Last updated May 13th: Captain Morgane and the Golden Turtle
Have you been away from the genre for a while and wondering what’s been going on since you left? Or perhaps only been paying sporadic attention and worried about what’s fallen through the cracks? Maybe you’re even a newcomer to adventure games and looking for more.
Whatever the circumstance, we’re here to help! For easy reference, read on as we take you through the latest and greatest options of recent months, plus a few timeless gems you may have overlooked. Our selection runs the spectrum from full-fledged PC adventures to casual games to independent productions, plus Wii and DS choices for console gamers. There’s surely something here for everyone.
(Note: Along with each item on the list are direct links to online retailers and download sites. Many of these are affiliate links, meaning Adventure Gamers gets a small commission when you make a purchase, but these links are purely optional and most games are still widely available.)
Welcome (back), adventurers, and enjoy!
Who says it's bad luck to have a woman on board a pirate ship? Obviously not Wizarbox, who promoted the feisty Spanish supporting character from the
So Blonde games into her own spin-off starring role. And Morgane Castillo doesn't disappoint in this charming swashbuckling high seas adventure-meets-teenaged coming-of-age story set amidst some gorgeous hand-drawn Caribbean islands.
Our review: 
“A beautiful looking game with an adventurous story about growing up and dealing with grief.”
Where to buy: Amazon
You just can't keep a good developer down! After a few recent missteps, Telltale Games has sprung back to life with a superbly atmospheric adaptation of Robert Kirkman's award-winning comic book series. Its puzzles are few and far between, but the gaps are wonderfully filled with player-driven storytelling, compelling characters caught up in an apocalyptic fight for survival, and zombies. Lots and lots of brain-eating zombies.
Our review: (of
Episode One: A New Day)
“Telltale delivers one their most compelling and enjoyable adventure to date.”
Where to buy: Telltale Games store
Games from Amanita Design should be prescribed as a treatment for depression, as they continually manage to make you feel warm and happy inside without ever uttering a word. The creators of
Samorost and
Machinarium are back with another delightfully surreal adventure that oozes charm out of every colourful pore. Even the most ardent insectophobe will get a kick out of guiding five small tree critters through a host of imaginative environments as they try to save their home tree from a gang of marauding parasites.
Our review:
“A must-play for those seeking a truly imaginative and entertaining adventure game.”
Where to buy: GOG.com,
Botanicula website
Pendulo Studios made a name for themselves creating comic adventures like
Runaway, but they may finally have found their true calling with their first dramatic thriller.
Yesterday follows three different protagonists in an attempt to unravel the mystery behind the brutal murders of New York City’s homeless and the Y-shaped scar appearing on seemingly random people’s hands. With its dark and disturbing subject matter, this is Pendulo like we’ve never seen them before, though the artwork look just as good as ever.
Our review:
“Sleekly packaged and eminently playable… leaving you shocked, yet satisfied, with its twisted narrative.”
Where to buy: GOG
You don’t need to be a five year old girl to have fun playing with dolls. Not if they’re Russian stacking dolls starring in this beautifully stylized, whimsically offbeat puzzle-adventure from Double Fine Productions. Tiny matryoshka Charlie Blackmore is on a quest to save his brothers and sisters from a life of 1920s child labour, but in order to overcome the many obstacles in his way, he must strategically stack into the various larger dolls he meets, each of which has its own unique ability. It all adds up to a bold and brilliant downloadable adventure quite unlike any other.
Our review:
“A superbly creative and irresistible experience that is not to be missed.”
Where to buy: Steam
If there’s one thing nearly as certain as death and taxes, it’s that sci-fi games with a female artificial intelligence will be very good. CBE’s
J.U.L.I.A. is no exception, offering a refreshingly different experience that’s as entertaining as it is unique. As the last surviving human aboard a ship charged with seeking alien life, you must repair your damaged craft and carry out the mission on the nearby planets, solving a wide range of puzzles and minigames with only the help of a hulking robot and the titular A.I. along the way.
