Top 33 Adventure Games To Get Excited About in 2024

• Features by Adventure Game Hotspot
• Published:

We’re just six weeks into 2024, and already there have been over 30 original new adventure games released this year. And that’s January and February, which usually represent a bit of a lull – the calm after the holiday storm!

Yes, the genre is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, and it’s hard to keep track of all the great new games on the horizon. But that’s where we can help! We’ve gathered together 33 of the adventure games we’re most excited about seeing released in 2024. Adventure-ish, anyway (we snuck a few action-adventures in to keep you on your toes). And hopefully 2024 – release dates are fluid at the best of times, as proven by the fact that some of these were on our 2023 list as well. 

There are so many more promising upcoming games than these, but this is more than enough to get anyone hyped about all the great gaming goodness heading our way. 

The Alters

Developer: 11 bit studios

Choice-based gameplay is nothing new in adventures. But what if you could alter a choice in your past and see the other you that results as a consequence of that decision? Essentially, this is the ability Jan Dolski has in 11 bit studios’ The Alters. Stranded alone (well, sort of) on an alien planet, Jan lives in a complex mounted inside a giant wheel. That wheel must be kept rolling to keep the base protected from the deadly radiation of a giant sun. To maintain the facility, Jan begins making clones of himself to guarantee survival, which of course has some entirely unexpected repercussions. As the Jans begin to multiply, each with his own very individual personality, they must work together to keep the base operational while trying to find a way to escape the planet, but that may be the easier part of a very unique challenge. Evoking the more serious side of Michael Keaton’s Multiplicity, one can’t help but wonder how well all these different Jans will manage to co-exist. With aspects of survival, base construction and intriguing character interaction, this game seems poised to bring its disparate elements together in a highly unique way. We love the premise and it’s looking amazing so far, so we’re practically beside ourselves with anticipation.

Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth

Developer: Annapurna Interactive

It’s not often that a licensed game is fondly received, let alone remembered. Yet Westwood Studio’s Blade Runner has remained one of the adventure genre’s most celebrated and endearing titles since it arrived in 1997. While we don’t know much about Blade Runner 2023: Labyrinth, we do know that it has big shoes to fill. Taking place between Ridley Scott’s original film and Blade Runner 2049, Labyrinth is set after the Blackout – a terrorist attack that brought down the Tyrell Corp, plunged Los Angeles into darkness and subsequently caused the world to collapse with all Replicants exterminated. Players control a former Replicant hunter, and judging from the teaser trailer there will be a good deal of cyber-sleuthing drenched in copious amounts of fluorescent light, aptly scored by a heavy synth soundtrack. Beyond that, Annapurna – a publisher with a superb track record for quality releasing its first in-house production – is keeping a tight lid on the details. It’s been 25 years since the last Blade Runner game was released, so here’s hoping we get back to Los Angeles 2033 sometime in 2024.

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars: Reforged

Developer: Revolution Software

In 1996, Revolution Software introduced us to the classic Broken Sword franchise, making George Stobbart and Nico Collard household names in the adventure game community. Fast forward almost thirty years and four sequels later (soon to be five – spoiler alert: more on that later!) later and we now get the chance to experience the award-winning original in a shiny new remastered version. We’ll once again (or even – gasp! – for the first time?) have to chase or flee murderous clowns and dangerous Knights Templar cultists across the globe from Europe to the Middle East, but this time we get to do it with 4K graphics and upscaled audio. The already beautiful backgrounds are being redrawn and the sprites re-animated to enhance the visual presentation, producing a crisp and clean-looking remake that can proudly represent the game franchise in 2024. Featuring a new “story mode” to make the experience more accessible, as well as the traditional, more challenging version, the hope is that new players as well as old-school gamers will enjoy this masterpiece like never before.

