Key Takeaways

• Adventure games emphasize exploration, storytelling, and puzzle-solving.
• These games span a range of sub-genres from point-and-click to open-world.
• Many of the best adventure games have had a significant cultural impact.
• Strong characters and immersive environments are staples of the genre.
• Adventure games offer rich narratives that have defined their legacy.

Adventure games have been a cornerstone of gaming since the early days, offering rich narratives, complex puzzles, and immersive worlds for players to explore. These games often challenge players’ problem-solving skills and storytelling comprehension, focusing on exploration, character development, and decision-making.

Over the years, numerous adventure games have pushed the boundaries of the genre, influencing both players and developers. From point-and-click classics to modern narrative-driven masterpieces, the following list includes 10 of the best adventure games of all time, highlighting their unique contributions to gaming and why they remain timeless experiences.

#1

The Secret of Monkey Island

Comedic Pirate-Themed Point-and-Click Adventure Game

• Developer: Lucasfilm Games
• Release Date: October 1990
• Platforms: PC, Mac, Amiga, SEGA CD, iOS, Android, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
• Genre: Point-and-click adventure

The Secret of Monkey Island is a comedic pirate-themed point-and-click adventure game. Players control Guybrush Threepwood, an aspiring pirate who sets off to prove his worth by completing trials and defeating the ghost pirate LeChuck. The game is well-known for its witty dialogue, unique humor, and clever puzzle design.

This game is often credited with revolutionizing the adventure genre, largely due to its impeccable writing and accessible gameplay. Its use of humor and a player-friendly interface (where players can’t die or hit a fail state) made it stand out in a sea of more punishing adventure titles. The puzzles are not only challenging but intricately tied to the world-building and characters, providing a sense of cohesion and immersion. It remains a fan favorite for adventure enthusiasts.

#2

Grim Fandango

Dark Yet Funny Narrative

• Developer: LucasArts
• Release Date: October 1998
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
• Genre: Graphic adventure
• OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Set in the Land of the Dead, Grim Fandango follows Manny Calavera, a travel agent for souls, as he uncovers a conspiracy involving the afterlife. Inspired by film noir and Mexican folklore, the game features a dark yet humorous narrative, with Manny trying to help a virtuous soul reach their final resting place.

Grim Fandango is praised for its ambitious storytelling and unique visual style, blending Art Deco with Mexican Day of the Dead imagery. The game took traditional point-and-click mechanics and innovated with 3D graphics and a deeper, more narrative-driven structure. Its complex characters, engaging plot, and atmospheric world-building have earned it a cult following, making it a landmark in adventure game history.

#3

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Modern Open World Classic

• Developer: Nintendo
• Release Date: March 2017
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
• Genre: Open-world action-adventure
• OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

In Breath of the Wild, players take on the role of Link as he awakens in the kingdom of Hyrule after a century-long slumber. The game focuses on exploration, allowing players to freely traverse its open world, solve puzzles, and battle enemies to defeat the evil Calamity Ganon.

Breath of the Wild set a new standard for open-world adventure games with its non-linear gameplay, environmental interaction, and player freedom. It blends action, puzzle-solving, and exploration seamlessly, allowing players to approach challenges in various creative ways. The vast, beautifully crafted world of Hyrule, filled with mysteries and lore, made it an instant classic, solidifying its position as one of the best games ever made.

#4

Myst

One of the Most Influential Adventure Games

• Developer: Cyan Worlds
• Release Date: September 1993
• Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, 3DO, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Oculus VR
• Genre: Puzzle-adventure
• OpenCritic Rating: Fair

Myst places players in the shoes of a mysterious traveler who explores a series of surreal, intricately designed worlds known as Ages. Players solve puzzles and uncover a complex narrative as they attempt to unravel the story of the inhabitants of these worlds.

Myst is often regarded as one of the most influential adventure games, popularising the CD-ROM format and demonstrating how games could tell intricate, non-linear stories. Its combination of immersive atmosphere, puzzle-solving, and open-ended exploration was groundbreaking at the time, captivating players with its enigmatic and richly detailed worlds. Myst remains an enduring classic and has inspired countless puzzle-based games since its release.

