The 26 Best Adventure Games You Need to Play

Kratos is the best dad in the whole wide world! His past trials and tribulations as a raging god killer are now behind him here - his main focus is helping his young son Atreus become better than he ever was. That crucial father-son relationship is disrupted by the Norse gods, which means it's up to you to aid Kratos and Atreus during their battles against those same gods and a collection of mythical beasts. From a third-person viewpoint, you'll navigate through different parts of Midgar and get caught up in some of the fiercest battles you'll ever get embroiled in. Once you've reached the end of your adventure here, be sure to get even more closure in God of War Ragnarök.

The Batman: Arkham games have made development studio Rocksteady Studios a household name among DC fans and gamers. The three mainline series entries are exceedingly great and make you truly feel like Gotham's greatest protector. Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight are all included in this definitive collection packed to the brim with all the DLC content released for each title. The graphics have been cleaned up in each game to bring the dark and brooding vibes of each game up to par on more powerful consoles. So everything will look so much better as you control Batman and come to blows with his iconic Rogues Gallery.

Ratchet & Clank is a bit hard to describe, but here goes - it's actually a reimagined rendition of the first game that debuted on PS2 and also happens to be based on the (lackluster) movie of the same name. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's talk about what makes this PS4 exclusive one of the best adventure games. This explosive platformer gives you access to some of the most eccentric firearms in Ratchet's repertoire and lets you run wild around alien worlds while blasting everything to bits. The lovable lombax and robot duo in this game deliver funny quips and tons of fun during their bombastic skirmishes on uncanny planets. If this game tickles your fancy, then you should also seek out Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

This one isn't attached to any recent Spider-Man movie, folks! Developer Insomniac Games delved into years of established Marvel lore and arrived with their own unique take on the dangerous life of the world's most celebrated web crawler. The best way to play this Spidey simulator is through its remastered edition, which includes the base game, all of the DLC costumes, and extra campaigns that focus on Spidey's encounters with even more villains. The first time you swing through New York City and pull off a backflip in midair before you even touch the ground will blow your mind. Once you've wrapped up Spidey's clash with the "Sinister Six" here, hop into Miles Morales' equally "amazing" adventure ASAP!

Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Drax the Destroyer are always ready to follow their fearless leader Peter Quill aka "Star-Lord" into the farthest reaches of space to take on any job. In Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, you'll take the lead with your laser blasters in tow as you attempt to take down an intergalactic cult that wants to subdue the rest of the galaxy. This surprisingly great third-person action/adventure features a clever combat system that lets you call out commands to your teammates, lets you talk up your comrades, and gives your ears a mighty fine treatment thanks to a soundtrack composed of classic 80s tunes. Gathering everyone up to boost your team morale while Europe's "The Final Countdown" blares in the background simply feels glorious.

Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis is on the run. And the evil collective that's in pursuit of him is none other than the Galactic Empire. In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, you'll have to rely on your lightsaber and parkour abilities to stay ahead of them while also hacking & slashing at all manner of alien beasties. You'll need to ready yourself for the high level of challenge this game's all about - if you're a fan of "Soulsbourne" action RPGs, then you'll have a much easier time exploring the game's expansive planets and dealing with its most dangerous denizens. After you've gotten your fill of this game's "Metroidvania" formula, go ahead and get even more Kestis action in the sequel Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

Nathan Drake has seemingly combed every corner of the globe thanks to his treasure-hunting endeavors. Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection remasters a trio of his initial international Indiana Jones-esque adventures and packs them into a neat package. All three games feature explosive moments, intense gunfights, and wild car/motorcycle chases that erupt into some of the most memorable setpieces in gaming history. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is regarded by many as one of the greatest games of all time - thankfully, it's here in its best graphical presentation to date and is still worth playing today. Be sure to hop into the Legacy of Thieves Collection to experience Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and The Lost Legacy expansion right after this one!

The HBO live-action adaptation has grabbed the attention of so many non-gamers thanks to its high drama, compelling characters, and gruesome-looking infected monsters. For those of you who want to actually play out the emotional and cruel events of the actual game, it's best for you to hop into the full remake. The Last of Us Part 1 cleans up the PS3 exclusive to a great degree in the visual department. And on the gameplay front, you'll be introduced to super tense scenarios full of sneaking, shooting, and brawls that pit you against vicious survivors and cannibalistic creatures.

