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5 Video Games That Revolve Around Isolation

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If there's one thing we fear in life — it's isolation. Fortunately for us, though, it isn't very often we have to endure such scenarios. And as luck would have it, most cases of being abandoned and left without guidance are stowed away in video games. It's mostly thanks to these that we can experience abandonment without having to face the usual consequences that bind with it. Question is, though, which games have captured it best? And, which of them have left us starved of companionship for hours, days, and even weeks?

Of course, survival-based strategy games are a primary port of call for such a lonely concept. And the best part is, the market has more than enough of them to keep aspiring hermits satisfied for the long haul. So, which games envelope the feeling of being alone the best? Well, here's how we see it. Here are, in our opinion, the five best games that revolve around isolation.

5. Kona

Kona | Announcement Trailer | PS4

If the idea of sifting through an icy blanket of snow in a desolate mountainside town sounds fascinating to you, then Kona will no doubt make you feel right at home. Thanks to the relatively short survival walking simulator, you too can indulge in a wintry expedition that, quite frankly, prioritizes the power of atmosphere over all else. And this is a game that also incorporates a few additional layers of crafting and survival-based gameplay, too. But at its heart, though, it's a beautifully orchestrated walking simulator with a wondrously thought-provoking narrative.

Kona takes you to a small Canadian town during the aftermath of a mysterious outbreak. With all the citizens cleared out and only the remains of an icy town left behind, you must roam from house to house in search of clues that will help unlock its origin tale. Question is, is it the paranormal that's plaguing the town, or is it a living, breathing murderer who's spinning tales for the sake of clearing out the neighborhood? It's your job, as the last remaining townie, to find out. As for what waits on the other side of the mist, though, is anybody's guess.

 

4. What Remains of Edith Finch

What Remains of Edith Finch - House Introduction Trailer | PS4

If you've ever wondered what it'd be like to be the last surviving member of a family, then you'll be surprised to know that What Remains of Edith Finch pretty much captures this exact thought, to a tee, no less. Though it may be short and somewhat heavy-hearted, the award-winning walking simulator boasts one of the most memorable and diverse narratives in gaming. And if being isolated and without guidance is what you thrive on, then you'll essentially be killing two birds with one stone.

What Remains of Edith Finch tells the tale of Edith, the last remaining member of the Finch family. Over the course of a two-hour tour around her towering estate, you will slowly piece together the events that led to Edith's relatives' untimely deaths, and in turn come to understand the curse that engulfed the tree in a great paranoia and everlasting depression. For every heirloom there lies a wholehearted story, and it's your role to build the anthology, preferably before the curse finds its way to snub out the last branch on the tree.

 

3. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Trailer | PS4

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is as much of a mystery game as it is a walking simulator, which generally bodes well for budding puzzle-loving adventurers. Its goals are predominantly story-driven, though its open world environment does employ a non-linear structure, meaning you can construct a thread of events at your own pace and in any given order.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter follows the story of Paul Prospero, a paranormal investigator who's sent out to a small mining village after receiving a fan-made letter from a young boy named Ethan. Upon arrival, Prospero discovers that Ethan has gone missing, and that his final task before bowing out was to unleash a malevolent spirit into the world. Armed with a smidgen of knowledge and a heavy heart, the investigator is sent to follow the breadcrumbs left by Ethan and resolve the impending doom that looms on the nearby horizon.

 

2. The Long Dark

The Long Dark - Launch Teaser Trailer | PS4

The Long Dark is a survival-based role-playing game that sees you battling immense conditions in a desolate mountainside region on the far end of Canada. As a survivor, you must step into the unknown and battle the elements for the sake of seeing another sunrise, doing all in your power to conquer the harsh conditions that squeeze the locale of all its heart and vigor.

It goes without saying that, to survive the brisk winter, you're going to need far more than a coat and a matchstick. But with the Canadian region supplying little to no resources, you'll find that scraping the bare bones of an unchartered world is your only hope for survival. Question is, how long can you last out in the wild? With your calorie intake, body temperature, and general fatigue always on the decline, it's up to you to battle the hourglass and come out on the other side still breathing.

 

1. Subnautica

Subnautica Cinematic Trailer

It's one thing to have the fish keep you company, but there's only so much you can tolerate when your only friends end up being whale sharks and jellyfish. Fortunately, there's a silver lining, though it does indeed require a whole lot of prep work and patience. And if you want to see civilization again, then you had best prepare to go to war with another world. Specifically, a watery, fish-like world.

Subnautica puts you in the flippers of a castaway astronaut who's goal is to explore the alien planet of 4546B. After their spaceship crashes onto the watery surface, players are invited to venture down into the deep blue to search for supplies and materials to survive the unknown. With only a small pod in the center of the ocean to call home, you must learn to craft a new life, be it on the surface, or down in the mysterious depths below.

 

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there any lonely games you'd recommend for this list? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

Jord is acting Team Leader at gaming.net. If he isn't blabbering on in his daily listicles, then he's probably out writing fantasy novels or scraping Game Pass of all its slept on indies.