Our review:
“A unique and thoroughly enjoyable mission of remote planetary exploration and puzzle-solving.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK
Lots of adventure gamers have pined for an expansive, vibrant, open-world setting to roam around in, like
Grand Theft Auto only without all the mindless violence. But that takes big bucks, and who’d be crazy enough to go to all that trouble for an adventure game? Well…
GTA's own Rockstar, that’s who. This rare AAA-adventure game does have some action, but it’s largely skippable and seamlessly integrated into a series of gripping, utterly immersive film noir-styled mysteries that nail just about everything… and the bad guys, too!
Our review:
“A monumental achievement that every console-owning adventure fan needs to experience.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
Though it once seemed destined to become The Game of Unplayed Tales, the long-awaited German adventure finally arrived and proved itself the rarest of breeds. No, not a gnome, orc, dragon, or Critter: a game that was worth the wait and all its hype. Part-homage, part tongue-in-cheek parody of classic fantasy works, it’s got plenty of personality of its own, packed full of humour, oddball characters, beautiful scenery, and loads of puzzling obstacles for its four playable protagonists to overcome.
Our review:
“A classic
adventure game by any definition.”
Where to buy: GOG
It’s time to save the world again… only this time it’s from ourselves. Daedalic’s long-anticipated topical adventure confronts us with perhaps the most dangerous villain yet: global climate change. In 2500, the world is on the brink of environmental annihilation, and only by visiting the present-day “past” can a small team of time-travelers and a weary old scientist hope to stop the otherwise-inevitable destruction of our ecosystem. But with opposition at every turn, can they succeed in time? You’ll need to play to find out, but we know you’ll be glad you did.
Our review:
“A New Beginning
is an “eco-thriller” that is not to be missed.”
Where to buy: GOG
Argue its genre all you like, but the one thing we’re certain everyone will agree on is just how fantastic this unique physics-based puzzler is. We’d call it one-of-a-kind, though the sequel is much like its own already-impressive predecessor – except double the length, with memorable new characters to meet and obstacles to overcome, plus a two-player co-op mode for twice the gaming pleasure. This is the sort of game that makes you glad you’re “still alive”.
Our review:
“Portal 2
is as close to perfection as a game gets, regardless of genre.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
The Nintendo DS handheld system has become a popular platform for playing adventure games. According to our last survey, almost a third of AG's visitors already play adventures on the Nintendo DS. If you haven't yet climbed aboard the handheld bandwagon, this is your chance to jump on. If you already own the system, here are the best of the newer DS adventures to build up that game collection.
Who says it's bad luck to have a woman on board a pirate ship? Obviously not Wizarbox, who promoted the feisty Spanish supporting character from the
So Blonde games into her own spin-off starring role. And Morgane Castillo doesn't disappoint in this charming swashbuckling high seas adventure-meets-teenaged coming-of-age story set amidst some gorgeous hand-drawn Caribbean islands.
Our review:
“A beautiful looking game with an adventurous story about growing up and dealing with grief.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK
Professor Layton has never failed to make our recommendation list through three adventures so far, and his fourth outing is no exception. This darker tale is a prequel set back in the time when the top-hatted puzzle-solving extraordinaire first meets his soon-to-be-sidekick Luke. Together with another plucky upstart named Emmy, the trio must discover the mystery behind a nocturnal phantom who’s destroying the quaint little town of Misthallery, while solving more puzzles than ever along the way.
Our review:
"It’s still one of the best casual-yet-challenging series in existence."
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
Capcom’s latest pointy-haired hero is still pursuing justice, only this time it’s not in court but the afterlife. From Shu Takumi, the creator of the
Ace Attorney series, comes a unique supernatural puzzler that casts players in the spirit role of a recently-deceased man. With the ability to possess objects and rewind time among his variety of “ghost tricks”, our victim has just one night to discover who murdered him and why, helping a diverse cast of quirky characters both living and dead along the way.
Our review:
“The plot is never anything but intriguing and the gameplay is simply a joy to experience.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
The Doctor is everywhere these days! And it isn’t because he’s warping around time and space in the TARDIS, either. Not only is he back on television, but he’s got games on the PC, Wii, and now the Nintendo DS as well. This all-new handheld adventure melds
Professor Layton-style lite adventure puzzling with authentic
Doctor Who atmosphere and lore, as the Doctor and Amy must help future Earth’s small remaining populace to complete their escape vehicle before catastrophic solar storms arrive.
