Our Top Games for Adventurers

Run out of holiday for the year? Car broken down? Some other reason why you can't get out there and see the world? While they're not a direct substitution for adventure, you can enjoy some of the fun of exploring with adventure games. There's the same thrill of discovery, just on a much more affordable scale! You can find your way around ever-huger open worlds, exploring far-flung corners and making daring choices. Lacking a little bit of that exhilaration of the unknown? Here are some brilliant adventure titles that we promise will transport you to uncharted territories.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Let's kick off the list with a bang - widely regarded as one of the greatest adventure games ever created, Breath of the Wild reimagined what open-world gaming could be. You take on the role of Link, who's tasked with the not-so-simple request of defeating Calamity Ganon (an ancient, terrifyingly powerful evil). To do so, you're going to get well acquainted with the crumbling kingdom of Hyrule and its many diverse regions.

For me, the joy of this game is its freedom. You can approach challenges in whatever way you decide. Think a bit of applied physics will solve it - test your hypothesis. Whipping up a hearty stew might boost your stats enough to overcome it, get to work. What about combining different powers to rise to the occasion? The point I'm trying to make is, there are no wrong answers. This game encourages creative thinking, and it's all the better for it. Whether you're tiptoeing carefully through scorching deserts or doggedly traversing snowy peaks, each region is filled with surprises. Hidden shrines, treasure, forgotten folklore, the developers have thought of it all. It all combines with not even the tiniest of details forgotten, like how fire spreads in grasslands (but not in snow or sand), how weapons break over time. It's a totally immersive and believable world, one that any adventurer ought to be excited to inhabit.

Gonzo’s Quest

Gonzo’s Quest is one of the best slots games for those after an adventure theme. There are several different games in the series, and you’ll find most of them in larger catalogues, regardless of the country. However, we're going to focus on the first one, where he visits El Dorado. This iconic game centres on Gonzo, a quirky conquistador with a one-track mind - finding the treasures of El Dorado. In terms of gameplay, it's simpler than the other two games in this piece, but the mechanics are anything but. The avalanche mechanic is a brilliant example of this. Unlike traditional slot games, where reels spin, this one has symbols that fall into place like cascading stones. Winning combinations disappear, making way for new symbols and increasing multipliers. This means that with every spin, you've got the potential to win multiple times.

The adventure doesn’t stop at gameplay mechanics though, the backdrop is brilliant too. The deep green jungle pairs with Gonzo's charming animations and symbols of treasure hunting finds, it's a well-rounded image. Better still, once you're finished, you can explore more of Gonzo's adventures. From his female counterpart Gonzita, to explorations under the sea, the development team behind this popular slot stop at nothing to provide adventure.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Treasure hunting is the kind of adventure that very few of us get to experience. If you're in the mood to put an end to that, then the best (or certainly easiest) way to do it is with Uncharted 4. You’ll step into the shoes of Nathan Drake, a retired adventurer pulled back into the fold by his brother, Sam. Their goal? To uncover the fabled pirate colony of Libertalia - and all its untold riches too boot. It's not a case of simply finding the 'x' that marks the spot, there's a little peril thrown in for good measure. Rival treasure hunters are the big one, but look out too for hidden dangers and moral dilemmas that might leave you and Sam disunited. 

This game is incredibly cleverly put together. The storytelling is as good as any pirate novel you've ever read - more of a blockbuster movie than a video game. What's even more impressive is that you control the narrative! Between breathtaking set pieces (you’ll never forget the jeep chase through Madagascar) and intimate character moments, you can't help but be sucked into Nate's reality.

Let's not forget the gameplay, either. Many of the puzzles are inspired by real-world pirate lore. There are intense climbing sequences that have you gripping the controller like your life depends on it, too.