Buzz
Long before first-person shooters dominated and paid online multiplayer games emerged, millions of entertainment enthusiasts were immersed in a genre called "graphic adventure." Evolving from text-based games, this genre pioneered the open-world concept in gaming, requiring players to use their wits and focus instead of relying on reflexes; meaning, in the past, gamers had to (brace yourself) think before taking action.
Whether experienced from a first-person or third-person perspective, the focus on point-and-click mechanics and inventory-driven gameplay meant that clever use of tools and effective conversation skills overshadowed the need for weaponry and platforming. No grand adventure was complete without a compelling narrative that could rival the best films in theaters. With that, here are 10 of the most iconic graphic adventure games.
10. King's Quest VI
Since its release in 1984, Roberta Williams became a trailblazer in the adventure game genre with her groundbreaking medieval game, King’s Quest. Recognized as the first widely successful graphic adventure, King’s Quest introduced players to an enchanting world of sword and sorcery, sparking a series of over a dozen sequels and collections, with the most beloved being 1992’s King’s Quest VI.
At its core, the game is a romantic tale, centered on Prince Alex as he embarks on a journey to win the heart of the enchanting Princess Cassima. True to the graphic adventure format, quirky characters are introduced, and players unlock new areas and plot twists through solving intricate puzzles. This installment is particularly celebrated for its significant advancements in graphics and visual design, as well as its multiple endings, which result from the game’s branching pathways and diverse story arcs.
9. Sam & Max Hit The Road
Released in 1993, Sam & Max Hit The Road remains the pinnacle of the Sam & Max series, evoking a wave of nostalgia for gamers who experienced its prime. Styled similarly to the animation of Roger Rabbit, the duo—Sam, the dog detective, and Max, the manic rabbit—first appeared in a comic book series in the late 1980s before making their mark in this iconic PC game.
In Hit the Road, the dynamic duo embarks on a cross-country adventure across the United States to recover a stolen carnival sideshow attraction—naturally, Bigfoot is the prime suspect. With its inclusion of mini-games and witty banter from the main characters, the game’s quirky humor often outshone even its technical predecessor, The Secret of Monkey Island. The pair would appear in several sequels before taking on a more episodic format through digital download games in later years.
8. Leisure Suit Larry In the Land of the Lounge Lizards
Long before the digital representation of sexuality began causing waves of concern among parents, Leisure Suit Larry made waves of its own. The 1987 release was initially shunned by its publisher, who refrained from advertising it, yet the game defied expectations, becoming a hit largely through word of mouth. Players assumed the role of an aspiring lothario whose singular focus was to win over women.
The 40-something hopeful, Larry, roams the city with the player's guidance, encountering a variety of women, mostly high-maintenance elites who demand lavish gifts and significant wealth as the price of their attention. Whether you find it crude or demeaning, the Leisure Suit franchise spawned five sequels throughout the 1990s, not to mention a remake of the original, which was largely focused on enhancing the graphical portrayal of its female characters.
After a few lackluster sequels in the 2000s, a new developer launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring Larry back to life on mobile devices and produce a new HD installment in the series. Larry remains the go-to graphic adventure for those indulging their inner deviant, repeatedly pushing the boundaries of what 'graphic' means in the genre.
7. Clock Tower
When it comes to true horror—the kind that really makes you cringe and feel a genuine sense of dread—artists from the East have proven themselves some of the most talented. Paving the way for iconic franchises like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, the original Clock Tower, released in 1995, was initially exclusive to Japan. However, once the internet became widely available, the game quickly gained global attention.
Though at its core a point-and-click adventure, Clock Tower introduces a chilling survival horror element, as the player is relentlessly pursued by a non-playable psychopath named Scissorman. This forces the player to drop whatever puzzle they’re solving and flee for their life if the killer enters the same room and attacks. This shift away from the usual ‘take your time’ approach of graphic adventures was a bold move. Gaining widespread popularity through a PlayStation port, the game's design evolved in its sequels, but the original version was widely praised for its innovative take on the genre.