Broken Sword: Parzival’s Stone 

Developer: Revolution Software

Remember waaaay back when we said another Broken Sword sequel is on the way? This is it. Yes, as if getting a remaster of the classic original Shadow of the Templars wasn’t enough, Revolution Software has officially confirmed a sixth, completely new Broken Sword title is in the works as well. In Parzival’s Stone, George and Nico must again solve historic riddles and fight villainous treasure hunters as they pursue the legend of the Holy Grail – not the more famous legend of the chalice, but the one passed down by the Cathar Christian sect about a stone that grants its bearer the ability to glance into the past and future.

Having previously dabbled in both 2D and 3D, Revolution will use a combination of both this time. In what they’re calling "Super 2D," the game will feature detailed hand-drawn environments applied to 3D geometry for a more flexible, highly cinematic presentation. Admittedly, it’s probably a stretch to think Revolution can get both games done this year, but for one this highly anticipated, we couldn’t NOT include it on our list. And even if the launch date slips a bit, it’s a good opportunity to share Cressup’s video interview with Charles Cecil from gamescom for the background scoop on what’s happening in the world of Broken Sword.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons remake

Developer: Starbreeze Studios, Avantgarden

A little over ten years ago, before founding Hazelight Studios (known for cooperative action-adventure games like A Way Out and It Takes Two), Swedish film director Josef Fares made his first foray into video games by directing Starbreeze Studio’s Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. It was released in 2013 to widespread acclaim, lauded for its cinematic, emotional narrative; creative fantasy set pieces; and innovative gameplay that saw players controlling two brothers simultaneously, using each of their strengths to navigate a world of castles and mythical creatures in search of a cure for their father’s illness. While ten years may seem like a small gap of time for a remake, the graphical overhaul of this familial masterpiece is undeniably stunning, and alongside other improvements in soundtrack and gameplay performance, it also includes a local cooperative mode much missed in the original. With additional brand-new secrets to be discovered, the remake is sure to bring in new fans and reward those who are returning to this moving adventure after a decade away.

The Crimson Diamond

Developer: Julia Minamata

Though Laura Bow is not quite as renowned as some of the other classic characters from Sierra’s catalog of adventures, the Southern belle reporter and her two adventures have plenty of fervent supporters. Among them is Julia Minamata, developer of the upcoming WWI-era mystery adventure The Crimson Diamond who recently joined us on a podcast. Many games feature retro graphics harkening back to the golden age, but Minamata has gone a step farther by styling her game after the even older 16-colour adventures with keyboard controls and text input. (Remember those?) The detailed pixel art looks phenomenal, and with inspirations from both the Laura Bow series and teen detective Nancy Drew, there’s sure to be a lot of sleuthing to be done with the game’s protagonist Nancy Maple, an amateur geologist forced into the role of a detective at the remote Crimson Lodge. Set in a northern Canadian town where Nancy is investigating the discovery of a massive gemstone, and backed by Minamata’s own geology knowledge, this is one title that shaping up to be a gem.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 2080

Developer: Supermassive Games

For four years running, Supermassive Games’ Dark Pictures Anthology provided an annual injection of highly cinematic, choice-driven spooks and frights, not to mention familiar Hollywood acting talent, permadeaths and some tongue-in-cheek slasher-style campiness. Releasing a new game each year is no small feat, but the studio somehow managed to stick to a thirteen-month development cycle to close out the anthology’s first season in 2022. After catching its breath for an extra year, the series is set to return in style by boldly going where no Supermassive horror game has gone before. They’ve kept the details largely under wraps so far, but after daring us to wander through ghost ships, witch villages, vampire caves, and murder hotels, the studio’s upcoming Directive 8020 will jettison us into deep space, infusing its scares with a sci-fi flavor that we’re sure will be out of this world in more ways than one.

