Action-adventure games are where you can enjoy both the aesthetic of a carefully-portrayed world and the satisfaction of combats at the same time. Additionally, it's also the genre that has seen the most famous triple-A titles thanks to its rich potentials in contents and gameplay.
Since most gamers have experienced at least one or two of those titles and the gaming scene is broadening over recent years, the market is growing to be more demanding toward action-adventure games. Poorly-made games will not be able to stand its ground in the competitions with ones containing intriguing stories and unique action styles.
So today, we'll help you save your time by introducing the 10 best action-adventure games came out in 2019 that you must try. The end-year holiday is coming soon, and you'll have plenty of time to experience what's good in those games. Let's find out about the first one:
1. A Plague Tale: Innocence
Supported platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
A special game with a special concept, A Plague Tale: Innocence is a heavy-narrative action-adventure game that has stolen fans' hearts not only with its visually-stunning graphics but also the humanity messages that the game wants to transfer. Below is the trailer of the game, where you can experience the atmosphere of France in the 14th century:
A Plague Tale: Innocence follows the heart-wrenching surviving adventure of the two unlucky siblings - the older sister Amicia and her brother Hugo. The Kingdom of France in 1349 was devastated by a plague, especially in the town that the Amicia and Hugo were living in. Deemed as the plagued ones by the Inquisition, they have to live their home to run away to survive in this unforgiving landscape.
This game doesn't focus on the glamourizing combats but follows a realistic survival approach by bringing gamers into the role of the siblings. You can experience the darkest hours of the world by using torches to threaten the rats and sneak yourself in the shadow to hide from the Inquisition hunters. The next episode of A Plague Tale is confirmed this month and will come to PC and consoles in 2022.
2. Borderlands 3
Supported platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
The fourth entry of the highly-acclaimed looter-shooter from the developer Gearbox - Borderlands 3 is one of the most successful titles this year. Despite the fact that the game came out exclusively on Epic Games Stores, the game is still receiving a lot of loves, best shown by the fact that it has become one of the top-searched keywords on ... Pornhub.
Nothing much to say about the greatness of Borderlands 3, as it contains the most unique characters in the gaming scenes (vary from four classes), each has their own sense of humor that will suit a wide public. Not only that, but Borderlands 3 is also outstanding with its satisfying shooting and looting experiences, where you can loot weapons and equipment from the slain enemies.
Apart from that, the multi-planet world of Borderlands 3 is also worth mentioning, as it contains a wide range of quests, which you can enjoy either by solo or with your friends. If you love shooting in a dystopian world rather than fighting with your fists and skills, this one is a must-try even if you're a fan of the franchise or not.
3. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Supported platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order has just been dropped on PC and consoles recently, but its reputation is no less than the ones coming out several months earlier. Already benefited from the famous movie franchise, this game also received a lot of positive reveal for its immersive action with the titular lightsaber. See the trailer down here for a more detailed look:
The game takes the settings of the Star Wars universe, specifically five years after Episode III of the movies. It follows the adventure of Cal Kestis - a youthful Jedi Padawan on his escaping journey being hunted by the Second Sister - an Inquisitor from the Galactic Empire. However, he's not just running for his life, but also fulfilling his Jedi training program, and bring back the once destroyed Jedi Order.
Its story is always the thing that fans have been desperately looking for, but none of them can expect such innovative gameplay from this one. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order lets you experience what a Jedi Knight - wielding his lightsaber and the Force power against his enemies - which you cannot avoid if you want to make progress. In return, the fighting experiences are incredibly satisfying with dodges and sword skills.
4. Outer Wilds
Supported platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
One of the most frequently mentioned games in 2019 - Outer Wilds - is the one that we have mixed feelings about. Previously promised to its backers on Kickstarters that they'll bring the game to Steam, the developer Mobius Digital has failed to fulfill it with the financial supports from Epic. However, it can't stop this game from being successful, even people love or hate this act.
The galaxy is the unlimited source of imagination for game developers, but portraying a galaxy with a time loop is not the idea that many have taken. And among them, Mobius has done the best, giving us the chance to view the vast universe from the first-person perspective, admiring its beauty and then saving it later.
Its action experience is not the most outstanding one in the industry, but its exploring experience is unique. Featuring a 22-minute time loop that resets your death and the sun's explosion, you'll have to take your time very productively to solve puzzles and gain clues on how can you stop this catastrophe from happening again and again. Hauntingly beautiful - that's what your adventure through multiple planets in Outer Wilds will be.
5. Control
Supported platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Underrated - that's the only thing I can say about this action-adventure game from Remedy Entertainment after spending weeks in this dream-like world. We have an in-depth review of Control here, which will give you a detailed look on how eerie yet beautiful the adventure in Control is, and feel free to check it out, as well as the trailer below:
Takes the settings of a futuristic world where you'll explore the top-secret organization that is researching and investigating a means to affect the laws of reality. Its plot is quite deep with several unexpected twists and carefully-designed characters, but what separates Control from other action-adventure game is the multi-functional gun and the Telekinesis power.
