The Best Adventure Games of All Time

The 32 best Adventure games

31 votes

Genshin Impact

Steam (PC)

Adventure Action-Adventure Gacha Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.3/5

Story4.2

Gameplay4.2

Graphics4.3

Music4.4

Character4.3

Genshin Impact is an anime-style open-world action RPG, filled with magic and style. Follow a traveler of your choice in uncovering all there is to know about the world of Genshin: its places, people, and stories. For players who enjoy gacha character collection with enticing lore and elemental combat, this game will interest you with various gamemodes and puzzles that will quench your thirst for adventure and exploration.

Survey voice

あっきー / 30代 / 男性
Genshin is a big work you could call the one that created the currently trendy anime-style open-world game trend, and the shock of a work with console-worthy quality being playable for free and even on smartphones is, thinking about it now, still insane. Its impact on the game industry was tremendous too, greatly contributing to raising the quality of subsequent smartphone games. In this game, the fun comes from clearing exploration and combat by making full use of gimmicks called elemental reactions, and I think it's amazing how combat that isn't simply about hitting or not hitting a weakness gives new meaning to using characters. The story is complex and hard to get into, but since it's designed so that even free-to-play players get rewards the more they play, the point that you can keep enjoying it forever is a happy one too.
Show original (日本語)
原神は現在流行りのアニメ調オープンワールドゲームのトレンドを作った作品と言える大作で、コンシューマーでもおかしくないクオリティの作品が無料かつスマホでも遊べるという衝撃は今考えてもやばいです。ゲーム業界に与えた影響も凄まじく以降のスマホゲームのクオリティ引き上げにも大きく貢献しました。本作では元素反応と呼ばれるギミックを駆使して探索や戦闘を攻略していくことが面白さとなり、単純な弱点をついたつかないではない戦闘はキャラクターを使う新しい意味を見出してくれている点がすごいと思います。複雑でとっつきにくいストーリーではあるものの、無課金でも遊んだら遊んだだけ見返りがくる設計なので、ずっと楽しむことができる点も嬉しいポイントです。

Lina / 30s / Female
It's been a while since I really played Genshin, but there were quests that I really enjoyed completing, like the story of Dainsleif's friend and Ruu in Tsurumi Island. Another good memory I have about the game was when I reached the floating island in Qingyun Peak and enjoyed the music and view for a few minutes. Since it's been so long since I last played, I've been having a hard time catching up on quests and grinding to level up my characters. I still keep the game on my phone in case I want to return and have time to grind.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

Read Review

View on Steam (PC) →

17 votes

Ghost of Tsushima

PlayStation 5

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.7/5

Story4.6

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.9

Music4.6

Character4.3

Take control of Jin Sakai and become the Ghost of Tsushima. The Mongols have invaded Tsushima, and it up to you to halt their advance by any means necessary. Fight enemies head on, or employ stealth to defeat them without them even noticing. When you grow tired of the fighting, slow down and take in the beauty of the island. Soak in hot springs, write haikus, and even unlock cosmetics to change your look.

Survey voice

しげぽよ
- A Japanese-style game made by the overseas game studio "Sucker Punch" - A wonderful game where you feel respect for Japan everywhere, having properly researched Tsushima - The sword-fighting action is genuinely fun too - The action of quietly taking out enemies by stealth is also excellent - The graphics are extremely beautiful, and just riding a horse across Tsushima to explore is fun on its own - There's a lot to grind, with plenty of collection and upgrade elements like athletic-style minigames, searching for hot springs, and finding training grounds - The characters have lots of personality and memorable lines. "I threw my honor away on the beach!"
Show original (日本語)
・海外のゲームスタジオ「サッカーパンチ」が作った和風ゲーム・対馬をちゃんと取材したりして日本リスペクトを随所に感じる素晴らしいゲーム・剣戟アクションもちゃんと面白い・隠れて静かに敵を倒すアクションも素晴らしい・グラフィックが非常に綺麗で対馬を馬で駆け巡って探索するだけでも楽しい・アスレチックのようなミニゲームや、温泉を探したり、修行場を探したりとコレクション、強化要素が多くやりこみ要素が豊富・キャラクターの個性や名言が多い。「誉れは浜に捨てました！」

Ronald / 20s / Male
One of the best games I have ever played on the PS4. The graphics were so realistic that I truly felt like I was strolling through Tsushima. I really liked how the game hides the HUD whenever you explore the map, it encourages you to focus on the scenery and surroundings, which I can honestly say were breathtaking.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 5 →

10 votes

God of War (2018)

PlayStation 5

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.5

Graphics4.6

Music4.3

Character4.8

God of War (2018) features a poignant story that tackles Kratos' inner journey. In this installment, father time catches up to the battle-hardened demigod, and he appears more calm and collected, mellowed out, wise, and with a son! Together, Kratos and his son, Atreus, adventure through the mythical ancient realms of from Norse Mythology. Uncover the mysteries of Nordic Mythology and its ties to Atreus, battle with Norse gods, witness Kratos' personal rebirth, and ultimately, fulfill his late wife's request for her ashes to be spread from the highest peak of the Nine Realms.

