The 7 best adventure games of 2023

What are the best adventure games of 2023? We invite you to go on an adventure with us: you will discover the titles that have shaped these genres of games as well as the seven adventure games that are among the most captivating.

Over the years, more and more games have appeared on various devices and platforms, but also more and more genres. Two of them, action games and adventure games, can be confusing because they are so close.

What is the difference between action games and adventure games?

Adventure games for PC, console and mobile devices have a main character and an overall story. As a player, your role is to guide the main character through an interactive story, solve puzzles or other intellectual challenges in order to complete missions.

Even though action games can also have a main character and an overarching story, the focus is more on physical challenges such as using weapons or throwing punches.

Action games therefore test your reactions and coordination more than adventure games. For their part, adventure games test your logic, your reasoning and your ability to solve puzzles.

Set a benchmark for the best adventure games

Before revealing the best adventure games of 2023, let’s take a look at some iconic titles in this genre of games, which will give you a better idea of ​​​​the level that other games must reach.

To find out how the best adventure games rank in the industry, first check out the games that have been very successful in recent years.

What are the most popular adventure games of all time?

Many console and online adventure games could be ranked among the best of all time. The Knights of Baphomet and Riven are among them, as are Portal 2 and the Gabriel Knight series. Figment 2 and Dustborn are also on the list of the best adventure games of 2023.

Among all the PC and console adventure games that gamers really enjoy is Grim Fandango, a game that has stood the test of time. It was released in 1998 and remastered in 2015.

However, in terms of aesthetics and animation, this game clearly does not compete with today’s top PC games .

Nevertheless, much like the films of the 80s that still resonate in a world of digital special effects, Grim Fandango has a story that will always remain captivating.

It may not have had the commercial success of other adventure games, but this LucasArts title stands out for the complexity of the world you have to explore.

Plus, older gamers really enjoy this game, whether it’s because they played it themselves when it first came out or because it has sentimental value in that it’s reminiscent of video games from the 90s. .

Your mission is to reach the Land of Eternal Rest; but this trip is not the same for everyone. From the help you receive to the paths you take, everything is influenced by events from the past, present and future.

This is what makes Grim Fandango ever so captivating and makes it a perfect example of an adventure game.

7 of the best adventure games for PC, mobile and console

We just touched on adventure games in general and some popular online titles; now let’s take a look at today’s favorites.

The list below is divided into three sections: PC, mobile, and console. At the end of this article, we’ll also give you a taste of one of the most anticipated adventure games.

Best Adventure Games for PC in 2023

1. Figment 2: Creed Valley

Released in March 2023, it is a sequel to the original game, Figment. In this title from the family of puzzle games , you have to solve puzzles and complete musical challenges. Subtlety: everything happens here in the human mind.

In this sense, Figment 2: Creed Valley is an example of art imitating real life: you have to explore your own mind to complete the game.

We also ranked this title among the best online adventure games of 2023 because it has a double level. Actions you perform in the main character’s mind have a visible impact on their body, and vice versa.

2. Advance 4 Aztec Skulls

In terms of free adventure games, Adelantado 4 Aztec Skulls is a real favorite among fans. In this game developed by Realore and available for free download on various game sites, you slip into the skin of Don Diego.

Your mission is to expand Adelantado’s empire, but not everything is as simple as it seems. The forces of evil await you at every turn.

With its four difficulty levels, you’ll have fun playing this free adventure game for a long time. It includes many characteristic elements of TD games ( Tower Defense games ) and it is one of the best adventure games of 2023.

Best adventure games for mobile 2023

3. Honkai Star Rail

If you liked Honkai Impact 3rd and Genshin Impact, you will love Honkai Star Rail. A mix of the other two installments, but with a new story and improved graphics, this game is by far one of the best Android and iOS games of 2023. Honkai here journeys into a parallel universe in search of answers.

Only the Stellaron knows these answers; to find them, you must guide a team of four adventurers through visually stunning 3D worlds.

4. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

If you’ve ever imagined yourself as an expert lawyer always in search of the truth, then you absolutely must test the Ace Attorney series from Capcom. The original game was released in 2001 and many sequels have since delighted fans of PC and console games.

This series is so beloved that Capcom released a trilogy of iOS and Android games in 2022. In the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney trilogy, you take on the role of various lawyers tasked with solving crimes and defending their clients.

If you have unparalleled deduction skills and great wit, this is THE online adventure game for you.

Best Adventure Games for PlayStation and Xbox in 2023

5. Dustborn

We all love a good road movie! Well now, thanks to Red Thread Games, this popular genre of movies is making a big splash in the gaming world. Dustborm is undoubtedly one of the best adventure games of 2023.

At first glance, it is a simple and innocuous game. Along with three friends, you drive from California to Nova Scotia in an attempt to deliver a package.

As you can imagine, obstacles stand in your way. However, Dustborn is one of the best adventure games of the year because of its human side. Each character has a special skill, and throughout the game you will discover how important relationships are.

6. The Last Night

We can’t discount The Last Night from our ranking of the best adventure games of 2023. Developed by Odd Tales, this cinematic 2.5D platformer is reminiscent of Blade Runner.

You play the role of Charlie, a man who lives in a world where computers are in charge of the menial tasks of modern life. So you can enjoy life.

But to complicate matters a bit, with all that free time, Charlie has lost his reason for living. Without work and without any purpose, he is lost (literally and figuratively).

Your task is to guide Charlie through this post-cyberpunk world and help him find meaning in his life. To do this, you’ll have to interact with other game characters , solve puzzles and, ultimately, examine your conscience.

The Last Night isn’t just one of the best adventure games out there, it’s a true commentary on life. This gives it a poignancy that many games lack.

The most anticipated adventure game of 2023

7. The Alters

It is not only an adventure game, it is also an intellectual game. We do not yet know the release date of this game from 11 Bit Studios, but the plot is captivating. You must help a man escape from a seemingly uninhabited planet after his ship crashes.

To do this, you have to create alternate versions of yourself in order to complete tasks. The more duplicates you create, the more confidence you lose. Do you still play as the original character?

This game promises to be a truly cerebral story, where you’ll have to carefully consider your past, present, and future actions in order to survive.

Enjoy the best free and paid adventure games of the year

Adventure games are more popular than ever. Mixing beautiful graphics with engaging stories is a recipe that remains popular; developers are therefore continuing on this path and trying to create games that are relevant in today’s world.

In the perfect adventure game, art becomes an imitation of real life. That’s why the mobile , PC and console games in our selection were an instant success, and that’s also why they will remain popular for many years to come.