What are Adventure Games?

Byron_Clarke

Adventure games have been a popular genre of gaming for decades. They are loved by gamers for the unique mix of storytelling, puzzle solving, and exploration. They often offer a more immersive experience than other types, making them perfect for those who enjoy exploring new worlds. The passion surrounding these games has allowed developers to consistently release new titles and produce some of the best-selling games ever made. So, if you're looking to try something new, adventure games may just be for you. 

What are adventure games? 

Adventure games typically emphasize exploration and puzzle-solving over action. They occur in fantastical worlds or settings, and the player is usually cast as the protagonist who must overcome various obstacles to progress. They have a strong focus on narrative, offering up an immersive and engaging story for the player to follow while also allowing character development through dialogue. Players typically need to gather items to be used in gameplay or build other items necessary for advancing or defeating bosses. 

What is the history of adventure games? 

Adventure games can be traced back to 1976, with the release of Colossal Cave Adventure. Developed by Will Crowther and Don Woods, this text-based game was inspired by Crowther's actual caving experiences. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, some games continued to be text-based, but others featured simple graphics as well. Some popular titles from this era include Zork, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and King's Quest.

In the 1990s, adventure games evolved to feature more complex graphics and puzzles. The genre was evolving and developers were taking advantage of new memory limits and technology. Popularity reached new heights with the release of Myst and multiple sequels to The Legend of Zelda.

In the 2000s, a new wave of developers began to experiment, releasing innovative franchises that pushed the boundaries of what an adventure game could be. These developers were influenced by the classics, but also brought their unique vision, resulting in a new wave of originals. Although some say this era displayed little innovation and could be seen as underwhelming, many of the franchises we see today came to life during this decade. Influential games such as The Longest Journey, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, God of War, and Uncharted became hits for their complex and emotionally charged stories, as well as their gameplay.

In the 2010s, the genre went through a rebirth. The success of earlier franchises and new platforms allowed developers to experiment with the exploration of bigger worlds, new gameplay mechanics, and storytelling techniques, which brought new titles such as The Walking Dead, Red Dead Redemption 2, and one of the most popular and well-received games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Today, adventure games are more robust and diverse than ever before. Developers continue to release sequels to earlier hits and introduce new titles. There are now adventure games for every type of player, from those who prefer to relax with a light-hearted game to those who want to be challenged by a complex and thought-provoking story. 

Subgenres of adventure games

There are many subgenres of adventure games, each with its unique gameplay and features. In the broadest sense, there are Western and Japanese styles. Western adventure games often give the player a lot of freedom to explore and discover the game world, while Japanese adventure games tend to be more linear and focused on telling a specific story. Withing these styles, there is further differentiation. Although many games see overlap, we can break down subgenres even further. 

• Choose your own adventure: These give the player choices that affect the outcome of the game. 
• Escape: With a focus on puzzle solving, players need to escape from a room or building. These types often have time limits and require quick thinking and observation skills to solve. 
• Hybrid: Games that don't fit neatly into any one subgenre, and instead combine elements from multiple types. 
• Interactive movies/visual novels: With a focus on narrative, players make choices that affect the story. These often have multiple storylines and endings. 
• Point-and-click: Games that rely heavily on mouse input, with players clicking to interact with objects and characters. These sometimes have more complex puzzles than other subgenres, and often require trial-and-error.  
• Puzzle: These games often have complex puzzles that require lateral thinking. 
• Text-based: The classic subgenre that heavily relies on text input. Players type commands to interact with the game. 
• Walking simulator: Games that focus on exploration, with players walking around and discovering new areas and challenges. These have little to no puzzles and rely heavily on narrative.

Game recommendations

A proper list of game recommendations for the adventure game genre could span dozens of pages. However, there are a few can’t miss games to get you started.

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 
• Uncharted: The Lost Legacy 
• Red Dead Redemption 2 
• God of War 
• NORCO 
• Syberia: The World Before  

Equipment to get you started 

The vast worlds created for adventure games have captivated professional and novice gamers alike, but to get the most out of these, you’ll need the right setup. 

• A monitor with 400 Nit brightness and 1ms response time. The 28" Nitro XV2 Gaming Monitor XBOX Edition has a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) 144Hz display, which will help you see the action on your screen more clearly. 
• An over-the-head binaural headset with 115 dB max sound pressure and 20 Hz frequency response, such as the Predator Galea 311 Gaming Headset.

What is the future of adventure games? 

The history of adventure games has had its ups and downs. However, if we look at where the genre is currently sitting, the future looks bright. The rising popularity of mobile gaming is a tide that is lifting all boats. As more and more people are playing games on their smartphones and tablets, it seems a good bet that developers will format popular games for these devices.

Another factor is the increasing popularity of streaming services like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. Many people enjoy watching others play games, and adventure games are often entertaining to watch. This could lead to more people playing and streaming these titles.

Finally, the future of adventure games is likely to be influenced by virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). VR will provide new and immersive ways to play, while AI will create more believable characters that are constantly changing with gameplay. These technologies will help adventure games evolve and stay relevant in the gaming landscape. 

New technology and platforms are always emerging, and adventure games will see an impact. Only time will tell what the future holds for adventure games, but whatever happens, we can be sure that they will continue to entertain and engage us for many years to come.

*The opinions reflected in this article are the sole opinions of the author and do not reflect any official positions or claims by Acer Inc.

 About Byron Clarke: Byron is a contributing writer for Acer Corner. As a freelance copy and content writer, he writes about business, technology, and gaming. He is passionate about reading, writing, and teaching. Most days, he spends his time helping marketing teams find creative ways to reach audiences and small businesses find strategic advantages.