Top 30 Adventure Games

In general, almost any game that requires solving puzzles and exploring locations to progress through the storyline is considered an adventure. For this reason, many RPGs, slashers, platformers, and games from other genres can also be classified as adventures.

We've compiled a list of top games where adventure is the core element — projects that focus on world exploration or storytelling. We also recommend checking out our selections of games by other genres:

Kenshi

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People often imagine hell as an underground realm filled with lava, demons, and fire. In reality, hell is the world of Kenshi, and you can send your hero there to try to survive.

Endless deserts, rocky landscapes, a sense of doom, and constant dangers ahead. A lone traveler searches for food and shelter but encounters slave traders who beat him and take him to their camp. Will you obediently work or try to escape? Will you find companions or trust no one? The choice is yours. In Kenshi, you can travel for hundreds of hours and get involved in many different stories. There’s plenty of room for exploration and overcoming hardships.

Syberia

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A talented lawyer, Kate Walker, embarks on a journey through Europe and Siberia to finalize a case related to an old automaton factory. These are automatons, not robots — this is an important detail that is emphasized.

One of the main features of Syberia is its visual execution. Beautifully crafted locations of European cities and the endless snowy expanses of Siberia create an unforgettable atmosphere in Benoît Sokal's meticulously designed world. This is characteristic of all his games.

Valiant Hearts: The Great War

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Valiant Hearts: The Great War is a unique adventure set during World War I. The story follows the fates of several characters whose lives intertwine amid the horrors of war. The core gameplay consists of solving puzzles and exploring locations. The puzzles are not particularly difficult but immerse you deeply in the tragic events. Playing Valiant Hearts will give you a good understanding of the realities of World War I.

Stray

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In Stray, you control a stray cat who finds itself in a mysterious, technologically advanced world. After many games about humanoids, it’s unusual to control an animal, experiencing its grace, curiosity, and resourcefulness as it explores alleys and dark city streets.

As you play, you will encounter various robotic inhabitants of this world and solve puzzles. Remember what your cat loves to do most, and you’ll have an easier time solving some of the challenges.

A Plague Tale: Innocence

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Set in medieval France, a brother and sister, Amicia and Hugo, hide from the Inquisition and hordes of rats. The children try to find their place in a cruel world ravaged by plague and violence.

The game impresses with its atmosphere — gloomy landscapes, realistic models of the infected, careful attention to historical details, and the emotional depth of the story create an incomparable sense of hopelessness and struggle for survival.

Pentiment

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With Pentiment, you can immerse yourself in the Renaissance era. The story involves you in a tangled web of intrigues, political conflicts, and personal tragedies set against the backdrop of turbulent historical events. Throughout the game, you’ll make decisions that affect the course of history, interact with colorful characters, and solve mysteries hidden in the details of the surrounding world.

The graphics of the project resemble illuminated manuscripts and woodcut prints, making Pentiment hard to confuse with any other game.

Tomb Raider

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A reboot of the legendary series that drastically changed the main character, Lara Croft. Tomb Raider impresses with its cinematic quality. The art design and direction create a complete sense of immersion in the storyline, where Lara Croft must battle not only external threats but also her own fears and doubts.

You will explore ancient ruins filled with puzzles and deadly traps. As in all projects featuring Lara Croft, the gameplay here consists of action scenes, puzzle-solving, and stealth.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle differs in pace and some mechanics from the typical adventure games, which is quite amusing given that many of them were inspired by the iconic archaeologist. This game is a real find for fans of thrilling expeditions, dangerous traps, and ancient mysteries from the Indiana Jones films.

The game features many complex optional puzzles, and during battles, you can use nearby objects as weapons. Often, combat can be avoided if you find a way to blend into the crowd or avoid being spotted by enemies.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy

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Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is like a 25-hour-long movie filled with humor, great dialogue, and a pleasant company in the form of Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot. The main character and captain of the team is Star-Lord. During combat, he can issue commands to his teammates so they can use their abilities. It's an exciting space journey with a focus on the development of friendships within the team.