Our review:
“True to the series and a welcome chance to travel with the Doctor, in more ways than one.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
Cing many now be defunct, but English gamers get one last chance to see the Japanese studio, arguably at its best. Although only released in Europe, this sequel to
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 is everything that made the original so compelling: stylish graphics, rich film noir atmosphere, great story and characters, and more. There are even a few new surprises for good measure. When it comes to DS adventures, it’s the closest thing to a page-turner.
Our review:
"This is virtually a must-play for any adventure fan with a DS"
Where to buy: Amazon UK
Playing games in boring old 2D is so yesterday! At least, that’s what Nintendo believes, as their latest handheld iteration is a bold new move to stereoscopic 3D. Adventure games have been slow in arriving on the new platform, but much like its predecessor, look for the library of 3DS titles to expand quickly once the technology takes off. (Note that unlike the DS, Nintendo 3DS games are region-restricted.)
Nothing says “adventure” like stealth sequences and monster taming… Wait, what? Okay, besides being in 3D, Doctor Lautrec has one major difference from the purely cerebral Professor Layton: he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. This game blends lite strategy/RPG into a more traditional mix of puzzles and cinematic storytelling for a fairly fun and interesting blend of gameplay elements.
Our review:
"Finally gives gamers an adventure of substance on the Nintendo 3DS."
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
The Nintendo Wii is the first-ever console with an easy-to-use pointer device, making it a perfect platform for adventure games. We still haven't seen many original adventures designed for the system, but more and more existing PC games are being ported to the Wii, giving players the chance to kick back in front of the TV and still enjoy some point-and-click classics.
Who says it's bad luck to have a woman on board a pirate ship? Obviously not Wizarbox, who promoted the feisty Spanish supporting character from the
So Blonde games into her own spin-off starring role. And Morgane Castillo doesn't disappoint in this charming swashbuckling high seas adventure-meets-teenaged coming-of-age story set amidst some gorgeous hand-drawn Caribbean islands.
Our review:
“A beautiful looking game with an adventurous story about growing up and dealing with grief.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK
What’s this? Konami’s iconic survival horror series recommended here at Adventure Gamers? For the first time ever, you bet. No, we haven’t been walloped once too many times by the terrifying Pyramid Head: this reimagining of the original
Silent Hill for the Wii, PS2, and PSP takes the franchise in a bold new direction. Now combat-free, there are still moments of action-based terror, but with far more emphasis on relaxed exploration and adventuring than ever before. Well, as “relaxed” as anyone can ever be in the ever-eerie, always-disturbing Silent Hill, anyway.
Our review:
“A masterpiece of atmosphere and storytelling that demands your attention.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
Sure, you can play the long-awaited revival of
Monkey Island on PC, but if you’d prefer to kick back on the couch instead, now you can guide Guybrush Threepwood through his five-part new adventure series with nunchuck and Wiimote in hand. Attempting to stop the spread of an insidious pox that he himself released, Guybrush sails the seven seas in search of a legendary sea sponge, but obstacles and much hilarity await him at every turn.
Our review: (of
Chapter 3 – Lair of the Leviathan)
“No need to mince words—this is a breathtaking, spectacular game.”
Where to buy: WiiWare channel
Also available for PC and DS, the Wii version of
Secret Files 2 gives console gamers the chance to control Nina and Max in an all-new adventure. Naturally, the fate of the world is in their hands, as a nefarious secret society is scheming to bring about the apocalypse. Available only in the UK in PAL format at this time, and note that Wii games are region-encoded.
Our review: (of the PC version)
“A highly-polished, enjoyable sequel that’s better than its Tunguskan predecessor in several key ways.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
Decisions, decisions… The enhanced update of Revolution’s masterpiece is available not just on PC and DS, but the Wii as well, presented with some new artwork and the original voice acting intact. Wii players can point-and-click their way through the George Stobbart’s epic adventure, plus play as Nico in new scenes that offer a glimpse into her background.