Survey voice

Ray / 20s / Male
I loved the God of War trilogy in the Greek Mythology and it showed me Kratos in his best and worst days while going rip and tear over his enemies shown in the action-packed gameplay. The new God of War in the Norse Mythology is significantly differently and it takes on a more adventure route while focusing more on the story that makes me appreciate him as a character also shown through gameplay. Ludonarrative is very important to me when it comes to games and everything about God of War (2018) is that taken to a higher level.

Nathan / 20s / Male
A look into the life of Kratos after his dark past, it shows wonderful story writing and great character development.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 5 →

9 votes

Marvel's Spider-Man

PlayStation 5

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story4.4

Gameplay4.4

Graphics4.4

Music3.9

Character4.6

Marvel's Spider-Man is one of the web-head's strongest outings in video games. Whether you are looking for a dynamic combat experience as Spider-Man, or emotional beats that only Peter Parker can deliver, this game has you covered. And with its seamless web-swinging, you may find yourself exploring the game's Manhattan-based open world for hours on end.

Survey voice

Eironn / 30s / Male
I hate hate hate open world games. Most of them feel like they don't respect your time. Collect 100 of these pointless things. Travel from point a to point b to point c 20 times. You know how long it takes to go from point a to point b? Here's an npc to escort and you have to match their very slow pace. The abilities you have gained? Here's a section where you can't use any of them for an hour. Here's a map with 5000 pins of pointless things to do. Some of them can give you a costume that does nothing or 2 exp out of the 5000 you need to level up. Witcher 3 famously starts with a side quest where you need to retrieve someone's pan. People found it endearing. I found it offensive. I hate open world games so much. But Insomniac's Spider-Man will always get credit from me for creating a traversal mechanic in an open world game that is so much fun, you forget that there's a fast travel mechanic.

Marco G / 30s / Male
This is the first game that ever made me cry multiple times. The Aunt May scene and Doc Ock confrontation are the two most moving things I've ever experienced in gaming

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 5 →

8 votes

Ghost of Yotei

PlayStation 5

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story3.9

Gameplay4.2

Graphics5.0

Music4.2

Character3.9

Ghost of Yotei follows the story of Atsu, a young girl who lives near Mount Yotei in Ezo, Japan. When a group of outlaws called the Yotei Six kill her parents, Atsu vows to take revenge. Atsu grows up and takes on the mantle of an Onryo, a vengeful spirit, as she hunts down the Yotei Six across Ezo. The game allows players to explore all corners of Ezo, and features an expansive combat system that can be tailored to your playstyle.

Survey voice

あるえ / 30代 / 男性
I was moved by the graphics that recreate the beauty of nature. It was fun to adventure freely surrounded by beautiful nature in an open world. Unlike the previous game, it was nice that you can use weapons other than the katana. Despite being an open world with beautiful graphics, there was almost no load time, which impressed me.
Show original (日本語)
自然の美しさを再現したグラフィックに感動したオープンワールドで綺麗な自然に囲まれながら自由に冒険できて楽しかった前作と違い刀以外の武器も使えて良かった綺麗なグラフィックのオープンワールドにも関わらずロード時間がほぼなくて感動した

ゆーちゃん / 30代 / 男性
With many weapon types, it's recommended for action game fans. Also, like in die-and-retry games, boss fights are designed to be hard to win on the first try, making it a game you can enjoy even while getting frustrated.
Show original (日本語)
武器種が多くてアクションゲーム好きにおすすめ。また、死にゲーと同じく、ボス戦は1発で勝つのが難しくなっており、イライラしつつも楽しめるゲームとなっている。

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

Read Review

View on PlayStation 5 →

7 votes

Detroit: Become Human

PlayStation 4

AdventureInteractive Film

Survey scores · avg 4.1/5

Story4.9

Gameplay3.6

Graphics4.6

Music3.6

Character4.3

Detroit: Become Human is a choose your own ending type of game that features perspectives from three distinct Android models. Your actions have their own paths and consequences and the endings depend on the summation of all your choices so far. This game is that cozy bedtime game you are looking for, no combat, no boss battles, just pure cinema at its finest.

Survey voice

Cass / 30s / Female
I loved the gameplay mechanics of this game a lot, simple but very engaging. I liked how each chapter and each character's decision affects the next chapter and the ending rather than just one factor. I also really liked how each chapter has its own multiple branches that can lead to different outcomes. 4/5 only for the story since it didn't feel like it was wrapped up very well at the end, but I guess that's something the developers left open for a possible sequel.

