When combining the genres of “action” and “adventure” into one, well…the mega-genre of “action-adventure” games could be applied to nearly any game that’s ever been made. But there has to be some delineation between genres somewhere, right? In choosing a small set of action-adventure games I’d like to have with me on my purported “deserted island,” I opted to set a few boundaries. I first eliminated any platfomers from the mix (they’ll get their own list), and then I took out those that straddled the action/adventure/open world RPG line (like The Witcher 3). I also removed first-person shooters (see: platformers), and then any puzzle games (i.e. The Talos Principle, which has adventure elements.) What I was left with was a cache of games in which players take up the mantles of established characters and experience stories through their eyes. After whittling things down, here are the action-adventure games I wouldn’t mind revisiting over and over and over again.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Why in the world would I take the most obscure (if that word can even be applied to a GTA game) and the one handheld GTA game to my deserted island? Because it’s my island, that’s why…and because Chinatown Wars is a really fun game. That’s really all there is to it. Yes, it’s story of delivery driver-turned-Triad-lackey Huang Lee is a little convoluted, but the traditional, GTA top-down gameplay is marvelous. There’s simply a lot of joy to be had in the game’s over-the-top mayhem.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
If I re-do this list in ten years, there’s a chance that an actual Indiana Jones game, like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which I’ve yet to play, will take over the spot of this entry featuring pseudo-Jones, Nathan Drake. But until then, Uncharted 2 will remain as one of the best action-adventure games I’ve ever played. I’ll grant that Drake’s turn in the bigger and badder Uncharted 4 was excellent, but Uncharted 2 just felt more in-tune. All its elements – combat, exploration, puzzles, and story – fit together so nicely to form a gem of a game.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
Speaking of gems, it’s an utter shame that Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy didn’t attract more love when it came out a few years ago. Superhero fatigue I get, plus, maybe, it butting heads with start-powered movies of the same name probably didn’t help. But everything about this game is gold, from the story to the acting to the action to the gameplay. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxyis a just good time from start to finish. And P. S., it’s characterizations of the Guardians are so much better than those in the movies, just sayin’.
Sleeping Dogs
Furthering the pile with games that deserve more attention, not to mention sequels (which will likely never happen, /sadface), I can’t help but add Sleeping Dogs. The levels of enjoyment I experienced with this game took me by surprise, and they never let up. From the game’s opening, I was drawn into the seedy world of undercover police officer Wei Shen, and I remained engaged with his story until the credits. The game’s take on Hong Kong was visceral, beautiful, and immersive, and there was so much to do besides beating up on the enemy. Yeah, I could see keeping on in Sleeping Dogs for a long time to come.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Ahhh, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the game so nice, I played it twice (on the Gamecube and the DS. I should get Switch version, too, someday). As much as I enjoy the freedom of Link’s open world adventures in the series’ recent titles, and as much as I came around to the perfection of Twilight Princess, Wind Waker is the Zelda game that will always pull at my heartstrings the most. For me and my island, it’s the one Zelda game I’d need to keep. Not only do I find its style and story captivating, but Link sailing the high seas is simply wonderful. I can feel the cool, ocean breeze now just thinking about it…though that could just be the wind picking up on my island…
VIRTUAL BASTION 