It's safe to say that the age of digital distribution has arrived. Or at least, that the adventure genre has officially caught up. In recent days, three different highly anticipated new adventures have debuted exclusively as downloads, including Sherlock Holmes versus Arsène Lupin, Jack Keane , and Nostradamus - The Last Prophecy .

In the latest Sherlock Holmes mystery from Frogwares, the great detective must match wits against the renowned gentleman thief, Arsène Lupin. Available at the newly-launched Adventure Shop, the game sends players back to 19th century London, where the young French burglar has challenged Holmes by announcing his intention to steal five valuable objects in five days, from such prestigious locations as the National Gallery, the British Museum, the Tower of London and even Buckingham Palace.

Far from jolly ol' Victorian England, sailing on the high seas of the Colonial era, is Jack Keane, the titular captain of the newest adventure from Deck13. Currently offered only at GamersGate, Jack Keane begins with its reluctant hero accepting the job of escorting a British secret agent to the mysterious "Tooth Island". Once there, however, Jack gets far more than he bargained for, as his ship is destroyed and he's left to fend for himself on an island ruled by the nefarious Doctor T and his man-eating plants.

Meanwhile, back on dry land but even further back in time is the world of Nostradamus, the 16th century apothecary and astrologer. In Nostradamus - The Last Prophecy, for sale now at the Kheops Studio webshop, players assume the role of Nostradamus' daughter Madeleine, even as she disguises herself as her brother César to gain access to the court of France, which is caught in the midst of a dangerous mix of political scheming and ancestral prophecies.

All three games are still expected to be released as boxed retail products in the coming months, but no firm release details have yet been announced.