Is there a simple game on Switch were the player could just walk and freely explore with no complicated controls?

[FernandoRocker]

I have a four year old daughter and she was diagnosed with autism. She has delayed language; she knows most individual words but doesn't form sentences, and she has troubles following complex instructions.

She used to like watching me play videogames (mostly Switch in portable mode in the bed). But now she started playing. A perfect game for her was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the smart steering feature. She just pressed A to accelerate and she only had to worry about using items. She then started to steer by her own but mostly to explore and see the backgrounds.

And now she began to play Link's Awakening. She only moves Link around the main town and into the beach (but she always gets killed by the red octopi). But she just love to walk around the small town.

Is there a game with very simple controls (for example no camera controls) where she could just walk and explore? Any recommendations?

 

[TheMoon]

most of those that fit the bill are adult/teen-oriented walking sims (firewatch, gone home, what remains of edith finch) and horror games.

only thing I can think of is maybe stuff like Gris or Wandersong?

 

[Mediking]

Mario Ody? Breath of the Wild's Hateno Village?

 

[OnanieBomb]

I haven't fired it up yet but I'm hoping my 3.5 year old can do just that in Untitled Goose Game

Edit: I know there are objectives and mechanics, I mean simply using the em a analog stick to walk as a goose could be simple amd fun

 

[FernandoRocker]

Mario Ody? Breath of the Wild's Hateno Village?

Click to shrink...

I tried Breath of the Wild, but the camera controls are very complex.

 

[Aurica]

Seems like a sweet kid, OP! Doesn't Minecraft have creative mode or peaceful difficulty on switch? I think that would be perfect if the first person view isn't too hard. I feel like she could still just walk around without having to turn!

Keep on being a good dad :)

 

[Lelouch0612]

Pokémon Let's Go

The game is very cute too. There is a demo in the eshop so no harm in trying it ;)

 

[TheMoon]

Mario Ody? Breath of the Wild's Hateno Village?

Click to shrink...

those seem like the exact opposite :)

+ complicated 3D camera controls
+ platforming/combat

 

[butalala]

Mario Kart Tour has lots of the same supports that Mario Kart 8 has. That could be a good one to keep on the phone for moments when you're out and about. Thinking about it, doesn't the Labo vehicle game have kind of a free-explore mode?

 

[Deleted member 48897]

You miiiiiight want to try Pokemon Let's Go. I think there's a demo version.

I'm also half-tempted to suggest Sonic Forces but that game has a strange difficulty curve and isn't exploration-focused at all.

 

[Phendrift]

those seem like the exact opposite :)

+ complicated 3D camera controls
+ platforming/combat

Click to shrink...

Well for Odyssey you can put it on assist mode which also makes health regenerate

 

[Deleted member 3815]

Is there a game with very simple controls (for example no camera controls) where she could just walk and explore? Any recommendations?

Click to shrink...

Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee sounds perfect for her. Those games were designed to be causal friendly.

P.S Your daughter is just adorable.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

those seem like the exact opposite :)

+ complicated 3D camera controls
+ platforming/combat

Click to shrink...

Do you have a better suggestion? :)

 

[Kaeden]

It's really too bad Stardew Valley has the time restriction, I'd think that would be a good game. I don't think there'd be any real limitations beyond that, right?

 

[Deleted member 14939]

Check out Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles. I haven't it played it but it always looked like a very relaxed pace game.

 

[night814]

You could try a 2d Mario like U DX or Mario 1 or 3 + World on NSO. Odyssey is also decent for running around in but if it's cameral controls that make it difficult for her she will probably experience the same thing as BOTW with Odyssey.

 

[Megasoum]

You might want to check out Yonders? I'm not sure about the camera controls since it is a third person game but afaik there's no combat or death... It's purely exploration

 

[Nights]

The Labo Vehicle kit is literally just a game where you drive around and explore. There's little missions you can do as well, but as far as I know you can explore everywhere regardless.

You might have to build the stuff for her to use, but it fits the bill.

 

[Bedameister]

Pokémon let's Go could be a good idea. You can always check iut the demo.

 

[Raijinto]

Firewatch could be good gameplay... except it's not for kids, narratively speaking. Maybe when she's older. There will soon be 2 Pokemon games so that's a good place to start.

 

[Kyussons]

Kids love Untitled goose game

 

[Lelouch0612]

Also, regarding Let's Go, you can join her party at any time and help her out.

I remember a touching article about a journalist bonding with his kid through this.

 

[Fantomex]

Mario Odyssey. My kid loves going to Sandtown and just roaming.

 

[Nanashrew]

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles might be a good fit. It's an open world game with no combat. it's exploration, befriending animals, and farming. Also rated E for everyone.

 

[FernandoRocker]

Thank you for the recommendations. I will try the Pokemon demo first.

Minecraft could be an option too. How are camera controls?