To be more specific, you'll wield a special gun namely the Service Weapon - an item that can change its form to every type of gun you can ask for: an Uzi, a grenade launcher, a shotgun or an AR. Apart from that, Remedy has done a good job maintaining its tradition of making realistic exploding animations and satisfying third-person adventuring experiences. If you haven't tried this game yet, we highly recommend giving it a look.
6. Death Stranding
Supported platforms: PC, PS4
The life of a shipper is already harsh in the real world, and in the dystopian world of Death Stranding, things are even more complicated. And even though the game is receiving wild reviews from the most positive one to 'literally unplayable', Kojima Production is still successful with their latest game with creating a wave of concern in the community.
Below is the trailer of Death Stranding, which you can see and check for yourself whether you like it or not:
Death Stranding is the story of joining the disjointed parts of the world, as well as connecting the world of Life and Death. To be more specific, the world has experienced a catastrophe called 'Death Stranding', which brought invisible creatures from the 'Beach' (basically the afterlife land) namely 'Beached Things' (BTs) to Earth.
Those creatures make explosions all over the world, consume death and make deteriorating rains that make everything ages faster than it should. As a result, the world is now separated in parts, and you'll take control of Sam Porter Bridges - the one with the task of bringing goods to the remote areas that are in need.
I'll leave the rest for you to explore, but to spoil a little bit, Death Stranding features a wide range of characters with their own stories, and through your journey to give them supplies and avoid the unknown creatures, you'll learn about the mystery behind the disaster and also the corporation that you're working for.
7. Devil May Cry 5
Supported platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
The latest installment from the notorious franchise of Capcom - Devil May Cry 5 - definitely worth a spot in any list of action-adventure games. Even though it focuses more on the eye-popping endless combos and rather than the adventure parts, it still a great game with the presence of a twisting story. Feel free to check its stylish action below:
Still keeping its traditional stylish combos that help you to keep your enemies on the air forever, Devil May Cry 5 tells a different story with Dante, Nero and a 'newcomer' - V as playable characters. Together, they'll have to use their power to stop the wicked plan of the Demon King Urizen - destructing the entire human world.
The game has received a lot of positive reviews by the community, which gives the developer inspiration to make a bunch of weird hands for Nero, including the weirdest banana hand that explodes yellow every time you strike your enemies. And if you're interested in a father that rip off his son's hand for his own sake, don't miss this one out!
8. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Supported platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
The winner of the most prestigious award at The Game Award 2019 - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - is totally an action-adventure masterpiece from FromSoftware. Featuring a Japanese-ish world with its legends, as well as a titular character that rises from no one to a hero, this game has done a great job of portraying the Souls-like combats to its best.
Telling the story of a Shinobi, you'll make your adventure facing the most powerful legends of the old Japanese world to protect your master. And even though I still don't know whether the 'young' master is a boy or a girl, that can't stop me from completely falling in love with the Souls-like action of the game.
Start with only a sword with several normal moves and a block, you'll fight against the most ridiculous enemies such as the one who can strike you with insanely fast lighting, or the one that three-time bigger than you and can completely demolish you with two strikes. Together with four distinctive endings and a wide range of skills to learn later on, it's a great game that you would enjoy even though you might smash your keyboard several times due to its hardcore actions.
9. The Surge 2
Supported platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Did not gain the same popularity as the previous games on this list, The Surge 2 is still a wonderful action-adventure game portraying the neon-filled Cyberpunk world. In fact, it's a rare one to come out in 2019 that allows you to create your own character from head to toe. And when I say that, I mean you can rip off his/her limbs and replace it as well!
Its story is the main drawback of this game, as it doesn't contain the necessary plot twists to attract players. You'll dive into the role of an unnamed character in the dystopian world with the presence of Nanites - a newly-invented technology but later forbidden due to its danger that has cost 95% of the world's popularity.
But set that aside, the combat of The Surge 2 is very awesome standing alone. It's quite similar to Sekiro, but pack more of punches and kicks rather than sword-skills. Furthermore, it features limb-targeting mechanics, which allows you to rip enemies' part of their body and later use on yourself. Gross, but intriguing!
10. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (the remake version)
Supported platforms: Nintendo Switch
We'll wrap today's list with the one that Switch users cannot afford to miss. The 2019 remake version of The Legends of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a huge return of the extremely famous game for Gameboy in 1993, but with a much more gorgeous graphics thanks to the visual upgrade. You can see its beauty via the trailer below:
Apart from the timeless legend - Breath of the Wild, Link's Awakening is the best and also the easiest Zelda game to pick up. Its gameplay is quite simple - you'll take control of Link from the top-down perspective and explore the vast and colorful land of Koholint Island.
You've known enough about its story and action, so I won't say much about this, but let's look more into the adventure experiences of this remake. It's a rare game in this genre that features a truly open world that allows you to explore every place you want. Additionally, the land is filled with quests that range from many types, including puzzle-solving or fighting, adding a lot of depth into the game.
Overall, if you own a Nintendo Switch and want to part away from BotW for a while, let's check Link's Awakening out!