Adventure Gaming Catch-All

Updated the main list, with some new purchase links, additions, etc. Would still love to hear about anything on the "up and coming" list that people have played.

Steam has the LucasArts pack on sale today for a shade short of $50! Includes a whole bunch of great stuff, including (but not limited to) three of the "must-plays" listed in the OP, and several of the "highly recommended" games. Seriously, if you don't own these...go buy them!

Minarchist wrote:

Steam has the LucasArts pack on sale today for a shade short of $50! Includes a whole bunch of great stuff, including (but not limited to) three of the "must-plays" listed in the OP, and several of the "highly recommended" games. Seriously, if you don't own these...go buy them!

It should be noted that if you just want the adventures, you're probably better off getting them each, because The Dig, both Indiana Jones games, Loom, and Monkey Island:SE cost around $30 in total.

However, if you haven't played the excellent Jedi Knight games or Republic Commando, it's worth the entire pack.

This is a great thread!

My first real obsession in PC gaming was in the adventure games. My first was King's Quest 5 and I was hooked. Even though I couldn't figure out how to beat it. My personal favorites are still the Quest for Glory Series, yes, even number 5. AGDinteractive has been my favorite site since the remakes of kq2 and qg2 If you love the characters no amount of bad dialogue or animation can tear you away. Here's my list:

1) Quest for Glory 4
2) King's Quest 6
3) Monkey Island 1
4) Day of the Tentacle 2
5) Indiana Jones & the Fate of Atlantis
6) Gabriel Knight 3
7) Quest for Glory 1
8) Space Quest 5
9) Sam & Max
10) The Dig

Gog.com now has Myst. Looks like they're getting Riven next.

Added the Good Old Games link for Myst: Masterpiece Edition. Also added the link to the product page for Riven (yay!), my personal fave from the Myst series—it's coming soon at GoG, no announcement as to exactly when.

I'll be doing some maintenance of the main list over the next couple of weeks, probably mostly paring things off of the "upcoming" list and sorting them into categories — or removing them if they sucked, as in the case of A Vampyre Story and Simon the Sorceror 4. Please chime in if you have any opinions on the games at the bottom; I'm guessing, if nothing else, several people have played the TellTale stuff (StrongBad and Wallace & Gromit).

tanstaafl wrote:

Gog.com now has Myst. Looks like they're getting Riven next.

No fair, I was updating the OP as you wrote that.

Riven > Myst

Minarchist wrote:

Please chime in if you have any opinions on the games at the bottom; I'm guessing, if nothing else, several people have played the TellTale stuff (StrongBad and Wallace & Gromit).

Still Life 2 is flat-out terrible, even worse if you played the first game because it throws logic out the window to wrap up the mystery.

Ceville and Perry Rhodan are both above average and pretty decent "for fans of the genre", although both clearly had budget limitations with the voice acting and writing translations. I'm sure the fact that I don't have knowledge with the Perry Rhodan franchise might have impaired my overall enjoyment.

Machinarium is fantastic, as long as you go in expecting just a version of the gameplay present in the Samarost games but with higher production values.

I was personally underwhelmed with Runaway 3, but for all the same reasons I was underwhelmed with the other ones (Idiotic, I know, but I still wanted to see how they wrapped it up). So if you saw through the flaws of the previous two, you'll probably enjoy this one as well.

The Path is brilliant in my opinion, but that's also a controversial opinion, and it's also a game that I don't know if we can even keep referring it as an "adventure" game anyways.

kuddles wrote:

Still Life 2 is flat-out terrible, even worse if you played the first game because it throws logic out the window to wrap up the mystery.

Good to know, thanks for saving me money.

Ceville and Perry Rhodan are both above average and pretty decent "for fans of the genre", although both clearly had budget limitations with the voice acting and writing translations. I'm sure the fact that I don't have knowledge with the Perry Rhodan franchise might have impaired my overall enjoyment.

I really enjoyed Ceville myself, but had a hard time getting into Perry Rhodan. I dunno why...maybe because I played it around the same time as Mass Effect, and for some reason they felt the same, but ME was way better.

Machinarium is fantastic, as long as you go in expecting just a more extravagant version of the gameplay present in Samarost.

I'm almost finished (I think), and from what I've seen, I totally agree.

I was personally underwhelmed with Runaway 3, but for all the same reasons I was underwhelmed with the other ones (Idiotic, I know, but I still wanted to see how they wrapped it up). So if you saw through the flaws of the previous two, you'll probably enjoy this one as well.

Wait, it's out? (*checks Google*) Oh, I see, Nov. 26th in Europe. Still listed as "Q1 '10" in the states. I may have to download it....here's a link for anyone who's curious.

The Path is brilliant in my opinion, but that's also a controversial opinion, and it's also a game that I don't know if we can even keep referring it as an "adventure" game anyways.

