5 Best Adventure Games on PC (May 2023)

Before virtual reality, adventure games were the closest you could get to experiencing entirely new worlds. You'd come home from a long day's work, put your feet up, and immerse yourself in otherworldly, well-crafted lore. Some of the most popular adventure games have such fine taste that it feels quite real to spend hours fighting monsters and navigating fantasy worlds. Others haven’t quite mastered the beauty of immersion and creativity, so it feels like you only have one foot in.

On PC, there are plenty of adventure games to discover. After all, it’s the platform where, so long ago, developers would offload text-based adventures and point-and-click narratives to their growing customer base. Today, gamers have more control over their adventures. They can interact with the environment and make decisions that influence the game’s outcome. But which adventure games provide the best experience? Which ones are worth your time and/or money? We sifted through the adventure games available on PC and compiled a list of the best adventure games on PC that you won't want to miss out on.

5. Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is unlike any other Sherlock Holmes game. It’s essentially a crossover of Lovecraftian horror into Sherlock Holmes, done ever so graciously; you’ll want to have a taste. Without giving any spoilers, Sherlock Holmes gets an exceptional case to investigate mysterious disappearances. His search for clues leads him into the world of the legendary Cthulhu Mythos. As others have before him, Sherlock quickly succumbs to fright. He treads dangerously close to losing his sanity as he attempts to bombard logic with the unnatural. 

It’s quite an interesting juxtaposition that keeps you on your toes throughout. The mere premise of investigating the Cthulhu Mythos is so gripping, and fortunately, Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened delivers. While the original game was released in 2008, the developers made huge leaps in the 2023 remake, fully reimagining Sherlock’s adventures with much care and love. The result is a remake full of exploration and an enthralling horror mystery. It doesn’t hold your hand, forcing you to think on your feet and become the master detective you are meant to be.

4. Hogwarts Legacy

Inspired by the Harry Potter books, Hogwarts Legacy tells the story of a student at Hogwarts in the 1800s. The student holds the key to an ancient secret that has the potential to destroy Hogwarts and reduce the world to ruins. It’s a fine addition to the franchise, where players can freely roam around Hogwarts and its surrounding areas. You can brew potions, interact with magical beasts, and hone your skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be. 

Furthermore, players will fight against dark wizards, trolls, goblins, and more, until they’re ready to conquer a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the world. The question is, can you keep the Hogwarts wizardry world safe from harm? And if you can, what will your legacy be?

3. Life is Strange

Episodic adventures are quickly catching up, with Life is Strange being one of the flagships to popularize it. Players follow a photography senior named Max Caulfield. On his quest to save his best friend, Chloe Price, he discovers he can manipulate time. The world as they know it quickly transforms into one where supernatural powers exist. Previously normal folks were forced to use their powers for good and become heroes. But they still remain normal and carry everyday struggles like relationship hurdles and real emotions.

Players don’t just go along for the ride. They influence how the story progresses through choice-driven narrative and consequences. Unlike other adventure games, they can rewind time and change history with a snap of their finger. To seal it off, Life is Strange employs beautiful graphics and hand-drawn art design. It has unique cinematography, even during cutscenes, that completely takes your breath away. It creates a fine line between watching a movie and interacting with it. Thanks to the intimacy the developers curate, Life is Strange won several awards and went on to develop two sequels and a spin-off.

2. God of War

One of the finest adventure games on PC of all time is God of War. While it borrows a leaf or two from Greek mythology, God of War ultimately stands on its own two feet as a standalone action adventure. It tells the story of Kratos, the god of war, and his journey across a harsh and unforgiving world. He must fight to survive along with his son, Atreus. 

Kratos swears to protect and mentor his son, while Atreus sets his mind on earning his father’s respect. It’s a delicate father-son relationship that can bring you to tears. Furthermore, Kratos still struggles with his rage and tries to teach his son to be a better person. All along, fierce monsters and gods posed a danger to them. Can Kratos set a good example for his son in a dark, cruel world filled with unforgiving creatures?

1. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

The Star Wars franchise has released a slew of games over the years. Among them, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes the crown home. Any Star Wars fan will have a blast here, thanks to a faithful adaptation of the Star Wars universe. But other gamers will enjoy playing Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, too, thanks to an intense, immersive experience unmatched by most adventure games out there. From start to finish, players are put in the driver’s seat, exploring the depths of the galaxies and engaging with a finely polished lightsaber system. 

There are five different stances to choose from that feel fantastic to play. Moreover, the open-world, narrative, and gameplay look and feel a notch higher than the predecessor, Fallen Order. Players experience a new slick platforming system that helps them cover longer distances in shorter time frames. Best of all, Cal Kestis's journey to becoming a Jedi master is infused with sweet delicacies, from hilarious to entertaining moments to reflective points of the game that put across themes with more serious undertones. Overall, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor tells an intimate, captivating story about an adventure that latches on for hours on end.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our best adventure games on PC? Are there more adventure games on PC we should know about? Do let us know over on our socials here.