Our review: (of the PC original)
"This is adventure gaming at its very best! "
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
Here’s a heading we once thought we’d never need to add, but Sony and Microsoft have begun welcoming more and more adventures into the fold. While most are shared platform releases, we may yet see more original titles released if these early adventures prove successful.
Who says it's bad luck to have a woman on board a pirate ship? Obviously not Wizarbox, who promoted the feisty Spanish supporting character from the
So Blonde games into her own spin-off starring role. And Morgane Castillo doesn't disappoint in this charming swashbuckling high seas adventure-meets-teenaged coming-of-age story set amidst some gorgeous hand-drawn Caribbean islands.
Our review:
“A beautiful looking game with an adventurous story about growing up and dealing with grief.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK
You just can't keep a good developer down! After a few recent missteps, Telltale Games has sprung back to life with a superbly atmospheric adaptation of Robert Kirkman's award-winning comic book series. Its puzzles are few and far between, but the gaps are wonderfully filled with player-driven storytelling, compelling characters caught up in an apocalyptic fight for survival, and zombies. Lots and lots of brain-eating zombies.
Our review: (of
Episode One: A New Day)
“Telltale delivers one their most compelling and enjoyable titles to date.”
Where to buy: Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network
Lots of adventure gamers have pined for an expansive, vibrant, open-world setting to roam around in, like
Grand Theft Auto only without all the mindless violence. But that takes big bucks, and who’d be crazy enough to go to all that trouble for an adventure game? Well…
GTA's own Rockstar, that’s who. This rare AAA-adventure game does have some action, but it’s largely skippable and seamlessly integrated into a series of gripping, utterly immersive film noir-styled mysteries that nail just about everything… and the bad guys, too!
Our review:
“A monumental achievement that every console-owning adventure fan needs to experience.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK:
PlayStation 3,
Xbox 360; Amazon US:
PlayStation 3,
Xbox 360
Argue its genre all you like, but the one thing we’re certain everyone will agree on is just how fantastic this unique physics-based puzzler is. We’d call it one-of-a-kind, though the sequel is much like its own already-impressive predecessor – except double the length, with memorable new characters to meet and obstacles to overcome, plus a two-player co-op mode for twice the gaming pleasure. This is the sort of game that makes you glad you’re “still alive”.
Our review:
“Portal 2
is as close to perfection as a game gets, regardless of genre.”
Where to buy: Amazon UK:
PlayStation 3,
Xbox 360, Amazon US:
PlayStation 3,
Xbox 360
You don’t need to be a five year old girl to have fun playing with dolls. Not if they’re Russian stacking dolls starring in this beautifully stylized, whimsically offbeat puzzle-adventure from Double Fine Productions. Tiny matryoshka Charlie Blackmore is on a quest to save his brothers and sisters from a life of 1920s child labour, but in order to overcome the many obstacles in his way, he must strategically stack into the various larger dolls he meets, each of which has its own unique ability. It all adds up to a bold and brilliant downloadable adventure quite unlike any other.
Our review:
“A superbly creative and irresistible experience that is not to be missed.”
Where to buy: Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network
Console fans had to wait a while longer than PC gamers (you knew there had to be
some kind of time distortion problem somewhere along the line), but Telltale’s episodic adventure is now ready to take PlayStation 3 owners on the first new ride with Marty McFly, Doc Brown, and the time-travelling DeLorean in two decades. It doesn't take Einstein to figure out this is one trip you don't want to miss.
Our review: (of
Episode 1: It’s About Time)
“As a continuation of the franchise, It's About Time
is a resounding success.”
Where to buy: PlayStation Network
The second beloved LucasArts classic to get the “Special Edition” treatment is available not only on PC, but on a variety of platforms that didn’t even exist when the game was first created. Now a whole new generation of gamers can lead Guybrush on his search for Big Whoop, in either classic or enhanced versions, with updated graphics, full voiceovers, remastered soundtrack, developer’s commentary, and more!
Our review:
"A wonderful way to experience one of the all-time adventure classics."