 

[SkekesisVR]

Check out the game Everything. It's basically just walking around a giant world as different characters, with no real stakes or goal.

 

[FernandoRocker]

Check out Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles. I haven't it played it but it always looked like a very relaxed pace game.

Click to shrink...

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles might be a good fit. It's an open world game with no combat. it's exploration, befriending animals, and farming. Also rated E for everyone.

Click to shrink...

Thanks. Will check out some videos. Sounds very good.

 

[Cheezeman3000]

With Pokemon don't you have to talk to people to progress, and aren't you forced into random battles? Doesn't sound like she could just run around and explore.

 

[Crayon]

Maybe if you start up a game of Dragon Quest Builders, and play through all the introductory stuff for her. From there she can walk around freely and the enemies are not very aggressive, so they can be avoided. The camera behaves itself pretty well, and we can get around exploring with just a jump button.

 

[fourfourfun]

Possibly:

Abzu - although the swimmer can be a little convoluted to move around.
Untitled Goose Game - you can pretty much fart about without actually needing to beat objectives.

I'm sure there is an "experience game" where you basically just walk about in pretty colours. I'll look for the name.

 

[Mediking]

I tried Breath of the Wild, but the camera controls are very complex.

Click to shrink...

those seem like the exact opposite :)

+ complicated 3D camera controls
+ platforming/combat

Click to shrink...

Hmmm... lol I'm thinking

 

[fourfourfun]

Minecraft could be an option too. How are camera controls?

Click to shrink...

Horrible when compared to the directness of playing on iPad or iPhone. If either of those are an option, then go for those. My boy finds it so hard to step from that to the Switch version.

 

[Gala]

Maybe something like Abzu?

 

[Adulfzen]

Maybe the new Yoshi game on mellow mode :



There is a free demo available on the eshop.

 

[Lelouch0612]

With Pokemon don't you have to talk to people to progress, and aren't you forced into random battles? Doesn't sound like she could just run around and explore.

Click to shrink...

Let's Go is pretty straight forward and there are no random battles since Pokemon are in the overworld.

 

[Dead King]

Try abzu

 

[Miletius]

Untitled Goose Game is a recent release and sounds right up your descriptor. You can walk around and do nothing if you want, and you can unlock areas for her so she can just explore to her heart's content. The camera controls on it's own and will automatically follow her, you can zoom out with a button but it's completely unnecessary to play the game the way she would play it.

 

[Deleted member 8861]

Is Proteus on switch? It has camera controls but could be fun.

 

[Cheezeman3000]

Let's Go is pretty straight forward and there are no random battles since Pokemon are in the overworld.

Click to shrink...

Ok, sure, but you still are stuck in a battle until you do specific things to win the battle. I can see that being frustrating.

 

[Mikebison]

Pokémon Let's Go

The game is very cute too. There is a demo in the eshop so no harm in trying it ;)

Click to shrink...

It's really fucking creepy putting a wink face in a thread about recommend games for a child.

 

[Horror]

Lifeless planet

You're wandering 99% of the time.

 

[FernandoRocker]

I actually purchased Untitled Goose Game on release date but haven't fired it up yet. Sounds like a good option too. Just need to open new areas so she can freely explore.

 

[GingerbreadMan]

You might try Pikuniku. It's a very simple indie game with cute art style. You wander around helping people, without fighting enemies. It also includes a multiplayer mode which is more puzzle-focused.

 

[FernandoRocker]

Lifeless planet

You're wandering 99% of the time.

Click to shrink...

Thanks. Added to my watchlist.

Sorry if I don't reply to every single recommendation in this thread, just keep in mind that I'm reading every comment and will watch videos of every recommended game.

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

 

[xEik]

Not on Switch but if you have access to platforms where they are available, maybe Hohokum or Proteus?

 

[Liyfda]

Minecraft might be a good one.

• You can disable enemies, fires, & explosions
• You can hide the hud
• There is an auto jump as well
• You can remove keybindings so she doesn't have to deal with crafting or inventory
• You can download different worlds people have created for her to explore.
  
  The issue is, there are camera controls.

 

[Rosebud]

I think Pokemon Let's Go is a nice one, there's no wild battles in this game.

 

[MAX PAYMENT]

What about lego games?

 

[AndrewGPK]

Mario Ody? Breath of the Wild's Hateno Village?

Click to shrink...

Mario Odyssey has an assist mode which shows you where to go and gives you a lot of health and rescues you from falls. My 5 year old plays it, but still needs help with lots of areas.

I don't think she could advance too far, but if you open up the cascade and sand kingdom and wooded kingdom there are lots of places to just run around and jump. She'll take damage and fall off the side a bit but I think the assist mode just occasionally auto generates health.

 

[Malakai]

My Time At Portia (a sim like game like Animal Crossing but w/ people) but that game looks like it requires a lot of reading. Maybe you could play it with her.