Atmospheric exploration games?

[Virtual01]

Any good first person games floating around where the main goal is simply to explore? Please no dumb zombie apocalypse crap with resource gathering and crafting. I'm looking for a game that basically dumps you in a world and says "go find stuff". It doesn't have to be a game with no combat, but exploration has to be the main goal. I would also consider a platformer with similar criteria, but the world needs to be big and stuff needs to be well hidden.

 

Trying to get my No Man's Sky fix while I wait around like an idiot for them to announce a release date that will disappoint everyone.

[Lolzious]

Sunless sea?

[KilimanjaroGaming]

Stranded deep

[kreft010]

• Vanishing of Ethan Carter

The Long Dark

[DEDRICK]

Vanishing of Ethan Carter, can't wait for the VR patch

[leelaa14]

Honestly, Minecraft, especially with some mods (but not essential)

[Whorax]

Cube World. Hasn't been updated in ages though, but it's really fun.

[Humbug]

Dear Esther

[Jonathan W]

http://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/sky/

[Jonathan W]

http://www.google.com/intl/en_uk/sky/

[etze]

Metro 2033 and metro last light are some good atmospheric games but they are not exploration only

[WereCat]

The Talos Principle

Even though it is mainly puzzle game it is also very focused on exploitation. It is first person with very good story and atmosphere. You are also dumped into the world and you are trying to figure out what's up.

I greatly recommend it.

Edit:

It is also open world.

[blackadder]

StalkeR

[Altaren]

I second the sunless sea recommendation.