The 10 Best Adventure Games of All Time

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

When it comes to the best adventure gaming, there is no game that is more deserving of the Number 1 spot than Skyrim, it is quite literally THE adventure game, and the best Elder Scrolls game by far.

I remember back in high school when Skyrim first came out, I would constantly play the game. So much so that I eventually racked up a couple of thousand hours in the game. Those are probably some of the most precious and well-spent hours of my life. Worth every second! As I'm sure many gamers would agree.

Spec Ops: The Line

Compared to Skyrim, Spec Ops: The Line is a relatively short game. However, its story and the experience you get while playing it is nothing short of life-changing.

In my opinion, this is one of the best singleplayer games on PlayStation. To fully experience it, you have to take it in like a movie. Playing through this game made me question my beliefs as a human being, and it definitely changed my outlook when it comes to shooters. 

It's quite literally one of the best action adventure games that the gaming world had ever seen.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

If you thought The Witcher 3 wouldn't be making its way on this list, you're dead wrong. There's no other game out there that has the story, gameplay, sound design, voice acting and world building that The Witcher 3 has. 

The base game by itself is amazing. The DLCs however, make it even better. It's no wonder then that the game won so many prizes, of which, the best open-world PS4 game is just one of them. Truth be told, it's dangerous to play The Witcher. Because, after playing it, it'll be hard to go back to any other games. 

The game got even better after being re-released with improved graphics, so if you haven't checked it out – you just have to. It's your responsibility as a gamer.

The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead was an ambitious indie title that projected Telltale Games into widespread popularity. It was so popular in fact that it spawned its own genre of Telltale games.

The thing that made The Walking Dead such a beloved game is its gripping story, memorable characters, clever puzzles, and its rich world based on the comic books of the same name. It's possibly the best zombie game of all time.

It was an unusual entry into the adventure genre and the first game of its kind. And thankfully, it succeeded; as the world is richer because of it.

Journey

Journey is proof that you don't need a complex story, stunning graphics, a fantastic soundtrack, and tons of side missions to have an amazing adventure game. Sometimes, beauty lies in the simple things.

That's why Journey is one of the best indie games of all time, and certainly one of the best adventure games also. The game is simple, all you have to do is explore the world you're thrown in. And as the plot unravels, you're taken out of this world and into a higher plane of existence. Simply, beautiful...

Bioshock Infinite

As far as Bioshock games are concerned, Bioshock Infinite is the best game in the series in my opinion. On top of being one of the best adventure games, that is.

The game's world stands in stark contrast to its prequels, which had a chilling atmosphere, on account of them being set deep underwater. Infinite's world, on the other hand, was set high in the clouds.

The thing that made the game so memorable to me was the main character, Booker DeWitt, and his interactions with Elizabeth. At times, it felt as if I wasn't playing a game anymore, but experiencing a real human connection. Plus, the AI of Elizabeth was amazing, 10/10.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 1 was amazing in its own right. However! Red Dead Redemption 2 redefined what adventure games are forever.

The game gives you an experience of the wild west that no other game has ever matched. Not even Gun and that's one of my favorite childhood games.

I think the reason RDR2 is so beloved among gamers is the attention to detail Rockstar put into it. Everything from the sound design to the minor details scattered across the world was meticulously crafted. And in the end, they managed to create one of the greatest adventure games of all time.

Ghost of Tsushima

If I had to choose the most aesthetically-pleasing game of all time, then that game would definitely have to be Ghost of Tsushima.

Ghost of Tsushima is just so beautifully crafted that I'm baffled that it's based on a location in the real world. On top of that, the game features some of the best and most fluid combat I've ever experienced in video games before.

And if that wasn't enough, the story is likewise some of the most impressive writing I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Stop where you're at and go play Ghost of Tsushima. It's undoubtedly one of the best Sony games hands down.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda series is a series renowned for spawning hit after hit, and the last few entries are no expectation - especially Tears of the Kingdom.

Breath of the Wild was one of the best Zelda games in the series. The thing that Tears of the Kingdom got right is that it built upon what Breath of the Wild had left behind, and, because of that, it reached a high that no one expected.

Because of the new building mechanic, the puzzle solving experience, which the Zelda series is so known for is more entertaining than ever. But, let's be honest here, most of us just used the mechanic to make flying dongs of doom. A+ for creativity on our part.

World of Warcraft

When talking about top adventure games, people usually exclude MMOs. And yet, MMOs have some of the best worlds to explore.

World of Warcraft is the best example of that. When the game first came out in 2004 it blew gamer's minds everywhere. Everyone was hooked on WoW. Public discourse revolved around WoW. You weren't a real gamer if you didn't play WoW.

Over the years, and over the course of its many expansions, the game has had its ups and downs. One thing remains undeniable though. The world that WoW build, and the community it formed are unlike any other. The adventures you can have in WoW are seemingly endless, and with the right people - priceless.