Key Takeaways
- Adventure Games: Adventure games offer immersive experiences with engaging gameplay and storytelling.
- Top Rankings: This list ranks the ten greatest adventure video games based on various quality metrics.
- Variety of Titles: From Super Mario Galaxy to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, there is a game for every fan.
- Enduring Classics: These titles have received critical acclaim and continue to be beloved by fans.
The beauty of video games is their ability to deliver countless different experiences, each with its own charms and value. From iconic platforming games like Super Mario Bros. to thrilling action masterpieces such as God of War, every type of fan can find something to immerse themselves in. However, one of the best video game genres is adventure, delivering sprawling journeys of engaging gameplay and storytelling.
Everyone can get behind an adventure game, but with so many masterpieces, it can be difficult to find the best of the best. That is why this list will rank the ten greatest adventure video games of all time based on sense of adventure, direction, gameplay, narrative, art, originality, lack of flaws, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. If fans are looking to go on an adventure in the comfort of their own home, these are the games for them.
10
‘Super Mario Galaxy’ (2007)
Nintendo is mostly known for its creative and family-friendly games, but fans shouldn’t look past its adventure titles, some of which may not even seem like adventure games, such as Super Mario Galaxy. With Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach and bringing her into the far reaches of space, Mario must use Rosalina’s help to save the day.
Super Mario Galaxy is a platformer, but that doesn’t mean it can’t instill an interstellar sense of adventure as players travel from planet to planet searching for the princess. With some of the best level design in video games, this expertly paced title hits all the right notes. Super Mario Galaxy has a stellar soundtrack and one of the most imaginative gameplay systems, working in tandem to create an unforgettable adventure through the cosmos. The movie adaptation might not be great, but the original game remains a masterpiece.
9
‘Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver’ (2009/2010)
Pokémon is one of the largest media franchises in the world, but its games haven’t gotten the best rep as of late. That shouldn’t cloud the judgment of past games, which were grand RPG adventures that defined millions of childhoods. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are Generation II remakes that take fans through the Johto region, where they must defeat the gym leaders, the Elite Four, and stop the resurgence of Team Rocket.
Like Super Mario Galaxy, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver aren’t explicitly adventure games, but they still rile up the spirit that takes viewers all over an extensive map. With two regions to explore, players have double the adventure in store, and with incredible replay value, exploring never gets tiring. From forming bonds with one’s Pokémon to slowly progressing by training, getting stronger, and collecting more badges, this nostalgic adventure proves that HeartGold and SoulSilver are the best Pokémon games of all time.
The fantasy genre is best paired with adventure, and open worlds fit right in there to create some of the best video games of all time, including The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Players control the Dragonborn, a human with the soul of a dragon. After escaping execution, they find themselves on a quest of fate to kill Alduin the World Eater before it destroys the world.
The reason why fantasy games have some of the best adventures is that they adopt the open world format so well, creating a fluid game that feels right in an expansive sandbox. Some bugs and dated game design actually work in its favor, adding to the distinct Bethesda charm. Players craft their own story in Skyrim, giving them unparalleled freedom that enhances the sense of adventure.
7
‘The Last of Us’ (2013)
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