6. Riven
Following the success of the original Myst in 1993, fans were left eagerly awaiting its sequel, Riven, which arrived in 1997 after a four-year wait. This sequel pushed the intellectual boundaries of gamers and took the development team to their limits. The effort paid off — Riven became a huge commercial success, was met with widespread critical praise, and is still regarded by many fans as the finest entry in the series.
In the sequel, players take on the role of a character known only as “Stranger,” who is essentially a stand-in for the player. The game takes place in a universe where gifted authors have the power to bring entire worlds to life through their writings. The Stranger’s mission is to save a man’s wife from his oppressive father, a tyrant who exploits this talent for his own gain. With its stunning landscapes and dark undertones, the game explores the themes of responsibility and retribution.
Riven faced several technical difficulties during its production due to its intricate frame-by-frame gameplay, requiring that even the smallest adjustments be accounted for across every angle and moment. The game’s puzzles were infamously challenging, often leaving players to seek external guidance. The game also included misleading clues, one-time-only hints (such as the fire marble domes), and a custom numerical system that players had to figure out in order to progress.
5. The 7th Guest
The 7th Guest, released in 1993, is credited with igniting the CD-ROM gaming boom. This quirky yet immersive first-person adventure takes place in a haunted mansion, blending mystery with supernatural elements. While it may have drawn inspiration from the classic Mac OS game Uninvited, it distinguished itself with the inclusion of live actors, who appeared as spectral figures, adding depth to the story and creating an experience that made players feel like both investigators and psychic detectives.
The storyline, though grim, was delivered in a TV horror style that softened the weighty themes of murder and betrayal. A psychotic antagonist taunts the player, while the game offers an innovative narrative approach (imagine the Haunted Mansion attraction gone rogue). To assist struggling players, a clever in-game hint system, disguised as a library, provides advice on solving puzzles, enhancing accessibility and easing gameplay.
Despite a less successful sequel, The 11th Hour, the original The 7th Guest has maintained a loyal fanbase. Re-releases for modern platforms, including iPad and iPhone, have kept the game alive for new generations. A third installment is currently in development, with expectations that it will arrive no earlier than the 20th anniversary of the original.
4. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Often hailed as the 'lost' Indiana Jones movie (with some critics even suggesting it’s a better experience than the fourth film), the 1992 adventure game Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis offers a thrilling new story, complete with fresh mythology, villains, and a challenging new female character who tests Indy’s patience. This game was a standout of its time, capturing the spirit of the beloved character while introducing exciting new elements.
Drawing from the works of Plato and his depiction of the mythical city of Atlantis, the plot follows Indy’s quest for proof of its existence. Along the way, he encounters ancient temples, a diverse array of characters, and, naturally, Nazis in need of a good thrashing. Lauded for its educational value and widely regarded as having one of the best narrative arcs in graphic adventure games, Fate of Atlantis was praised by numerous publications, even earning a revamp shortly after release that added voice acting, though not featuring any of the actors from the films.
3. Grim Fandango
When considering graphic adventure games as a whole, it feels almost like a missed opportunity to highlight just one creation from Tim Schafer, widely recognized as one of the most inventive and influential writers and developers in the entertainment industry. That said, this spot is reserved for Schafer’s most captivating and groundbreaking achievement in the genre to date.
Having begun his career on titles like Maniac Mansion and The Secret of Monkey Island, Schafer co-designed the sequel to the former, Day of the Tentacle. This set the stage for his first independent project, Full Throttle, a biker-themed cult classic with voice performances by Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Tress MacNeille (The Simpsons), and the late Roy Conrad. Following the success of Full Throttle, Schafer was ready to unveil his crowning achievement of the decade, stepping into the Land of the Dead with the 1998 release of Grim Fandango.
