Are there games that just do orienteering?

[DoPo]

I was watching some gameplay of Kholat and it struck me - hey, you're given a map and a compass and basically an unknown territory and you have to make your way across. That's not really the main portion of the gameplay but it got me thinking - are there games where this is more prominent? Looking for landmarks, cross referencing with a map and generally just doing that sort of thing. In general - orienteering.

The only game I can really think of that does something similar is Morrowind with some of the quest directions but it's not a big part of the game, overall.

 

[Saelune]

You could do it in Minecraft if you wanted. I know I have done it often as I expand outward in exploration.

Probably not exactly what you're after, but still. I enjoy exploring Minecraft in peaceful mode.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

You could check out Miasmata on steam.

I've never played it, I don't know how good it is, I just saw a video about it as a one-off in the Best Friends Play Shitstorm a couple of years ago (apparently there are horror elements to the game, but they never got to them).

It's basically a survival game, you explore and gather materials, but there's a big map making element to the game where you have to create your own maps using "realistic" cartography, and use triangulation to find your position while moving around the island.

Like I said, I have no idea how well any of this works, but it has mostly positive reviews on steam so feel free to look it up.

 

[Frezzato]

Hmm. This is a really cool idea, although I don't know how you could translate the mechanics of orienteering IRL to a game.

It takes maybe 51 footfalls (counted via only my right foot) for me to traverse 100 meters, with variations over rough terrain or climbing/descending. When I started learning about Navy SEALS I noticed they navigated underwater using what's called a 'kickboard' navigation board which has an embedded compass. It was easy to guess that rudimentary navigation underwater is close to navigating on land, only you shouldn't pop your head out of the water unless you want to get shot.

That could be pretty cool, having to start from a SDV (small submersible) underwater to a destination via multiple waypoints. The only rule being that you can't stick your head out of the water to check for a landmark. All the counting is kept in your head or temporarily written in chalk on the navigation board.

They probably account for different speeds at various depths as well, but you wouldn't have to get that specific.

 

[Tanis]

I think games like Etrian Odyssey sort of do it...but I think in a VERY less extreme way as to how you are thinking.

 

[pookie101]

found it.. there is an orienteering early access title called "virtual o" on steam

 

[DoPo]

found it.. there is an orienteering early access title called "virtual o" on steam

That actually looks REALLY sweet. I'm very much interested in it. Thanks for the tip

 

[sXeth]

Its not really the focus, but Ark does that. You get the map of the island (you can get a compass not terribly far on, or triangulate yourself from the 3 giant obelisks. Other then that you're down to your orienteering skills until way later when you can start making GPSes or Transponders.

 

[pookie101]

found it.. there is an orienteering early access title called "virtual o" on steam

That actually looks REALLY sweet. I'm very much interested in it. Thanks for the tip

haha better you than me.. its on my not interested list but im glad to help

 

[TheFinish]

Firewatch can be this kind of game, if you turn off all the helper functions in the Options menu. And IMO, it makes it a much, much better experience.

 

[Saulkar]

This is sometimes done in Arma 3 during either the campaign or custom missions.

 

[kiri3tsubasa]

Their is only one true answer and that is The Long Dark.

 

[gsilver]

Firewatch can be this kind of game, if you turn off all the helper functions in the Options menu. And IMO, it makes it a much, much better experience.

Totally on this one.