Adventure Games that Shaped Modern Gaming More than You Realized

The ‘call to adventure’ – that pivotal moment where a hero embarks on a journey – is a common trope in both literature and video games. It’s when the main character steps outside their normal life and embraces something new. Interestingly, the experience feels quite similar in both forms of storytelling. However, adventure games often allow players more freedom to shape their own story, rather than simply following a predetermined path.

Sometimes, the story is already pretty clear, and the fun comes from seeing how the characters get from the beginning to the end. But no matter what kind of story you like in your adventure games, so many of the games we love today wouldn’t exist without the ones that came before them – the ones that really set the stage!

No matter what kind of adventure games you enjoy – from fast-paced action to story-focused experiences – many titles have shaped the way modern adventure games are made.

10. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Objection!

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney first gained popularity in the United States in the early 2000s. The game lets you play as the defense attorney Phoenix Wright, where you investigate for clues and evidence to prove your clients’ innocence. Success depends on being observant and knowing what questions to ask.

The original Phoenix Wright game was a breakthrough, being one of the first visual novel-style adventures to become popular with a wide American audience. The series has continued to thrive with many sequels and spin-offs, and remains incredibly popular with a dedicated fanbase.

9. Far Cry 3

Tropic Thunder

I really enjoyed the first couple of Far Cry games, but I think Far Cry 3 is where the series truly found its stride – and established the open-world formula that Ubisoft became known for. It was packed with things to do, offering incredible freedom. You could quietly infiltrate enemy bases, unleash a tiger to create mayhem, or even have a bare-knuckle brawl with a shark if you wanted!

Far Cry 3 marked a turning point for the series, with a greater emphasis on storytelling and the introduction of memorable, over-the-top villains – a tradition that continues today. Although Ubisoft’s open-world formula might feel familiar now, its impact on the genre is still clear.

8. Red Dead Redemption 2

True Grit

Rockstar games are known for being grand and expansive, and Red Dead Redemption 2 is no exception. Its huge world and detailed story really captured the feeling of the Wild West. You can enjoy a simple ride through the countryside, hunt animals, or live out a life of crime as a bandit – Red Dead Redemption 2 offers something for everyone.

Similar to other recent games from this developer, players aren’t limited to a set storyline – they can create their own experiences in the game’s online world. This game was also a major influence on open-world adventure games from the previous generation of consoles.

7. Assassin’s Creed

Sneaky Sneaking

The original Assassin’s Creed was a groundbreaking adventure game thanks to its combination of historical fiction and stealth-focused gameplay. Its innovative climbing and parkour mechanics – allowing players to quickly scale buildings and surprise enemies – were particularly revolutionary when the game first came out.

The Assassin’s Creed series has evolved its gameplay over time. While I feel it’s strayed from what originally made it great, many of the later games are still fantastic. I just wish they would revisit the story of Desmond Miles.

6. Myst

First-Person Puzzling

Though simple compared to modern games, Myst was a groundbreaking visual experience when it first came out, and it became one of the best-selling puzzle adventure games of all time. It’s a classic example of a game where you explore and solve puzzles by clicking on things in a strange and beautiful world, completely immersing players in the island’s atmosphere.

This game, free of enemies and danger, kicked off a new wave of relaxed, accessible adventures. It especially brought PC gaming to people who didn’t typically consider themselves gamers. Its success also inspired many similar games, all hoping to replicate its popularity.

5. The Secret of Monkey Island

A Pirate’s Life

During the early 1990s, Lucasfilm Games created many popular point-and-click adventure games. This was a golden age for the genre, and The Secret of Monkey Island led the way. The game combined challenging puzzles with a funny, story-driven experience as players helped Guybrush Threepwood achieve his dream of becoming a pirate.

The first game holds special significance due to the involvement of Dave Grossman, who later played a vital role in the success of TellTale Games, and Tim Schafer, the creator of games like Grim Fandango and founder of Double Fine Productions.

4. Metroid

A Genre Defining Classic

One of the first open-world adventure games was Metroid for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Players explored the planet Zebes as Samus Aran, discovering upgrades like the famous morphball to help them get around. The game allowed players to create their own adventure, while subtly guiding them by requiring specific abilities to unlock new areas.

Metroid was a groundbreaking game that inspired a whole new style of adventure games called Metroidvanias. Its impact on the gaming world is huge – many of today’s most beloved games wouldn’t exist without it.

3. Grand Theft Auto 3

Breaking Car Windows and Boundaries

As someone who loved the original Grand Theft Auto games, I was initially disappointed when Grand Theft Auto 3 switched to a third-person perspective. However, that disappointment quickly faded as I realized how much the game offered. At the time, there simply weren’t many games that let you freely explore, steal cars, and have shootouts with the police alongside the main story missions.

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Grand Theft Auto 3 had a massive impact on gaming, and its influence can be seen in almost every open-world action game released since the PlayStation 2. It’s truly one of the most important and popular games ever made – just look at the pressure facing developers launching games near the release of GTA 6 to understand its lasting power.

2. The Walking Dead

Better than the TV Show

Telltale’s games were always known for their stories, but The Walking Dead: Season 1 truly stood out. It brought a powerful emotional weight to their games, particularly through the touching relationship between Lee and Clementine as they struggled to survive the zombie apocalypse. Many players found themselves deeply moved and even crying by the end of the game.

TellTale Games had created some great games before, but The Walking Dead was a real breakthrough, taking their unique style to a new height. It revitalized the point-and-click adventure genre, and players enjoyed a wealth of fantastic games that followed.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Where the Wind Takes You

Similar to the very first Zelda game, Breath of the Wild drops you into a huge, open world and lets you figure things out on your own. As you explore and get stronger, you’ll uncover more about how the game works – and how to cleverly use or even break its rules to your advantage. From learning to cook to taming a horse or building your endurance, Breath of the Wild requires effort, experimentation, and a little bit of patience to master everything.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is packed with so much content, it’s almost overwhelming. It really changed how open-world fantasy adventure games are made, inspiring developers to create similarly detailed and expansive experiences. So far, though, Tears of the Kingdom is the only other game that’s come close to matching its level of depth.

2026-04-07 15:41