One of the finest PS4 exclusives can now be experienced on PS5 with plenty more content to bask in. Sucker Punch Productions' open-world adventure game embraces the age of the samurai - this game's breathtaking experience will take you through the vast locale of Tsushima Island. In order to drive out the first Mongol invasion of Japan, you must take on the role of Jin Sakai and embrace the ways of the samurai & guerrilla warfare. That means you'll be cutting down your foes with focused strikes, engaging in nail-bitingly tense duels, and pulling off sick multi-kills in mere seconds with your katana in hand. Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut is the best way to play thanks to its inclusion of the story expansion DLC, multiplayer component, and enhanced visuals.

Geralt of Rivia is one of those gaming characters that's become a mainstream fixture thanks to the Netflix series that stars his likeness adorned on Henry Cavill. If you grew to love him and the Slavic mythology-inspired fantasy world he inhabits, then seek out one of the best adventure games of all time. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition offers players a massive world to explore as you take control of Geralt in an effort to protect a loved one from an encroaching faction. You'll swing your blades, dole out magical attacks, and get embroiled in all sorts of political drama across the main campaign and the game's huge DLC add-ons.

Rockstar Games is best known for throwing its fans into worlds that reflect the realistic time periods they're inspired by. Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in the United States back in 1899, which means you'll take on the eventful yet arduous life of a cowboy. In this game's interpretation of the Wild West, you'll step into the boots of Arthur Morgan and wreak havoc alongside the infamous Van der Linde gang. And during your Wild West escapades, you'll get involved in shootouts with rival gangs and government forces. Plus your adventure will involve all sorts of memorable side quests, gambling, and booze drinking.

Developer Supermassive Games have a huge appreciation for the horror movie genre, especially those of the golden age of scary 80s and 90s flicks. Its PS4 exclusive release feels like the perfect playable love letter to teen slasher flicks and is perfect for some late-night spooky gameplay sessions. Until Dawn features a group of partying teens that could potentially turn into victims of a mysterious killer depending on the choices you make while you play it. We chose to crown Until Dawn as one of the best adventure games you need to play thanks to its highly impressive visuals, hair-raising chases, and wild plot reveals.

For the longest time, fans of the "Wizarding World" dreamed of entering that beloved magical wonderland within an open-world game. In 2023, that wish was finally granted thanks to Hogwarts Legacy. Set way before the events of the Harry Potter novels, this whimsical adventure game lets fans take on the role of a witch/wizard that must balance their exciting daily duties as a student at Hogwarts. You'll go to classes to obtain new skills, master all sorts of spells that aid you in combat & all over the game's vast locales, soar through the air on a broomstick, and get entangled in a grand conflict that will determine your fate & that of the Wizarding World at large.

One of the greatest Wii U/Switch games of all time just so happens to come highly recommended as one of the best adventure games you'll ever play. The game we're alluding to is none other than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This open-world trek through the boundless kingdom of Hyrule centers on Link's crusade against Calamity Ganon - before you take on the big guy, you'll grow in strength as you gather tons of melee weapons, master your bow & arrow, solve clever environmental puzzles in various "Shrines," and do so much more. All in all, Breath of the Wild's free explorable world provides so much to do, see, ride, and head into battle with.

You've probably heard of Aloy and seen her masterful hunting methods come into play against all those mechanized animals she runs into. If watching her pull off slick bow & arrow shots against merciless "Snapmaws" intrigued you, then this definitive edition of Horizon Zero Dawn will definitely be worth your time. You'll get a lot out of this game's lush and beautiful world as you use a wide array of gadgets to take down robotic animals. At the center of this game is an intriguing mystery concerning Aloy's origins and the source of the machines inhabiting her world. Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition features the main campaign, The Frozen Wilds expansion, and bonuses in the form of additional gear & resources.

Elden Ring launched in 2022 and turned into a mainstream phenomenon that caught everyone's attention. It greatly expanded upon the formula popularized by the Dark/Demon's Souls series through its implementation of a massive open world and succeeded because of it. Exploring the many biomes in this "Soulsbourne" action RPG in any order you see fit truly fits the description of "choose your own adventure." Prepare yourself for some tough battles with random foes and epic boss fights as your chosen "Tarnished" so you can get your hands on the lauded "Elden Ring" and rule over the "Lands Between" as the new "Elden Lord."

What if we lived in a world side by side with androids? And what if they were given the right to handle important societal responsibilities, such as babysitting and even becoming a member of the law? Detroit: Become Human presents that futuristic scenario as players command three different androids and follow their drama-filled lives in a world that mostly hates their existence. This quality adventure game will present you with some tough choices to make in order to push the story forward and arrive at one of many different outcomes. This is one of those games you'll be compelled to beat multiple times in order to get the happy ending for the three main androids you'll grow to cherish over time.

