The term "flâneur" originates from French and refers to an individual who strolls through the city at a leisurely pace, without a specific destination, simply observing and absorbing the surrounding atmosphere. The concept is often associated with a kind of urban observer who moves nonchalantly, more interested in the quality of the experience than in achieving a specific goal.

When applied to video games, to me the notion of a "flâneur" can describe a player and his character when they are caught in the act of slowly exploring the virtual world without pursuing any specific objective, enjoying the environment, examining details, immersing themselves in the game's world structure. A "flâneur" player engages in exploration at their own pace, with the freedom to adapt and control the rhythm of their experience.

This style of playing values the experience and immersion in the game world rather than the mere progression of the plot or the completion of missions, usually preferring a slow walk over the typical and traditional jog (thus, for example, by consistently pressing the L1 button - or CTRL) or delving into uninterrupting mundane activities (e.g., enjoying the Luna Park in "Wuppo"). Games with a point-and-click movement system are unlikely to be included.

This style of playing diverges from traditional gameplay goals dictated by the urgency of a situation, allowing the player the freedom to embrace the crystallization of time and turn it into a positive aspect of the game. It also allows for a new form of virtual photography.

I will not include games that allow this kind of experience mainly when using vehicles (e.g., "Days Gone") and I will try to avoid non-3D side-scrolling games with just a few exceptions (e.g., "Wuppo").