storytelling. The most Kojima-adjacent Rockstar game.
What makes it unique
Western American setting replaces post-apocalyptic landscape. Honor system tracks moral choices visibly affecting NPC reactions.
Key features
- Detailed American west setting
- Honor reputation system
- Hunting and survival mechanics
- Online multiplayer mode
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
15. Pacific Drive
Why it’s similar
Survival driving and environmental hazards with atmospheric exploration systems. Run-based station wagon survival.
What makes it unique
Single-vehicle protagonist with persistent damage between runs. Anomaly-filled Pacific Northwest forces careful planning.
Key features
- Persistent station wagon
- Anomaly-based hazards
- First-person driving
- 25+ hour campaign
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
Full Comparison Table
| # | Game | Open World | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Death Stranding 2 | Yes | $69.99 | PS5 |
| 2 | Metal Gear Solid V | Yes | $19.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 3 | SnowRunner | Partial | $39.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 4 | Days Gone | Yes | $49.99 | PC, PS |
| 5 | The Last of Us Part II | Yes | $49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 6 | Sable | Yes | $24.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch |
| 7 | Journey | No | $14.99 | PC, PS, iOS |
| 8 | No Man’s Sky | Yes | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 9 | Elite Dangerous | Yes | $7.49 | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| 10 | Subnautica | Yes | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 11 | Outer Wilds | Partial | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 12 | Ghost Recon Breakpoint | Yes | $39.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| 13 | Mad Max | Yes | $19.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| 14 | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Yes | $59.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox |
| 15 | Pacific Drive | Partial | $29.99 | PC, PS5 |
Conclusion
Death Stranding fans have plenty of directions depending on what hooked them. Want more Kojima? MGSV is the obvious starting point. Craving traversal mastery? SnowRunner and Pacific Drive turn driving into the entire game. Hungry for emotional exploration? Journey, Sable, and Outer Wilds deliver wordless storytelling that lingers.
The atmospheric exploration genre has rarely had this many great options. Pick one based on whether you want delivery-focused traversal, emotional journeys, or galactic discovery. Every game on this list earned its spot through real exploration craft, not just a “slow game” tag.
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