In a world grappling with environmental concerns, video games offer a unique platform for players to explore subjects like conservation and environmental science. In this blog, we’ve curated a list of exceptional games that not only captivate players but also impart valuable lessons about ecology, sustainability, and the wonders of our planet! From rejuvenating barren landscapes to embarking on mesmerizing underwater adventures, these games invite players to engage with nature and foster a deeper appreciation for the environment.
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Terra Nil is a game where players rejuvenate a lifeless landscape and turn it into a thriving ecosystem. In this reverse city builder, players employ advanced eco-technology to transform barren soil into fertile grasslands, clean polluted waters, plant lush forests, and create ideal habitats for various animals. What sets Terra Nil apart is its commitment to environmental sustainability, as players must also recycle their buildings and leave no trace of human intervention behind.
The game offers procedurally generated landscapes, ensuring that each playthrough is unique and challenging, with varied terrain including rivers, mountains, lowlands, and oceans. Terra Nil is not about endless expansion but rather about achieving a harmonious balance and nurturing the environment through different phases, ultimately aiming to leave behind a pristine wilderness.
In Toroa, players assume the role of a majestic bird embarking on a journey across the vast ocean. In this story-driven adventure, players discover the wonders of a rich ecosystem while unraveling a hidden mystery within the depths of the sea. Guided by Tāwhirimātea, the Māori God of weather, players navigate the bird through its past, present, and future, with the ultimate goal of reuniting with its family. The gameplay revolves around soaring on dynamic wind currents and exploring stylized landscapes that range from tranquil seas to high above lush islands and dream-like cloudscapes.
Throughout the adventure, players can engage with and befriend a cast of creatures from the South Pacific, including dolphins, whales, and penguins. This game prioritizes peaceful encounters, with no enemies, violence, or high-stakes challenges. Instead, Toroa offers a heartfelt narrative deeply rooted in te ao Māori, the Māori world, exploring themes of family, interconnectedness, and the past, present, and future. The game’s lush soundtrack showcases the beauty of taonga pūoro, traditional Māori musical instruments, and fully translated dialogues and story elements offer players a rich experience of the Māori language and culture. It’s a poetic and immersive adventure that emphasizes exploration, connection, and the natural beauty of the world!
Beasts of Maravilla Island is an ecological adventure game that puts players in the shoes of Marina, an aspiring wildlife photographer, on a quest to explore the enchanting and magical jungles of Maravilla Island. As players progress, they are not only tasked with documenting the island’s incredible flora and fauna but also with coaxing these creatures out of their natural habitats and having meaningful and respectful interactions with wildlife.
With over 50 extraordinary creatures and plants to photograph, each exhibiting its unique appearance and behavior, Beasts of Maravilla Island fosters an appreciation for the diversity and interconnectedness of the natural world. Players are encouraged to explore the island at their own pace, using running and climbing to freely engage with the local wildlife while simultaneously learning about the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Beasts of Maravilla Island blends ecology, photography, and the enchanting beauty of nature into a wholesome adventure.
In Koral, players assume the role of a sea current. Their mission is to solve puzzles that breathe life back into coral reefs, ultimately spreading the beauty and vitality of the oceans across 15 distinct sea ecosystems. Players can freely flow through these underwater environments, transporting healing energy to rejuvenate coral and witness the real-time transformation of the seafloor into a vibrant and diverse habitat. As players navigate these challenges, they also gain insights into fascinating sea facts and encounter otherworldly underwater worlds.
Miska is a contemplative game that follows the journey of a woman returning to an Australian National Park that holds nostalgic memories of her family visits. However, the park has fallen into disarray, and players take on the role of the protagonist as she embarks on a mission to restore it to its former glory. The gameplay centers around picking up litter and cleaning up the environment. As the park is gradually restored, vibrant flowers bloom, and native Australian animals reemerge. Throughout this experience, players also reconnect with the environment and the memories shared with the protagonist’s sister over the years.
The game invites players to explore the picturesque Mt. Miska and its surrounding areas, capturing the essence of various Victoria environments. There are rest stops scattered throughout the park, providing moments for players to relax and appreciate the serene scenery while enjoying beautifully composed music. Miska offers a tranquil and emotionally resonant gaming experience that combines environmental restoration, exploration, and the power of memories.
In Other Waters is a unique underwater exploration game that immerses players in a non-violent yet intriguing sci-fi narrative. In the game, players assume the role of an artificial intelligence assistant to a stranded xenobiologist named Ellery, who is on a mission to investigate extraterrestrial life and find her missing partner on planet Gliese 677Cc.
The game unfolds as players guide Ellery through an alien ocean, navigating through the instrumentation available to them. The world remains unseen except through this interface, creating a sense of wonder, fear, and vulnerability as players unravel the mysteries of this impossible planet. Throughout the adventure, players are tasked with discovering and cataloging species through observation, scanning, sampling, and interacting with the alien life forms. They can also read Ellery’s notes, view her sketches, and assist her in classifying an entirely new ecosystem.
In Other Waters offers a captivating exploration of an alien ocean, with an emphasis on discovery, ecology, and the human-AI connection. The elegant and intuitive interface, along with the game’s unique storytelling, makes it a distinctive and thought-provoking gaming experience.
Developed by the art director of Journey and Flower, ABZÛ is a visually stunning underwater adventure game that takes players into the depths of a lush and vibrant ocean world. In ABZÛ, players assume the role of the Diver, using graceful swimming controls to perform fluid acrobatics as they explore the depths of the ocean. The game’s world is teeming with life, featuring hundreds of unique species inspired by real creatures. Additionally, players can form a powerful connection with the abundant sea life and interact with schools of fish that respond to their presence.
As players descend deeper into the ocean, they uncover ancient secrets and encounter majestic creatures, combining the beauty of diving with a narrative that explores themes of identity and one’s place in the world. The game’s storytelling prompts players to question who they are in the game, how they arrived there, and where their journey will lead. ABZÛ is not only an exploration of biodiversity and the wonders of the deep sea but also a thought-provoking exploration of personal identity and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface.
That concludes this list of excellent conservation and environmental science games! These games offer more than just entertainment – they serve as powerful tools for education, fostering a sense of responsibility towards our planet. Whether restoring life to desolate landscapes, exploring the mysteries of the ocean depths, or unraveling the secrets of extraterrestrial ecosystems, players are not only engaged but also prompted to think about their own role and connection to the Earth.
In today’s world where environmental concerns are growing more and more paramount, these games are a testament to the potential of the gaming industry to inspire change and create a generation of environmentally conscious individuals. We hope these games spark your curiosity and passion for conservation!
If you’re interested in utilizing game-based learning to educate others about our planet, you’re in the right place. We’re educational game developers, and the very first game we created was about environmental science – it’s been a passion of ours for a long time. With our 18 years of industry experience, we can help you bring your project to life. Contact us today!
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