#5 Broken Age
- Developer: Double Fine Productions
- Publisher: Double Fine Productions
- Platforms: PC, Ouya, iOS, Android, PS4, PSV, XBO, NS
- Release: April 28, 2015
Broken Age was Tim Schafer’s return to a graphic adventure in over a decade. This adventure story tells the tale of two individuals that live completely different lives but, strangely enough, similar. Vella Tartine was chosen to be sacrificed towards the village monster, as is tradition within this village, though, before the day of execution, she escapes. However, out of this world we have Shay Volta who resides in space where he has a computer monitoring and taking care of ever need imaginable. Desiring to leave his prison and go on a grand adventure, Shay makes the leap of faith and escapes as well.
If you enjoyed Life is Strange for its story and relatively easy gameplay mechanics then moving on to Broken Age will make for an easy transition. There’s a focus on the narrative and being a point-and-click style adventure, most gameplay elements will center around solving puzzles.
#4 The Wolf Among Us
- Developer: Telltale Games
- Publisher: Telltale Games
- Platforms: iOS, Android, PC, PS3, PS4, PSV, X360, XBO
- Release: October 14, 2013
Based on the Fables comic book series, The Wolf Among Us is another hit from developers Telltale Games. Overall, the game is set within an American town that features outcasts from your beloved fairy tale stories. Now hiding in the human world, players take on the role of Bigby Wolf, once known as the Big Bad Wolf, who must keep the fables in check in order to avoid unwanted attention.
That’s easier said than done when a new string of murders has occurred to various fairy tale characters. Since these chosen few can only be killed by another fairy tale character it seems that this investigation will lead Bigby to meet with past friends in order to learn who the real murderer is.
#3 Gone Home
- Developer: The Fullbright Company
- Publisher: The Fullbright Company, Majescco EEntertainment, Annpurna Interactive
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS
- Release: August 15, 2013
Gone Home plays out like a first-person adventure title where players take on the role of a young girl who returns home on break. However, once players arrive home they find it empty. This journey is based around finding where your mother, father and sister has vanished too.
Gameplay is more or less a walking simulator where you roam from room to room in order to find enough clues that you’ll figure out just what happened prior to your arrival. While this title looks to be filled with jump scares just waiting to pop out, it’s actually a deep narrative journey that’s relaxed. You won’t find yourself running from a supernatural being or invader. Of course with that said, this is still a mature story that plays out through clues and messages you find throughout the home.
#2 Night in the Woods
- Developer: Infinite Fall, Secret Lab, 22nd Century Toys
- Publisher: Finji
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO, NS, iOS, Android
- Release: February 21, 2017
Night in the Woods is another title that has become a favorite for fans of the adventure genre. Within the game, players take on the role of a young character by the name of Mae who dropped out of college.
Now back at her hometown and living with her parents, Mae discovers how much time has passed which changed not only her hometown but the friends that she grew up with. This adventure title quickly takes Mae into the woods where she begins to uncover a hidden secret that the town kept long ago.
Digging deeper into the history of Possum Springs, Mae will learn of the reason the coal mines were officially shutdown and the disappearance of her childhood friend.
#1 The Walking Dead
- Developer: Telltale Games
- Publisher: Telltale Games
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PSV, X360, XBO, Mobile, Ouya
- Release: August 22, 2013
Telltale Games takes real precious care when it comes to their video game releases. Oftentimes they will handle other IPs such as Batman and Game of Thrones though they add their own unique twist to it. This usually results in an adventure narrative that relies heavily on player choices in order to alter the story and the characters within it.
The Walking Dead takes place in the popular comic and AMC TV series universe where you may even see a familiar face. However, predominately, the game is centered around unique characters within The Walking Dead universe.
This first season follows Lee Everett, a man that is on his way to prison until the zombie apocalypse actually ends up freeing him from the law enforcement. Now free in a chaotic world, Lee stumbles upon a young child by the name of Clementine who is all alone. Quickly Lee takes on the role of Clementine’s guardian and protects her from the harsh new realities of the world.
Bonus Life is Strange 2
- Developer: Dontnod Entertainment
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: September 27, 2018
We put down this title as a bonus for a couple reasons. Naturally you’re likely already playing or planning on picking up the sequel to the franchise, Life is Strange 2. However, the game at the moment is not fully out and as a result you won’t get the full story. Players will still be in store for an emotional storyline with multiple choices and consequences throughout. Dontnod Entertainment is taking plenty of time to get the game out so we can’t really dive too deep into what you can expect. As of right now, the game has a total of two out of the five episodes out in the market.