#5

Life is Strange

Stands out for its Emotional Depth

• Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
• Release Date: January 2015
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Narrative adventure
• OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Life is Strange follows Max Caulfield, a photography student who discovers she has the power to rewind time. This ability allows her to alter the outcomes of events, but it comes with consequences. The game is deeply story-driven, exploring themes of friendship, trauma, and identity.

This game stands out for its emotional depth and focus on player-driven narrative choices. The time-rewind mechanic not only adds a unique gameplay element but also reinforces the game’s exploration of consequences and morality. Its strong character development, particularly the relationship between Max and her best friend Chloe, as well as its focus on real-world issues, has made it one of the most compelling modern adventure games.

#6

The Longest Journey

One of the Most Ambitious Adventure Titles of Its Time

• Developer: Funcom
• Release Date: November 1999
• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Point-and-click adventure

The Longest Journey follows April Ryan, a young woman with the ability to travel between parallel universes—one governed by magic and the other by technology. She must solve the mystery of her powers and restore balance between these two worlds.

This game is considered one of the most ambitious adventure titles of its time, combining a complex, layered narrative with rich character development and intricate world-building. The puzzles are engaging and tie directly into the overarching story. Its themes of duality, identity, and self-discovery, alongside the game’s sheer scope and ambition, have earned it a spot among the best adventure games ever made.

#7

Shadow of the Colossus

A Masterclass in Minimalist Storytelling

• Developer: Team Ico
• Release Date: October 2005
• Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
• Genre: Action-adventure
• OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

In Shadow of the Colossus, players take on the role of Wander, a young man who sets out to defeat 16 massive colossi in order to bring a girl back to life. Each colossus is a unique puzzle that must be solved through combat and exploration.

This game is a masterclass in minimalist storytelling and emotional depth. With no dialogue or typical RPG mechanics, Shadow of the Colossus relies on its haunting atmosphere, giant-scale boss fights, and evocative landscapes to tell its story. The colossi battles are both intense and moving, with each encounter feeling monumental. Its melancholic tone and innovative gameplay have made it one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time.

#8

Telltale’s The Walking Dead

Reinvigorated the Adventure Genre

• Developer: Telltale Games
• Release Date: April 2012
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
• Genre: Narrative-driven adventure
• OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

The Walking Dead is a narrative adventure game set in the world of the famous comic series. Players follow Lee Everett, a convicted criminal who finds redemption as he cares for an orphaned girl, Clementine, in a zombie-ravaged world. Players make decisions that impact the unfolding story and relationships.

This game reinvigorated the adventure genre by focusing heavily on character development and emotional storytelling. Choices matter in The Walking Dead, and players often face morally ambiguous decisions. Its episodic structure and focus on narrative over traditional puzzles set a new standard for the genre, influencing countless story-driven games that followed.

#9

Firewatch

Notable for Its Deep Emotional Storytelling

• Developer: Campo Santo
• Release Date: February 2016
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Genre: First-person narrative adventure
• OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Set in the Wyoming wilderness in 1989, Firewatch follows Henry, a fire lookout who, with the help of his supervisor Delilah, begins to unravel strange occurrences in the forest. The game focuses on exploration, environmental storytelling, and a compelling narrative driven by dialogue choices.

Firewatch is notable for its deep emotional storytelling, atmospheric world, and dynamic character interactions. The relationship between Henry and Delilah is brought to life through well-written dialogue and voice acting, making it one of the most human adventure games. Its focus on narrative rather than traditional puzzles helps it stand out as a modern masterpiece in the genre.

#10

Day of the Tentacle

One of the Most Beloved Adventure Games

• Developer: LucasArts
• Release Date: June 1993
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, iOS
• Genre: Point-and-click adventure
• OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Day of the Tentacle is a time-traveling point-and-click adventure where three friends must stop an evil mutated tentacle from taking over the world. The game features puzzles that require players to manipulate time and space, with actions in the past affecting the future.

As a sequel to Maniac Mansion, Day of the Tentacle improved on the original’s formula with more complex puzzles and sharper writing. Its colorful art style, quirky humor, and intricate time-travel puzzles have cemented its status as one of the most beloved adventure games of all time. The game’s influence on puzzle design and comedic storytelling is still felt in modern adventure titles.

Callum Wainwright

I am an avid gamer and have been since I was in my teens, some 20 years ago. I mostly play role-playing games, although I do have a soft spot for survival games, and anything with a sc-fi theme.