Where to buy: Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network
No, you’re not imagining things. The Freelance Police have at last arrived on PlayStation in their third season of episodic adventures. Now even the most hardcore thumb jockeys and couch potatoes can discover for themselves what PC gamers have known for years:
Sam & Max games are just plain fun. This season, the duo square off against power-mad alien gorillas, armed only with psychic toys and a razor wit… well, those and one crazy gun that must be fired to be believed. BFG’s have got nothin’ on this thing.
Our review: (of
Episode 1: The Penal Zone)
“One of the Freelance Police's strongest outings… a mandatory play for Sam & Max fans.”
Where to buy: PlayStation Network
The six-episode comic whodunit series originally exclusive to the PlayStation 3 (since ported to PC) gets off to an explosive start with a stunning mmuuuuurrrrderrrrrrrr… and it’s up to you to solve it! Well, you and as many as three different friends in this oh-so-short but sweet single- or multiplayer investigative adventure. Currently available only for download, the episodes are now bundled together for the full Blue Toad experience.
Our review: (of Episodes 1-3)
"Console lovers of light puzzling and outrageous British accents should definitely consider a purchase, especially if it’s something you want to share with friends."
Where to buy: PlayStation Network
The wintry environs of 2005’s
Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy have given way to the oppressive downpour of
Heavy Rain in Quantic Dream’s latest interactive drama. The noir thriller expands and improves on the already-ambitious goals of its predecessor, creating an emotionally-charged, compelling narrative experience that focuses on character development and player-directed storytelling. It may not quite be worth buying a PlayStation 3 just to play, but it’s close, and not to be missed by anyone who owns the system already.
Our review:
"An incredibly beautiful and engaging interactive story, Heavy Rain
is a rare testament of both quality and originality rarely seen in games."
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
The adventure genre has often been home to ambitious indie developers, but without widescale distribution, it can be hard for these games to get the exposure they deserve. Since you won't find them on regular store shelves, don't forget about these self-published titles.
Two words: crate puzzles. Still here? If that prospect doesn't scare you off, then you should enjoy this lighthearted comic puzzler, which blends an entertaining story about a man cursed to become a werewolf in moonlight with a series of progressively difficult obstacles to overcome, one locked room at a time. You'll activate switches, operate control panels, and shove lots and lots of crates to make a path in both human and lycanthrope form alike, chuckling all the way.
Our review:
“A solid puzzler... with homegrown charm. I had a perfectly pleasant time.”
Where to buy: Steam
A bumbling bug exterminator may have trouble getting noteworthy ballads written in his honour, but anyone who plays ClickShake Games’ charming fantasy adventure will surely be singing its praises. It’s fun, funny, and full of offbeat characters and challenging puzzles, with impressive production values bringing the surreal world of giant insects and talking purple bears to life. Normally a game full of bugs is a bad thing, but you’ll have a blast conquering the many you encounter here.
Our review:
“One of the best adventure games I’ve played in a long time.”
Where to buy: GOG,
The Ballads of Reemus website
Like a reliable vacation to the lovely Norrkörping, Sweden, each year MDNA games delivers a new Carol Reed mystery that’s as good or better than the last. But like the others,
Amber’s Blood is no holiday, at least for its star amateur sleuth. This time Carol investigates the surprising history of her good friend’s grandfather, who perhaps didn’t die nearly as young as she was led to believe, though there may be good reason why the truth was covered up all these years.
Our review:
“An absolutely fascinating mystery that slowly develops over time and provides a satisfying tale full of twists and turns..”
Where to buy: Carol Reed website
When we say you’ll need to keep your head about you while all around you people are losing theirs, we mean it literally! It’s the zombie apocalypse, and metalhead Malcolm must survive the night in the medical building where all the undead are converging. This debut adventure from Walk Thru Walls is bloody and gory, but it’s all done in comic cartoon style full of gut-busting, side-splitting hilarity. You just might die laughing – and still live to tell the tale!
Our review:
“Hits all the right notes and delivers a funny, touching, and well-made take on the zombie apocalypse.”