Death of the Reprobate

Developer: Joe Richardson

If you’re familiar with Joe Richardson’s previous games, Four Last Things and The Procession to Calvary, then you’ll know basically what to expect from his upcoming Death of the Reprobate. Announced by Richardson in 2021 as the third and final installment of his “Renaissance point-and-click triptych,” Death of the Reprobate offers more of the same silly and irreverent depiction of Europe’s Middle Ages, à la Monty Python and the Holy Grail but somehow wackier. If you’re not familiar with Richardson’s games, prepare for absurdist comedy and classic-style puzzles presented entirely through a collage of Renaissance paintings. Every scene is a mélange of snippets, backgrounds, and characters from the works of Rembrandt, Bruegel the Younger, Cranach the Elder, Michaelangelo, and many more, accompanied by a robust soundtrack of period-appropriate classical music. We’re sorry to see it come to an end, but we can’t wait to check out what new insanity Richardson has in store for the final chapter in the story of Immortal John.

The Drifter

Developer: Powerhoof, Dave Lloyd

When Mick Carter ends up dead after witnessing a violent murder, it’s only the start of his problems in Powerhoof’s The Drifter.  Brought back to life moments before his own death, Mick finds himself framed for the other murder and must now seek to clear his name, with the uncomfortable feeling that he wasn’t the only thing that returned from the other side. The game may look like a classic 2D point-and-click adventure, but with its highly animated world and a promise to continually push the story forward, it looks poised to put an edgy, fast-paced modern spin on a classic formula.  From the developers of Crawl and Peridium, this dark indie pulp thriller has already been generating buzz at the likes of PAX Aus and Fear Fest 2023 and is definitely one to watch out for. Designer Dave Lloyd certainly thinks so, for all the reasons outlined when he chatted with us in a podcast. 

Dustborn

Developer: Red Thread Games

Fans of the classic titles The Longest Journey and Dreamfall are undoubtedly familiar with the creative brilliance of Ragnar Tørnquist. Tørnquist’s latest isn’t a new installment for April Ryan or Zoë Castillo, but an original new adventure at the helm of his game studio, Red Thread Games, in collaboration with the esteemed Quantic Dream as publisher. A story-driven game with lite action elements, Dustborn tells the story of a ragtag crew of friends (and robots), who must embark on an unlikely road trip across a dystopian alternate North America posing as a punk rock band.

Using innovative combat systems, fun minigames and musical elements, the crew must deliver a mysterious package with the dream of achieving freedom from the country’s oppressive government. What’s especially unique about this game is its weaponization of words – not in the usual sense but a very literal one as you have the ability to physically alter events with the tangible power of language. Not just sticks and stones can break bones anymore! Wrapped up in a stylish graphic novel-inspired aesthetic, this game looks capable of rocking our worlds.

Foolish Mortals

Developer: Inklingwood Studios

You’d never guess from looking at it that Foolish Mortals is the very first game from the husband-and-wife team at Inklingwood Studios. Intriguingly, rather than a background in game design, David Younger is an experienced theme park designer, having written a book on the subject and worked at Walt Disney Imagineering, as he explains in his interview with us. That influence is clearly on display in their “merry and macabre” game, as if you’ve stepped into the world of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion brought to life with a small town built up around it. Players control a treasure hunter named Murphy McCallan, who follows the decades-old mystery of a lost wedding party to the Bellemore Manor on the ominously named Devil’s Rock. The island setting is packed full of bizarre characters and stunningly hand-drawn attractions, as well as more than enough puzzles to keep any adventure fan happy. The premise may be about finding a treasure, but the real treasure looks to be the game itself. 

Harold Halibut

Developer: Slow Bros.

Claymation and stop-motion are painstaking, exacting, time-consuming techniques, so it’s no surprise we see them used so rarely. But when we do, boy is it a treat. We thought for the longest time that Harold Halibut had fallen victim to this unrelenting time sink, never to be heard from again, but were delighted this past year with news that the project from Slow Bros. (it’s not like their name didn’t warn us it could take a while!) is still alive and well and nearing completion. With the Earth facing a cold war that’s about to heat up, a section of the population is sent into space aboard an interplanetary ark to find a new planet when they can live in peace. Unfortunately, things don’t go quite as expected, and the city-sized ship sinks to the bottom of an alien sea. There a janitor named Harold befriends an amphibian resident of the world as he works to get the ship free. All of the characters, props, and locations have been physically hand-crafted before being meticulously digitized into the computer, the characters then brought to life via stop-motion, giving them a distinctive appearance and movement that evokes an almost Aardman-like sensibility. We’re betting it’s worth the wait when Harold and his fellow travelers finally emerge later this year. 

