RPGs with non-hostile nature/wilderness

Sometimes I like to explore nature or the wilderness in RPGs without being attacked all the time, and when traveling it's obviously the same type of issue. But I don't know any games where it's possible. Any recommendations? It doesn't have to be games with zero fighting in those areas, just toned down a lot.

I mean, the traditional approach in RPGs with big areas with nature or wilderness is that towns and settlements are mostly non-hostile, and nature etc is mostly the opposite.

I understand the reasons for that approach, but sometimes I'm not in the mood for fighting and just want to enjoy the scenery, or maybe solve a few puzzles or gather stuff for crafting.

I should mention that while I chose to post in the General RPG forum I also like JRPGs.

Is it Oblivion that some around here call a walking emulator? It seems like there was also a game being developed that was mostly exploring and wilderness areas. Can't remember the name it has been awhile. Kingdom Come may have large outside areas and not as much fighting. That should be released sometime this year hopefully.

Originally Posted by jaes
Sometimes I like to explore nature or the wilderness in RPGs without being attacked all the time, and when traveling it's obviously the same type of issue. But I don't know any games where it's possible. Any recommendations? It doesn't have to be games with zero fighting in those areas, just toned down a lot.

I mean, the traditional approach in RPGs with big areas with nature or wilderness is that towns and settlements are mostly non-hostile, and nature etc is mostly the opposite.

I understand the reasons for that approach, but sometimes I'm not in the mood for fighting and just want to enjoy the scenery, or maybe solve a few puzzles or gather stuff for crafting.

I should mention that while I chose to post in the General RPG forum I also like JRPGs.

Gothic 1-3, Risen 1-3.

If you're into modding, then also Skyrim and Fallout4 with norespawn mod applied.

Originally Posted by Hastar
Is it Oblivion that some around here call a walking emulator? It seems like there was also a game being developed that was mostly exploring and wilderness areas. Can't remember the name it has been awhile. Kingdom Come may have large outside areas and not as much fighting. That should be released sometime this year hopefully.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on Kingdom Come.

Originally Posted by joxer
Gothic 1-3, Risen 1-3.

Do they have areas with no/few encounters, or do you mean no respawns?

Ass Creed 2, especially once you get to Rome. You can explore Rome like a tourist in the middle ages.

I second Skyrim and Oblivion, plus mods to make wilderness less hostile. I'm sure you'll find something like that on Nexus.

Celestian Tales: Old North is a decent indie JRPG with a far lower encounter rate than most JRPGs (you can avoid most random enemies sort of like in Chrono Trigger). IIRC there was even something about frequently killing fairies hurting your reputation with the Elves so you're encouraged to flee when you encounter them.

Originally Posted by Hastar
Is it Oblivion that some around here call a walking emulator? It seems like there was also a game being developed that was mostly exploring and wilderness areas. Can't remember the name it has been awhile. Kingdom Come may have large outside areas and not as much fighting. That should be released sometime this year hopefully.

Are you thinking of Xing perhaps? Frontiers is another "walking simulator" that is supposed to be relatively light on combat, I think.

Originally Posted by jaes
Do they have areas with no/few encounters, or do you mean no respawns?

Not really, honestly. I didn't play R2 or R3, but there's usually plenty of hostile wildlife (especially in G3) in PB games. What they do have though is more "realistic" wildlife. Unlike Bethesda games (at least from what I remember of Oblivion, they might have improved with later games) the PB ones have non-hostile wildlife too: bunnies hop around, snakes slither through bushes, deer scurry out of your path…

As far as respawns go, IIRC G1-2 respawn some wildlife on chapter progression, G3 respawns at set intervals (though not sure at which) some minor trashmobs.

It was Frontiers thanks daveyd.

Thanks for the comments. Sounds like mods is the way to go.

Witcher III is the best there is here, currently, when it comes to simulation of believable ecosystem ( likely until Kingdom Deliverance arrives).
Felt phenomenal just watching wild horses play in the distance and then ride next to them ( don't try to jump on one, it ends badly ).

It's not non hostile, but wild life/nature in Far Cry Primal is also phenomenal (chilling experience at night).

Gothic 1-3, Risen 1-3.

Huh? It feels more authentic than TES, but everything wants to kill you there, except sheep. No, wait…even sheep.

I second Skyrim and Oblivion, plus mods to make wilderness less hostile. I'm sure you'll find something like that on Nexus.

It comes with heaaaavy scripting, I'm not sure it's worth it, when it comes to stability.

Originally Posted by kborom
Ass Creed 2, especially once you get to Rome. You can explore Rome like a tourist in the middle ages.

Assassin's Creed is actually a good mention, and not just the 2nd one. Games like Black Flag have huge areas with very few hostiles, where it's possible to explore both cities and the wilderness without a lot of encounters. The world also looks fantastic on a high-end machine.

Assassins Creed 2 and 3, yes. Assassins Creed 4 no, avoid like a plague.

Originally Posted by wiretripped
Not really, honestly. I didn't play R2 or R3, but there's usually plenty of hostile wildlife (especially in G3) in PB games. What they do have though is more "realistic" wildlife. Unlike Bethesda games (at least from what I remember of Oblivion, they might have improved with later games) the PB ones have non-hostile wildlife too: bunnies hop around, snakes slither through bushes, deer scurry out of your path…

As far as respawns go, IIRC G1-2 respawn some wildlife on chapter progression, G3 respawns at set intervals (though not sure at which) some minor trashmobs.

All PB games have creatures that give you a chance to walk away too. They don't attack immediately. Nothing better than taking in the sights while listening to the music in G1-3 imo.

I know a place that is exactly what you are describing.
New Zealand!
No hostile creatures other than a mosquito! Miles of forest with nothing trying to kill you. An entire island worth of nature with nothing trying to kill you.

Originally Posted by Maylander
Assassin's Creed is actually a good mention, and not just the 2nd one. Games like Black Flag have huge areas with very few hostiles, where it's possible to explore both cities and the wilderness without a lot of encounters. The world also looks fantastic on a high-end machine.

Eh, cities are a lot better than the wilds, except III with hunting, season changes, track by scent, use traps, etc.
Black Flag? Don't remember any of it.
Let's hear it, lads

Weigh hay, up she rises
eaaarly in the morning…

Originally Posted by BoboTheMighty
Black Flag? Don't remember any of it.

You don't remember the diving torture and more idiotic "collectibles" to grind (wait, Ubi calls them - iconic), more than in all other AC games put toghther?

Must be a case when the brain deliberately forgets an experience that'd be traumatic enough to cause PTSD.

Valley isn't bad for that - not much attacking wildlife, especially early on. Calling it an RPG would be a stretch, though. Kinda pricey for such a short game (~10hrs), so you might want to wait for a sale.

Some planets in No Man's Sky are good for this but not most of them.

All in all, you're probably going to find more of this kind of thing in the puzzle genres.

Why is Valley so blurry?