Jet / 30s / Male
I've always been a fan of visual novels and I think the themes and stories discussed in this game was ahead of its time. I think with the increased use of AI now, its even more of an interesting playthrough.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 4 →

7 votes

Terraria

Steam (PC)

Adventure Action-AdventureSandboxSurvival

Survey scores · avg 4.0/5

Story2.6

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.1

Music4.4

Character3.6

While viewed by many as a 2D version of Minecraft, Terraria capitalizes where Minecraft falls short: Level Progression. While both games feature the core dynamic of mining for resources and equipping different tiers of Armor crafted from various metals, Terraria establishes its core gameplay loop into defeating Bosses in order to obtain better equipment, and unlock harder content. Terraria also has four main classes to choose from, making progression unique for each class, while retaining the same level of achievement and satisfaction for defeating its increasingly difficult Bosses. Easy to get into, and is highly addictive once you understand the core gameplay loop and you start progressing through the game.

Survey voice

Jowi / 20s / Prefer not to say
There's not much I can say about Terraria, simply because most of it has been said already. Great game for any kind of player, even when they're like me and just want to roleplay with the villagers all the time. Also, mage is the best class.

John / 20s / Male
Sandbox, class progression, boss rush, memes, and a variety of weapons and equipments to choose from. Very fun to play with friends.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Steam (PC) →

5 votes

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Nintendo 3DS / DS

AdventureVisual Novel

Survey scores · avg 4.3/5

Story4.8

Gameplay4.2

Graphics3.8

Music4.6

Character5.0

An iconic visual novel pitting hapless defender Phoenix Wright against a gallery of wacky criminals in the courtroom, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and its sequels showcase the power of good characterization and the enduring legacy of strong, creative localization choices. Given the fact that a game translated more closely to its Japanese original would likely fail to communicate the material's charm, the choice to thoroughly adapt the setting and characters to the target audience and language brought the experience to a receptive audience, translating its spirit as much as its source.

Survey voice

Jowi / 20s / Prefer not to say
I first played this game on my older sister's DS, and I did not realize that she actually put a bunch of cheats in it. Because of that, it always baffled me, as a dumb kid, as to how Phoenix Wright was somehow still in court even though I failed the cross examination like ten times. The Ace Attorney series was great then, and it's still great for me now. If only there was a new game...

Kei / 30s / Female
Not the typical action game most people like to play but I love the deduction and stories. Of all the Ace Attorney games, my favorite would have to be Trials and Tribulations because of its plot twists and well-written characters The cases are great too!

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Nintendo 3DS / DS →

4 votes

Red Dead Redemption

PlayStation 3

Adventure Action-AdventureWestern

Survey scores · avg 4.9/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.5

Music4.8

Character4.8

Red Dead Redemption is an open-world action-adventure game set in the Western United States and Northern Mexico during the last days of the American Old West. The game follows a former outlaw, John Marston as he is forced to hunt down the members of his former gang to begin anew.

Survey voice

Ervin / 30s / Male
Hundreds of hours into post game and I still kept coming back just to breath in the game world and just do mundane things like hunting. It was so immersive

Ralph / 30s / Male
John Marston's death during the penultimate part of the game, and the subsequent "epilogue" where you play as Jack Marston and close the cycle of revenge.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

Read Review

View on PlayStation 3 →

4 votes

Ōkami

PlayStation 2

Adventure Action RPG Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.2

Graphics4.0

Music5.0

Character4.8

Ōkami is a action-adventure game that follows the journey of the goddess Amaterasu who descends onto the land to restore it from the clutches of the eight-headed demon Orochi and its curse. Along with trusty sidekick Issun, the duo journey through Nippon, helping people and eradicating demons. It's well-known for its gorgeous Japanese sumi-e and watercolor-esque visuals, and the brushstroke painting mechanic that creates suns and moons out of ink. Simply put, its art in interactive form, and is definitely something anyone who appreciates beauty should check out.

Survey voice

あっきー / 30代 / 男性
A work popular for its Japanese-style graphics and moving story. The distinctive brush-based action is appealing, and while the quirky combat is a little hard to get into, once you get hooked on the story you play forgetting the time. It's a work with deep-rooted popularity, still being released on the latest hardware, and one I love so much I've bought and played it again out of nostalgia.
Show original (日本語)
和風テイストのグラフィックと感動的なストーリーが人気の本作。筆を使った特徴的なアクションが魅力でくせのある戦闘は少しとっつきにくいものの、ストーリーにハマれば時間を忘れてプレイしてしまいます。最新機種でもリリースされている根強い人気がある作品で昔を懐かしんで再び買ってプレイしてしまうほど大好きな作品です。

