Fans may findthe action-adventure genreto be rather vague since almost any game with combat and exploration elements can fit the bill here. However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, with many people loving how malleable this genre is.
This has allowed several amazing action-adventure franchises to step up and establish themselves as some of the best gaming IPs players can get their hands on. The cathartic battles and amazing traversal in these games make them worthwhile for any fans who want to sink their teeth into a beautiful experience.
Franchises will be ranked based on their greatness and the overall quality of their entries.
8Uncharted
A Beloved Adventure Series Full Of Fast-Paced Shooting Action
Unchartedcemented Naughty Dog’s transition towards making mature games, something that was kickstarted with theJak & Daxterseries. The amazing banter of the first game is something that players take for granted but was groundbreaking back in the day.
Later games in the series upped the ante, with bothUncharted 2and4being hailed by many as some of the greatest action-adventure games ever made. While the series has concluded on a high note, fans can’t help but hope for a new title in the series to knock their socks off once again.
7Prince Of Persia
The Sands Of Time Trilogy Was A Highlight For A Series That Is Making A Comeback Of Its Own
It’s a shame that thePrince of Persiaseries doesn’t enjoy the modern relevancy it rightfully deserves.The Sands of Timetrilogy houses three of the greatest action-adventure games ever made that have aged like a fine wine.
While later games in the series failed to capture the same hype, bothThe Last CrownandThe Rogue Prince of Persiaare great titles that players will enjoy as long as they don’t mind a smaller scope. Ultimately, what people are waiting for is a remake ofThe Sands of Timethat can make the series relevant again if it hits all the right notes.
6Tomb Raider
Lara Croft’s Adventures Have Become The Stuff Of Legend
Lara Croft is one of the most iconic video game protagonists of all time, with her debut in the world of video games being largely successful. However, fan interest waned after some notable failures damaged the brand, but the Survivor trilogy and the remasters have made it clear that this character is as marketable as ever.
Fans can only hope thatthe newTomb Raidergameswill do justice to Lara’s character, especially since her cocky and confident personality was neutered somewhat in the new games.
5Metroid
An Action-Adventure Series So Iconic That It Coined The Name For A Genre
There aren’t many games successful enough to coin the name for a new genre, which is whySuper Metroiddeserves all its plaudits as one of the most important video games ever developed. TheMetroidgames have been largely excellent following this release, althoughOther Mis a disaster most fans don’t like talking about.
It’s a shame thattheMetroidseriesisn’t as important to Nintendo as some of their flagship titles, although games likeMetroid Dreadand the upcomingMetroid Prime 4make it clear that fan interest is still high for these titles. Controlling Samus in her adventures and taking out numerous aliens is a blast every single time.
4Castlevania
The Gothic Adventures Rife In This Title Are A Blast To Experience Every Single Time
TheCastlevaniaseries poised themselves as run-of-the-mill action platformers for a long while beforeSymphony of the Nighthit store shelves. Prioritizing exploration along with the integration of RPG-lite elements was a winning combination that turned this title into one of the greatest video games ever made.
WhiletheCastlevaniaseries has faltered from time to timein its efforts to transition to 3D, fans can still have a great time with some of the best games in the genre. The focus on action and exploration ensures that players would love exploring dark, gothic environments and taking out the many monsters that stand in their way.
3BioShock
A Story-Driven Action-Adventure Series That Propelled Ken Levine’s Fame To The Stratosphere
The story-driven FPS gameplay ofBioShockmakes every game a blast to play through, including a title that doesn’t featureKen Levine’s amazing direction. The amazing FPS combat lets players use weapons and special powers to take out their opponents in style.
Along with this, exploration is a blast with both the claustrophobic halls of Rapture and the open city of Columbia letting players experience a grand adventure for the ages. The elements of horror sprinkled in each game heighten the immersion and make it clear why theBioShocktrilogy is one of the greatest video game series of all time.
2God Of War
Kratos' Adventures Are Full Of Cathartic Action, With The Recent Titles Letting Players Enjoy Some Beautiful Cinematics
The originalGod of Wartrilogy is full of amazing combat with a bit of exploration thrown into the fray, with Kratos' hateful and one-dimensional character being compelling enough for players to enjoy this title’s action-packed trappings. However, it was clear that the series' reboot needed to transform Kratos' character in new and interesting ways.
It did so by improving the series' cinematic flair and turning Kratos into one of the most compelling and well-written video game protagonists who learned from his past mistakes and strives to be a good role model for his child. Thetwo new chapters inGod of Warlet players enjoy amazing hack-and-slash combat, tantalizing stories, and some engaging exploration with its fair share of open environments.
1The Legend Of Zelda
A Legendary Action-Adventure Franchise That Needs No Introduction
It would be impossible to talk about the greatest action-adventure series of all time without givingThe Legend of Zeldaits due props as one of the most important video game franchises of all time. The grand sense of adventure was present in the very first top-downZeldagame, withA Link to the Pastshattering everyone’s expectations and letting them enjoy one of the greatest video games of all time that has aged gracefully.
Ocarina of Timeshowed the franchise’s ability to evolve, even though it took a while for theZeldagames to appeal to a new generation of fans withBreath of the Wild. This open-world game and its sequel stand strong as two of the greatest action-adventure games of all time, and players can’t wait to see what the series has in store for them after hitting two home runs.
