Games focused on the exploration of abandoned, after-hours, or otherwise uninhabited (whether permanently or temporarily) places. Currently only includes games I've played; will add more relevant ones as I play them!
1. Theatre, by Brendon Wyber (1995) Average member rating: (93 ratings) Tabitha says:
Trapped in an abandoned theater, what else can you do but explore? I had a great time for the first two-thirds or so of this one, finding it much more player-friendly than other games I've played from the 90s. The last third is weaker and less friendly, but I still enjoyed it overall.
Also a game where you explore an abandoned theater... as a cat! Affect the environment by getting your human companion's attention, and you may find the theater isn't as empty as it seems... | My review
3. Robin & Orchid by Ryan Veeder and Emily Boegheim (2013) Average member rating: (69 ratings)
Tabitha says:
Spend a night exploring a contemporary church with the help of a handy guidebook prepared by your church-member friend. Your goal is to find evidence of a ghost for the school paper, but if you're like me, you'll want to explore every corner of the building just to read your friend's stories about it all.
4. Dark Communion by alyshkalia (2023) Average member rating: (13 ratings)
Tabitha says:
Dropping my own game in here. Explore an old, abandoned church with a companion. You may or may not make it back out.
5. Kinophobia by Bruno Dias (2025) Average member rating: (10 ratings)
Tabitha says:
Explore an abandoned movie studio to exorcise its ghosts. You'll need to find objects, documents, and other clues and research the names, movies, products, etc. they reveal to determine the details of various deaths connected to the studio.
6. domvs by litrouke (2019) Average member rating: (1 rating)
Tabitha says:
A mini (three-room), point-and-click-esque exploration where (it becomes apparent on replays) you're using cycling links to see different possibilities of what happened here.
You're the last employee here, preparing to lock up for the day... but your clothes have vanished! You're not about to go home in your Victorian dress, so you'd better search for them... I quite enjoyed exploring the house museum, especially in light of the ending.
8. Candlesmoke by Caelyn Sandel and Carolyn VanEseltine (2014) Average member rating: (25 ratings)
Tabitha says:
You're a cop called to investigate a house whose owner hasn't been seen for days. I didn't feel this one quite earned its ending, but the exploration part was fun!
9. A Warm Reception by Joshua Hetzel (2024) Average member rating: (18 ratings)
Tabitha says:
You're supposed to be attending a wedding at this castle... but it's empty. Explore to uncover what happened, and see if you can do something about it. | My review
10. Bronze by Emily Short (2006) Average member rating: (304 ratings)
Tabitha says:
A Beauty and the Beast retelling; the Beast is home, somewhere, but you've got to wander the large castle to find him. I liked a lot of things about this one, but was not a fan of the sexual assault backstory.
11. Sovereign Citizens by Laura Paul and Max Woodring (2021) Average member rating: (9 ratings)
Tabitha says:
Seeking shelter for the night, explore a bizarre mansion that serves as a commentary on wealth and capitalism (which didn't quite land for me).
