Action-adventure

Among the earliest recognizable hybrid genres, action-adventure games have a deep focus on plot and combat through story involvement and tight gameplay mechanics. As a result, many games can fit into this category, including the classic Legend of Zelda franchise that paved the way for numerous franchises.

Most users draw the line between action and adventure in how a game balances story and features like simulated combat. Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series has been a mainstay since 2007 thanks to near-annual new releases featuring a high degree of immersion. They have also taken gamers to myriad locales and historical landscapes ranging from London during the Industrial Revolution (Syndicate) to ancient Greece (Odyssey).

Released in late 2019, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is another well-received action-adventure title from the folks at Respawn, who previously worked on the Titanfall series. Other more modern examples include the Watch Dogs series, Sekiro, and the Arkham games.

It’s worth noting that adventure games encompass their own genre as well. Many of them fall into the point-and-click sub-genre, which typically involves players solving mysteries or puzzles in a first-person perspective. Think of classic titles like Escape From Monkey Island, King’s Quest, and Day Of The Tentacle as mainstays of this sub-genre.

Action examples