Top Adventure Games of All Time
Adventure conjures up only one thing in my mind – The Indiana Jones film trilogy, not counting The Crystal Skull. There's little else which comes close to delivering such a sense of adventure. So with that in mind which games fit the bill for best adventure?
Well, The Uncharted series – especially the brilliant second game "Among Thieves" – have to go down as some of the best. Naughty Dog manages to weave together likeable characters, wit, emotion, and some great action set pieces like no other studio has delivered. In fact, many have said that the series' lead Nathan Drake is the closest video games have come to creating an Indiana Jones hero.
Adventures aren't limited to those taking place on Earth, with many of the most acclaimed movies in the genre taking a sci-fi slant. Star Wars, Star Trek and even the recent Guardians of the Galaxy are prime examples of delivering edge of your seat action adventure. Move that over to video games and you've got BioWare's brilliant Mass Effect Trilogy which follows much of the same formula for mixed species, galactic exploration.
And to keep the movie comparisons going. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy brought fantasy adventure to the silver screen in a fashion many wouldn't have believed possible, much like Bethesda managed with its stupendous The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim. Console gamers picking up the game were wowed by the open-world exploration on offer.
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Reigns: Her Majesty
Reigns: Her Majesty manages to defy a lot of your expectations, and will keep adding more surprising cards into its deck as you play. When Reigns: Her Majesty – sequel to the Game of Thrones meets Tinder... more
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The Red Strings Club
A cyberpunk exploration of humanity, manipulation and getting tanked, The Red Strings club is lovely and melancholy and well worth a look. My anticipation for The Red Strings Club went from being aware it was coming... more
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Observation
An exquisite atmosphere and fresh premise make up for some slightly obtuse puzzles. Observation brims with ideas and images that fill your head. An astronaut, features furrowed, caged by monitors and splashed with light.... more
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Untitled Goose Game
Untitled Goose Game encapsulates the pleasure in poking fun without ever turning nasty. And you're a goose, which is great. Kids love the absurd. A railway train with eyebrows; a labourer with a love... more
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The Bradwell Conspiracy
The Bradwell Conspiracy is a quiet exploration of resistance under capitalism, and the repercussions of a 'better' world. The environments are extravagantly detailed and the puzzles become increasingly intricate, towards a denouement that's shocking yet grounded in our own experiences. The Bradwell family is best known for developing home appliances and... more
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Shenmue III
With Shenmue III, we are offered a glimpse into a gifted mind, constantly turning the everyday into play. When I first started Shenmue III, I saw an option on the main menu called... more
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Kentucky Route Zero
Those intoxicated by the game’s dreamy brew may argue that there are no detours—that, like the Zero, you’re either on it or you’re not. If you’re anything like me and Conway, however, you’ll be somewhere in-between. If you want to get your game off the ground, Kickstarter is all well and... more
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The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
When playing Wind Waker, it's impossible not to succumb to its charm and unashamed freedom of imagination. Zelda: The Wind Waker is a work of genius. Make the most of it. Genius. Perfection. Magnificence. All words that have been applied to Zelda... more
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Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Metroid Prime 2 is challenging in the very best way and it's a rare gem that reminds you just how great gaming can be People fear change. Especially within certain tried and tested genres. First... more
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Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
A fine example of the adventure game genre. Buying this game should be made law. Who would be a lawyer, eh? The Bard himself (that's Shakespeare, you... more
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Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Corruption may not be much of an evolution of the series, and it's not without its flaws, but remains one of, if not, the biggest reason to own a Wii. If for some bizarre reason you thought Retro Studios would pull a Sam Raimi... more
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Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
With wonderfully varied levels, colourful, cel-shaded graphics and mind-bending puzzles Zack & Wiki triumphantly makes its debut on Nintendo Wii. Don't be put off by Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure's unwieldy... more
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Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
With spectacular presentation, highly entertaining Robot Wars style multiplayer and a lot of good hearted humour, the bear and bird are back. Comeback accomplished. Comebacks aren't easy. Just as with any form of media you're only popular... more
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Professor Layton and the Curious Village
It's not an epic adventure, like Phantom Hourglass, or polished platformer, like New Super Mario Bros., but in many ways Professor Layton is better than both those games. "What's that game?" my better half asked, staring wide-eyed at the... more
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Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director's Cut
If you've finished Professor Layton and you're looking for something that combines decent puzzles with a ripping yarn, this is well worth a gander. "Paris in the fall. The last months of the year, and the end of the... more
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Beneath A Steel Sky – Remastered
Whether you're an established fan of puzzle adventures or just a newcomer to the genre, Beneath a Steel Sky is an absolute delight. Earlier this year Revolution released a Director's Cut for the... more
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Sly Collection
The Sly Collection is a top-notch compilation of some of the most beautiful platformers ever made. Would somebody in the UK please buy it? Sony's attempts to include PS2 compatibility with the PS3 might have been an... more
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The Walking Dead: Season Two Episode Two – A House Divided
A superior episode, and one that bodes well for the rest of the season. You'll be especially thankful for the "Previously on..." introduction in... more
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The Walking Dead: Season 2 - Episode 3: In Harm's Way
Offers a proper bad guy for you to hate, but also asks how far you’ll go to escape. It's unsettling to look back at the choices I've made throughout my time in... more
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The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D
ABXY Moon (sorry) It's time for Majora's Mask to step out of Ocarina of Time's shadow.... more
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The Last Guardian
For some The Last Guardian's iffy controls, awkward camera, and glitches might be hard to overcome. Others won't care as they experience one of the most incredible relationships in video game history. The Last Guardian: Trico loves me, and I love him. But I also hate him... more
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What Remains of Edith Finch
First-person, narrative-driven games generally follow a pattern. What Remains of Edith Finch plays with those established conventions to create a beautiful story that breaks your heart, while making you smile just as much. A triumph in the genre. Most families have untold stories that are kept secret from younger members.... more
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Necrobarista
The story of Necrobarista isn't lost in its bold anime-inspired style and maximalist presentation. These elements mix and swirl together like a cup of damned good coffee. The Terminal is a higgledy-piggledy, formerly-industrial coffee shop... more
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Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection
Invest in each world - in the castle and Yorda, and the Forbidden Lands and Agro - and you'll be rewarded with an experience that will stay with you for a very long time. Back when I was at university, I tackled the subject of emotional attachment... more