Best Action Adventure Games For Beginners

Published by Emma o n September 4, 2025, 1:45 am

Summary

Action-adventure games offer a variety of gameplay mechanics and are not limited by design choices, making them accessible to newcomers.
Pumpkin Jack, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, and Psychonauts 2 are great action-adventure games for beginners due to their linear gameplay and intuitive mechanics.
Games like Ratchet and Clank 2016, God of War 2018, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker provide a wholesome and enjoyable experience for newcomers to the genre.

Action-adventure games are some of the more ubiquitous in all of gaming. Due to this genre covering an extensive amount of games across various platforms and generations, it can often be hard for newcomers to know which games are the best to start with. Of course, not every person is the same, and some people will connect with different experiences in different ways. However, some bread-and-butter action-adventure games deserve to be played first.

Best Action-Adventure Games, Ranked

These action-adventure games are must plays for anyone who wants to explore some unique worlds with engaging stories.

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From colorful, cartoony action-adventure games to more realistic ones, there is certainly a game in this genre for you. What makes this genre so special is that it can incorporate a variety of gameplay mechanics and isn't limited by only one or two design choices. The following action-adventure games are some of the very best to play if you are new to this genre.

Updated December 25, 2024, by Branden Lizardi: Video games make for fantastic holiday gifts. But not everyone is a pro gamer. Some folks, whether they're young or just new to digital interactive entertainment, might be beginners in the world of gaming. As such, they need the right games to help them get used to it. We've updated this list to ensure that you have all the best options when it comes to adventure games for beginners.

Lil Gator Game

Adventure Open-World Released December 14, 2022 ESRB E For Everyone Engine Unity Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Developer Scott Slucher, Robin Burguess Publisher Scott Slucher How Long To Beat 3 Hours Metascore 84 OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

Lil Gator Game is a delightfully charming adventure. You follow a young alligator who organized a large-scale cardboard adventure to play with your older sister when she's done working on college stuff. You run, jump, and swing cute little weapons to solve various challenges in the classic adventure style.

Design-wise, it plays off of memorable adventure games like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and presents it in a casual, lighthearted perspective. The plot itself can be enjoyed by everyone but will resonate the best with younger audiences (especially if they have an older sister).

Another Crab's Treasure

Adventure Soulslike RPG Released April 25, 2024 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Aggro Crab Publisher(s) Aggro Crab Engine Unity Platform(s) PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 14 Hours OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

Another Crab's Treasure is the Dark Souls of games about crabs, quite literally! In this colorful soulslike game, you play as Kril, a small hermit crab whose shell was taken for "tax" reasons. You then have to go on an adventure to reclaim your shell, using various junk found on the sea floor as temporary protection.

Get better items, find better shells, and level up your stats. It features everything for a good ol' fashioned action adventure RPG, without being complex or overwhelming. It's charming in it's sense of humor, and the overall graphical presentation is appeal to folks of all ages. This makes it particularly excellent for anyone new to the Dark Souls formula.

If you find yourself getting stuck against particularly hard enemies, the game also features an "Assist Mode." What does it do? It gives you a gun, of course! This powerful tool will one-shot-kill anything you fire it at.

Tunic

Adventure 4.0/5 Released March 16, 2022 ESRB e Developer(s) Andrew Shouldice Publisher(s) Finji Engine Unity Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 12 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 3 GB (November 2023) OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

In many ways, video games can be overwhelming for newcomers. With inventory items, stats, menu screens, and a controller with countless buttons, it can be a bit much. But oftentimes, to scale all that back, some of the magic of an adventure game is lost.

Not with Tunic, this tremendously charming Zelda-inspired game is an amazing blend of simple concepts and controls while still delivering a wonderful sense of adventure and creativity without bogging you down with overly complicated mechanics.

Sly Cooper And The Thievius Raccoonus

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus

Platformer Stealth Released September 23, 2002 ESRB E For Everyone // Mild Fantasy Violence, Tobacco Reference Developer(s) Sucker Punch Publisher(s) Sony Computer Entertainment Engine Kinetica Franchise Sly Cooper Platform(s) PS Vita, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 How Long To Beat 7 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

Gosh, it's bummer that the beloved Sly Cooper series from the PS2 and PS3 such a eras haven't made a recent resurgence. While each of the Sly Cooper games are wonderful in their own right, it's the first game, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus from the PS2, that deserves to be played and experienced. For the uninitiated, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus tasks you, a charming raccoon named Sly, along with his pals Bentley and Murray, with performing heists with precision and aplomb.

This action-adventure platformer is a sheer delight and still feels great to play, even two decades after its initial release. Genre beginners will love this game because its mechanics, namely, running, jumping, collecting, and attacking baddies, are pretty basic and easy to grasp. Stealth does come into play during some of the missions and puzzle areas. Still, for the most part, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus is a Saturday morning cartoon-esque game brimming with smart and intuitive game design that anyone can enjoy.

While the game is natively for the PS2, a remastered version of the game (and its two sequels) released on the PlaySation 3 and Vita as part of "The Sly Collection" in 2010.

Psychonauts 2

Platformer 4.5/5 Released August 25, 2021 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco Developer(s) Double Fine Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Psychonauts Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Linux, macOS How Long To Beat 16 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 28 GB (November 2023) OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

Psychonauts 2 is a truly remarkable action-adventure game that perfectly blends platforming, action, and exploration, even for those who have never experienced the cult-classic original game. Psychonauts 2 stars Razputin Aquato, or Raz for short, an intern Psychonaut who must work with his fellow interns and other professional Psychonauts to figure out who brainwashed their leader and planted a mole in the Psychonauts' headquarters.

