Adventure games are tons of fun, with their emphasis on story and character and their use of dialog. They allow us to immerse ourselves in intriguing storylines while solving puzzles and exploring locations. We can spend hours on an adventure game, wanting to see how the story progresses because we're just that invested in the gameplay.
While many adventure games aren't free, the good news is that there are a number of them out there that are. So, here's a look at some great adventure games that are available for free on the Mac App Store.
1. Hidden City
If you'd like to be a hero in a mystery-laden story, then you might enjoy Hidden City. In this game, you try to save your friend trapped in a phantom city after being abducted by a shadow cult. Find out what happened to him and investigate the mysterious phantom city with the help of a few characters.
The gameplay involves completing hidden object levels to unlock chapters. You complete quests, uncover clues about your friend's disappearance and the shadow cult, and try to explore various locations within the city before time runs out.
Hidden City is an ad-free, hidden-object, mystery adventure game that'll help you utilize your sleuthing skills. And speaking of sleuthing skills, you can practice them with friends and family through virtual murder mystery game websites.
Download: Hidden City (Free, in-app purchases available)
2. The Secret Society
In The Secret Society, you must save your uncle, who disappeared. You investigate his disappearance by exploring various locations while racing against time. There are also goals to complete, puzzles to solve, and gems to match.
Searching locations requires energy, which can be earned by passing levels. There is a shop where you can buy things such as talismans, tools, and energy with the crystals you earn from searching locations. As you play, you'll meet various characters who will aid you in your quest to find your uncle.
The Secret Society is a mystery-filled adventure game that is free to play and does not require any subscription. However, you can spend money on crystals and coins to purchase items from the in-game shop.
Download: The Secret Society: Adventure (Free, in-app purchases version available)
3. Clockwork Tales: Of Glass and Ink
Clockwork Tales: Of Glass and Ink is a steampunk hidden adventure game where the cities around the world are crumbling due to strange earthquakes. You play as Evangeline Glass, who must save her friend Dr. Ambrose Ink who has disappeared.
You'll investigate the town of Gottland, searching locations and interacting with characters. In addition to hidden object puzzles, there are minigames you must play to advance in the story. The game has voice-overs, giving it a realistic feel, with various difficulty levels, stunning backgrounds, and haunting music.
While Clockwork Tales is free to download, you can only play it without spending any money up until a certain point, after which you must pay to unlock the rest of the game.
Download: Clockwork Tales: Of Glass and Ink (Free, premium version available)
4. Cube Escape: Case 23
Cube Escape: Case 23 is the fifth title of Rusty Lake's Cube Escape series. It's an adventure game in which you must investigate a woman's mysterious death. You must find all the evidence at the crime scene to be able to leave.
You can move around in the game by using the onscreen arrow keys. Click on objects to interact with them. Items you pick up go into your inventory, and it's up to you to figure out where to use them. There are no in-game guides, so you must rely on logic. You can also use hints if you're stuck.
Cube Escape: Case 23 is free to download, but you can unlock the premium version to remove ads. The premium version of the game, which costs $0.99, lets you use hints without watching ads.
Download: Cube Escape: Case 23 (Free, premium version available)
5. Tiny Miner
If you're in the mood for a simple adventure game, consider playing Tiny Miner. You play as the titular tiny miner; your goal is to search for metal ores and gems while digging through a randomly generated mining shaft.
As the miner, you must navigate the dark mines with the tools at your disposal, including a map, ladders, signs, and support beams, while avoiding getting crushed by rocks. The graphics are simple, and the controls consist of your keyboard's arrow buttons or the on-screen controller.
Tiny Miner is an offline game that is truly free to play, with no option for in-app purchases. It's an adorable, simple game whose adventure lies in the miner's search for ores to become rich.
Download: Tiny Miner (Free)
6. Survivors: the Quest
Survivors: the Quest, as the name suggests, is a survival-based adventure game. Your plane has crashed on an island, and you must try to survive while learning more about it.
You can craft tools, explore locations, and search the island for resources in this game. You'll need to manage your hunger, comfort, fun, and stamina levels, as they are crucial to your performance in the game. Make sure to protect yourself against the island's dangers, including ghosts and other creatures.
Depending on the level of your stats, the duration of activities such as eating and sleeping can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. You can instantly complete these activities with crystals or play a quick web game online while you wait for them to end.
Survivors: the Quest has no ads and is free to play, but you can purchase crystals to help you speed up tasks and fill your stats.
Download: Survivors: the Quest (Free, in-app purchases available)
7. Cradle of Empires
Cradle of Empires is an adventure game of the match-3 puzzle variety. However, it's more than just a puzzle game. Your goal is to improve your empire through the resources you earn while matching objects, which you use to build structures. You also need to uncover your empire's story while protecting it from an evil sorcerer.
Completing match-3 puzzles within various structures helps you obtain the necessary resources to build and upgrade structures. Match-3 puzzles require energy, so you'll have to calculate your moves carefully.
Cradle of Empires is completely free to play with no ads or mandatory purchases. However, you can purchase gems to obtain spells, bonuses, and energy to help you advance through the game faster.
If you want access to even more adventure games like Cradle of Empires, consider subscribing to Apple Arcade, which offers unlimited access to premium games with no ads or in-app purchases for a small monthly fee.
Download: Cradle of Empires (Free, in-app purchases available)
Play These Free Adventure Games to Kill Time
Adventure games allow you to enjoy story-driven gameplay while playing as an in-game character. They're fun and non-competitive, allowing you to play at your own pace.
Whether you play as a plane crash survivor stranded on an island, a tiny miner trying to strike rich, or a secret society member, you can enjoy fun gameplay for free with these adventure games.