The House of Tesla

Developer: Blue Brain Games

Many fans were sad to hear that Blue Brain Games, the masterminds behind the critically acclaimed House of Da Vinci puzzle games, were bringing the series to a close with its third and final installment. But that disappointment recently gave way to elation with the announcement of a whole new abode to explore. This time we’ll get to unravel the mysteries surrounding yet another historical genius in The House of Tesla. While the plot still remains shrouded in mystery, events will take players to Wardenclyffe, the most ambitious of all experiments conducted by the enigmatic and elusive Nikola Tesla. There will be plenty of mind-bending puzzles, curious minigames and cryptic enigmas to solve there, all designed to test our intellect and help unravel the secrets concealed within Tesla's magnificent city of the future that – alas – was never meant to be. We’re positively electric with anticipation, and we know all fellow puzzle fans will be too.  

Loco Motive

Developer: Robust Games

You are on a luxury steam train in the 1930s when a murder takes place right under your nose. You’re surrounded by quirky characters that are all suspects, one of whom must be the killer. No, this isn’t the Orient Express, and you are no Hercule Poirot, which is why it will take three different protagonists to help solve the mystery aboard the Reuss Express in Robust Games’ point-and-click pixel art murder mystery, Loco Motive. A straight-laced lawyer, a crime novelist-turned-rookie detective, and an undercover spy for Her Majesty's Secret Service all take great interest in the case. The problem is, they’re the prime suspects, so they’ll first need to prove their innocence if they’re to bring the true perpetrator(s) to justice. While homicide is usually no laughing matter, this game sets itself apart from your typical Agatha Christie-style whodunit by offering up plenty of yuks as you conduct your investigations, putting a whole different kind of “loco” in Loco Motive, which sounds like just the ticket.

Near-Mage

Developer: Stuck In Attic

In Stuck In Attic’s Near-Mage, Illy Vraja has been invited to follow in her family’s legacy of training to become a witch at the Transylvanian Institute for Magick. Meticulously animated, this game promises to add a dash of role-playing to its adventurey goodness, letting players craft their own magic spells. These spells aren’t just for show, either. A high degree of replayability is promised in choosing your approach, including mastering different magic to overcome challenges and affect characters in a variety of ways. Along the way, Illy will encounter all sorts of supernatural characters, the research for which could hardly be more authentic as this game is being made by actual Transylvanians. Spanning many locations across three major hub areas, including the school itself, an earthly town and a mythical town that “lies beyond a magickal veil and cannot be seen by most," the game’s hand-drawn design is delightful. But then, we’d expect no less from the team behind the equally gorgeous Gibbous – A Cthulhu Adventure. Normally we’re happy to have put school behind us, but in this case we’re eager to get back to class when the semester begins.

Old Skies

Developer: Wadjet Eye Games

While Wadjet Eye Games has continued to publish third-party titles in recent years, it’s been over five years since the release of the studio’s own last game. Now designer Dave Gilbert is anxious to get back in the driver’s seat, shifting from the supernatural to the science fictional Old Skies. The game is set in the same universe as Unavowed and the Blackwell mystery series but leaves behind the familiar pixel art look for a more stylized, hi-res painterly aesthetic (though still from lead artist Ben Chandler), while once again being scored by composer Thomas Regin.

