Summary
- Adventure games blend exploration, realistic elements, and varied mechanics for a unique gameplay experience.
- Indiana Jones, Uncharted, and Assassin's Creed achieve realism through setting details and engaging storytelling.
- Games like Shenmue, Last of Us 2, L.A. Noire, and Red Dead Redemption 2 focus on immersion and attention to detail.
Adventure games are beloved by many players, offering a strong focus on exploration and story while letting participants travel through different environments, discover secrets, and often solve puzzles. In addition, this genre mixes well with others, allowing for varied mechanics that create a unique gameplay experience.
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Many of these titles also emphasize realism, either through the mechanics that support a more grounded approach or by telling stories less centered on fantasy, making gamers face challenges that feel plausible. Thus, the best adventure games with a realistic touch achieve a balance between being entertaining without straying too far from believable situations.
8 Indiana Jones And The Great Circle
An Action-Adventure That Embraces Cinematic Realism
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
- Released
- December 9, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
In one of the best adaptations of a movie character to videogames, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle stands out in several ways. It keeps the essence that made the archaeologist one of the most cherished characters on the big screen while also presenting many gameplay elements that help players truly feel in Indy’s shoes, including his famous whip.
Even though certain aspects are not fully realistic, the game uses cinematic realism effectively, telling an engaging story and featuring settings that closely resemble the era of 1937. The game also rewards creative thinking, offering multiple ways to solve problems, and using firearms is a last resort since one shot alerts nearly every enemy in the area.
7 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
A Game That Blends Exaggeration With Realism
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
- Released
- May 10, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Adventure
Although Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End includes exaggerated moments, with Nathan Drake climbing unstable cliffs and getting involved in high-speed chases that would be impossible for ordinary people, the world itself behaves in a believable manner. Some details, such as the physics applied to various objects or even the environments, were made to seem genuine.
Despite taking inspiration from the cinematic stories like Indiana Jones, this action-adventure still tries to maintain a sense of realism by paying attention to small details, much like its source of inspiration did. For those wanting some level of immersion without worrying about a bit of over-the-top action, this is one of the best action-adventure options in the genre.
6 Assassin's Creed Unity
This Adventure Game Impresses With Historical Accuracy
Assassin's Creed Unity
- Released
- November 11, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- Action, Open-World
Although the main storylines of the Assassin’s Creed series lean away from realism, featuring many fantasy elements like the Apples of Eden, the same cannot be said about the locations and settings of each entry. Before diving more into RPG elements and the myths of each era, the franchise was known for faithfully recreating the cities in each title and their historical personalities.
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Even with some initial launch problems, Assassin’s Creed Unity became one of the best and most realistic action-adventures by Ubisoft, transporting players to France in the midst of its revolution. Much of this accuracy comes from the extensive records of that historical period, allowing players to explore the delicate politics of the era and interact with important figures such as a then-young Napoleon Bonaparte.
5 Shenmue
A Game That Was Far Ahead Of Its Time
Shenmue
- Released
- December 29, 1999
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Long before the Yakuza series gave players the freedom to explore the Japanese settings and enjoy a variety of minigames, Shenmue had already established those ideas. It never aimed for a massive open world but rather offered a unique and immersive action-adventure with plenty of realistic elements.
Although comparisons with Yakuza are expected, the Shenmue titles also delivered stories that felt more down-to-earth, without exaggerated narratives and characters. Perhaps due to this approach, Shenmue did not achieve broad commercial success, but it remains perfect for those seeking an in-depth simulation within a more grounded narrative.
4 The Last Of Us Part 2
Developers Gave Great Attention To Realism In This Game
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Although the story is not entirely realistic, placing players in the midst of a zombie apocalypse caused by a fungus called Cordyceps, The Last of Us Part 2 offers notable realism in its other mechanics. The game depicts, with accuracy, how far each character is willing to go during its narrative.
Additionally, the realism of The Last of Us Part 2 can be found in other details, such as a faithful representation of Seattle, with the primary difference being the city’s abandoned condition. Combat is also brutal:, where gunfire and other attacks leave permanent marks and may even cause dismemberment of enemies that Ellie, Abby and the other characters face along the way.
3 L.A. Noire
A Game With Some Of The Most Realistic Facial Animations Ever
L.A. Noire
- Released
- May 17, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
Rockstar invested considerable effort into bringing quality and unique mechanics to L.A. Noire. Set in 1947, it puts players in the shoes of a detective investigating the various crimes plaguing Los Angeles. This is a slightly different approach from what the developer usually offers, but it proved successful.
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What truly stands out in this action-adventure, however, is not just the portrayal of Los Angeles but the facial animation quality, which remains impressive even compared with other modern games. These expressions were so well crafted because they were vital to gameplay, requiring participants to analyze suspects’ faces to determine whether they were lying.
2 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
A Game That Is Renowned For Realistic Gameplay And Settings
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Released
- February 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World
Despite its blend of RPG and action elements, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 also includes traits of the adventure genre, allowing participants to explore a 15th-century Bohemia recreated with attention to every detail. So, for those seeking an immersive journey and wanting to feel part of this setting, the game does not disappoint.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes great care in how each mechanic affects gameplay, always focused on achieving the highest level of realism. Besides the slower, more dangerous combat for Henry, participants must also watch out for factors that other games disregard, such as staying clean when talking to NPCs or checking if any food item has gone bad.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
This Action-Adventure Will Always Be Remembered For Its Level Of Detail And Immersion
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Along with having one of the best stories ever created for a video game, Red Dead Redemption 2 is lauded by many players for its high level of detail and immersion. Rockstar did a remarkable job implementing various mechanics, even the simpler ones, that make the realistic world shine.
Beyond mechanics and visuals, another noteworthy element of Red Dead Redemption 2 is its NPCs, which make that world feel more alive. Most of them have individual personalities, and as the story progresses, changes become visible - such as a house under construction early in the adventure that is finished a few chapters later.
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