With compelling storylines, visually stunning graphics, pulsating background scores, and a diverse range of exciting characters to choose from, adventure games transport players across fantastical realms as they embark on action-packed quests. The genre’s signature blend of puzzle-solving and exploration makes for a wholly engaging experience that has won fans all over the world.
With a wide variety of alternatives to pick from, we have narrowed down our own personal list of the most enjoyable and challenging adventure games available, which are sure to keep you entertained for hours.
Grim Fandango
Grim Fandango was the very first adventure game created by LucasArts to employ 3D computer visuals that were placed on pre-rendered static backdrops. It combines aspects of the Aztec afterlife with the aesthetic of film noir. In the game, players control Manny Calavera, tasked with rescuing Mercedes Colomar and joined by some of gaming’s all-time best characters. The game’s narrative takes the player on an adventure through Mexican folklore and is still the gold standard of video game storytelling. Inspired by films like The Maltese Falcon, On the Waterfront, and Casablanca, Grim Fandango has produced a devoted fan base that has been going strong since the game’s 1998 release. The game has also inspired a wide variety of merchandising from independent artists, such as t-shirts, home decor, toys, phone covers, posters, and dinnerware with a Grim Fandango motif.
The Walking Dead Video Game Series
Based on the hit comic book series, The Walking Dead video game is a multiple-award-winning adventure game that has become a cult classic in the zombie apocalypse genre. In addition to the game’s fascinating puzzles and engrossing exploration, it also features a compelling storyline and sophisticated character interaction that allows players to shape the game’s events.
To keep players on the edge of their seats, the game skillfully blends quick-time event-based action sequences with character-driven plot points. More than 50 million copies of the successful game created by Telltale Games and Skybound Games have been sold worldwide. The game has spawned a slew of fast-selling merchandising opportunities, such as board games and the Walking Dead 2 slot from Playtech, which ranks among the greatest new casino slots. Additionally, the game has its line of clothing, Walking Dead-themed stickers, posters, and action figures that are a hit among fans.
Somerville
A sci-fi puzzle-based adventure rooted in high personal stakes, Somerville stands out from the pack of adventure games thanks to its unique tale and premise of an extraterrestrial invasion featuring puzzles on physics. In the wake of a catastrophic alien attack, the player assumes control of the father and must lead his family through a number of locations, some of which are guarded by hostile alien monsters and mechanical droids. Somerville, the first title from the independent studio Jumpship, was released in November 2022 and has received a positive reception from players and critics alike. The action-adventure game has been praised for its effective minimalism and lingering piano soundtrack that heightens the drama and tension.
Day of the Tentacle
The cartoon puzzle adventure game Day of the Tentacle, initially published by LucasArts in 1993 as a sequel to Ron Gilbert’s breakthrough Maniac Mansion, features a time-travelling plot in which three mismatched protagonists must band together to stop a mutant purple tentacle from taking over the world. Remastered in all aspects, including art, music, and sound effects, the game’s 2016 version received widespread acclaim for its fresh take on the franchise’s hallmark formula. The graphic adventure game has a dedicated global following, and its legacy lives on in a fan-made web comic titled ‘The Day After the Day of the Tentacle,’ which utilized the game’s iconic graphics and stunning visual style.
