Adventure games were all the rave back in the late 80’s and 90’s but have since fallen out of the spotlight as first person shooters, sports titles and role-playing games seem to rank the highest on sales charts.
Regardless, there are still many great adventure games being made today by talented video game developers.
In no particular order, here’s a list of nine great free online adventure games you shouldn’t miss!
Dirty Split
Created by Dreamagination Entertainment, Dirty Split is a very high quality adventure that rivals many commercial games. You play a private investigator named Alan Baxter who is looking to solve the case of a plastic surgeon’s murder. Visuals are stunning and crisp, and the voice acting is spot on. Albeit it a little short, playing this is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Sam & Max Episode 4:Abe Lincoln Must Die!
If you haven’t heard of Sam & Max, then you’re not an adventure gamer. It’s okay – don’t beat yourself up too much. Just go ahead and download the free fourth episode of Sam & Max: Season One.
Sam & Max are known to have a great sense of humor, so if you like to laugh (and who doesn’t), you must play this game. This is also a good choice for new adventurers, because unlike some other games, the puzzles in this one aren’t too bad. The dialogue is hilarious and after playing the free episode, you may be tempted to buy the whole season. Hey… don’t blame me!
Beneath a Steel Sky
A cult classic, this was a commercial game long ago, but is now available as a free online adventure game by using the ScummmVM engine. In the game your whole town is destroyed and you are captured. Fortunately, the helicopter you’re on crashes and you’re the only survivor.
Considering its age, the graphics are nice and the gameplay is simple. At the time the game had a somewhat revolutionary system that allowed non-playable characters to go about their business in the game and interact with the environment. We’ve sure come a long way.
To play, download the game from the ScummVM Extra’s section.
Nelly Cootalot: Spoonbeaks Ahoy
Game developer Alasdair Beckett made this game for his girlfriend, but we all get to enjoy it too. Wonderful graphics are one thing you’ll notice in many of the games on this list and Nelly Cootalot is a good example. Nelly’s unique graphics are made by using an interesting hand-drawn and cutout style. Besides the art style, the gameplay is also in the classic style of LucasArts games and is very easy to get into.
A Tale Of Two Kingdoms
Created just a few years ago in 2007, A Tale of Two Kingdoms by Crystal Shard is a great adventure you don’t want to miss out on.
Graphics and gameplay are similar to the Sierra and LucasArt games of yesteryear. The world is quite large, but it doesn’t feel deserted as there are many characters in the game. One unique feature about this free online adventure game are the five different endings. I recommend you save your game frequently, as it is easy to make a mistake and you’ll be wishing you could go back in time.
Flight Of The Amazon Queen
Another classic game with an Indian Jones 1940’s type of feel. If you like games with a silly storyline and a fun plot, be sure to check this one out. You play Joe King, a pilot with a wise mouth. Your mission is to rescue Faye Russell, a beautiful (of course) movie actress. Some others may need your saving as well… but I’ll let you discover that on your own.
Some of the puzzles are a bit confusing but stick with it and you can get through it. Some aspects of the game aren’t perfect, like the interface, but overall the price is right and it’s a fun adventure.
Another one courtesy of ScummVM, you can download it here.
Emily Enough: Imprisoned
I’m including this game on the list for two reasons. One, it is a good game, so why not mention it? And two, it’s demented, just like many of us.
In Emily Enough: Imprisoned, developed by Logan Worsley, you play a psychopathic little girl who has murdered her family. Why? Well, that’s what happens when you don’t buy her what she wants for her birthday. The graphics for this game are a bit drab, but it’s intentional as it helps set the mood.
To get through this game, some of the puzzles will require you to think as a psychopath, so keep that in mind. I recommend this game, but only for those who aren’t easily offended and enjoy some dark comedy!
Kingdom Of Loathing
So far, all the games on the list have been downloadable. But for those who are looking for a funny web-based adventure, look no further than Kingdom of Loathing. Since it’s online, you also have the ability to play with other real players. Originally released in 2003, the free online adventure game has continually been updated with more and more content. Although it lacks a focus on graphics (you should expect a lot of stick figures), the game makes up for it with wit and humor.
You can choose from six classes when creating your character, each specializing in certain fields. Would you like to be a Disco Bandit, or perhaps a Seal Clubber? Whatever floats your boat. Be sure to check this one out.
For more information about getting started, be sure to read Karl’s guide Top 2 Free Online Adventure Single Player RPG Games Top 2 Free Online Adventure Single Player RPG Games Read More .
Life Of D. Duck
I promise you have never played a game quite like this. For starters, let’s talk about the graphics. Do you have children? Have you ever seen the drawings from a child on a refrigerator? Those drawings basically sum up what you can expect to see in Life of D. Duck.
The shining element of this game is its dialogue. You won’t be overly impressed by the graphics or the puzzles (which are neither too easy or too hard), but the story keeps it going. To me, it’s charming and simply funny.
Besides playing the game, be sure to check out the additional content on the author’s web site for additional story-lines. Some of them are very compelling, such as when D. Duck gets stung by a bee. Wow.
Conclusion
There are many great adventure games out there and it was difficult narrowing them down to nine. What would you have liked to see on the list? Do you have any suggestions for can’t-miss games? Please comment and let us know!
