The Best Action-Adventure Game For Every Year In The 2010s
Summary
- Red Dead Redemption is hailed as one of the best Western video games ever with fun gunplay and a detailed open world.
- Batman: Arkham City stands out in 2011 for its captivating story, voice acting, beat 'em up, and stealth mechanics.
- Sleeping Dogs, though underrated, offers a unique premise of an undercover cop in the Triads and satisfying combat mechanics.
The 2010s was a decade that saw the release of a bunch of incredible games. Fans of the action-adventure genre were happier than most.
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Posts By Muhammad Junaid SehtoThis is because, over those ten years, they were treated to the debut of the Red Dead series, some Assassin’s Creed titles, Yakuza games, a couple of Uncharted adventures, a few Devil May Cry sequels, a rebooted Tomb Raider trilogy, and more. In fact, at least one iconic action-adventure game was released every year in the 2010s. Here are the best ones.
10 2010 - Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption Like Open-World Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 79/100 Critics Rec: 73% Released May 18, 2010 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Rockstar San Diego Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine rockstar advanced game engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Red Dead RedemptionWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALSeveral great action-adventure games were released in 2010, including the likes of God of War 3, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, and Mafia 2. The best that year had to offer, though, was the original Red Dead Redemption.
To this day, it remains one of the best Western video games ever, due to its incredible writing, characters, and story. The general gameplay is fun, too. Both the gunplay and horse riding are responsive and enjoyable. Plus, the open world you get to roam around is incredibly detailed.
9 2011 - Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City Like Follow Followed Action Adventure Systems Released October 18, 2011 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Rocksteady Studios Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Games Engine Unreal Engine 3 Franchise BatmanWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL2011 saw the release of one of the best Batman games ever in Arkham City. Considering the Dark Knight's long history in gaming, this is no easy feat. It edges out impressive titles, such as Uncharted 3 and Saints Row: The Third, as the best action-adventure game of 2011.
The game follows the titular Caped Crusader as he tries to uncover the secret behind the newly created Arkham City, a big prison designed to hold many criminals. The story is interesting and made a lot better by the incredible voice acting of the game's cast. Also, the title offers both excellent beat 'em up and stealth mechanics.
8 2012 - Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs Like Follow Followed Open-World Action Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 77/100 Critics Rec: 62% Released August 14, 2012 ESRB Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) United Front Games Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Havok Number of Players Single-player Steam Deck Compatibility PlayableWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALSleeping Dogs is an action-adventure game famous for being underrated. Therefore, it didn't get as much attention as Assassin's Creed 3 when they were both released in 2012. However, it deserves as much, if not more, praise than those two titles.
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Posts By Avery FeyrerIn the game, you play as a Hong Kong Police Officer who goes undercover in the Triads. This makes for an interesting premise, as the protagonist needs to manage his two lives. What's even better than the story, though, is the game's combat. Beating people up has never felt so satisfying.
7 2013 - Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 Like Follow Followed Open-World Action Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 92/100 Critics Rec: 92% Released September 17, 2013 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Rockstar North Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine Rockstar Advanced Game Engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play noWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTION2013 is often regarded as one of the best years for games ever. This is mainly down to the action-adventure genre. After all, the year saw the release of Grand Theft Auto 5, The Last of Us, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, and the rebooted Tomb Raider. All of these titles deserve plenty of praise.
GTA 5, in particular, is incredible. Yes, the constant re-releases of the game have grown annoying, but it is still an amazing open-world action-adventure title with a very interesting cast of characters and a well-written story. The city you're free to explore is filled with little details to find and fascinating locations to visit.
6 2014 - Sunset Overdrive
Sunset Overdrive Like Follow Followed Third-Person Shooter Open-World Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 84% Released October 28, 2014 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Insomniac Games Publisher(s) Microsoft Game Studios Engine Insomniac Engine v. 4.0WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONSunset Overdrive is one of the most creative and original action-adventure games released in the entire 2010s, never mind just 2014. It is about a city whose citizens have been turned into mutants due to drinking a strange energy drink.