A game that gives off a wonderful nuance. A game that draws you in intensely and wraps you in happiness.
Show original (日本語)
すばらしいニュアンスを醸し出すゲームです。非常に引き込まれ、幸せに包まれるゲームです。

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 2 →

4 votes

Shadow of the Colossus

PlayStation 2

Adventure Hack and Slash Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story3.7

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.7

Music5.0

Character4.3

Shadow of the Colossus is art in motion, a quiet, almost serene fantasy adventure where context and worldbuilding are left to the imagination, motivations are clouded in mystery, and you have no choice but to play as Wander, who travels this sacred desolate land with his trusty horse Agro, in search of Colossi, which he must fell in order to bring back Mono, an unconscious woman clad in white. A subversion of the Zelda formula, the world is empty, save for sixteen bosses whose bodies are puzzles in and of themselves, which you must learn to navigate, solve and overcome. We do not know how we got here, who Wander is, and why we must kill sixteen seemingly innocent colossi, and we can only hope the rewards will be worth it...

Survey voice

Noel / 30s / Male
Masterpiece. Proves that games can be works of art, with a minimalistic approach to storytelling and worldbuilding, as well as its minimal controls and tutorials, playing SotC is like adventuring into a forbidden land where you don't know the language and must discover things on your own with no one to handhold you. The giant colossi are puzzles in and of themselves as you must navigate their huge bodies in order to take them down

the other david / 20s / Male
Played it on the PS3, but not too different from the PS2 release from what I know. Still one of the most unique and memorable games I've played.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 2 →

4 votes

Tales of Berseria

PlayStation 3

Action RPG Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story4.5

Gameplay4.2

Graphics4.0

Music4.0

Character4.2

Tales of Berseria is a JRPG focusing on a dark, revenge-driven story led by a heroine named Velvet Crowe. Follow her journey filled with fast-paced combat and a compelling story that is not afraid to showcase its own darkness. A Tales installment that is unlike any before, catered for players that want a more action-driven JRPG with an astonishing cinematics.

Survey voice

しげぽよ
- The sequel to Tales of Zestiria, which the public called so-so - It depicts the story of the era before Zestiria's time - The appealing characters drawn by the late Mutsumi Inomata are still present - A very fun battle system in the lineage of the Destiny Remake and Graces - You can also do weapon strengthening, so there's a lot to grind, building the strongest gear and taking on the highest-difficulty battles - The story goes somewhat toward the sad side, but the satisfaction and sense of conviction cancel out the dissatisfaction of the previous work, Zestiria
Show original (日本語)
・世間では微妙と言われたテイルズオブゼスティリアの続編・ゼスティリアの時代の前の話が描かれる・故いのまたむつみ氏によって描かれる魅力的なキャラは健在・リメDやグレイセスの系譜のバトルシステムで非常に面白いバトルシステム・武器強化なども行えて最強の装備をつくって最高難易度のバトルでやりこみ要素が多い・ストーリーはやや悲しい方面へいくが、満足度や納得感は前作のゼスティリアの不満を打ち消してくれる

Cass / 30s / Female
This stood out to me because it has a different take on other tales games where you follow the story of the "good character". I really love that in this game I get to play as an anti-hero out for revenge. I like how her goal made sense and how the game is an opposite take of Zestiria.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

Read Review

View on PlayStation 3 →

3 votes

Death Stranding 2

PlayStation 5

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.9/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.7

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Sam Porter Bridges does Australia in Kojima Productions' cinematically-infused sequel to Death Stranding, and the results are as magnetic as the original. Flipping the first game's theme of connecting communities on its head, Death Stranding 2 reckons with the sense of loss and grief that can triggered by severing a connection that was made, as Sam is charged with reconnecting the Australian continent and linking it up to America. The series' signature hybrid of traversal and infrastructure-building returns, with new twists in the form of a base ship, the D.H.V. Magellan, and an increased emphasis on laying the groundwork for vehicular travel by reestablishing a cross-country highway network and high-speed monorail. Additional focus on combat also heightens the sense of tension and threat, as the factions that push back against Sam and his allies' attempts to reconnect the world are more well-equipped than ever.

Survey voice

Josh / 40s / Male
An excellent tour de force from the medium's most prominent living auteur. Combines excellent graphics and top-class production with innovative, infrastructure-building gameplay undergirded by an actual cultural sensibility that breaks past the insular sphere of nerd media that informs so many other triple-A games.

