Entertainment
10 Greatest Adventure Video Games of the 21st Century
If there is one genre most people can get behind, it is adventure, and that is because it can be spread out into so many other subgenres and handled differently. Video games in particular are great for adventure experiences since they offer a more personal and immersive view, with players controlling their destiny in fantastical worlds. Games such as Dragon Age and Cyberpunk 2077 reflect this.
The adventure genre is timeless, but video games continue to evolve, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest adventure video games of the 21st century. Based on aspects such as sense of adventure, scale, gameplay design, worldbuilding, narrative, visuals, immersiveness, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these titles are the best of the modern age for those wanting to explore some new worlds.
10
‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ (2015)
Fans can expect a lot of fantasy games on this list, and that is because that genre pairs perfectly with an adventure, as proven by The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the first game on this list. Geralt of Rivia puts aside his usual monster-hunting duties to search for his missing daughter, Ciri, who is being chased by the titular group of spectral warriors that want to use her for her innate magical abilities.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has a great story, but it captures its adventure perfection through the side quests and narrative lore spread throughout the world. An adventure isn’t about the destination; it is about the journey there, and that is what The Witcher 3 excels at through its side quests, lore, and random encounters. This game is nothing short of a masterpiece, and fans cannot wait until The Witcher 4, which they hope will be on this list in the future.
9
‘Metroid Prime’ (2002)
Nintendo has a vast catalog of game franchises, many of which are adventures, including Metroid, and the best game in that series is probably Metroid Prime. After receiving a distress signal from a nearby planet, Samus Aran goes to investigate. When there, she learns that the ancient planet was taken over by space pirates and used as a genetic testing facility. Now, it is up to her to stop it.
One might not think a metroidvania could present a good adventure, but that familiarity and coming back to a blockade after unlocking what the player needs to pass it is an exhilarating experience that enhances that sense of adventure. Metroid Prime is easy to navigate and keeps the gameplay flowing, proving why it is considered one of the best sci-fi adventure video games of all time.
8
‘The Last of Us’ (2013)
Adventure stories are smash hits on television, and many great video games adapt well to the small screen in this regard, including The Last of Us. After the zombie apocalypse, a rugged survivor must escort a young girl across the country to safety after learning that she may be the key to creating the cure and saving humanity.
The Last of Us doesn’t exactly focus on joyful exploration, but it is a journey across a country that proves to be a definitive adventure that explores a desolate and decaying country infested by terrifying infected. This is a beloved video game because of its narrative that develops Joel and Ellie into stand-out characters, and this touching dynamic leads to one of the greatest plot twists in video game history.
7
‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
FromSoftware is known for its dark fantasy video games, and its magnum opus is Elden Ring. After the titular object is shattered, the demigod children of the queen Marika collect them. With the world in turmoil, it is up to the player, the Tarnished One, to travel the Lands Between, defeat the demigod children, reclaim the pieces, form the ring, and become the Elden Lord to rule the land.
FromSoftware games are usually adventures, but none are like Elden Ring, which revamps the formula with a bigger world focused on exploration. With no mini-map, players are thrust into the unknown, which enhances that adventurous spirit when they discover lore, loot, or an impossibly challenging boss. Elden Ring is one of the best modern video games ever, and that is because of its once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
6
‘Outer Wilds’ (2019)
Indie games are great, but because of their limited budget, they usually fail to create an adventure as good as the AAA blockbusters, but Outer Wilds is here to prove that wrong. The player is an astronaut in a newly discovered solar system, and their mission is to translate the ruins and lore of the planets before the sun explodes. Thankfully, there is a 22-minute time loop to try and get everything noted down.
Adventure is all about freedom, but games still need progression systems, which are usually handled by gates and keys, inherent obstacles that make the progression more constrictive. Outer Wilds uses a knowledge-based progression system, which feeds into the sense of adventure and makes learning important. This imaginative masterpiece captures the sense of adventure in innovative ways, and that is why it is such an underrated gem and magnificent adventure game that more people need to play.
The Elder Scrolls VI is one of the most anticipated video games ever, and when it comes out, fans have high hopes it will be one of the best adventures, but for now, the best of the franchise is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. After barely escaping execution, gamers set out on a divine quest of prophecy in order to slay Alduin, the World Eater, a dragon that is said to destroy the planet.
Even though this list includes the best adventure games of the 21st century, most of them are modern, and that is because of the influence Skyrim had on the game industry. It redefined the genre with an ambitious scale, vast open-world, player agency, and incredible side quests and towns that made the adventure even more immersive. Skyrim is among the best sandbox titles and among the greatest fantasy adventure video games.
4
‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ (2018)
Rockstar is one of the greatest video game studios, and while Grand Theft Auto may be its magnum opus, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a better adventure experience. Arthur Morgan is the leader of a cowboy gang during the dying era of the Wild West, but after his tuberculosis diagnosis, he doesn’t have much time left, prompting him to set out on one last grand adventure for redemption.
Most of the adventures on this list are either sci-fi or fantasy, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is Western prestige in its purest form, and that is playable. Its incredibly detailed world is full of things to do, from fishing to hunting, horseback riding, shaving, and even eating beans. It may seem pointless, but it immerses the player in the character and the world, making the adventure feel much more personal, also enhancing its narrative, which boasts the best character arc in video games.
3
‘Mass Effect Trilogy’ (2007-2012)
It may be unfair to include an entire trilogy of games, but the three Mass Effect games are treated as a collective experience, and they fit so perfectly together as one set adventure. After an ancient race of machines, the Reapers, begin to devour life in the galaxy, Commander Shepard leads the charge to unite the many factions of the galaxy and stop this threat before it gets too large.
The sequel games save data from the previous entries, making them a continued adventure and a connected story that will change if gamers replay them. Mass Effect builds a narrative masterclass through emotional storytelling, political intrigue, and lore galore, with some of the best worldbuilding and lore, but the real achievement is its narrative, which helps Mass Effect become one of the best Xbox video games.
2
‘Uncharted 2: Among Thieves’ (2009)
If there is one franchise that does adventure the best, it is Uncharted, and while all of their games are perfect, the best is Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. When an old colleague returns to Nathan Drake’s life, they set out on an adventure to find Marco Polo’s fleet, which is rumored to contain a precious artifact, but the adventure will be filled with many twists and turns.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves does set pieces so well, creating an environment of action, drama, and thrills that makes every moment of the adventure tense and special. From shootouts to dangling off a cliff to climbing up a falling train, every beat in this game serves the purpose of a thrilling adventure. The gameplay is astonishing, and the experience is non-stop exhilaration, helping this globe-trotting adventure earn its place at second on this list.
1
‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ (2017)
The Legend of Zelda franchise is home to some of the greatest adventure video games, and while there are many great ones, the best is arguably The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A hundred years after Zelda sealed Ganondorf away, the land of Hyrule has been taken over by nature and monsters. But with Link finally awake, he sets out on a journey to defeat the Gerudo King and bring Zelda back.
This list features some of the best adventure video games of all time, but Breath of the Wild embodies the spirit of true adventure the best. Exploration is the name of the game, and the game encourages it, specifically through its design decision of having three landmarks present from wherever the player is. A good adventure needs to be set in a good world, and Hyrule is one of the best video game worlds, making exploring it even more engaging. The open-air style and methods of traversal make adventuring easier and grander than ever, helping Breath of the Wild earn its legendary status.
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