Hmm, you may be right. I could see how it would be considered "action" more than "adventure".

Minarchist wrote:
The Path is brilliant in my opinion, but that's also a controversial opinion, and it's also a game that I don't know if we can even keep referring it as an "adventure" game anyways.

Hmm, you may be right. I could see how it would be considered "action" more than "adventure".

I'm not sure what it is, but it's certainly not "action." It's an explorey. That's a new genre I made up for this game and for Dear Esther.

Also think it's brilliant.

Minarchist wrote:
I was personally underwhelmed with Runaway 3, but for all the same reasons I was underwhelmed with the other ones (Idiotic, I know, but I still wanted to see how they wrapped it up). So if you saw through the flaws of the previous two, you'll probably enjoy this one as well.

Wait, it's out? (*checks Google*) Oh, I see, Nov. 26th in Europe. Still listed as "Q1 '10" in the states. I may have to download it....here's a link for anyone who's curious.

It's available on the North American version of that site as well. That's where I bought it last week, and I'm in Canada. Apparently the pirated version got out, so the studio allowed it to be sold at digital distribution sites even though the boxed version isn't coming until January. Apparently a box set including the whole trilogy will be out then too.

Having finished all four, I would rate Telltale's Wallace & Gromit games roughly on par with their Sam & Max seasons. The humor is very different in many ways, however, staying true to the claymation shorts. This may be a turn-off for some people, and I admit that I couldn't totally "dive into" the first two episodes. Once I got more used to the setting and characters I found myself really enjoying episodes 3 and 4 all the way through (despite the carnival setting in 3, which is normally a turn-off to me). The "action" endings are definite highlights as well.

I have no idea how these games sold for Telltale relative to their other series (excluding Bone), but I'm guessing not too well. Nonetheless, I hope to see further adventures in the W&G setting. While I'm wishing, I would love to see the Bone trilogy wrapped up.

Oh, and the Tales of Monkey Island games are fantastic (although 2 might be a bit of an ebb), especially #4!

Tex Murphy 1 (Mean Streets) and 2 (Martian Memorandum) are free! I'll let Latrine fill you in:

Latrine wrote:

Good Old Games is offering Tex Murphy for free until December 24th. Just login to your account and go to this link http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/tex_murphy_1_2 and click download to have it added to your account. If you have registered an account with gog.com yet then be sure to use the link on the left so that a part of any future purchases you make will be given to Gamers With Jobs. Here's the link in case you're lazy.

If you already own Tex Murphy 1+2 then you're eligible for an alternative gift. http://www.gog.com/en/page/alternative_gift

Also, Riven is now available for sale! Best game in the Myst series, and unattainable until now. Only $5.99. Go go go go!

Son of a Female Doggo!

I played Indigo Prophecy last year after the Steam sale... along with Runaway: A Road Adventure. Both were pretty good IMO, I finished both, and I don't finish every adventure game I play. I still haven't made it through the Monkey Island remake...

Indigo Prophecy was very different. I did like the character interaction and although quicktime events can get frustrating, they did it relatively well. I think it would be better with a controller, which I didn't own last year.

Runaway was like some of the old Lucasarts adventures, but with better graphics, bigger breasts, and cross-dressers... wasn't overly adult though. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would though. I might pick up the 2nd one this year... and I believe there is even a 3rd Runaway game out, but I can't find it anywhere to buy.

Steam Sale!!!

I wanted to make note of the Adventure game deals, since they get buried sometimes. Some stupid deals in here.

King's Quest Collection (1-7): [color=red]$4.99[/color]
Space Quest Collection (all): [color=red]$4.99[/color]
LucasArts Adventure Pack (inc. 2 Indiana Jones games, Loom, and The Dig): [color=red]$2.49[/color]
Nikopol: [color=red]$3.99[/color]
The Ankh pack (1-3): [color=red]$4.99[/color]
Jack Keane: [color=red]$4.99[/color]
Wallace and Gromit Complete: [color=red]$10.19[/color]
The Void: [color=red]$9.99[/color]
Indigo Prophecy: [color=red]$3.39[/color]
Samorost 2: [color=red]$2.49[/color]
Broken Sword 2 and 3: [color=red]$4.99[/color] (they're also both on sale individually)
CSI Hard Evidence: [color=red]$4.99[/color]
Time, Gentlemen, Please! and Been There, Dan That! pack: [color=red]$2.49[/color]
Emerald City Confidential: [color=red]$4.99[/color]
Penumbra Collector Pack (all 3): [color=red]$9.99[/color]
Ceville: [color=red]$9.99[/color]
Culpa Innata: [color=red]$4.99[/color]
Telltale Everything Pack: [color=red]$49.99[/color] (I'm betting this gets cheaper some day next week)
Nancy Drew Complete (includes 16 games!): [color=red]$49.99[/color]

Go go go go go!

