22 votes

The best adventure games on PC in 2023

20 comments

  1. BeardyHat
    Link
    I've played a couple in this list in recent years, as a sort-of revisit to my childhood. I ended up missing a lot of these games, since, while I'd played PC games here and there in the 80s and...

    I've played a couple in this list in recent years, as a sort-of revisit to my childhood. I ended up missing a lot of these games, since, while I'd played PC games here and there in the 80s and early 90s, I jumped completely in when I played Doom for the first time in 1994 and had been hooked on the "Doom Clone" genre for a long time.

    Beneath a Steel Sky which is on this list, was an absolute favorite of mine when I played it for the first time around 2020; I would like to play the recently released sequel, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

    Easily one of my favorite ways to play a lot of these old games is laying in bed and playing them vids ScummVM on my PS Vita; there's just something damn cozy about an adventure game; at least, as long as it isn't too obtuse.

    5 votes
  2. [7]
    prota
    Link
    One that really surprised me with how well it held up is Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. Its visuals are still plenty evocative, the music is delightful and its writing/voice acting...

    One that really surprised me with how well it held up is Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. Its visuals are still plenty evocative, the music is delightful and its writing/voice acting appropriately cheesy. It ended up becoming one of my all-time favorites.

    The GOG release also includes its manual, which has hints and solutions to puzzles if you get stuck. Used it a few times, but it was very breezy overall.

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      BeardyHat
      Link Parent
      I'll have to check that out, I've always heard lots and lots about it. Are the puzzles terribly obtuse? I was feeling in a Trek mood recently, even though I'm not much of a fan, so I picked up...

      I'll have to check that out, I've always heard lots and lots about it. Are the puzzles terribly obtuse?

      I was feeling in a Trek mood recently, even though I'm not much of a fan, so I picked up 25th Anniversary on GoG; was absolutely loving it up until about the 3rd episode where I felt like I was just looking at a guide and following instructions. I really ought to get over that little bugbear of mine.

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        prota
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        The puzzles were pretty sensibly designed for the most part. A few times nearing the end I consulted the hints in the manual, but that’s all. I’m not that into Trek either but I’ve been meaning to...

        The puzzles were pretty sensibly designed for the most part. A few times nearing the end I consulted the hints in the manual, but that’s all.

        I’m not that into Trek either but I’ve been meaning to play the adventure games. Hope I have a better time with them!

        By the way, have you heard of uhs-hints.com? Essential for replaying old adventure games as far as I’m concerned. Makes looking stuff up more bearable by nudging you in the right directions instead of outright providing answers (unless you want to).

        I don't enjoy having to follow along with a guide either. That was the majority of my Grim Fandango experience from the ship onward, even with the use of hints, and it’s why it doesn’t rate as highly for me. Lovely art, writing and voice acting though. I wish current day DF would make a more accessible sequel.

        1. BeardyHat
          Link Parent
          Oh wow, I haven't heard of uhs-hints.com, but it sounds great! I believe this will be a revelation for me, as I absolutely lose interest once I look at a guide; it's not that I don't want to...

          Oh wow, I haven't heard of uhs-hints.com, but it sounds great! I believe this will be a revelation for me, as I absolutely lose interest once I look at a guide; it's not that I don't want to continue playing, but that I don't want to rotely follow a solution that's laid out for me.

          I may be able to go back and finish The Dig, as well as Star Trek and many others, finally. Thanks!

    2. [3]
      Carighan
      Link Parent
      It's also still one of the smartest point&click games around, letting you in-game pick between the normal (Team) and hard (Puzzle) mode - and the joke mode (Combat), granted. And the two modes are...

      It's also still one of the smartest point&click games around, letting you in-game pick between the normal (Team) and hard (Puzzle) mode - and the joke mode (Combat), granted.

      And the two modes are different enough to warrant replaying as doing puzzles alone can be quite difficult.

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        prota
        Link Parent
        I somehow completely forgot about or missed this. Might have to reinstall it down the line to check it out.

        I somehow completely forgot about or missed this. Might have to reinstall it down the line to check it out.

        1. Carighan
          Link Parent
          It's near the start, when Sophia wants to come along. Each answer corresponds to a game mode.

          It's near the start, when Sophia wants to come along. Each answer corresponds to a game mode.

  3. [2]
    holo
    Link
    I'm surprised that The Dig isn't on their list!

    I'm surprised that The Dig isn't on their list!

    1 vote
    1. BeardyHat
      Link Parent
      I really enjoyed The Dig, but there definitely came a point when a guide was essential. That's usually where classic Adventures start to lose me, as I feel I may as well be watching a playthrough...

      I really enjoyed The Dig, but there definitely came a point when a guide was essential. That's usually where classic Adventures start to lose me, as I feel I may as well be watching a playthrough instead.

  4. [7]
    VinzerDeling
    Link
    I'm surprised Technobabylon is the choice from Wadjet Eye Games, it's probably my second favourite of their published games, with Resonance being top of the list. The usual fan favourite is...