DJ / 30s / Male
Great sequel to an amazing sci-fi story and world. I got emotionally invested in this game as well.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

Read Review

View on PlayStation 5 →

3 votes

The Last of Us Part 2

PlayStation 5

Adventure Action-Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story4.7

Gameplay4.7

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character4.3

The Last of Us Part 2 is a sequel, both narratively and mechanically, to The Last of Us. It keeps the same third-person action formula but adds small improvements that are greater than the sum of their parts. Environments are bigger and more interactive, enemies are smarter and more reactive, and more gameplay styles are allowed. And the combination of all these changes increases the ways combat encounters can be dealt with. As with the first game, The Last of Us Part 2 is still primarily a character-focused narrative game. While the first game asked us how far we're willing to go for the ones we love, the second game builds on this and asks how far is too far.

Survey voice

Tony / 20s / Male
First games I ever played in Playstation 4/5. One my of most favorite stories in a video game.

Vann / 30s / Male
Heavily improves the gameplay of the first game

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

Read Review

View on PlayStation 5 →

3 votes

Skies of Arcadia

Dreamcast

JRPG Turn-Based Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story4.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Skies of Arcadia is a classic JRPG that follows the adventures of Vyse, Aika, and Fina as they journey across different floating islands as sky pirates. Explore a vast open sky with your fully customizable airship, discover hidden locations, and engage in strategic turn-based combat both on foot and in airship combat.

Survey voice

Chad / 30s / Male
Another underrated JRPG.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Dreamcast →

3 votes

Devil May Cry 3

PlayStation 2

Action Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.0

Music4.7

Character5.0

Devil May Cry 3 is a stylish resurrection after coming back from what Devil May Cry 2 was. The sibling rivary between Dante and Vergil is iconic that even today it still gets referenced. It has insane (in a good way) and absurd cutscenes that was over the top even during the PS2 era. The difficulty, the styes, and the overall free-flowing yet challenging gameplay was one of the main reasons why it was a huge hit.

Survey voice

Than / 20s / Male
Just a cool game in general. When I was a kid, I loved how Dante moved and acted. I thought it was really cool.

Alonso / 20s / Male
This was the 1st Devil May Cry game I have ever played and this set the tone for my edgy tweens.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 2 →

3 votes

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

PlayStation 2

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.7

Gameplay5.0

Graphics3.7

Music4.3

Character4.3

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the best selling Playstation 2 game of all time. That is saying something. Improved Visuals, Better Responsive Gameplay, Celebrity Cast, and a huge open world spanning 3 cities and its countryside, Rockstar's follow up to Vice City was nothing short of legendary. Follow CJ's story as he navigates San Andreas' criminal underworld and government conspiracies all for the sake of his family and friends. GTA San Andreas is a landmark title among open-world video games as well as a funny satire on American society. Long time GTA fans will recognize a wide variety of returning characters, enrinching the franchise as a whole!

Survey voice

Non / 30s / Prefer not to say
I have a lot of fun memories playing this game when I was young

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 2 →

3 votes

Slime Morimori Dragon Quest: Shōgeki no Shippo-dan

Game Boy Advance

Adventure Action-Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story4.3

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.0

Music4.3

Character5.0

Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest: Shougeki no Shippo-dan is a Japanese action-adventure game with casual gameplay, as players get to play as a Slime! This game is a spin-off from the Dragon Quest series and is the first in the Slime spin-off series. It is made for players seeking a lighthearted experience, as the story revolves around saving fellow Slime friends while going on an adventure.

Survey voice

ちえの / 30代 / 男性
An unusual game where a slime is the protagonist. The way you play is unusual too, like stretching and shrinking the slime to charge forward. The slime is a monster yet fights monsters. Since the protagonist is a slime, it's cute to watch.
Show original (日本語)
スライムが主人公の珍しいゲーム。遊び方も珍しく、スライムを伸び縮みして突進させるみたいな。スライムがモンスターなのにモンスターと戦うっていう。主人公がスライムなのでみててかわいい

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Game Boy Advance →

3 votes

Heavy Rain

PlayStation 3

AdventureInteractive Film

Survey scores · avg 4.3/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics4.3

Music4.0

Character4.0

Heavy Rain is one of the PS3 titles that helped usher in filmic storytelling in modern gaming platforms. It follows four characters who are in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth behind the "Origami Killer" who kidnaps young boys during the fall season, and drowns them to their death. The game tackles heavy subjects and a gritty storyline that branches off into different plots and endings.

Survey voice

Warren / 30s / Male
The best crime/interactive movie-type game in my opinion. This game should be celebrated for its plot more.

Chad / 30s / Male
I played Indigo Prophecy on the PS2 and when I heard they made this, I had to play it

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 3 →

3 votes

Shenmue

Dreamcast

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.0

Music3.3

Character4.7

Perhaps the first true open-world life-sim adventure, Shenmue helped break ground on trying to really simulate a place and time, in this case Yokohama of the late 1980s. Ryo Hazuki's revenge-fueled martial arts adventure begins in a tranquil part of the city and, if you so choose, can stay that way as Ryo mixes his breathless hunt for his father's killers with diversions to do odd jobs, speak with the locals, and collect gachapon toys. Shenmue's rich rendition of its environment took real advantage of games' unique ability to allow players to inhabit a space in a way movies and other media can't, and it did so with gusto.

