One way to look at point-and-click games is that they’ve become a lesser genre since they hit big in the 1990s. Another way to look at them is that, in modern gaming, they’ve evolved into and combined with different genres, from adventure and puzzle games, to “find and search” experiences and walking simulators. I’ve long thought of the as their own type of game, but I can’t deny that newer games billed as “point-and-click” have muddied the waters a little. Whatever the case may be, as I’ve become quite involved in point-and-click games again of late, I can’t deny that they will always have a proper space in my gaming library. What follows are some some of my favorites, new and old.

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Call of the Elder Gods

Of all the games here, I suppose that Call of the Elder Gods is the only one that’s not strictly a point-and-click game. Its first-person perspective certainly sets it apart, as does its exploration elements. Since its basic gameplay relies heavily on clicking on things and collecting clues, however, it makes my list. Even now, months after first completing it, I remain surprised by just how much this game captured my attention. Further, the fact that I must someday play its prequel, Call of the Sea, continues to live rent-free in my head.

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Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis

Is Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis the best Indiana Jones adventure that was never seen on the big screen? Given how deep LucasArts went with Fate of Atlantis – a game complete with everything one expects from this famous, swashbuckling archaeologist – it could very well be true. This original adventure featuring Jones’ search for the lost city of Atlantis has ancient mysteries, globe-trotting exploration, dangerous rivals, and lots of chances to outsmart Nazis. If that’s not enough to keep players invested in this awesome point-and-click adventure, I don’t know what is!

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The Procession to Calvary

Made by a single creator, The Procession to Calvary is a beautiful point-and-click game.I mean that both style-wise and its in very clever puzzle design. Built from clipart made from Renaissance paintings, and filled with Monty Python-esque humor, The Procession to Calvary sees players searches for silly solutions to equally silly problems while saints, soldiers, and peasants casually discuss nonsense in the background. Though silliness abounds, the game’s witty writing, rewarding puzzles, and running jokes never wear out their welcome. Add to this that it’s a relatively short game, and The Procession to Calvary makes for a great weekend accomplishment.

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The Secret of Monkey Island

In the genre-defining The Secret of Monkey Island — indeed, it’s on the tip of my tongue whenever someone mentions point-and-click games — players take on the role of Guybrush Threepwood, an ambitious young man whose lifelong dream is to become a pirate despite being deeply unqualified, to say the least. From its charming, pixel art environments to its fun dialogue (complete with verbal “sword fighting!”) to its imaginative puzzles, The Secret of Monkey Island is an instant classic that even today hasn’t lost its edge.

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Sam & Max Hit the Road

Meeting this crime-fighting duo of a well-dressed, six-foot dog and his hyperkinetic rabbity-thing sidekick back in the 90s is what brought about my love of point-and-click games. At the time, I couldn’t get enough of this wacky duo as they traveled across an exaggerated version of America in search of a missing Bigfoot. What really made the game special, though, was that Sam and Max’s journey was less about solving a serious case and more about meeting bizarre characters and exploring strange roadside attractions while uttering an endless stream of hilarious quips. Now, I’ll admit that the game’s puzzles often require some pretty big leaps in logic, which detracts a little from the experience. And yet, the overall entertainment factor of Sam & Max Hit the Road more than make up for its more baffling moments. It’s still one of the best point-and-click games available some thirty years after the fact.

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I’m always looking for new point-and-click games to play, so drop some of your favorites in the comments!

Lede image captured by author during PC gameplay of Sam & Max Hit the Road (© LucasArts).