    I'm surprised Technobabylon is the choice from Wadjet Eye Games, it's probably my second favourite of their published games, with Resonance being top of the list. The usual fan favourite is Unavowed though, which I've still not really got into, despite having bought it a few years ago. I find their games have solid gameplay but the voice acting too frequently takes me out of the experience and leaves me a little disappointed.

    Otherwise, the article is a pretty solid list, if a tad safe. If I was to add some of the "lesser known" point and click adventures to the list though, I'd definitely suggest:

    • Darkside Detective - funny, spooky and decent puzzles throughout
    • Inspector Waffles - a solid and enjoyable game without overstaying its welcome
    • Truberbrook - really lovely to look at and great sound design too. Puzzles can get a bit obtuse at times but still a fun game to play.
    1. [2]
      prota
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      The Blackwell series has been my favorite out of Wadjeteye, but I haven't played the entirety of their catalog yet. Not from that publisher, but I also really liked Kathy Rain. Sensible puzzles,...

      The Blackwell series has been my favorite out of Wadjeteye, but I haven't played the entirety of their catalog yet. Not from that publisher, but I also really liked Kathy Rain. Sensible puzzles, fun theme and a likeable protag.

      I really need to check out Darkside. I keep hearing positive things, and supernatural detective games are right up my alley.

      1 vote
      1. VinzerDeling
        Link Parent
        I have always wanted to play Kathy Rain. It's in my library, but I have yet to find the time to get around to it. It's good to know that it will be worth it when I finally open it up! Funnily...

        I have always wanted to play Kathy Rain. It's in my library, but I have yet to find the time to get around to it. It's good to know that it will be worth it when I finally open it up!

        Funnily enough, I always thought it was a Wadjet Eye game, which is why I bought it in the first place!

    2. [4]
      BeardyHat
      Link Parent
      I need to play more Wadjet Eye games; I played a Gemini Rue many years ago now and loved it. Got several others in a Humble Bundle, I think The Shiva and a Blackwell game or two, but for some...

      I need to play more Wadjet Eye games; I played a Gemini Rue many years ago now and loved it. Got several others in a Humble Bundle, I think The Shiva and a Blackwell game or two, but for some reason I never think to go and download them when I'm wanting to play an adventure.

      Haven't heard of any your recommendations, I'll check them out too.

      1 vote
      1. [3]
        VinzerDeling
        Link Parent
        Wadjet Eye do some good games, but they have some issues that keep them stranded in the mid-tier level of point and click adventure games for me. I've got a few others on my list that I'd like to...

        Wadjet Eye do some good games, but they have some issues that keep them stranded in the mid-tier level of point and click adventure games for me. I've got a few others on my list that I'd like to play as well:

        Once I get some time free from Persona 5, I think I'll start tackling one of these!

        1. [2]
          BeardyHat
          Link Parent
          Thanks for the recommendations! What do you think it is that keeps Wadjet Eye where they're at? I've also been meaning to check out The Excavation of Hob's Barrow, but I'm waiting until I get that...

          Thanks for the recommendations! What do you think it is that keeps Wadjet Eye where they're at?

          I've also been meaning to check out The Excavation of Hob's Barrow, but I'm waiting until I get that Adventure Game itch again before diving back into something.

          1. VinzerDeling
            Link Parent
            For me, Wadjet Eye always has very interesting premises with stories that are mostly solid and well worked out, with decent mechanics and puzzles that are neither too difficult nor too easy....

            For me, Wadjet Eye always has very interesting premises with stories that are mostly solid and well worked out, with decent mechanics and puzzles that are neither too difficult nor too easy. Without exemption though, I always get sucked out of the game due to their sound design - particularly the voice acting and recording. It always, always feels extremely amateurish. At first, with the Blackwell games, I could understand it as they were still a new studio, but every single game that I've played - so all of them except the most recent two - have had voice actors that try to overact, are extremely hammy, or are screaming into a mic so there's that crackling distortion on the audio.

            I used to review games and I'd always be super excited to get my hands on one of their games, but I'd always go away feeling a little deflated because I'd be taken out of the story, and my eardrums would be bleeding.

  5. TheJorro
    Link
    Interesting that The Longest Journey didn't make one of these lists for once... but that's still my favourite one. One of the most original and sprawling stories I've ever experienced, and an...

    Interesting that The Longest Journey didn't make one of these lists for once... but that's still my favourite one. One of the most original and sprawling stories I've ever experienced, and an expert mash-up of both fantasy and sci-fi.

    The sequel, Dreamfall, was also very good if you were invested in the story, but it was also more of a 3D adventure and light action game. I never played the Dreamfall Chapters release but I hear it continues the story well.

  6. ShinRamyun
    Link
    Machinarium not being on this list is an absolute crime.

    Machinarium not being on this list is an absolute crime.

  7. Jao
    Link
    I remember watching Jacksepticeye play Night in the Woods on YT.

    I remember watching Jacksepticeye play Night in the Woods on YT.