Survey voice

DJ / 30s / Male
A great action-adventure game with bits of simulation.

Chad / 30s / Male
Proto-Yakuza, also probably why I loved Yakuza

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Dreamcast →

3 votes

Spider-Man 2

PlayStation 5

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story3.7

Gameplay4.7

Graphics5.0

Music3.3

Character4.0

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 takes on the best parts of its predecessors and expands them into a more polished Spider-Man game that lets you instantly switch from Peter Parker into Miles Morales, with wing-suit gliders that lets you explore a more massive New York with ease. The duo protagonists, each with their distinct strengths, face new villains like Kraven the Hunter and Venom, and revisits old antagonists from the beloved series. The darker story explores themes of power and humanity as Peter explores the power of the symbiote. It's a sequel that old and new fans of the series will enjoy.

Survey voice

Kiko / 20s / Male
This was the game I bought my PS5 with. Definitely made my purchase worth it. Also got me into Trophy-hunting, given how easy it was to get the Plat for this game.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

Read Review

View on PlayStation 5 →

3 votes

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

PlayStation 3

Adventure Action-Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story4.7

Gameplay4.0

Graphics4.7

Music3.3

Character3.7

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a cinematic action adventure game that redefined what storytelling in video games could be. It follows treasure hunter Nathan Drake on a quest to uncover the legendary Cintamani Stone and the lost city of Shambhala. It delivers one of the most unforgettable adventures of the Playstation 3 era. Combining blockbuster action, memorable characters, and breathtaking set locations into a timeless classic.

Survey voice

Rui / 20s / Male
Truly my favorite out of the Uncharted series. It sticks to the roots of the original game while also improving on the character building and graphics.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on PlayStation 3 →

2 votes

Grand Theft Auto V

Xbox 360

Adventure Action-Adventure Open WorldSandbox

Survey scores · avg 5.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

GTAV was by far the most ambitious, and most awaited release from the Developers at the time (at least until before GTA 6 was announced to be in development). GTAV greatly expands the explorable areas in free-roam, compared to its predecessors which only featured only a smaller area. Story-wise, GTAV presented a unique storyline with three Main Characters with interconnected stories, along with different endings depending on your final choice. The game takes its role playing aspect to another level by expanding the Post-Game and Online content to include stock market trading, owning Properties, and managing different Businesses, which makes the game's replayability near endless. GTAV stands the test of time, and to this day holds a respectable amount of Daily Concurrent players, a testament of how great the game was, and how well taken care of the game is many years after its launch.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Xbox 360 →

2 votes

Sonic Adventure 1

Dreamcast

Platformer3D PlatformerAction Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story4.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Sonic Adventure is a milestone in the 3D Sonic, taking on a fully 3D platforming design. Other than Sonic, it also features 5 other characters all with different gameplay mechanics and stories. You get introduced to a lot of important characters in the Sonic universe as well as play them and see their stories. You can also take a break from the action by visiting the newly introduced Chao Garden to take care of the cute little critters. Until now, 3D Sonic lovers are still chasing the high that Sonic Adventure 1 and Sonic Adventure 2 gave them.

Survey voice

Chad / 30s / Male
I played the demo for this so much and subsequently played the main game so much

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Dreamcast →

2 votes

Lego City Undercover

Nintendo Wii U

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 3.8/5

Originally released for the Wii U in 2013, LEGO City Undercover is the LEGO franchise's first open-world video game entry. It follows a police officer named Chase McCain who must find Rex Fury, a hardened criminal who recently escaped from detention. As Chase McCain, players will be tasked with exploring the 20 districts of LEGO City through exciting vehicle-based missions, facing criminals, and hunting down collectibles. LEGO City Undercover's open-world gameplay is accompanied by a 15-chapter story highlighting Chase's main mission. LEGO City Undercover allows up to 2 players via local co-op.

Survey voice

いしだ
I thought it'd be the usual game for little kids where you play a police officer investigating cases, but it has a classic movie-like story with some chuckle-worthy moments mixed in. The Wii U GamePad isn't just a big controller, it properly functions as a device you use in investigations, making the most of the hardware, which is a fun memory.
Show original (日本語)
警察官の主人公を捜査するよくある小さい子供向けのゲームかと思いきや、洋画のような王道ストーリーの中にクスッと笑えるところもある。 WiiUのゲームパッドがただの大きなコントローラーではなく、捜査に使えるデバイスとしてちゃんと機能しているのはハードを最大限利用していて楽しかった思い出。