Where to buy: Metal Dead website
Who says games can’t make you cry? Freebird Games’ incredibly poignant story of a dying man’s unfulfilled wish to journey to the moon may be extremely light on gameplay, but you’ll be too busy reaching for the Kleenex to care. Told in reverse chronological order, two doctors travel back through Johnny Wyles’s memories in order to implant his lifelong wish during childhood. But the trip is fraught with unexpected, emotionally touching revelations about Johnny’s personal relationships along the way.
Our review:
“Tell your friends about it. Games this good need to be shared.”
Where to buy: To the Moon website,
Wadjet Eye website
Wadjet Eye’s spirit medium Rosangela Blackwell and her ghostly guide Joey Mallone are back to help more recently departed souls cross over to the afterlife, and this time business is booming. Troubled people connected to a phony psychic are turning up dead at an alarming rate, filling the longest and arguably best
Blackwell adventure so far with more ghosts than ever. But the more they investigate, the more dangerous it becomes, and the intrepid pair may just find themselves the next victims if they aren’t careful.
Our review:
“An enjoyable retro title and a well-rounded effort that’s easy to get into and hard to put down.”
Where to buy: Wadjet Eye website
WRF Studios’ math may be a little off, as this game marks the fourth “last half” of darkness, but horror fans can once again be glad the light hasn’t arrived just yet. The latest installment moves the series to a third-person perspective for the first time, but once again delivers another chilling adventure in a town shrouded by a history of missing girls in the presence of a dark, supernatural cult.
Our review:
“Well worth getting started due to its enjoyably creepy atmosphere throughout.”
Where to buy: Last Half of Darkness website
A remote Arctic oil facility completely cut off from civilization, a small team of people cooped up in tight quarters, an ancient discovery in an icy crevasse that hints of a deadly mythological creature, and an unprecedented ion storm gathering overhead… what could go wrong? No, it’s not John Carpenter’s
The Thing, but while Turmoil Games’ answer to that question may be more subtle, it’s just as disturbing in the indie developer’s chilling debut adventure.
Our review:
“An effective piece of psychological horror storytelling.”
Where to buy: Alpha Polaris website
Having honed their craft in the 2007 freeware title
What Makes You Tick?, Lassie Games is back with a bigger, better commercial sequel. With its stylish hand-painted artwork, clever puzzles, an appealing small town setting, and a storyline featuring tyrannical rulers, nefarious villains, and genius inventors, it’s all you could want in an adventure! Well, except for voiceovers, but with indies, sometimes you can’t have everything. This is the next best thing, though, so you’ll be ticked if you miss out.
Our review:
“A gorgeous adventure with clever puzzles that ticks along smoothly to the end.”
Where to buy: What Makes You Tick website
The past meets the future in this impressive retro-styled sci-fi thriller that should conjure up fond memories of
Beneath a Steel Sky and
Blade Runner (complete with occasional gunfights). This 2010 IGF Student Showcase winner by Joshua Nuernberger offers two very different looks into a bleak, dystopian future, as the seemingly unrelated stories of an ex-assassin and a mind-wiped rehab patient gradually converge towards a dark and compelling finale.
Our review:
“A marvelous feat of interactive storytelling.”
Where to buy: Wadjet Eye website
The line between what we’ve come to know as full-fledged adventures and casual games is gradually disappearing. Traditional “hidden object” games are increasing story and exploration elements, and integrating puzzles in recognizably adventure-like fashion. Adventure games, meanwhile, are beginning to embrace the more accessible pick-up-and-play appeal of casual games, becoming more streamlined than ever. Here are some of the best examples of games that have successfully bridged the gap between the two.
After a middling first season of BBC-produced lite adventures, the fifth episode sees the series return with a bang, offering a much better balance of adventure, stealth, and minigame activities. Stranded in 17th century London on the night of the attempted destruction of the Houses of Parliament, the Doctor, Amy, and Rory must allow history to run its course without interference, all while preventing an interplanetary war between feuding alien races.
Our review:
“Worth a plunge for any fan of the eccentric time traveller.”