As an agent for the ChronoZen agency, Fia Quinn must travel through time across seven different eras to keep various temporal tourists in line. As she loops through events over and over, she’ll gain insights into how to solve the various problems and paradoxes that confront her. With the Wadjet Eye pedigree for fantastic world building and character development to go with its timey-wimey twist on puzzle solving, this one simply can’t get here soon enough. Want to know more? So did we, and Dave has plenty to say in our recent podcast. 

Open Roads

Developer: Open Roads Team

Fullbright’s Gone Home is one of the most influential narrative adventures of the last ten or so years, helping popularize the (dreadfully named) “walking simulator” subgenre with a rich, intensely personal exploration of one young woman’s return home after a year’s absence. That was followed by the well-received Tacoma before the team embarked on a new story-driven adventure, Open Roads. After some upheaval caused by inner company turmoil, the studio may now be known as the Open Roads Team but its original DNA is still very much in evidence. Through an interactive blend of hand-animated 2D characters and highly detailed 3D environments, players follow 16-year-old Tess and her mother Opal, voiced by the talented Kaitlyn Dever and Keri Russell, respectively, on a compelling road trip. Together they unravel the secrets of their long-lost family history that hints at a lost treasure somewhere near the Canadian border, all while struggling to work through their own strained relationship. With Annapurna handling publishing, that’s a wealth of quality experience behind this title, and it won’t be long now before the rubber hits the road. 

Perfect Tides: Station to Station

Developer: Three Bees

The debut game from webcomic artist Meredith Gran arrived two years ago and caught us completely off guard. Perfect Tides perfectly captured its particular moment in time and the coming-of-age journey that those who experienced it first-hand could relate to deeply on a very personal level. Set in the early 2000s and centering around a young girl’s rocky transition into her teenage years, the game made waves with its nostalgic depictions of the era, its spot-on characterizations of awkward teenage life, and its emotionally resonant story. This time, we see Gran coming. After a rousingly successful Kickstarter campaign, Three Bees is bringing us a sequel, Station to Station, following a now-18-year-old Mara’s journey onward into adulthood. Set in a busy urban environment, the game promises an even bigger story than its predecessor with “an all-new writing mechanic and an inventory system of ideas.” We’re already eagerly (if anxiously) preparing ourselves for more emotional gut-punches, accompanied by a loving, honest depiction of the stresses of young adulthood and some lovely retro pixel art to boot.

The Phantom Fellows

Developer: The Phantom Fellows

If you heard about a new game featuring a living person who works side by side with a ghost to investigate mysteries surrounding other dead people, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Dave Gilbert was returning to his roots with another Blackwell game. However, this time it’s solo developer Paul Korman who is running with the idea in his own uniquely hilarious style in The Phantom Fellows.  Taking a much more comedic tone than the Blackwell games, this unapologetically retro-styled supernatural investigation sees “breather” Oliver Cobblestone and “floater” Englebert Picklebender digging into seven days’ worth of detecting, all under the shadow of a dark spirit with some kind of personal connection to Oliver.  Promising a full town to explore and the ability to interact with everything that can be seen – some only by other spirits, with the option to switch between playable characters at will – the scope of this tale sounds as impressive as the beautiful, stylized pixel art complete with ethereal ghostly effects.  If you’re dying to know more (figuratively speaking), Paul joined us for a podcast along with his regular collaborator Anna Vigue, who together host a show of their own called the Classic Gamer’s Guild Podcast. 

Phonopolis

Developer: Amanita Design

Amanita Design is a name beloved by many adventure game fans.  With an impressive pedigree encompassing the Samorost series, Chuchel, Botanicula, and Machinarium, among others, the indie Czech studio is known for their quirky, gorgeous, wildly imaginative dialogue-free games. Next to join those ranks is Phonopolis, a game that exhibits the same attention to visual intricacy as its predecessors, but with a new style all its own.  Players assume the role of Felix, the only one in his dystopian city to stumble upon the threat of the entire populace falling under the control of their authoritarian Leader, robbing them of their humanity for good. While the theme may reflect real-world events, Amanita is dedicated to keeping the game light and enjoyable, with the same kind of underlying whimsical tone that has characterized their other offerings.  With a delightful hand-crafted world and spoken dialogue for the first time in the studio’s history, the game marks a bold, intriguing new direction for Amanita, and they’ve more than earned our trust to follow wherever they lead. We’re a bit concerned about the radio silence from the developer since Phonopolis was announced, but stealth development is a company trademark, so we’re hoping it’s just around the corner! For more details, check out our video interview with Jakub Dvorský, commemorating Amanita’s twentieth anniversary. 

