If you are looking to embark on an incredible journey from the comfort of your couch, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got a plethora of recommendations lined up for you! From thrilling stories, puzzles and exploration there’s something for everyone.
We’ll also look at the genre’s close cousin, in the action adventure category. This blends story, skill testing combat and puzzles more evenly across the gameplay experience. Its chalk full of experiences that have redefined expectations for storytelling and visuals in the gaming industry.
No matter which style of adventure suits your gaming tastes, let’s find a title that’s right for you. Time to discover some of the best adventure games out now and hotly anticipated titles on the horizon.
Adventure games
Adventure games have a long rich history of storytelling stretching back to the 1970s with text based interactive experiences. Things have come a long way with legendary titles like The Secret of Monkey Island, Myst and Grim Fandango. For these titles story and the exploration experience come first, and foremost. These timeless classics have paved the way for modern day games that are must plays.
Modern adventure games
Modern examples like As Dusk Falls, Life is Strange, Return to Monkey Island, and Stray reinvigorated the genre with action and mysteries to unravel. The incredible storytelling paired with simplified gameplay gives both casual and hardcore players an unforgettable experience. These games are emotional rollercoasters with unforgettable characters and multiple story arcs depending on your choices.
Indie hits like Disco Elysium, Firewatch and What Remains of Edith Finch are essential plays, especially if you love great storytelling.
Must play adventure games out now
Pentiment
Release Date: Available now on Xbox Series X|S and PC
Step into the living illustrated world of Pentiment, with an art direction inspired by manuscripts and printed woodcuts. The game takes place during great upheaval, Europe is at a crossroads of great religious and political change. Walk in the footsteps of Andreas Maler, a master artist who finds himself in the middle of murders, scandals, and intrigue in the Bavarian Alps.
Action-adventure games
The action-adventure genre is far and away one of my favourites, melding high octane action with great stories and puzzle elements. Classic franchises like Assassin’s Creed, God of War and Uncharted are some “best in class” examples of action-adventure experiences. The melding of all these experiences has helped propel the video game industry forward. Let’s classify some of the best action-adventure games out there, to help find an experience for you:
1st Person action adventure games
Get into the protagonist’s head space (literally) as you experience the adventure through their eyes. Top of class franchises that exemplify action adventure are the Bioshock, Call of Duty, Far Cry, and Halo series. Each features rich storytelling bookended by unique combat and action sequences.
Top 1st person action adventure games out now
Deathloop
Release Date: Available Now
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.6/5 (91%)
It’s up to you stop villains who are manipulating time travel. Every time you die the game hits reset and you are looped back through the experience. Learn from your mistakes or be doomed to repeat them over and over again.
3rd Person action adventure games
These titles have you play out the character’s epic adventure via an “over the shoulder” perspective. Blockbuster titles that fall into this subcategory are Assassin’s Creed, Grand Theft Auto, Legend of Zelda, Tomb Raider and the Uncharted Series.
More recent releases like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Last of Us Part I and Sonic Frontiers should not be missed. Each feature riveting stories and a variety of gameplay experiences that are sure to keep you entertained for hours.
Best in class action-adventure games available now
Elden Ring
Release Date: Available now on PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One
Venture into the Lands Between on an epic journey in Elden Ring. The Golden Order has been broken and it’s up to you to navigate the fantastical world, using the power of the ring to restore order and become an Elden Lord.
God of War Ragnarok
Release Date: Available now on PlayStation 5 and PS4
Fight for survival as the father-son duo of Kratos and Atreus in God of War Ragnarok. Experience a thrilling storyline that offers everything from exciting battles to heartfelt moments. Explore the incredible mythological landscapes as you decide the fate of your family and the nine realms.
Top 3rd person action-adventure games out now
Horizon Forbidden West (Burning Shores DLC Coming April 19th)
Release Date: Available now on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4
Full Review | Overall Rating: 4.9/5 (98%)
Delve into an epic adventure with Aloy as she braves the Forbidden West – a majestic but dangerous frontier that conceals mysterious new threats. Explore distant lands, fight bigger and more awe-inspiring machines, and encounter new tribes as you return to the far-future, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.
The adventure continues with paid, PS5-exclusive DLC in Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores DLC. Aloy will now explore the Tenakth Clan Lands in the area formally known as Los Angeles.
Upcoming action adventure games
Hogwarts Legacy
Release Date: Coming Soon – February 10, 2023
Experience the wizarding world in the 1800s in Hogwarts Legacy. In this immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books, you play a student who holds the key to an ancient secret, battling against dark forces threatening the wizarding world. As you explore an open world, create your legacy and make history as it unfolds.
Forspoken
Release Date: Coming Soon – January 24th, 2023
Enjoy the odyssey of a reluctant hero in Forspoken, you’ll lead Frey on an unforgettable journey in her search for a way home after being mysteriously transported to an ancient, fantastical land. Unravel the mysteries of Athia as Frey travels through the calamitous Break and discovers how to wield an immense power.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Release Date: April 28th, 2023
As Jedi Knight Cal Kestis, you’ll explore new planets throughout the Galaxy, mastering new Jedi skills to help you on your journey. Use these skills to fight a host of challenging enemies that work for the Empire, then discover secrets hiding in the darkness.
Pre-purchase Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Superhero action adventure games
One of the fastest growing genres in the action-adventure realm are superhero games. If you were wondering what it would be like to don the cape and cowl, or swing through New York like Spiderman, you are in luck. The superhero experience has had an incredible resurgence the last decade with games like Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Both are incredible adventure experiences that dig deep into each character’s lore and pull you into their world.
Superhero action adventure games out now
Gotham Knights
In the wake of Batman’s death, Gotham City is left without its protector. Fortunately, the Bat Family is there to band together in Gotham Knights. Players take control of Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, or Red Hood in an open-world third-person action game set in Gotham City. Players must save Gotham from descent into chaos and reinvent themselves into their own version of the Dark Knight.
Purchase Gotham Knights for Xbox Series X|S or PS5
Stealth Games
If you like taking the methodical “hide in the shadows” approach to your adventure games, there are plenty of options too. Stealth games are all about avoiding direct combat with enemies or even completely avoiding them. Stealth based franchises that are worth infiltrating are Hitman III, Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell.
Satisfy your appetite for adventure!
With the gaming options above and their stellar calibre, you are sure to find an adventure worthy of your time. Whether on the go with your Nintendo Switch or playing at home on your Xbox, PlayStation or PC there’s always a new experience waiting. From battling armies to otherworldly demons, the adventure genre always has a fun challenge waiting for you.
Let us know in the comments below what your favourite action adventure game is!
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Last year my favourite game was Immortals Fenyx Rising. I still need to dig into the dlc more. I really hope we see more games from that world.
I’ll definitely be picking up The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD later this year.
Thanks Matthew, these are some great games!
Looking forward to playing death stranding and God of war when I get the PS4 this holiday. Cyberpunk 2077 and last of us 2 will also be on my radar.
Hello Samay,
Some absolutely fantastic picks you’ve made! Let us know what becomes your top adventure game when you pick up your PS4/PS5 this fall!
Action Adventure is a great genre for games. I really love the Legend of Zelda series! I’m interested in Ghost of Tsushima, but alas I do not own a PS4.
Hello Ian,
The Legend of Zelda series is incredible! I remember my excitement to play Ocarina of Time on the N64, definitely one of my top games of all time. Hopefully you pick up that PS4 soon and can check out Ghost of Tsushima when it launches.