Some adventure games never received the recognition they deserve in the gaming world, and these hidden gems will make you wonder why.
Sometimes, new releases don’t get the attention they deserve. If you’re craving something different, less mainstream, and unpopular, see how your gaming experience can change with these six most underrated adventure games!
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | A Way Out | 2018-03-23 | Adventure | Hazelight Studios |
 | Gone Home | 2013-08-15 | Adventure | Fullbright |
 | Tsioque | 2018-11-07 | Adventure | OhNoo Studio |
 | Norco | 2022-03-24 | Adventure | Geography of Robots |
 | Minds Beneath Us | 2024-07-31 | Adventure | BearBoneStudio |
 | The Excavation Of Hobs Barrow | 2022-09-28 | Adventure | Cloak and Dagger Games |
 | To The Moon | 2011-11-01 | Adventure | Freebird Games |
 | Remember Me | 2013-06-03 | Adventure | DON'T NOD |
 | Disco Elysium The Final Cut | 2019-10-15 | RPG | ZA/UM |
 | Oxenfree | 2016-01-14 | Adventure | Night School Studio |
 | A Plague Tale Innocence | 2019-05-14 | Adventure | Asobo Studio |
 | A Plague Tale Requiem | 2022-10-18 | Adventure | Asobo Studio |
 | Kentucky Route Zero | 2013-02-22 | Adventure | Cardboard Computer |
 | The Vanishing Of Ethan Carter | 2014-09-25 | Adventure | The Astronauts |
 | The Longest Journey | 2000-11-17 | RPG | Funcom |
 | Okami Hd | 2006-04-20 | Adventure | Clover Studio |
Oxenfree
| Release date: | 2016-01-14 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Night School Studio |
It’s a unique combination of ghost story and teen drama, following young Alex and her friends as they confront unexplainable supernatural phenomena on the old military Edwards Island.
Why it’s underrated: Since Oxenfree is an indie game, that’s a good enough reason for being less popular. Also, not everyone enjoys the slow-paced gameplay focused on choice-making and chatting with others.
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A Plague Tale: Innocence
| Release date: | 2019-05-14 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Asobo Studio |
The game revolves around the story of two young siblings, Hugo and Amicia, as the two attempt to escape the Black Plague and discover the origins of the boy’s condition in 14th-century France.
Why it’s underrated: The game doesn’t offer any shocking plot twists or gripping gameplay mechanics, instead focusing on delivering a believable story about characters bonding with each other in a cruel world. It has a very The Last of Us-like vibe.
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Kentucky Route Zero
| Release date: | 2013-02-22 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Cardboard Computer |
Kentucky Route Zero is a five-act surreal adventure following Conway, a man exploring seemingly abandoned locations of Kentucky.
Why it’s underrated: For many, Kentucky Route Zero is too strange and short to be considered a typical video game. Since it’s a niche title that appeals to a small group of gamers, many don’t want to play it in the first place.
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The Vanishing of Ethan Carter (2014)
| Release date: | 2014-09-25 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | The Astronauts |
Play as Paul Prospero, using his supernatural abilities to investigate the case of a missing boy, Ethan Carter, in the mysterious locations of Red Creek Valley.
Why it’s underrated: Fans of more action-oriented titles find the game too slow-paced. Also, some narrative threads aren’t uplifting, and enthusiasts of more cheerful games don’t find The Vanishing of Ethan Carter fun.
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The Longest Journey
| Release date: | 2000-11-17 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Funcom |
It’s a 40 hour adventure following April Ryan, a girl learning about horrific events that are about to happen in parallel universes of the future.
Why it’s underrated: The Longest Journey hits a point when point-and-click adventures were losing their appeal. That’s why it flew under the radar, and so few players know about its existence.
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Okami
| Release date: | 2006-04-20 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Clover Studio |
This action-adventure recommendation lets you play as a sun goddess transformed into a white wolf, exploring the gorgeous watercolor world of feudal Japan.
Why it’s underrated: While Okami offers a unique gameplay experience, it launched when gamers switched from PlayStation 2 to next-generation consoles. It was also a time when increasingly more players preferred realistic 3D graphics over hand-drawn visuals.
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Conclusion
Isn’t it amazing how great these games are? Most provide hours of non-cliche adventure that stays with the players forever. Many fans of these titles take the time to share their impressions with others on Reddit, Quora, and Steam. And who knows, maybe that will make them popular again?