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Nintendo Wii U →

2 votes

Luigi's Mansion

Nintendo GameCube

Adventure Action-Adventure

Survey scores · avg 3.6/5

Story2.5

Gameplay4.5

Graphics4.0

Music3.5

Character4.0

Luigi's Mansion gave Mario's less appreciated younger brother his chance in the spotlight in a big way, with his own story in a totally different genre than the classic Mario platformers. Luigi travels through a huge mansion to rescue his trapped brother Mario, using a souped-up vacuum cleaner to suck up ghosts. When players spot a ghost, they'll have to act fast to grab hold with the vacuum, and pull in the opposite direction on the control stick while the ghost tries frantically to escape. Much of your time will be taken up by searching for the next path and solving puzzles to progress through the mansion, so when you suddenly encounter a ghost, it can really make you jump! Luigi's Mansion isn't a long game, but it's a polished adventure experience with exciting bursts of heart-pounding action.

Survey voice

よねさん / 30代 / 男性
An unusual game where Luigi is the main character. The novel action of scaring ghosts and sucking them up with a vacuum cleaner had a never-before feel that was nice. The tone is horror, but since the ghost designs aren't scary, even people who scare easily can totally play it.
Show original (日本語)
ルイージがメインの珍しいゲーム。オバケを驚かせて掃除機で吸うという斬新なアクションで、今までにない感じが良かった。テイストはホラーだがお化けのデザインが怖くないので怖がりな人でも全然遊べる

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Nintendo GameCube →

1 votes

428: Shibuya Scramble

Nintendo Wii

AdventureVisual Novel

Survey scores · avg 5.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

428: Shibuya Scramble is an action-suspense drama visual novel that uses a unique style of live-action stills and footage to tell its story. Follow the story of 5 strangers throughout the course of one very long day in Shibuya. Make choices that will affect the route of another character, and uncover new information on the events transpiring in the city on this fateful day.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Nintendo Wii →

1 votes

Assassin's Creed

Xbox 360

Adventure Action-Adventure

Survey scores · avg 5.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Assassin’s Creed I is a game that features various cities from the Third Crusade, such as Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus. The game features Desmond Miles in the modern day, a bartender forced to use the machine called the Animus, which allows him to relive the memory of his ancestor, Altair Ibn-Laahad, a master assassin. The gameplay involves stealth, parkour, and espionage to complete objectives and uncover secrets. The story of the game features the Assassin Brotherhood dismantling the plans of the Templar Order, their sworn enemy. Through Altair’s journey, he uncovers a larger conspiracy involving his master, Al Mualim. He is sent to assassinate 9 targets from both sides of the Crusade, only to learn much later that it was orchestrated by Al Mualim, secretly a Templar himself, to obtain the pieces of Eden and gain power for himself.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Xbox 360 →

1 votes

Deadpool

Xbox 360

Adventure Action-Adventure

Survey scores · avg 5.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Deadpool is a comic-accurate video game adaptation that brings the character and various other mutants to life in an action packed RPG. The game follows Deadpool's adventures as Cable and Wolverine enlists his help against Mr. Sinister, allowing you to wreak havoc on Mr. Sinister's goons alongside the other Mutants. This video game adaptation perfectly adapts Deadpool's tendencies, allowing him to break the fourth wall with great comedic timing. The game's skill upgrades also allow you to play perfectly as Deadpool, leaning into his talents with guns and swords, making this game a great action-packed Marvel game.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Xbox 360 →

1 votes

Bayonetta

Xbox 360

Adventure Action-Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story4.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character4.0

Bayonetta is an unapologetically flamboyant, high-octane, over-the-top character action game, solidifying PlatinumGames as one of the greats in the genre. The iconic "Witch Time" mechanic is masterfully woven into its deeply satisfying combat, rewarding frame-perfect dodges with slow-motion windows to unleash devastating and stylish combos. Its story is absurd and campy, but the gameplay delivers an intricately deep combat system.

Survey voice

よねさん / 30代 / 男性
I bought an XBOX just to play this game. The action and graphics are high-quality, and at the time I was quite shocked. The enemies being angels but looking ugly was a unique world I liked too.
Show original (日本語)
このゲームをやりたいがためにXBOXを買った。アクション性とグラフィック性が高く、当時はかなりの衝撃を受けた。天使が敵だが見た目が醜いという独自の世界観も好みだった。

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Xbox 360 →

1 votes

Star Ocean: The Last Hope

Xbox 360

Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story4.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character4.0

Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope is an action-adventure JRPG, as well as the fourth title in the Star Ocean series. The game features typical JRPG elements, such as the usual party roles in a 4-man group during battles. However, rather than having high-fantasy influences in its storyline, the plot leans more on sci-fi storytelling, where the cast find themselves traveling to different planets. Star Ocean is considered as the 'cousin' game of the Tales games, where Tales' fast-paced battle system was integrated in Star Ocean as well. It's a good game for people who want to experience an adventure in space, while having that grinding experience, as well unraveling secret bosses, recruiting party members, and unlocking the best endgame equipment against the final boss.

