Adventure games have always held a very special place in my gaming world. They don’t continuously flood me with adrenaline like fast-paced shooters or action titles, but instead lead me into another world with a more delicate touch—one where I can forget reality in the intertwining of story, exploration, and emotion. Whether it’s exploring a school brimming with magic and secrets, galloping through a wasteland filled with mechanical creatures, or stepping into a brand-new fantasy realm, each journey feels like a soul’s escape. This year, I immersed myself in several adventure games that I can’t forget, not just because of their unique gameplay, but also for the immense emotional and atmospheric impact they delivered.
1. Hogwarts Legacy — Writing My Own Chapter of Magic
When Hogwarts Legacy was first announced, I practically counted the days until its release. The world of Harry Potter carried so many of my childhood fantasies, and this game gave me the chance to step into it with my own hands. Unlike before, when I could only watch the movies or read the books as an observer, this time I could create my own character, choose my house, walk through the gates of Hogwarts, and explore every corner.
The story is set a century before Harry’s adventures, making it both familiar and unfamiliar. Familiar, because of the iconic locations—the Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade; unfamiliar, because they are inhabited by different characters and stories, belonging to another era’s magical legend.
What impressed me most was the feel of magical combat. While essentially an action RPG, the rhythm of spellcasting, the fluidity of combos, and the tactical combination of different spells made battles both strategic and exhilarating. I often switched spells quickly depending on an enemy’s weakness—using Protego to block, Stupefy to interrupt, then Incendio to deal heavy damage. This flexible combat system made every fight unpredictable and fun.
Beyond combat, the exploration was irresistible. Every corner of the campus hid details and secrets—moving staircases, hidden passages behind portraits, puzzle-locked chests. I could also soar on a broomstick or ride magical beasts across mountains and rivers, truly feeling the vastness and allure of the wizarding world.
The plot didn’t fully lean on the Harry Potter IP but told an independent story, giving me a stronger sense of ownership—this was my magical adventure, not someone else’s legacy. Every choice shaped my character’s path, making multiple playthroughs a joy as I explored different endings.
2. Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores — A Wildland Adventure of Fire and Steel
If Hogwarts Legacy gave me a fairytale-like magical fantasy, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores gave me the raw thrill of a clash between primal wilderness and future technology. As a major expansion to Horizon Forbidden West, its setting is a dangerous yet vibrant land on the West Coast—Burning Shores.
From the first moment I saw it, I was awestruck. Volcanic activity filled the skies with ash and red light, waves crashed against lava-stained coastlines—it was nature’s power at its most untamed. And amid all this, mechanical beasts still roamed freely, some lurking beneath the waves, others soaring high above.
What drew me in most was the combination of combat and exploration. The terrain of Burning Shores is more complex, with extreme vertical drops that required me to master tools like the grapple hook and glider to move between mountains and valleys. Battles with new machines tested my skills more than ever—they had diverse attack patterns and used the environment to their advantage, such as forcing me into narrow paths during eruptions or blocking my escape with terrain traps.
Story-wise, Burning Shores provided a more impactful finale to Forbidden West’s main plot. It revealed deeper secrets of the world while completing Aloy’s emotional arc. The final climactic battle blended environment, machines, and narrative into one unforgettable crescendo.
3. Metaphor: ReFantazio — A Soul Expedition into the Unknown
Metaphor: ReFantazio was one of the most unique adventure games I experienced this year. Unlike the other two, it didn’t rely on realism or a familiar IP, but instead built an entirely new fantasy world, letting me explore, understand, and immerse myself step by step.
The setting blends medieval fantasy with supernatural forces, revolving around a kingdom’s succession crisis. As the protagonist, I had to survive political turmoil while embarking on a journey to uncover the truth and my own destiny. Along the way, I met a cast of companions whose personalities, experiences, and beliefs subtly shaped my decisions and endings.
Gameplay combined open-world exploration with deep narrative. Towns, wilderness, ruins, ancient temples—each location had its own charm. I had to manage my characters’ condition and resources carefully, as certain areas heavily drained stamina and mental energy, and venturing unprepared could lead to disaster.
Combat struck a balance between strategy and tension. Using a semi-real-time system, I had to make quick choices during enemy turns—deciding whether to unleash a powerful skill to end the fight or save resources for unknown threats ahead. The enemy AI adapted to my tactics, forcing me to stay sharp as they coordinated and surrounded my team at key moments.
What captivated me most was the game’s atmosphere. Music and art style meshed perfectly—subtle character expressions, shifting light and shadows, and a dynamic weather system made the world feel alive. One moment that stayed with me was sitting by a campfire at night, talking with companions—a scene both warm and tinged with the looming threat of the unknown.
Late in the story, several twists completely upended my understanding of the world, making me reevaluate everything I’d experienced. When I finished, I felt an emptiness—as if waking from a dream—which only deepened my longing for that fantastical journey.
Looking back at these three adventure games, they differ greatly in setting and style, but share one core truth—they made me feel the meaning of adventure. It wasn’t just about moving across maps or winning battles, but about immersive experiences and the accumulation of emotions and memories. Whether soaring over castle spires in Hogwarts Legacy, braving volcanic storms in Burning Shores, or wandering through mysterious realms in Metaphor: ReFantazio, I found stories that belonged uniquely to me.