EDIT: added some Steam links to the OP that were missing. It's nice to see the list gradually fill up with purchase links, mostly from GoG and Steam. It brings a tear to my eye... (*sniff!*)

Any opinions on Nikopol? It looks like a.... weird game.

Citizen86 wrote:

Runaway was like some of the old Lucasarts adventures, but with better graphics, bigger breasts, and cross-dressers... wasn't overly adult though. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would though. I might pick up the 2nd one this year... and I believe there is even a 3rd Runaway game out, but I can't find it anywhere to buy.

It was supposed to hit the states in Q1 '10, but was released this quarter due to piracy concerns. You can buy it from the official site or the Adventure Shop, at least when the link is working. It'll probably hit Steam in the near future.

Citizen86 wrote:

Any opinions on Nikopol? It looks like a.... weird game.

Haven't played it myself, will probably pick it up this week. It's received mixed reviews, but I've heard good things about it from people I trust. And really, for less than the price of a latte...

Citizen86 wrote:

Any opinions on Nikopol? It looks like a.... weird game.

I've played it for a few hours. It was good and visually stunning.

Minarchist wrote:

Nancy Drew Complete (includes 16 games!): [color=red]$49.99[/color]

Are these worth playing? Individual games seem fairly expensive but that's a great price for the pack. Just not sure it's worth buying that many games at once for something I'm really not certain of.

Thowky wrote:
Minarchist wrote:

Nancy Drew Complete (includes 16 games!): [color=red]$49.99[/color]

Are these worth playing? Individual games seem fairly expensive but that's a great price for the pack. Just not sure it's worth buying that many games at once for something I'm really not certain of.

Have a daughter? She'll love 'em.

I liked them, but understand that they are basic point-and-click adventure, without any groundbreaking or unusual gameplay whatsoever. But, the stories are generally strong and moderately interesting, it's a good female lead, and the puzzles don't suck. If you like P&C, that's a great price on 16 $20 games. What is that, $320 retail?

I don't remember if it was in this thread or one of the deals threads, but there was once some question about the version of King's Quest VI included in the King's Quest Collection on Steam. I'm playing through that now, and I can confirm that it's the fully voice-acted CD-ROM version of the game.

I definitely need to tag this. I'm studying abroad in Europe this semester, and before leaving, I decided to take a sabbatical from games so I'd have more time to explore and experience Paris.

It didn't take me long to crack, but after I finish Dragon Age, I plan to stick to the adventure genre for the rest of my time abroad. For one thing, they're easy to play in short sessions, and for another, they won't cause my laptop to reach nuclear temperatures. (Seriously, I thought it was going to burn a hole in my wood desk after a couple hours of gallivanting in the Dalish forest.)

Plus, the only adventure game I've ever played to completion was Machinarium (LOVE LOVE LOVED IT), so there's a vast and wonderful land of ancient treasure for me to discover.

scribble wrote:

Plus, the only adventure game I've ever played to completion was Machinarium (LOVE LOVE LOVED IT), so there's a vast and wonderful land of ancient treasure for me to discover.

You can say that again

adam.greenbrier wrote:

I don't remember if it was in this thread or one of the deals threads, but there was once some question about the version of King's Quest VI included in the King's Quest Collection on Steam. I'm playing through that now, and I can confirm that it's the fully voice-acted CD-ROM version of the game.

Magic Schmap!

It's been mentioned elsewhere on the site, but the original Gabriel Knight is now up on Good Old Games, and I very highly recommend it. I've added links in the OP to that and Myst Uru: The Complete Chronicles, now also on GoG for only $9.99.

GoG is doing article features for all the new Activision stuff they're adding, and this week's is on Gabriel Knight! It's a good read.

I'm assuming they'll eventually add the other two GK games, and maybe some other adventure stuff they can mine from the Activision catalog. I'll keep everyone posted.

stauf7 wrote:
adam.greenbrier wrote:

I don't remember if it was in this thread or one of the deals threads, but there was once some question about the version of King's Quest VI included in the King's Quest Collection on Steam. I'm playing through that now, and I can confirm that it's the fully voice-acted CD-ROM version of the game.

Magic Schmap!

I can't tell you how tired I got of hearing "Alexander pulls out his magic map ... Alexander feels a strange pulling sensation."

When I type it all out like that, it looks a bit lewd, actually.

adam.greenbrier wrote:
stauf7 wrote:
adam.greenbrier wrote:

I don't remember if it was in this thread or one of the deals threads, but there was once some question about the version of King's Quest VI included in the King's Quest Collection on Steam. I'm playing through that now, and I can confirm that it's the fully voice-acted CD-ROM version of the game.

Magic Schmap!

I can't tell you how tired I got of hearing "Alexander pulls out his magic map ... Alexander feels a strange pulling sensation."

When I type it all out like that, it looks a bit lewd, actually.

Can I get a cut of the game that's just hanging out with the Dangling Participle?