Nothing says summer like some fun in the sun. But if it’s a little too hot, too humid, or too sandy out there for you, the second best option is to stay inside with a cool video game. Although I’d rather be out there on the beach, the next best thing is to chill out at home with a beachy game about riding waves or exploring the sands. Here are some of my favorite video games that prominently feature the beach.
Carto
Release Date: Oct 27, 2020
Developer | Publisher: Sunhead Games | Humble Games, XD
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox One, Steam
Carto is a game about a girl who gains the power to reshape the world. You spend a whole lot of time sailing, exploring, and making new islands in order to find adventure. It’s a fun puzzle game with a unique twist and a fantastic story and artwork. Time for some puzzley fun in the sun!
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Release Date: Dec 11, 2020
Developer | Publisher: ustwo games
Platforms: Apple Arcade, Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox.
Alba is an adventure story about a little girl who loves nature. When a giant hotel threatens the wildlife around her grandparent’s island, she explores, photographs, petitions, and walks her way to a solution that the whole island will love. It’s a cute story that takes place on a very small island, so there is tons of beach to explore and beach critters to help.
Raft
Release Date: Jun 20, 2022
Developer | Publisher: Redbeet Interactive | Axolot Games
Platforms: Steam
Okay, hear me out. Raft has very little in the way of land or beaches, but it still feels like a beachy game. You are stranded in the middle of the sea, and you will need to collect items to build a bigger, better raft in order to survive. The whole world is underwater, so the sea is the only way to live, and it will take you to secrets of how the world fell apart.
The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker HD
Release Date: September 20, 2013
Developer | Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii U
A classic tale of setting sail, growing up, and saving the world. Not only do you spend a whole lot of time on the water and beaches of islands, Windwaker is a colorful, summery video game that everyone should play at least once.
Windbound
Release Date: Aug 28, 2020
Developer | Publisher: 5 Lives Studios | Deep Silver
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
I was super surprised to find that Windbound has a lot of mixed reviews. It’s a very challenging game, focused on sailing, building boats, and exploring beaches and islands. The sailing is extremely difficult, the enemies are deadly, and you are alone. But if you like hard games that are all about exploration and environmental storytelling, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island
Release Date: Nov 22, 2018
Developer | Publisher: Grace Bruxner, Thomas Bowker | worm club, SUPERHOT PRESENTS
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch
Frog Detective is an indie game series by Grace Bruxner. These hilarious titles include a desert adventure, a mysterious town filled with clues, and the first title takes place on- you guessed it- a haunted beach. You play as the Frog Detective, the second-best detective around, and he’s got to figure out the secrets of the ghost plaguing this island paradise.
Riven
Release Date: Jun 25, 2024
Developer | Publisher: Cyan Worlds Inc
Platforms: PC and Mac
Riven: The Sequel to Myst was released back in 1997, but it was recently remade and rereleased by the original team, including the Miller brothers. It contains new puzzles, different solutions to old puzzles, and updated graphics. If you want to spend some time on puzzle-filled beaches, the remake of Riven is one of the best beachy games of the year.
Coral Island
Release Date: October 8, 2022
Developer | Publisher: Stairway Games
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Coral Island takes place on a tropical island. It’s all about making friends (or more than friends!) with your neighbors, keeping the island clean, and building up your own farm and life in your new home. If you love farming sims and are looking for a beachy vibe, you can’t go wrong with Coral Island.
Placid Plastic Duck Simulator
Release Date: Jul 6, 2022
Developer | Publisher: turbolento games
Platforms: Steam
Placid Plastic Duck Simulator is one of the highest-rated games on Steam. It’s a relaxing game where you don’t have to do much of anything but watch the ducks float around, enjoying the relaxing sounds and scenes of a pool at the beach. Collect all the ducks, watch the ships and birds go by, and even watch as aliens kidnap your ducks right out of the pool.
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