In Grim Fandango, players assume the role of Manny Calavera, a skeletal “travel agent” who helps guide the souls of the deceased to their final destinations, based on their actions in life. Eventually, Manny uncovers the corruption plaguing his business, where good souls are being defrauded by a crime lord. Upon discovering that his love interest, Mercedes, is a victim of this injustice, Manny embarks on a noir-inspired journey to rescue her and secure a better future (or afterlife) for both of them.
Grim Fandango’s release came at an unfortunate time, just as the golden age of graphic adventure games was winding down, and when console gaming was beginning to eclipse PC gaming in popularity. To make matters worse, the game was designed to run almost exclusively on Windows 98, with later systems requiring patches and fixes. Despite these setbacks, the game has continued to earn a lasting legacy, receiving “Best of the Year” accolades from critics and maintaining a devoted fan base. An online search also reveals numerous requests from gamers eager to see the game ported to modern platforms like Steam.
In recent years, Schafer has ventured into a new high-profile project. In 2012, his Kickstarter campaign raised over $3 million from the public when it was revealed that he planned to independently produce a new graphic adventure, aiming to bring the genre back to the spotlight. As of this writing, the specifics remain under wraps, but if his past work is any guide, this upcoming project will be an essential purchase for anyone who values masterful storytelling and immersive gameplay.
Additional Recommendations: The fun doesn’t end here. For those fascinated by this list, other classic titles worth exploring that didn’t make the top 10 include: Maniac Mansion, The Journeyman Project, Myst, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, Policenauts, King’s Quest, Full Throttle, and The Dig. Several modern hits like Heavy Rain have drawn heavy inspiration from graphic adventures, and independent developers continue to release new graphic adventure titles on the indie game scene.
2. Snatcher
Before achieving global recognition for his work on the Metal Gear Solid series, Japanese writer and developer Hideo Kojima made his mark in the world of adventure games. His most acclaimed and notable creation in this genre was Snatcher, a gripping tale blending the atmosphere of Blade Runner and Terminator, which was first released in the late 1980s for home computers and later for the Sega CD in 1993.
Kojima’s interest in the adventure game genre was likely fueled by his talent for crafting elaborate narratives, on par with the best in Hollywood. In Snatcher, players engage in dialogue, develop relationships, participate in stationary shootouts, and investigate evidence, all while navigating a twisting story involving rogue robots and identity confusion. The game features a shocking twist involving paternal betrayal that rivals even the iconic moment between Darth Vader and Luke. Adding to the complexity, player choices can lead to unexpected consequences, especially if they mishandle interactions with key characters.
As Kojima continues to focus on his latest project, the upcoming Metal Gear installment Ground Zeroes, he is swamped with work. With so much on his plate, the calls from fans for a Snatcher remake may have to wait—at least for the time being.
1. The Secret of Monkey Island
Imagine Pirates of the Caribbean mixed with the antics of a Saturday morning cartoon, with a touch of whimsical absurdity thrown in—and you have The Secret of Monkey Island, a beloved classic from 1990. This game likely cemented the idea that graphic adventures could appeal to all ages, offering a blend of clever humor and mind-bending puzzles, creating a unique blend of parody and brainteasers unlike anything seen before.
As Guybrush Threepwood (don’t worry, the name gets its fair share of ridicule from other in-game characters), you embark on a naïve quest to prove yourself as a pirate. In fact, it’s the very first sentence spoken by the young man. But when the town’s mayor is kidnapped, your courage is truly tested. You must step up to rescue her while embracing the pirate way of life, all presented in the familiar format of a graphic adventure game (where sword fights are not determined by real-time combat, but by sharp-witted insults and clever retorts).
With an uproarious ensemble of characters (including drunken skeletons and articulate tribal cannibals who discuss their eating habits), the Monkey Island universe spawned several sequels throughout the 2000s, including remastered versions of the original games with updated visuals. There was even a movie adaptation in the works at one time, though it was ultimately scrapped.