Where to buy: Legacy Games (worldwide),
the BBC (free in UK)
With the story of Princess Iris concluded, it was back to the drawing board (both literally and figuratively) for Big Fish Games, who reached back in time for a prequel in the third installment of the popular series. Freed from the stone tower walls and goth-tinged town of Stonebriar, the world they’ve created has lost none of its magic, taking players on a creative, artistic adventure through lush gardens, living mountains, and crystalline caves, removing the vile taint of an evil wizard who’s kidnapped a very special young painter for his own wicked purposes.
Our review:
“As fun to play as it is to look at.”
Where to buy: Big Fish Games -
Collector’s Edition,
standard version
You wouldn’t normally associate a serene Japanese garden, tropical pirate island, medieval monastery, ancient Incan ruins, and the depths of hell itself with a haunted house ghost story (okay, maybe hell), but this entertainingly varied lite adventure sends a psychic deep into the memories of its tortured spirits to help them restore the wrongs that bind them, solving a host of puzzles along the way.
Our review:
“A fun, often creepy gambol through a variety of puzzle-filled, haunted worlds.”
Where to buy: Big Fish Games
Once one of the more prolific adventure game developers, Kheops Studio has turned its attention to more casual fare in recent years, but the French Studio hasn’t lost its touch. After finding its way in a surreal but uneven first installment, this three-part lite adventure series soon hit its stride. Though he just wants to get home, the amnesiac protagonist keeps awakening from mysterious falls to find himself in a new time and place, facing a nice balance of exploration, puzzle-solving, and item collection along the way.
Our review: (of
Chapter 2 – Reconstruction)
“An enjoyable way to spend five or so hours.”
Where to buy: Big Fish Games
Mix a dose of Graham Annable’s
Grickle cartoon with a pinch of David Lynch, a dash of
Fargo, a sprinkling of
Professor Layton, and a healthy heap of puzzle filling, and you’ve got the unusual new concoction called
Puzzle Agent. Quite unlike Telltale’s other offerings, this puzzler serves up a steady diet of brainteasers wrapped up in the eerie mystery of Scoggins, Minnesota. Only Nelson Tethers, one-man Department of Puzzle Research for the FBI, can solve the curious case of the local factory closure and the “hidden people” that are somehow connected to the whole sordid affair.
Our review:
"A charming lite adventure filled with quirky characters and challenging puzzles that anyone can enjoy solving."
Where to buy: Telltale Games store
We already listed the best of the newer titles, but adventures are renowned for their long shelf life, so there's still time to catch up on these slightly older games that come just as highly recommended.
If you missed it the first time around, the 1990 LucasArts piratey classic is now back, bigger and better than ever. Available for download only, the new enhanced version includes high definition graphics, full voiceovers, a re-mastered orchestral soundtrack, revamped control scheme, and a multi-tiered hint system. And for those who prefer the game in all its retro glory, the original version is fully intact as well, easily accessed at any time throughout the game. It’s the best of both worlds!
Our review:
"Everyone who loves adventure games should experience it at least once."
Where to buy: Steam,
Direct2Drive
Whether you choose the original or the updated “Director’s Cut”, you don’t want to miss out on one of the genre’s epic greats. Beginning with a bang (literally), the globetrotting conspiracy thriller is smartly written and beautifully designed, aging beautifully over the years. Originally known as
Circle of Blood in North America, for reasons known only to the Knights Templar, the debut of George Stobbart and Nico Collard is still the benchmark of the series, and one of the finest adventures ever made.
Our review:
"This game remains an absolute masterpiece."
Where to buy: Amazon (Director’s Cut),
Amazon UK (Double Pack),
Amazon US
Leave it to the mind of Tim Schafer to not only find inspiration for a game in the Mexican Day of the Dead, but to create a noir-styled masterpiece in the process. The unique four-year excursion of otherworldly travel agent Manny Calavera across the land of the dead is often brilliant and always imaginative, and though its direct control scheme takes some getting used to, this game has lost none of its charm in the decade since release.
Our review:
"With so many good points, where does one start?"
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
At a time many had written off the genre, along came Funcom and Ragnar Tørnquist’s opus to remind everyone of what a classic point-and-click adventure has to offer. The epic tale of young “shifter” April Ryan, as she learns to embrace her destiny and bring balance back between two worlds of magic and science, remains a fan favourite even today for its gorgeous design and ambitious storytelling.
