These Incredible Action Adventure Games Deserve A Spot On Every Player's Backlog This Year

If you're looking for the next game that's going to sweep you off your feet and seamlessly into the shoes of an adventurer heading out on their next epic quest, then you've got no real shortage of titles to pick from with action-adventure games in 2026!

But between cowboys venturing out into the wild west, a brave survivor needing to make their way in an apocalyptic wasteland, a god-like being trying to secure safety for their family, and more, it can be overwhelming to choose! Here are the action-adventure titles we think you ought to play this year in 2026.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Platform(s)

Nintendo Switch

Developer

Nintendo

You might not always think of Nintendo as the studio pumping out action-adventure titles, but with The Legend of Zelda getting a true open world since Ocarina of Time inspired the growth of open-world gaming on the whole back as a launch title on the original Switch, Breath of the Wild truly does keep its place as one of the best action-adventure games of all-time.

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Link awakens a hundred years after a mysterious Calamity occurs, seeking to grow in power as he traverses a fully open-world Hyrule in any order you so choose, venturing to far-off lands and clearing through duneons before coming to a final fight with Calamity Ganon.

And if you enjoy Breath of the Wild, check out its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, that gives you vastly more Hyrule above and below the one you already know.

Skyrim

Platform(s)

PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

Developer

Bethesda Game Studios

The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim has been out for a staggering 15 years now, and while there have been rumblings of another game in the series coming at some point, the audience for Skyrim is still right there enjoying their action-adventure classic.

You'll play as the Dragonborn on a mission to defeat a dragon threatening the future of the world at large, but there's plenty of open-world and online fun to enjoy along the way. Wake up on the wagon, establish the lore, and hop to it on your adventure!

The Last Of Us

Platform(s)

PC, PS5, and PS4

Developer

Naughty Dog

One of the most influential action-adventure games of all time is The Last of Us and its sequel, The Last of Us 2, following the heavily emotional tale of Joel and Ellie as they try to endure an apocalyptic complete collapse of society, especially with Ellie seemingly immune to the fungal infection zombifying the population.

The game won several Game of the Year titles when it launched in 2013 and has gone on to inspire a beloved HBO series following a live action cast through some of the most brutal scenes in the two games.

Borderlands 4

Platform(s)

PC, PS5, Xbox Series X

Developer

Gearbox Software

If you're a big fan of shooter titles when it comes to your favorite action-adventure games, then we probably don't need to tell you about the Borderland series, which focuses on following survivors who hunt through the vaults on Pandora looking for the one that's long been prophesied.

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This game was practically made to satisfy your inner loot goblin, encouraging you to collect and upgrade all kinds of weapons from all kinds of places, and the cel-shaded art style is sure to satisfy.

The game is also in development for the Nintendo Switch 2, but has undergone numerous delays.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Platform(s)

PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S

Developer

Sandfall Interactive

This action-adventure title has effortlessly smashes records for Game of the Year awards, and for great reason! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the more unique titles we've seen in the last decade, following a party as they set off to stop a powerful being from erasing the existence of humanity.

This gorgeous fantasy world is meant to be explored to its fullest by your cast of charming teammatres in a turn-based combat style of game, with each character bringing their own unique skills and personality to the group.

Assassin's Creed

Platform(s)

Various

Developer

Ubisoft

There's not really a bad place to start with an anthology like Assassin's Creed, a series of games set in various time periods throughout history that allow you to take on a variety of roles depending on where and when you'd like to experience the game.

Looking for the Italian Renaissance? Join Ezio Auditore da Firenze in Assassin's Creed 2 and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Craving a pirate vibe? Join Edward Kenway at sea in Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag. Want to be part of a viking invasion? Eivor Varinsdottir in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla can help.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Platform(s)

PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

Developer

CD Projekt Red

If you'd rather set off on what feels like a historical fantasy adventure that sends you all over the Continent trying to find your adoptive daughter and spare her from a scary fate that might be coming her way, then The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and its various DLC packs will definitely be for you.

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Geralt of Rivia has all kinds of attacks he's able to perform as a Witcher, and you'll join him on this adventure fighting and conniving your way through some of the more impactful storytelling in action-adventure games of yet.

Once you're finished, you could always check out the live-action series for another Witcher fix.

Baldur's Gate 3

Platform(s)

PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S

Developer

Larian Studios

If you're a big fan of Dungeons and Dragons, a tabletop game about creating characters and doing improv to get through each campaign, then you're probably already a big fan of Baldur's Gate 3, a D&D-inspired action-adventure title that's had fans in a vice grip since its 2023 debut.

Create a character of your own and join up with a slew of lovable teammates that come default in the game, cycling between them as the story progresses to get down a fighting style that works best for you (and maybe even romance your teammates in the process).

God Of War

Platform

PC, PS5, and PS4

Developer

Santa Monica Studio

Whether you were a fan of the original God of War games that explored the Greek pantheon of gods or you're a newer fan of action-adventure titles like it, the 2018 God of War is easily one of the best action-adventure games of the last century.

You join Kratos and his son Atreus on a mission to scatter their wife and mother's ashes at the top of the highest peak, learning that the protection spell she cast for them before her death is quickly fading. You'll learn all kinds of impressive bits of religions from around the world in this impressive, expansive series.

You don't have to play God of War and its sequel God of War Ragnarok before God of War Laufey comes out to allow you to follow said mother's journey through the afterlife for the gods concurrent with Kratos and Atreus' through the nine realms, but it certainly can't hurt!

Red Dead Redemption 2

Platform

PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One

Developer

Rockstar

One of the biggest hits of the last few decades has been the Red Dead Redemption titles, each letting fans of westerns live out their cowboy wild west dreams (or nightmares). The sequel follows outlaw Arthur Morgan on his ventures through the US in the late 1800s.

Along the way, you'll need to help Morgan as he's pursued by the government and by outlaws alike to face the consequences of his variety of crimes, engaging in everything from robberies to hunting to horseback riding as you try to make your escape. It's an online game as well, if you still can't get enough after you've rolled credits, too!

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