PRIM

Developer: Common Colors

If you think you were raised by someone difficult, imagine how hard it would be to be the child of Death himself. Soon you won’t have to imagine, because in PRIM you play as the teenaged daughter of the Grim Reaper, who rules over the Land of the Dead and forbids Prim from having anything to do with the Realm of the Living, knowing her supernatural powers would be too much to handle there. But when do teenagers ever listen to their parents? Especially when every night, Prim dreams of the same strangely familiar boy crying out to her for help. And so Prim defies her father and makes her way to the human world, in the process proving that sometimes our protectors really do know what they’re talking about and have our best interests at heart. With its lovely hand-drawn, black-and-white Burton-esque aesthetic, the game promises a mix of classic adventuring, a thrilling journey ”full of magic and darkness” spanning two different worlds, and a relatable family drama about a father learning to let go, and a daughter discovering herself. Sounds to us like a hell of a good time!

The Rise of the Golden Idol

Developer: Color Gray Games

Did you, like us, devour all nine cases of the 2022’s deduction-based adventure game debut by Color Gray Games, The Case of the Golden Idol? Did you then tear through both DLC expansions, and now hunger to pore over more scenes of murder and intrigue, stretching your brain to its limit trying to uncover the mysterious story of the Golden Idol? Well, you’re in luck! With an updated art style, The Rise of the Golden Idol will bring us fifteen more cases sure to be full of the same brain-twisting deduction and labyrinthine storytelling. Announced to great excitement during 2023’s Game Awards, this full-fledged sequel is coming to all platforms, including Netflix’s mobile app in 2024, so there’s no excuse for missing out. In the meantime, if you haven’t played the original, there’s a reason it won our inaugural Adventure Game of the Year award, but don’t take our word for it: there’s still time to catch up on what you’ve been missing!

Riven remake

Developer: Cyan Worlds

Cyan’s Riven: The Sequel to Myst is arguably an even better experience than its predecessor, but it’s Riven’s older brother that has gotten the star treatment for remakes and new editions over the last thirty years since its release, with Myst: Masterpiece Edition, realMyst: Interactive 3D Edition, realMyst: Masterpiece Edition, and the most recent remake of Myst in 2020. (Did we forget any?) But at long last, Cyan took the opportunity on Riven’s 25th anniversary at the end of 2022 to announce that a remake is in the works, sporting fully explorable 3D environments in the same manner as Myst’s recent overhaul. With a full title of Riven: New Discoveries from the Lost D’ni Empire, Cyan promises more than just a one-to-one remake. Touted as a “re-imagined and expanded edition,” there will be a “deeper story” and new details to uncover in Riven’s world. While we don’t yet know the specifics of these additions, the thought of new discoveries in the Myst universe is sure to pique the interest of long-time fans eager to experience a built-from-the-ground-up modern recapturing of the wonder of Riven’s captivating world.

Roots in the Sky: The Hand of Glory 2 

Developer: Madit Entertainment, Daring Touch

Detective Lazarus “Lars” Bundy has been on the run from cults, authorities, and even friends for years, ever since the dramatic closing events of Madit Entertainment and Daring Touch’s original The Hand of Glory. Now the developers are back with Roots in the Sky, another classic-styled, globe-trotting, hand-painted point-and-click mystery with a lightly comedic tone balancing out the otherwise serious subject matter. With his cover in Italy suddenly blown, this time Lars must look into a murder with links to an ancient legend that deals with the creation of the Earth itself. On his journey through Rome, Palestine, India, and Japan, Lars will have to confront not only the mystery that lies before him but also everything he’s been running from – although the developers promise no prior knowledge of his adventures is necessary – including an unplanned reunion with his former accomplice, Alice. With shades of the early Broken Sword adventures but a style all its own, the sky’s the limit for this unassuming little indie adventure sequel to reach its true potential.

