The best action-adventure games have been capturing the thrill of an expedition ever since Indiana Jones swung across a chasm with his trusty whip to retrieve an idol from a booby-trapped tomb. The PC boasts some true classics of the genre, from classic tomb raiding to games with enough exploration to fill an entire sandbox - not the one in your backyard.
The action-adventure label can be difficult to define due to the way it pulls from both genres. While there are certainly some omissions that broke our hearts to leave out, we're almost certain they have found themselves onto some of our other lists. Without further ado, here are the best action-adventure games.
The best action-adventure games on PC are:
1. Resident Evil 4 Remake
How do you improve on what's widely considered the best game in a series? This is the question that Resident Evil 4 Remake answers with style. It has its issues, but perhaps the biggest question answered by our Resident Evil 4 Remake review is if its most important set pieces in the classic survival horror game are still there. The answer is yes. It still follows the same path the original did, right down to the bit where you throw spears at a giant fish in the lake.
Both the audio and visual design are incredible, and even though the parts where you defend Ashley from infected villagers are still annoying, Resident Evil 4 Remake at least tries its best to make it more manageable. With our best Resident Evil 4 Remake weapons and infinite ammo guide, you can make the most difficult missions feel like a walk in the park.
2. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Henry of Skalitz's journey continues in Warhorse Studios' follow-up to its 2018 smash hit, taking you through an epic medieval adventure. Despite Henry's ascent in the first game, you essentially start at square one again as you're forced to work your way back up to becoming a medieval bodyguard.
Throughout your adventure, you will acquire new Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 perks as you tackle the lengthy quest list. As our glowing Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 review highlights, Warhorse Studios has created an experience that easily spans over 100 hours when you include all the side content. With the Kingdom Come: Deliverance sequel, Warhorse Studios has established itself as one of the best developers around for medieval games.
3. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
What's better than one Spider-Man? The answer is obvious: two Spider-Men. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 puts you in the suits of Peter Parker and Miles Morales, two men bitten by radioactive spiders, albeit with slightly different results. Peter's powers come with the traditional super strength, speed, and heightened senses that everyone knows and loves, whereas Miles gets a seasoned version of these abilities, along with some stealth and electricity powers to boot.
Spider-Man 2 starts during a turbulent time in both men's lives as Peter learns to balance his work and personal life, and Miles learns to establish himself as New York's second Spider-Man. Things are about to get rocky as the pair get ready to deal with Kraven the Hunter and the Venom symbiote, easily the deadliest villains either hero has encountered.
4. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
If you think about action adventure, it surely won't be long before everyone's favorite archaeologist springs to mind. He's a smooth-talking professor who solves problems with his mind, his fists, and occasionally, a rather sturdy whip. Thankfully, Machine Games has managed to translate that on-screen charisma and ingenuity into an amazing action-adventure romp that you can play right now.
Check out our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review for some more in-depth thoughts - if you want a brief rundown: you can smash Nazis about the head with everyday objects, you solve many a puzzle, and you get to ride on a zeppelin. What are you waiting for?
5. God of War Ragnarok
The God of War reboot series has been a roaring success for Sony's Santa Monica Studio, and it finally graced PCs in September 2024 - two years after its initial PlayStation launch. Kratos and Atreus are back, and this time they've got quite the quest on their hands. The eschatological Ragnarok is on its way to destroy the nine realms, and only the dad/boy duo can stop it.
Sony's prestige games are renowned for their cinematic setpieces, and Ragnarok continues the trend. Another smash hit in the storytelling department, you won't be disappointed if you choose to take up the Leviathan Axe and lock in.
6. Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
The sequel to 2017's Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 delves further into the titular character's lived experience of psychosis. Developer Ninja Theory doesn't treat this lightly, nor does it demonize the mental health issue, instead focusing on Senua's story of acceptance, healing, and growth in a raw and powerful way.