I'm always surprised to discover so many ways are made to play this fun game, but like the old phrase goes, you can't argue with success.
The success of bubble shooter, lured clones to try and recreate the game's success, and are widely available on many online sites, you can find animal bubble games, themed bubbles games and of course the perfect brand mix- Obama bubbles game, how cool is that?
bubble shooter
WHY is RuneScape not up here?
Go to Kongregate, search Caravaneer, and prepare to immerse yourself in a fantastic modern/futuristic Final Fantasy with a top down view. I think you'll be surprised at how hard the game is, how unforgiving it is, and how fun it is once you get the hang of it.
The title of this page reads, "Top 9 Free Online Adventure Games".
I think that is misleading, when I read it I thought these games would
be playable online.
The title of this page reads, "Top 9 Free Online Adventure Games".
I think that is misleading, when I read it I thought these games would
be playable online.
Please note the title of this article: The Top 9 Free Adventure Games Available Online. And indeed, these games are available online for download. :)
I'm surprised the official site for Nelly Cootalot doesn't have a download link. It can be downloaded here: http://www.bigbluecup.com/game...
Please note the title of this article: The Top 9 Free Adventure Games Available Online. And indeed, these games are available online for download. :)
I'm surprised the official site for Nelly Cootalot doesn't have a download link. It can be downloaded here: http://www.bigbluecup.com/games.php?action=detail&id=860
Please note the title of this article: The Top 9 Free Adventure Games Available Online. And indeed, these games are available online for download. :)
I'm surprised the official site doesn't have a download link. It can be downloaded here: http://www.bigbluecup.com/game...
Hi moopet, the title of this article is "The Top 9 Free Adventure Games Available Online". In other words, they are available for download online.
Looks like the creator of Nelly Cootalot doesn't offer a download on the official site. That's okay - it can be downloaded at numerous mirrors, including this one: http://www.bigbluecup.com/game...
Thanks!
I agree, these games are not online. But they are free.
You can get Nelly Cootalot here (15 MB),
http://www.miez.nl/foy/downloa...
I agree, these games are not online. But they are free.
You can get Nelly Cootalot here (15 MB),
http://www.miez.nl/foy/download/downloader.php?id=00000000009
Hey Jon, thanks for another download link!
"Top 9 Free Online Adventure Games"
What exactly makes these "online"? The fact that you can read about them online or download them from "online"? One of the ones linked - Nelly Cootalot - doesn't even have a link to download it anyway.
"Top 9 Free Online Adventure Games"
What exactly makes these "online"? The fact that you can read about them online or download them from "online"? One of the ones linked - Nelly Cootalot - doesn't even have a link to download it anyway.
Hi moopet, the title of this article is "The Top 9 Free Adventure Games Available Online". In other words, they are available for download online.
Looks like the creator of Nelly Cootalot doesn't offer a download on the official site. That's okay - it can be downloaded at numerous mirrors, including this one: http://www.bigbluecup.com/games.php?action=detail&id=860
Thanks!
If you want online games, try these sites.
If you are unfamiliar with 'escape room' games,
the object is to use items in a room to break out.
Escape Games (main):
http://jayisgames.com/tag/esca...
Escape Games (horror):
http://jayisgames.com/tag/horr...
Hitchhiker's Guide: [Broken Link Removed]
Neutral Net Games:
http://neutralxe.net/esc/
Escape 24: [Broken Link Removed]
Game Hood:
http://www.gamershood.com/c17/...
Horror Escape:
http://www.666gamer.com/cat-40...
Tower Defense:
http://www.handdrawngames.com/...
If you want online games, try these sites.
If you are unfamiliar with 'escape room' games,
the object is to use items in a room to break out.
Escape Games (main):
http://jayisgames.com/tag/escape
Escape Games (horror):
http://jayisgames.com/tag/horror
Hitchhiker's Guide:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/game.shtml
Neutral Net Games:
http://neutralxe.net/esc/
Escape 24:
http://www.escapegames24.com/search/label/Room%20Escape%20Games
Game Hood:
http://www.gamershood.com/c17/room-escape/
Horror Escape:
http://www.666gamer.com/cat-40-p1-Escape_Games.html
Tower Defense:
[Broken Link Removed]
I remember playing Beneath a Steel Sky quite some time ago. It brings back old memories of my initiation to computer games.
A part of me thinks games were better back then, no? It's probably just nostalgia.
It's not free, but I recommend Telltale Games' "Tales of Monkey Island" and LucasArts' remastered special edition of the original "Secret of Monkey Island"
Yep yep - the classics!
The Chzo Mythos by Ben Yahtzee Chroshaw, better known as 'the ranting stick figure in Zero Punctuation'. An overview of the games (which are available for free on his website) is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...
The Chzo Mythos by Ben Yahtzee Chroshaw, better known as 'the ranting stick figure in Zero Punctuation'. An overview of the games (which are available for free on his website) is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chzo_Mythos
Hey Fekket, nice to see a friendly face from ZenHabits here. :) Thanks for the link. Good stuff.
Woah, hey, Jon. I didn't recognize you without a Daffy Duck avatar. Good article, BTW. Enjoy the Chzo Mythos.