The 10 Action Adventure Games Everyone Should Play at Least Once

Action Adventure games are some of the easiest games to get into. Honestly, if you were trying to get someone who doesn't play video games into the medium, I would recommend action-adventure games. But what is an action-adventure game? Well, honestly, genres are all arbitrary, and there's no such thing as a true definition of one but most gamers would probably agree that action adventures have these qualities.

Action Adventure games tend to focus on mechanics (combat and exploration) while implementing character-based storylines. Not every Action Adventure game will fulfill this criteria but most of them do. Now, if you're new to this genre or video games as a whole, where should you start? Luckily for you, we have you covered. Here are the 10 definitive action-adventure games everyone should play at least once.

• Release Date — 1987–2023
• Publisher — Konami
• Developer — Konami, Kojima Productions

Any Metal Gear Solid game can fill this slot on this list. Hideo Kojima is one of the most celebrated creatives in the gaming industry and while he got his start making other titles, he didn't make a name for himself until Snatcher and Metal Gear. The Metal Gear Series is adored for its deep systems, characters, and stories. It's a weird title for sure, and it's definitely not for everyone. But that being said, everyone should play a Metal Gear title at least once in their life and it does not matter where you start, they are all well-made.

• Release Date — September 20, 2005
• Publisher — Tecmo
• Developer — Team Ninja
• Review Aggregate Score — 94% (Universal Acclaim)
• Platforms — Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Ninja Gaiden Black is a compilation of Ninja Gaiden and the two Hurricane packs. This title was a definitive version of the original games and many fans consider it the best way to play. Not only is all the old content present but new features are as well. Such as new enemies, new costumes, and a swap of the original's NES mini-game. Ninja Gaiden is known to be a more difficult action game for those who want a challenge. Then Ninja Gaiden Black provides more accessibility options in both directions. Two new difficulties were included an easier mode, Ninja Dog, and a harder mode, Master Ninja. If challenging, old-school ninja games are your cup of tea give it a shot.

• Release Date — November 9, 2022
• Publisher — Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Developer — Santa Monica Studio
• Review Aggregate Score — 94% (Universal Acclaim)
• Platforms — PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows

The God of War franchise has landed firmly on its feet after pivoting from its spectacle fighter hack-and-slash roots to an over-the-shoulder action-adventure game. It's not easy to sell a story of redemption and fatherhood to fans of a series about brutality and murder. Both God of War Ragnarok and the original God of War (2018), are worth your time if you're looking for action-adventure games. They are the perfect kind of action-adventure game, one that is well-paced and has a great balance of both action and adventure.

One of the more unique entries on this list is Okami. Capcom is one of the modern kings of the Action Adventure genre and they've been so for the last 30 or so years. Okami was directed by the great Hideki Kamiya, who drew inspiration from The Legend of Zelda titles. While Okami has everything a fan of the genre would enjoy, where it shines is in its presentation and unique mechanics. One unique mechanic is the Celestial brush. This brush allows players to draw on the screen and interact with the world and enemies.

Release Date — October 18, 2005
Publisher — Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer — Japan Studio
Review Aggregate Score — 91% (Universal Acclaim)
Platforms — PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

Shadow of the Colossus leans a bit further into the adventure side of the Action Adventure moniker but making a list of this kind without it would be sacrilege. Shadow of the Colossus requires the player to explore a beautiful yet desolate land while defeating these majestic beasts known as the Colossi. The moment-to-moment gameplay can be compared to walking simulators, but once you engage in combat with a Colossus, very few games are as exhilarating.

Release Date — March 22, 2019
Publisher — Activision
Developer — FromSoftware
Review Aggregate Score — 90% (Universal Acclaim)
Platforms — PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Stadia

You could argue that any of the Soulsborne franchise could fit here but I would argue that Sekiro embodies the Action Adventure genre more so than the others. While this title does have all the Miyazaki-isms that tend to make the Soulsborne games what they are, Sekiro demands a mastery of its mechanics for you to play. Similar to other games on this list, this title is perfect for those wanting to learn difficult mechanics in their action games.

Release Date — December 6, 2007
Publisher — Marvelous Entertainment
Developer — Grasshopper Manufacture
Review Aggregate Score — 83% (Generally Favorable)
Platforms — Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Switch, Windows

No More Heroes is not as good as other games on this list but it deserves to be here because of charisma. This title does not try to be anything except for itself, something that should be applauded in an age where everything is trying to copy Dark Souls. No More Heroes is a diamond in the rough, with a raunchy story, great character design, and a tight funny narrative. If you enjoy it there are 3 sequels for you to dive into but in all honesty, none of them do it quite like the original.

Release Date — March 8, 2019
Publisher — Capcom
Developer — Capcom
Review Aggregate Score — 87% (Generally Favorable)
Platforms — PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5

One of Capcom's phenomenal examples of its Action Adventure resume is the Devil May Cry series. Devil May Cry 5 is the newest entry and is a great entry point into the craziness that is this series. This title is a spectacle fighter of the likes of Bayonetta. If you want less narrative and more time juggling enemies for 10 minutes while you land a 500-hit combo, look no further than Devil May Cry 5.

Release Date — December 22, 2005
Publisher — Square Enix
Developer — Square Enix Development Division 1
Review Aggregate Score — 87% (Generally Favorable)
Platforms — PlayStation 2

The best entry in the Kingdom Hearts series. Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix has everything a great game needs. A heartfelt story with real stakes, amazing set pieces, beautiful music, and well-thought-out polished mechanics. Some people might be turned off from the inclusion of Disney characters but any fan of Disney or the Final Fantasy series owes it to themselves to play a Kingdom Hearts title. Specifically this one.

Release Date — January 11, 2005
Publisher — Capcom
Developer — Capcom Production Studio 4
Review Aggregate Score — 96% (Universal Acclaim)
Platforms — GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo Wii, iOS, Zeebo, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Oculus Quest 2

Resident Evil 4 is one of the best games ever made. It's so good that even its 2023 remake is one of the best games ever made. Just fundamentally, it's an all-around masterclass in game design and pacing. While Resident Evil is a game with roots in horror, Resident Evil 4 pulls from action movies while also knowing when to pull back and scare its players. Resident Evil 4 is not only one of the best Action Adventure games of all time but is a game that everyone should play at least once.