Survey voice

しげぽよ
- The fourth entry in the Star Ocean series, released on the XBOX360 - With gorgeous graphics making use of the XBOX360's performance, it's pretty enough to hold its own against current-gen machines - The battle system is superb; you deal damage by making enemies defenseless using the special movement "Blindside," which lets you take an enemy's back. Depending on the character, you're invincible while moving, or you can't attack a weakness without a Blindside, the system is very fun. - Besides Blindside, there's an enhanced-state system that consumes the Rush Gauge to nullify flinching + speed up motions, making it rich in strategy. With Blindside, if you get hit and flinch while moving it gets canceled, but if you use it while in Rush state you won't flinch even when hit, giving you the rush of using it well. Enemies also use Rush to nullify flinching, but on our side you can Blindside and aim for a critical attack to make them flinch, which is another part of the battle's fun. - There's a scene midway through the story where the protagonist gets dejected, and since that dejected scene is long, it sometimes irritates you a bit (even if it's understandable that it turns out that way) - The graphics are pretty, but the character modeling is a bit doll-like and somewhat odd - By making use of the series' familiar Item Creation, you can get incredibly strong from the midgame - There's a hidden dungeon too, of course, and for people who want to grind on the battle side, the real deal starts after clearing - The battle side in particular is fun, so you're guaranteed to become a battle junkie
Show original (日本語)
・XBOX360で出たスターオーシャンシリーズの4作目・XBOX360の性能を活かした美麗なグラフィックで現行機とも渡り合えるくらいには綺麗・バトルシステムが秀逸で敵の背後をとることが出来る特殊移動「サイトアウト」を活用して敵を無防備にしてダメージを与えていく。キャラによっては移動中無敵だったり、サイトアウトをしないと弱点を攻撃できない、などシステムが非常に面白い。・サイトアウト意外にもラッシュゲージを消費してのけぞり無効化＋モーション高速化などの強化状態のシステムがあり、戦略性に富む。サイトアウトは移動中攻撃を受けてのけぞるとキャンセルされてしまうが、ラッシュ状態の時に使えば攻撃を受けてものけぞらないのでうまく使っていく快感を得られる。さらに敵もラッシュを使ってのけぞり無効化してくるがこちらはサイトアウトしてクリティカル攻撃を狙えば仰け反利させることが出来るのでこれもまたバトルの面白さの一つとなっている。・ストーリー中盤で主人公が意気消沈する場面があり、その消沈する場面が長いのでややイライラさせる時がある（そうなるのも仕方ないとはいえ）・グラフィックは綺麗だがキャラの造形がドールっぽくてやや奇妙・シリーズお馴染みのアイテムクリエイションを活用することで、中盤からめちゃくちゃ強くなれる・隠しダンジョンももちろんあり、バトル面でやり込みたい人はクリアしてからが本番・バトル面が特に楽しいので戦闘狂になること間違いなし

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Xbox 360 →

1 votes

Shenmue II

Dreamcast

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics4.0

Music3.0

Character5.0

Shenmue II builds further on the systems introduced by Shenmue, taking Ryo's quest to the crowded city of Hong Kong. The additional freedom afforded by Ryo's residency in the city further cements Shenmue's legacy as a foundation stone on which the iconic Yakuza/Like A Dragon franchise was built. In Hong Kong, Ryo can freely choose activities to support his lifestyle, learning martial arts alongside taking part in a variety of minigames to earn money, or collect capsule toys and even play well-constructed ports of classic Sega arcade titles. Shenmue II underscored the value to be found in focusing obsessively on detail, pushing players to immerse themselves in the period and be drawn further along with Ryo on his journey.

💬 Player memories

No memories yet — be the first to share one.

View on Dreamcast →

Don't see your favourite?

Your vote decides this ranking — tell us the games you'd recommend.

Vote now

Platforms in this genre

Browse Adventure games by platform

Nintendo Wii Nintendo Wii U PlayStation 5 PlayStation 4 PlayStation 3 PlayStation 2 Nintendo 3DS / DS Game Boy Advance Nintendo GameCube Steam (PC)Smartphone Xbox 360 Dreamcast

FAQ

How were these best Adventure games chosen?

From a survey of 241 players. Games are ranked by mention count, then average score, with votes combined across platforms.

What is the top Adventure game?

Genshin Impact ranks #1 with 31 votes.

How to find the best Adventure games

The best Adventure games according to 241 surveyed players — ranked by votes with average score as the tie-breaker, with platform links and curated player comments.

Still thinking about a game we missed?

Your vote decides this ranking — tell us the games you'd recommend.

Vote now