Our review:
"The Longest Journey
is a piece of art… an adventure game for the books!"
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
This classic from Benoît Sokal and Microïds is as beautiful as it is moving; a journey of both fantasy and self-discovery; a tale of hope yet touched by melancholic sadness. Players follow the exploits of big city lawyer Kate Walker in her pursuit of a handicapped but brilliant inventor, himself on the trail of the world's last living mammoths. Now six years after release, the game has recently been ported to the Nintendo DS, though the PC original is still the recommended version to play.
Our review:
"The story is so elegantly and subtly told that you feel as though you are reading poetry or being sung a sonnet that has been transformed into a game."
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
Another gem from the now-defunct Microïds Canada casts players in dual playable roles of FBI agent Victoria McPherson in modern day Chicago and her grandfather Gus in 1920s Prague, as each pursues a murderer whose methods and motivations bear striking similarities. The highly-anticipated sequel didn't quite live up to its predecessor's standards, but now's the perfect time to see where it all began if you missed it the first time around.
Our review:
"If it isn't an instant classic, it is nipping at the heels of the all-time greats."
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
How would little independent Amanita Design top its popular
Samorost series? Easy – by making
Machinarium, the company’s first full-fledged adventure that exudes charm, style, and polish at every turn. Bigger and more complex than its predecessors, the game casts players as a little robot who must make his way back into a towering mechanical city. For a game about robots, it’s got far more
heart than most adventures, and it’s a refreshing, imaginative title that’s not to be missed.
Our review:
“With an original charm all its own, Machinarium
is a real winner and an instant classic.”
Where to buy: GOG,
Machinarium website
When one classic adventure just isn’t enough, how about seven? Over the years, the
King’s Quest series proved to be one of Sierra’s best, with each sequel achieving new breakthroughs for its time. This collection covers the first seven games created by Roberta Williams and chronicles the adventures of Daventry’s royal family. Now updated to run on modern computers and sold at a bargain price, there’s no reason to skip over this groundbreaking anthology anymore.
Our review: (of
King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow)
"Story and gameplay come together in perfect balance… one of the best games Sierra gave us."
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
In an era dominated by comedy and fantasy, Jim Walls and Sierra defied the odds with a series full of gritty realism and real-life police procedures. Tackling more serious themes like drug abuse and suburban violence, the
Police Quest collection presents the first three adventures featuring Sonny Bonds, along with the fourth game created by Daryl F. Gates, the retired Police Chief of Los Angeles. Inexpensive and fully playable on current hardware, it’d be a crime to miss out of this landmark series.
Our review: (of
Police Quest 2: The Vengeance)
"Not only the best of its series, but one of the very best of Sierra’s Golden Age."
Where to buy: Amazon UK,
Amazon US
The selection so far should be plenty to get you going, but if you just can’t seem to get enough, there’s still plenty more where those came from. Better yet, these highly recommended older titles are still widely available, often at bargain prices.
Syberia II  | | Amazon UK, Amazon US |
| Myst IV: Revelation | | Amazon UK, Amazon US |
| Bad Mojo Redux | | Amazon UK, Amazon US |
| Samorost 2 | | Amanita Design website, Big Fish Games |
| Runaway: A Road Adventure | | Amazon UK, Amazon US |
| Portal | | Steam, Amazon UK, Amazon US |
| Gabriel Knight 3 | | Amazon UK, Amazon US |
| Dreamfall: The Longest Journey | | Amazon UK, Amazon US |
| Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit | | Amazon UK, Amazon US |
| Return to Mysterious Island | | Amazon UK, Amazon US |
We hope this guide has been helpful to you, but keep checking back for more new releases! And of course there are many other adventures not listed, as we’ve included only games that
rated 3½ stars or higher right here at Adventure Gamers. For additional information about other top games, be sure to check out our
Aggie Award winners from last year. For still more over the years, you’ll find what you need in our
Reviews section (sorting by “All” and “Article Date” will put them right at your fingertips). For now, though, this list should be everything you need to get you started.
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