The protagonist is one of the few survivors. As them, you have to battle these mutants while zip-ling and grinding on rails around the colorful city. You don't just use these things to get around; Zip-lining and rail-grinding are an important part of the combat, as this is a game where you need to be in perpetual motion while fighting.
5 2015 - Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 Like Follow Followed Action Adventure Beat 'Em Up Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 86/100 Critics Rec: 95% Released January 24, 2017 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Publisher(s) Sega Engine Dragon Engine Franchise Yakuza Number of Players 1WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe Yakuza (aka Like A Dragon) series really hit its stride during the 2010s. Yakuza 0 is arguably the series at its absolute peak. The game is so good that it beats the likes of Rise of the Tomb Raider, Batman: Arkham Knight, and Just Cause 3 as the best action-adventure title of 2015.
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Posts By Ben JesseyIt has pretty much everything you expect to see in a Yakuza game, meaning it contains wacky side stories, entertaining beat 'em-up combat, and a captivating main narrative. That narrative is told differently in this one, though, as there are two protagonists, meaning you get to see different perspectives on the compelling story.
4 2016 - Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End Like Follow Followed Third-Person Shooter Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 93/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released May 10, 2016 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Naughty Dog Publisher(s) Sony Engine Naughty Dog Engine 2.0 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise UnchartedWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThere was a strong lineup of action-adventure games in 2016, with Dishonored 2 and Yakuza 6 being particular standouts. Yet, they can't match the iconic Uncharted 4. It revolves around Nathan Drake meeting up with his long-lost brother and coming out of retirement to go on one last adventure.
That adventure ends up being an exciting one, as it takes Drake to many distinct and exciting places. While at these places, you get to enjoy the game's wonderful gunplay and climbing mechanics. The puzzles are pretty fun, too.
3 2017 - The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Like Follow Followed Action Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 96/100 Critics Rec: 96% Released March 3, 2017 ESRB E for Everyone: Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Nintendo EPD Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Havok Cross-Platform Play no Cross Save noWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is often regarded as one of the best games of its generation. Therefore, 2017's other action-adventure titles didn't really stand much of a chance against it.
The game is incredible and packed with content. There are so many places to go and things to do in the open world. And you get a lot of freedom in how you go about much of it. You're encouraged and rewarded for experimentation, whether you're traversing areas, solving puzzles, or battling foes. There's simply an open feel to the entire experience.
2 2018 - Red Dead Redemption 2
5.0/5 Red Dead Redemption 2 Like Follow Followed Action Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 95/100 Critics Rec: 93% Released October 26, 2018 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Rockstar Games Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine RAGE Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play N/AWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFans of action-adventure games were lucky in 2018 as Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, Marvel's Spider-Man, A Way Out, and Judgment were all released. It isn't easy to pick the best game out of all those gems, but RDR2 is particularly special.
Its greatness comes from both its world and story. The world is vast and contains plenty of hidden secrets. Just wandering around the map is incredibly exciting as you're almost guaranteed to find plenty of interesting things. As for the story, it's very deep and brilliantly written. This stellar writing helps almost all the characters feel interesting.
1 2019 - Devil May Cry 5
Devil May Cry 5 Like Follow Followed Action Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 88/100 Critics Rec: 88% Released March 8, 2019 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Capcom Publisher(s) Capcom Engine RE Engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer Franchise Devil May CryWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALYou can call Devil May Cry 5 a hack-and-slash, a character action, or simply an action-adventure game. It fits into all three genres. What's most important, though, is that it's fantastic, and the other 2019 games in the same genre can't match its quality.
DMC5 offers smooth combat that you get to enjoy while taking on all sorts of creatures in fast-paced battles. As with other games in the series, you're encouraged to be ruthless and flashy while fighting your foes. Another wrinkle this instalment adds is the fact that there are multiple different protagonists who all have their own playstyle. Impressively, they all feel enjoyable to use. Not many games with multiple distinct playable characters can say the same.
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