The Wolf Among Us

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The Wolf Among Us is an interactive adventure based on the popular comic Fables. Here, fairy tale characters live among regular people, hiding their true nature. You play as Bigby Wolf, a former wolf who now works as a detective, investigating crimes and trying to restore justice in a city full of secrets and betrayals.

This story became so beloved by fans that, despite production challenges and issues at Telltale, a sequel is still in development.

BioShock Infinite

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A first-person shooter with a deep narrative and philosophical reflections. The events of the game take place in the flying city of Columbia, where utopia turns into dystopia, and the ideals of freedom and progress give way to tyranny and conflict.

The main character, Booker DeWitt, must unravel the mysteries of the past and face an inevitable fate while exploring a tangled world full of moral dilemmas and unexpected plot twists. Thanks to its unique visual style and setting, BioShock Infinite is so memorable that it cannot be confused with any other project.

The Walking Dead

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One of the best stories about a zombie apocalypse. The game’s plot focuses on a group of survivors constantly threatened by danger. Along the way, you’ll have to make ambiguous decisions that determine the lives of characters and their relationship to you.

With its cinematic presentation, excellent voice acting, and vibrant characters, the game offers a wide range of emotions, from hope to despair.

Life is Strange

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The main protagonist, Max Caulfield, is a student with the ability to rewind time — a key gameplay element. Through a series of moral dilemmas and unexpected twists of fate, themes of friendship, loss, and finding one’s place in the world are revealed.

Thanks to the stylized graphics, Life is Strange doesn’t age, and the soulful soundtrack and strong storyline leave a lasting emotional impression.

Firewatch

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Henry becomes a forest ranger, but his solitary life is soon interrupted by mysterious events happening around him. Colorful landscapes, a diegetic interface, and a measured pace create a unique sense of immersion in nature and one’s own thoughts. Only radio dialogues with his partner, Delilah, interrupt Henry's solitude.

Why is Henry here? Should he be in this place? You can ponder these and other questions as you progress through Firewatch.

Control

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Jesse Faden seeks to find her brother and uncover the mysteries of a supernatural facility where the laws of physics are violated, and reality is constantly shifting.

Jesse's telekinetic abilities form a unique combat gameplay experience. You can simply shoot, but throwing enemies and objects is much more fun. It's quite satisfying to destroy office spaces. After defeating the last enemy, instead of confetti, plaster falls from the ceiling.

Death Stranding: Director's Cut

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A project by Hideo Kojima about the restoration of civilization after a global catastrophe and the reunification of humanity. The restoration of human connections and the delicate emotional presentation in cinematic scenes create an unforgettable atmosphere.

The gameplay of Death Stranding involves carrying cargo from settlement to settlement while connecting people to the chiral network. To keep it interesting, there are highly detailed movement mechanics and excellent level design.

Detroit: Become Human

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An interactive drama that makes you think about the nature of humanity and the ethics of artificial intelligence. The story centers around three androids whose fates intertwine in a world where technology and emotions are in constant conflict. Your choices will determine how the conflict between androids and humans ends.

Detroit: Become Human not only tells the story of the future but also raises important questions about free will, responsibility, and moral choices in the digital age.

Marvel’s Spider-Man

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For fans of movies and comics about the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, this adventure is for you. Marvel’s Spider-Man features an amazing open-world New York City, where every corner is full of life. Controlling the character using webs and having fun fights with enemies lets you feel like a true Spider-Man. The game combines top-notch action, excellent graphics, and a strong narrative.

Special praise goes to the voice acting. Spider-Man has different voices in various works, and here, he's one of the best. Perfectly suited for the character.

Yakuza 0

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Yakuza 0 tells the story of the brutal world of the Japanese mafia in the late 1980s. The game narrates the backstory of a legendary character whose life is filled with violent confrontations, dramatic plot twists, and numerous humorous moments.

The game combines a deep story with a variety of side activities, such as arcade mini-games, combat competitions, and exploring the streets of Tokyo and Osaka.

To the Moon

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Two doctors help a grandfather on his deathbed fulfill his dream, albeit only inside his memories. You’ll have to travel through his life to reach the necessary moments.

