Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance 2002
Why it still holds upEven now, two castles that share one layout but change each other make each room worth a second look.
Adventure games that still hold up
Somewhere to get to, and plenty in the way
Games
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance 2002
Why it still holds upEven now, two castles that share one layout but change each other make each room worth a second look.
Dicey Dungeons 2019
Why it still holds upEach attempt still has a goal, with a boss at the end of the run and new characters and harder episodes to unlock.
Syberia II 2004
Why it still holds upSince you cannot die or get stuck, it still suits a slow, relaxed pace.
The Room Three 2015
Why it still holds upEvery box is still a place to look into as well as at, with a lens that reaches inside keyholes.
On sale
Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide 2015
Why it still holds upThe rats are still a horde that squeaks, and holding a street against them is a job for four.
American McGee's Alice 2000
Why it still holds upToday, a set of toy weapons, each used in two ways, gives every fight a choice of how to answer.
On sale
Risk of Rain 2013
Why it still holds upA ticking clock still turns every stage into a decision about greed.
On sale
Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood 2009
Why it still holds upTwo brothers who play differently still give each shootout a choice.
Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft 1998
Why it still holds upA world tour with a free choice of order still gives it room to explore.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2001
Why it still holds upThe command map still plans the fight from above and has you watch it through one pair of eyes.
On sale
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil 1998
Why it still holds upThe hub still holds six levels big enough to lose an afternoon in, with a weapon borrowed from a horror film.
On sale
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 2016
Why it still holds upSwitching between three fighters still keeps each duel moving.
Bravely Default 2012
Why it still holds upChoosing when to risk a turn still makes each fight a small gamble.
On sale
Her Story 2015
Why it still holds upEvery player finds the pieces in a different order, which still keeps it worth solving.
Axiom Verge 2015
Why it still holds upDozens of weapons and an ability that rewrites glitches still give the exploring plenty to find.
Gothic 3 2006
Why it still holds upA large world where you choose a side still leaves a lot of room to explore.
LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game 2005
Why it still holds upA game with no game over is a gentle fit for a family, and it still is.
Castle Crashers 2008
Why it still holds upFour knights in a cooperative brawl are still an easy game to share.
On sale
Saints Row: The Third 2011
Why it still holds upWeapons that are jokes still set the tone of every fight.
On sale
Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince 2019
Why it still holds upThe puzzles are why it holds up now, since the three heroes' tools combine in several ways to reach the same goal.
Risen 2009
Why it still holds upThe island is still small enough to know, with a faction that decides who you become.
On sale
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom 2018
Why it still holds upBuilding a kingdom beside the story still gives a long adventure a second thing to do.
Forager 2019
Why it still holds upThe islands are still bought a square at a time, with the farm running while you go to look at the next one.
Thumper 2016
Why it still holds upEven now, a single hit in a fast level makes every beat a risk.
BattleBlock Theater 2013
Why it still holds upBlocks that collapse, stick or bounce still make each level a short problem, which suits sharing with a friend.
Sonic Generations 2011
Why it still holds upTwo ways of running through the same zone still make each act a different game.
On sale
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger 2013
Why it still holds upEvery shootout still has a surprise of its own, with a narrator who rewrites the level around you.
Darksiders II 2012
Why it still holds upA horseman with a world to ride across is still a lively way to explore.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2006
Why it still holds upBusinesses to take over still give the missions a purpose beyond the story.
On sale
Shadow Man 1999
Why it still holds upDeadside is still a land of the dead drawn from dead factories, and the hero commutes to it.
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves 2005
Why it still holds upA heist with a whole crew still gives every character a different job.
Resident Evil 1996
Why it still holds upChoosing between two characters still gives the mansion a second visit.
On sale
Far: Lone Sails 2018
Why it still holds upThe cross section still makes the vehicle a house you keep alive while it moves.
On sale
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 2018
Why it still holds upA horde of rats in every corridor still makes teamwork the point of the game.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent 2010
Why it still holds upLight calms you and also gives you away, so every dark room is a choice between safety and sanity that you still meet on the first night.
Diablo III 2012
Why it still holds upAdventure mode and the reworked loot still give a lot to come back to.
God of War: Chains of Olympus 2008
Why it still holds upA combo-based fight against myths is still a clear reason to play on a handheld.
Ristar 1995
Why it still holds upFighting, climbing and swinging all run through the stretchy arms, so one idea is enough to start playing today.
Spider-Man 2000
Why it still holds upCrawling across ceilings in a city of villains is still a lively way to play.
Prince of Persia 2008
Why it still holds upBecause Elika catches every fall, a missed jump costs a few seconds rather than a reload, and the climbing still flows from one wall to the next.
Infamous: Second Son 2014
Why it still holds upThe story is self contained and does not need the earlier games, which makes it an easy starting point today.
On sale
Pony Island 2016
Why it still holds upIt still stands out today for making the game itself the puzzle.
On sale
Orcs Must Die! 2 2012
Why it still holds upA trap in the right place still does more than a sword.
On sale
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 2011
Why it still holds upPlayed today, most rooms are still small puzzles solved with spells, and each character brings a different trick to them.
On sale
Shadow Warrior 2013
Why it still holds upThe katana still answers a crowd with a blade swung the way you point.
On sale
Red Faction: Guerrilla 2009
Why it still holds upA world full of structures to level still makes each mission a choice.
Dust: An Elysian Tail 2012
Why it still holds upMoves that chain into each other still make the fighting flow from one move to the next.
Pokémon Ultra Sun 2017
Why it still holds upA familiar island adventure with new twists still gives a returning trainer a reason to go back.