This is a fantastic jumping-off point for the series and for those new to the action-adventure genre, especially those who want to perform dazzling platforming feats while using Raz's psychic powers. The game eases you into its psychic systems and mechanics and simply aims to give you a fun, whimsical, and heartfelt adventure to enjoy.

You might recognize some voices, too. Well known actors like Jack Black and Elijah Wood are voices in the game.

Batman Arkham Asylum

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Action Adventure Released August 25, 2009 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Rocksteady Studios Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Interactive Engine Unreal Engine 3 Franchise Batman Platform(s) PS3, PS4, macOS, PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One How Long To Beat 12 Hours Metascore 92 PS Plus Availability Premium Powered by Expand Collapse

Batman games have come a long way since the likes of Batman Begins and Batman Vengeance. Once Rocksteady's juggernaut Batman Arkham Asylum released to ravenous Batman and action-adventure fans alike, players rejoiced. This focused, nuanced, and utterly polished Batman game was one of the first to truly make you feel like you are playing as the winged bat detective.

As you might imagine, Batman Arkham Asylum has you explored the titular Asylum, a location brimming with Batman lore and spooky secrets. Combining platforming gameplay, incredibly visceral combat, and a boatload of gadgetry, Arkham Asylum instantly became a hit with fans but also drew in a whole new crowd who wanted to enjoy a new action-adventure game.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Action Adventure 10.0/10 Released April 5, 2022 ESRB E10+ for Everyone 10+: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief Developer(s) Traveller's Tales Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Interactive Engine NTT Engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Star Wars Number of Players 1-2 Split Screen Orientation Vertical Only Platform(s) Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 19 Hours X|S Optimized Yes File Size Xbox Series 45 GB (November 2023) Metascore 82 Local Co-Op Support 1-2 Players OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

The Lego games have a long-standing history of being a perfect construction of quality and approachability. Each and every game is easy to play and hard to fail at. The block-based graphical style makes for a lighthearted and humorous perspective on games. When combined with existing stories like Star Wars, that fun and easy gameplay is blessed with the narrative prowess of one of the most famous sci-fi stories in the world.

This is seen at its best with The Skywalker Saga, which specifically follows the story of the Skywalker family. To pair with the more casual art style, the overall plot is also refined into a more comedic experience. Paired with the tremendously forgiving gameplay design that keeps things consistently engaging, this is one of the best action-adventure games to be a person's first introduction to gaming as a whole.

The Darksiders Series

Darksiders 3

Action RPG Released November 27, 2018 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) Gunfire Games Publisher(s) THQ Nordic Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Darksiders Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Stadia How Long To Beat 15 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Powered by Expand Collapse

The Darksiders series is a long-running action/adventure series known for its incredible action combat, thoughtful world exploration, inventive puzzles, and hauntingly beautiful presentation. Any of the Darksiders games could be mentioned here since each one provides a meaty adventure to sink your teeth into.

Best 3D Platformer Games For Beginners

There are a lot of great 3D platformers on the market, but these offer a perfect starting point for new players.

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However, the best place to start for newcomers to the genre would probably be Darksiders 1 or 2. Darksiders 1 plays like a more traditional Zelda game, replete with exploration, dungeons, and plentiful puzzles. For a different spin on the genre, Darksiders 2 features a more loot-heavy experience blended with some RPG elements. Plus, each game has you play as one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, with the stories directly tied into each other.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

3D Platformer Action Adventure 2.5/5 Released November 12, 2020 ESRB E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Lyrics Developer(s) Sumo Digital Publisher(s) Sony Engine Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer Franchise LittleBigPlanet Number of Players 1-4 Split Screen Orientation N/A (Shared Screen) Platform(s) PS4, PS5, PC How Long To Beat 11 Hours Metascore 79 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium Local Co-Op Support 1-4 Players OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

For a more lighthearted and family-friendly affair, look no further than Sackboy: A Big Adventure. This PS4/5 action adventure platforming game is downright charming and fun in equal measure. Sackboy, who was first made famous in the Little Big Planet games, is such a wholesome character. Now starring in this own adventure, Sackboy must hop around and explore various creative stages while collecting tons of goodies.

Easily the best part of Sackboy: A Big Adventure is that the entire game can be played in two-player co-op. While a wonderful game in solo mode, it's the 2-player mode that really ups the charm factor. Being able to experience this deep and rewarding adventure game with a friend or family member makes it a fantastic game for genre newcomers.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Third-Person Shooter Adventure Released October 13, 2009 ESRB T For Teen due to Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Naughty Dog Publisher(s) Sony Computer Entertainment Engine Naughty Engine 2.0 Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Uncharted Platform(s) PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 How Long To Beat 10.5 Hours How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs) 22 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

While any of the acclaimed Uncharted games could be inserted in this position, it's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves that truly revolutionized how cinematic action-adventure games play out. In Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, you play as Nathan Drake, a charismatic adventurer who seeks fortune and mystery in a globe-trotting adventure.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a fantastic beginner action-adventure game because it can be perfectly tailored to your experience, not just in difficulty, but in how much you want to explore and adventure. Nathan will travel the world taking in the sights and sounds of ancient caves, snowy mountain temples, derelict city streets, plus so much more, all the while shooting baddies, collecting loot, and discovering artifacts.

Best Action Adventure Games For Beginners

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