A Plague Tale: Innocence throws you into the hectic period of the Hundred Years' War, which is a time setting that deserves more video game adaptations based on how good it came out here. In it, you play as Amicia de Rune and do everything in your power to protect your little brother Hugo. You'll need to rely on your stealthy abilities in order to stay ahead of unrelenting French Inquisition troops and hordes of bloodthirsty rats. This game will certainly tug at your heartstrings as you follow the game's two main protagonists and help them push through their harrowing ordeals. This fantastical and historical survival experience deserves to be recognized as one of the best adventure games (the same can be said for its follow-up, A Plague Tale: Requiem).

After the somewhat disappointing Mass Effect: Andromeda, fans of the franchise were clamoring for something new, or at least get the next best thing: a remastered version of the original trilogy. And in 2021, they got just that. The Mass Effect: Legendary Edition features remastered versions of all three original games, along with all of their DLC. You might not be willing to pay more money for games you already own, but in this case, this compilation totally worth the price of admission. The story of the Mass Effect franchise, the galaxy's struggle to come to terms with the looming threat of the Reapers and the eventual fight against them, hits as hard as ever this time around. When you add in the DLC expansions, Mass Effect's story becomes all the more memorable.

If you enjoyed the trippy puzzle mechanics of the Portal franchise, then you'll get a ton of mileage out of what's available in The Entropy Centre. From a first-person perspective, you'll take hold of an AI-powered device named "ASTRA" that's capable of rewinding objects through time as you tackle challenging puzzle rooms. The main strife at hand is an impending extinction-level event, which you're meant to prevent since you're the last remaining person alive in the world. The Entropy Centre itself is also at risk of collapsing, so you and ASTRA will have to rewind time as much as possible in order to save it and planet Earth in one fell swoop thanks to some amusing puzzle-solving. This mind-bending experience is indeed one of the best adventure games out right now.

As soon as you lock eyes with Pentiment's striking visual presentation, you just might be pushed to see what the game itself is all about. You'll explore the ancient town of Tassing, which is featured in the time period of the early to middle 16th century. A murder mystery comes into play as you're tasked with investigating its cause & effect, plus all the connected individuals you'll interact with during the course of your adventure. Andreas Maler acts as your in-game avatar and will bring you close to the important investigation Pentiment brings to the forefront.

Gorgeous pixel art has been embraced by so many talented independent development studios, which is a trend we hope continues long into the future of gaming. Developer Mojiken has produced an amazing adventure game that employs the use of that wonderful graphical style that you need to experience for yourself. A Space for the Unbound is the story of two high school sweethearts who reach the end of their scholastic careers. A supernatural event that threatens their well-being and the people they love forces them to get to the bottom of what they can do to prevent the end of the world they love.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is damn near playable on every modern-day system you can think of. Since launching in 2011, Bethesda Softworks' massive fantastical medieval action RPG has been ported countless times. So at this point, the best way to play it if you haven't dabbled in it already is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition. You can embrace the tough trials and tribulations of the all-powerful "Dragonborn" in this package's main campaign and three expansive DLC expansions (Dragonborn, Dawnguard, and Hearthfire).

Simply put, Stray is a game where you take control of a stray cat. After hearing that premise, you may just be put off by what's being presented here but that would be a mistake. You'll quickly grow enamored with this game's lovable kitty and want to help it make its way back up to the surface by any means necessary. Stray earned its spot on this list of the best adventure games due to how much fun it is to run from rampaging parasites, solve clever environmental puzzles, and befriend an underground civilization of robots that mimic the humans that have sadly become extinct.

If you want an adventure game that you can play with a friend, then it’s hard to recommend something better than A Way Out. Both players take control of their respective characters named Leo and Vincent and proceed to break out of prison together and confront the consequences of their actions in the process. It’s not remembered as one of the most critically acclaimed games ever, but playing through it with a friend and experiencing the game from two different perspectives is a great experience that classifies it as one of the best adventure games for cop-op aficionados.

Just like A Way Out, It Takes Two does not have a single-player option, which means you’ll have to find a friend to play with. It’s essentially an action-adventure game with elements of platforming where you and your friend will have to help each other through tricky situations. It’s a great co-op offering and that’s why it’s been such a big success commercially. The wild variations in gameplay themes and systems presented in It Takes Two make it worth recommending as one of the best adventure games for you and your partner (even if they're not a gamer, they'll love it!).