2008 adventure game holiday shopping guide
Assorted other recommended releases
The selection so far should be plenty to get you going, but no list would be complete without a few honourable mentions.
Bargains
Like a fine wine, some adventures just seem to get better with age, or at least age gracefully. Better yet, these older adventures can often be found cheap, so even those on a tight budget should be able to scoop a bargain.
Independent adventures
The adventure genre has often been home to ambitious indie developers, but without widescale distribution, it can be hard for these games to get the exposure they deserve. Since you won’t find them on regular store shelves, don’t forget about these self-published titles.
| The Tales of Bingwood | Official website |
| Carol Reed: The Colour of Murder | Official website |
| Diamonds in the Rough | Adventure Shop, Official website |
| Casebook | Official website |
Genre-blending games
Everyone’s definition of “adventure game” is a little bit different, and sometimes even we have difficulty knowing where one genre line ends and another begins. But tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to, whatever you want to call them, beyond the boundaries of traditional adventure fare there’s even more diversity and choice. The following are games that share adventure-style elements that should appeal to those who like a little variety in their gaming experience.
PortalPart puzzler, part sim, part 3D platformer, part adventure, it all adds up to a whole must-play game. Get it as part of The Orange Box, or buy separately. |
Amazon UK, Amazon US, Steam |
BraidWhat may look like a conventional platform game is arguably the most ingenious puzzle game of the year in which you can manipulate the flow of time in strange and unusual ways. |
Xbox Live Arcade |
Fahrenheit/Indigo ProphecyThe self-proclaimed “interactive movie” raises the bar on cinematic storytelling, though its action elements may prove a challenge to some. |
Amazon UK, Amazon US |
Women’s Murder Club: Death in ScarletThis hidden object game written and designed by Jane Jensen offers a layer of adventuring depth rarely seen in casual titles. |
Amazon US |
CSI: NYThe newest CSI took an unexpectedly casual turn but still manages to serve up a handful of compelling cases for fans of the TV show. |
Amazon UK, Amazon US |
World of GooBehind the simple premise and modest presentation of this physics-based puzzler is the remarkably addictive experience of leading little globs of goo across dangerous terrain. |
Amazon US |
Fallout 3One of the most heavily-hyped RPGs in recent memory, this open-ended trek through a post-apocalyptic world places a heavy emphasis on player choice to influence events, while engaging more than a few enemies in combat along the way. |
Amazon UK, Amazon US |
Little Big PlanetOne of the most delightful and inspired casual platform games that lets you play or build your own levels. A game that is guaranteed to make anyone smile, but only available for PlayStation 3. |
Amazon UK, Amazon US |
Prince of PersiaThe Prince is back in an all new iteration, facing another wave of environmental puzzles, physics-defying obstacles, and insurmountable odds. Incredibly, this time he can’t die. |
Amazon UK, Amazon US |
We hope this guide has been helpful to you, and we wish you happy holidays!
Latest Gaming Articles
All Articles