As Senua, you'll travel throughout Iceland searching for a reason why she had been captured as a slave at the beginning of the game, in an effort to end the process for good. She'll learn a lot about herself, her peers, and the world around her along the way. With improved combat, puzzles that break up the journey, and some fantastic boss encounters, Hellblade 2 improves on its predecessor in every way. Read our Hellblade 2 review to learn more, or look for some of the Hellblade 2 faces or lore stone locations that you might be missing.
7. Dragon's Dogma 2
The follow-up to an RPG many people never thought would ever be made, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a lot like its predecessor in many surprising ways. Read our Dragon's Dogma 2 review to see what makes this game so special and why we hope the developers can sort out the technical issues in the future.
Dragon's Dogma 2 isn't interested in being like modern RPGs, it doesn't have a traditional fast travel system and it isn't interested in co-op or multiplayer action. Instead, it tries to focus on the adventures that happen when you're on your main journey. For example, when you're desperately looking for a campsite and an ogre appears out of nowhere. The story you get to tell people regardless of the outcome is what the developers want you to enjoy out of this game.
And if that doesn't convince you, the best part of PC gaming is that we can tweak games to our liking. Take a look at our Dragon's Dogma 2 mods guide to give yourself access to infinite Portcrystals, allowing you to fast travel whenever you'd like. The annoying quirks found in Dragon's Dogma 2 have been removed by the mods we've picked out.
8. Alan Wake 2
Picking up 13 years after the original game, Alan is still trapped in The Dark Place, and this time, we have a new protagonist, Saga Anderson. Though you might recognize much of the first game in this third-person shooter, there's more of a focus on puzzle solving and manipulating light to defeat enemies, all of which beats its predecessor.
For those unfamiliar with the game, Alan Wake is a bestselling crime novelist lost in his own creation. Now Saga is on the case, investigating a string of murders in Bright Falls, she too discovers a twisted crime novel that comes to life. Check out our Alan Wake 2 review if you want to know what we thought of this brilliant horror game. If you're just getting started, be sure to check out our guide to all the best Alan Wake 2 Words of Power and best Alan Wake 2 weapon upgrades.
9. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
Once a legendary member of the Yakuza gang, Kazuma Kiryu abandoned everything he knew and adopted a new persona entirely to protect his family. Certain events push Kiryu back into the limelight once again, forcing him to come into contact with people who he'd rather forget entirely. The Yazuka series may have rebranded to Like a Dragon, but the series remains as high quality as it ever was, especially with the release of Kiryu's final standalone game, The Man Who Erased His Name.
The Like a Dragon Gaiden release date occurred only a few months before the launch of the latest game, Infinite Wealth, yet the two games feature entirely different combat systems. The Man Who Erased His Name contains action-based gameplay, whereas Infinite Wealth has turn-based combat. If you want to roam the Japanese streets, punching and kicking anyone who stands in your path, while enjoying the occasional arcade game, singing karaoke, and just generally having a great time, definitely check out Like a Dragon Gaiden.
10. Tomb Raider (2013)
A gritty Lara Croft origin story that takes inspiration from Naughty Dog's Uncharted series should have been a terrible idea, especially after the well-received (but poorly selling) Underworld, but developer Crystal Dynamics made it work. While most of the challenges Lara experiences should have killed her - like that rusty nail through the stomach - they give the game emotional weight and shock value.
The gameplay is the perfect mix of combat, exploration, climbing, and puzzle solving, all of which you want to see in spades from an action-adventure game. The story is so gripping that the 2018 Tomb Raider movie practically copied it wholesale. The climbing feels more tactile and natural than many other games in the genre, and the combat is entertaining without overwhelming the game and really drives home the struggle Lara goes through. Then there are the incredible Challenge Tombs - fantastic, well-designed puzzle rooms that evoke the earlier games in the series. The original 1996 Tomb Raider created the genre, but some might say the 2013 reboot perfected it. Just don't mention the movie.