This project perfectly balances drama and comedy. The mood swings in the story feel especially sharp, constantly evoking either tears or laughter from the player. It’s a short but rich adventure with minimal gameplay, mainly serving as a break from advancing through the story.

It Takes Two

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A cooperative adventure that combines an engaging story, original gameplay, and incredible visuals. The title tells the story of a couple who, under the influence of a magical curse, are reduced to the size of toys. You and your partner must work together to overcome various puzzles and challenges.

It Takes Two will test your relationship or friendship and, if successful, strengthen them. Either way, it will be a lot of fun.

Black Myth: Wukong

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Black Myth: Wukong is an action game inspired by Chinese mythology and the legendary Monkey King. The game’s plot is based on the novel "Journey to the West". The main character, possessing supernatural abilities, embarks on an epic journey filled with dangers and mythical creatures.

There are an overwhelming number of bosses, but they are not as difficult as in the Dark Souls series. It offers a moderate challenge with a focus on variety.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

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A challenging action game with stealth elements. The game takes place in feudal Japan, where you play as a ruthless shinobi fighting enemies using a rhythmic parrying system.

Unlike other games from the studio, the focus here is on an aggressive combat style. A few mistakes can cost you your life, but the protagonist has the ability to resurrect once immediately after death, allowing you to continue without losing progress. Don’t forget about the prosthetics – they’re situational but can make many battles easier.

Journey

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A meditative adventure in a mysterious world set against stunning landscapes. The protagonist embarks on a long journey through deserts, mountains, and ruins, where every new discovery evokes wonder. The game does not have verbal narration; instead, it tells the story through visuals, music, and interaction with the environment.

Many find Journey helpful in overcoming difficult stages in life. Here, you can relax and be inspired to achieve great things.

Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons

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The story of two brothers embarking on a dangerous journey to find a cure for their sick father.

The game stands out with its unique control mechanics – you must simultaneously control both characters, requiring special attention when solving puzzles. It feels like it should be a cooperative game, but no, the design is meant for solo control of both heroes at once.

Every level is infused with melancholy and warmth. You’ll want to help the brothers achieve their goal.

The Stanley Parable

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An ironic game that serves as a meta-commentary on the world of video games and narrative systems. In the role of an ordinary office worker named Stanley, you are invited to explore an office space filled with absurd and unexpected plot twists.

The Stanley Parable encourages reflection on the nature of freedom, control, and predestination in video games. It is known for its witty humor and ability to break the fourth wall, constantly reminding you that you are participating in an experiment.

Outer Wilds

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The less you know about this game before starting, the more interesting the experience will be.

In Outer Wilds, the focus is on exploring a solar system filled with mysteries. You can freely travel between planets, each with its own story and secrets. The plot revolves around a time-loop cycle, prompting contemplation of fate's inevitability and the significance of each action.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

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Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is the epic story of Nathan Drake's final adventure. Unlike previous installments, this one places more emphasis on exploring locations, which are incredibly diverse, from snow-covered mountains to jungles and exotic islands.

The puzzles are simple but provide a nice break between shootouts. Realistic graphics and smooth animations enhance the cinematic experience, not to mention the expertly directed cutscenes.

God of War

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God of War in its new form immerses you in Norse mythology, where the legendary Kratos appears as a father trying to overcome his dark past and teach his son to face challenges. The game explores themes of family, redemption, and overcoming inner pain. From a gameplay perspective, it’s a benchmark for action games.

By the way, the son, Atreus, is not just a plot character, but a full-fledged combat companion. He helps by shooting arrows and summoning creatures.

The Last of Us

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A masterpiece set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity faces the threat of fungal zombies. As a smuggler, you must deliver a valuable cargo that turns out to be a living person, key to stopping the epidemic. The plot delivers many surprises and shows how people can act in critical situations.

The stealth combat mechanics and limited resources create a tense gameplay experience. At times, the gameplay may remind you of survival horror games, though the game isn’t about horror.

Many forms of media allow us to immerse ourselves in fictional worlds, but only video games give us the chance to explore them on our own. Here, you can be the character, interact with the environment, and make decisions that impact the plot’s development. In the titles mentioned above, this experience is especially prominent.

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