It’d be nice if we could simply pack our bags, hit the airport, and visit a new country every time we wanted to feed our traveling urges. Alas, if you live in the real world, then that’s probably not a realistic ambition.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to ignore your wanderlust completely. In this digital age of ours, there are more ways to virtually travel the world than ever before. From exploring with Google Earth or visiting one of the world’s great museums online, there are plenty of ways to discover the planet from the comfort of your own home.
And that includes video games, too. There are plenty of games that can replicate the experience of traveling to far-flung lands and beyond. The next time you’re getting itchy feet, try one of the following titles.
Take a Flight
Some people tolerate plane journeys. They recognize that they’re a necessary evil if you want to visit interesting places.
But others genuinely enjoy hitting the skies. If you’re in the second camp, then playing Microsoft Flight Simulator might be just the travel-related solution you’ve been searching for. This classic game puts you in the cockpit, allowing you to explore the world from a virtual 747 Jumbo Jet, P-51D Mustang, or hundreds of other aircraft.
Who knows, playing this game might even convince you to train as a pilot, which would seriously increase the amount of time you spend traveling!
Ancient Cultures
Traveling to a different country is one thing. But to a different time? That’s something that many people would like to do, but unfortunately, our understanding of physics means that it’s just not possible (for now!). But you can experience ancient cultures via video games. After all, it’s a theme that game developers turn to again and again.
The Assassin’s Creed series, for instance, can take you to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, or Renaissance Italy. And then there’s the near-endless number of online slot games that use bygone eras as a central theme. Gonzo’s Quest will take you back to the time of the Aztecs, while Legacy of Dead will transport you to the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh. Curious about what it was like in feudal-era Japan? Then the Ghost of Tsushima will be right up your street.
Take a Road Trip
Prefer something a bit more modern? Then a game that takes you on an awesome road trip will be just the ticket.
The most popular road trip game is probably The Long Drive, a game that really encapsulates everything there is to love about a good old-fashioned road trip. What makes this game fun is that you can drive absolutely everywhere — there are no invisible walls or barriers that prevent you from exploring to your heart’s content. In that sense, The Long Drive is maybe even better than a road trip (OK, that might be pushing it, but trust us: it’s good).
Looking for something a little more…professional? Then American Truck Simulator might work. This game replicates the experience of driving across America in a truck; all you gotta do is pick up your cargo and then take it to where it needs to be. There’s a European version of this game, too, but that’s probably less appealing if you’re from the UK.
Spiritual Trips
There’s more than one reason to go on a traveling adventure. Some people want to see the world’s great attractions. Others want to taste the world’s best food. And others? They want to find…themselves.
If that sounds like you, but you don’t have the time/money/whatever to go on a spiritually awakening trip, then the 2012 video game Journey might do the trick. It’s regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, and part of the reason why is that it’s simply unlike anything you’ll have played before. We’re not saying that it’ll have the exact same outcome as taking a life-changing spiritual journey, but we’re pretty sure it’ll have some impact!