11. Assassin's Creed Mirage
Assassin's Creed Mirage serves as a commemorative look back at how far the series has come in 16 years. In our Assassin's Creed Mirage review, we praise it for a "renewed focus that trims the fat from its predecessors". While we're still treated to an expansive open-world game, AC Mirage's setting - ninth-century Baghdad - isn't just a POI-infested sandbox. There are still plenty of collectibles to track down: those AC Mirage lost books, and AC Mirage enigmas aren't going to find themselves. Thankfully, they're pared back in favor of the AC Mirage missions.
Mirage's story follows street thief Basim's journey from trainee to master assassin. You can expect plenty of politics and intrigue along the way, as well as the opportunity to put the Assassin's Creed parkour system through its paces with AC Mirage skills. If you've been waiting for a return to linear form in Assassin's Creed, this is it.
12. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
Monolith used to be known for first-person games such as F.E.A.R. and Condemned, but the studio took it up a notch when attacking the action-adventure game genre, much like a Ranger stabbing an orc through the head. Monolith's Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor competes with the best of them, and it's thanks to one word: Nemesis. The Nemesis system Monolith introduced with its Lord of the Rings prequel allowed orcs to bear grudges and even become mortal enemies. If any enemy kills you, even a random grunt, they'll make a name for themselves and be a far tougher threat the second time.
Shadow of Mordor is a mix of Assassin's Creed's exploration and climbing with Batman's stealth and combat, and it works perfectly. Then, halfway through, the game suddenly introduces the ability to recruit orcs so you can create your army, making it feel like a completely different and fantastic game.
13. Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
Uncharted 4 focuses on a more personal story than usual, with Nathan Drake forced back into the world of thievery after retiring from fortune hunting. Drake soon sets off with his brother, Sam, to find the long-lost treasure of Captain Henry Avery aboard the Libertalia.
Much like the other games in the series, you'll face off against other tomb raiders in intense gunfights while navigating deadly traps and perilous obstacles. This game also introduces the grappling hook, allowing you to close in on enemies or snatch their weapons from them before they attack you. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is a white-knuckle ride and gives you a taste of more adventures in the past and future. This collection also comes with the standalone DLC featuring Nathan's mate, Chloe Frazer, as she attempts to find the Golden Tusk of Ganesh to keep it out of the hands of a warmonger.
14. Control
The supernatural action-adventure game from Remedy pairs the studio's trademark free-flowing third-person combat with its strongest storytelling. You play through a secretive agency headquarters and investigate an otherworldly threat known as the Hiss. Described in our Control review as "a gripping descent into something between alternate history and fever dream, realized beautifully in audiovisual flair."
What Control absolutely nails, however, is a strong sense of place. The Bureau's headquarters is a shapeshifting labyrinth of eerie corridors and pristine boardrooms that feel utterly convincing despite the fantastical paranormal activity you encounter there. Snippets of the story are scattered everywhere in the form of radio programs, TV shows, case files, interview recordings, and reports, but each one is brimming with so much intrigue that reading through them all never feels like a chore.
15. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Jedi: Survivor picks up five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, continuing the story of Cal Kestis, a young Jedi Knight who miraculously survived the purge initiated by Order 66. Our Star Wars Jedi Survivor review describes the sequel as "bigger than its predecessor in almost every way". Its Metroidvania exploration and Jedi Survivor traversal abilities emphasize player freedom - whether you're on the hunt for Jedi Survivor collectibles or completing side-quests. From taking on intergalactic flora and fauna to facing off against Jedi Survivor bosses, its Soulslike combat is garnished with new Jedi Survivor lightsaber stances - one of which includes a blaster, in flagrant disregard of Jedi convention.
While the plot is relatively formulaic and predictable, Jedi Survivor is a quintessential Star Wars experience that builds off the established rules of the universe with some original contributions of its own. Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool Star Wars superfan or a casual enjoyer of the franchise looking for an action-adventure game in a world steeped in lore, Jedi Survivor is an excellent choice. Check out our Jedi Survivor beginner tips, as well as the best Jedi Survivor perks to keep Cal fighting fit until the end credits.
And that's our definitive list of the best action-adventure games, not to be confused with the best action games, which we also have a handy list for. Similarly, our best PC games list contains some of the finest experiences the platform has to offer.