Rosewater

Developer: Grundislav Games

Westerns don’t get a lot of adventure gaming love, but that will change with the upcoming Rosewater from Francisco Gonzalez, creator of the Ben Jordan freeware series, Shardlight, and A Golden Wake. Although featuring a much different setting, Rosewater sees a return to the same steampunk world featured in the acclaimed indie developer’s 2018 adventure, Lamplight City. Here the focus shifts to a new character, the journalist Harley Leger. Seeking to leave her past behind, she’s headed west to dry, dusty desert climes to follow up on a story for a local paper. But Harley gets more than she bargained for when her research leads to encounters with bandits, rebels, and assorted eccentrics as she continues on the trail of a missing man’s fortune.

With Gonzalez’s consummate attention to detail, the production values are already looking topnotch in this gorgeously illustrated point-and-click gaming oater. No launch date has yet been confirmed, but fingers crossed for this year as we can’t wait to saddle up. While you wait, you can learn more about the game and the man behind its creation in our podcast with the developer. 

Simon the Sorcerer: Origins

Developer: Smallthing Studios

Long before that other British boy wizard came on the scene, there was Simon the Sorcerer. Simon is a prepubescent magic user who found his way from our world into a fantasy realm filled with eccentric characters and devilishly challenging puzzles in a series of adventures (only the first two of which from Simon Woodroffe and Adventure Soft most players pretend to remember anymore). Now more than thirty years after his triumphant debut, the smart-mouthed Simon will be returning, this time under the direction of indie developer Smallthing Studios. Beautifully hand-animated, Simon the Sorcerer: Origins is a 2D prequel set immediately prior to the original series. Once again pulled into the world of magic, young Simon must deal with confounding conundrums, arcane arts, and powerful spells as part of an ancient prophecy, all without losing his nerve or his sarcastic sense of humour. Sounds like the Simon we know, if a slightly younger one than ever before, so we’re all set to be enchanted by this latest entry in the kid sorcerer’s adventures.

Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II

Developer: EXPERIENCE, Ghostlight LTD

Japanese horror games have left an indelible mark on the genre and are poised to do so once again – literally, as the Spirit Hunter series returns for its third terrifying installment in Death Mark II. Following on the heels of the original Death Mark and the companion story NG, EXPERIENCE and Ghostlight are teaming up once again for an all-new supernatural visual novel-styled adventure, this time with a new 2D side-scrolling exploration mechanic and roleplaying stats like strength, dexterity, intelligence, and spiritual power to contend with. Accompanied by a partner of your choice, Spirit Doctor Kazuo Yashiki will head to the Konoehara Academy in Tokyo’s H City to investigate a paranormal entity called The Departed. According to the rumours circulating among the students, this ghost can accurately forecast the deaths of people at the school, and has recently named the next victim. This gloomy, horror-laden, suspense-based mystery will have you wandering the hallways of the academy in search of clues, and we’re thrilled with the addition of more full-fledged investigative elements this time around. Of course, doing so means we should expect potential encounters with nasty spooks and choices that may lead to less than optimal outcomes, but we wouldn’t – gulp – have it any other way.

Still Wakes the Deep

Developer: The Chinese Room

After solidifying their reputation as a distinguished video game developer with acclaimed titles such as Dear Esther, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, The Chinese Room returns to the first-person narrative horror genre with their latest creation, Still Wakes the Deep. Immersed in the chilling, claustrophobic setting of an offshore oil rig in 1975, players assume the role of an isolated worker grappling with the immediate threat of a ferocious storm. And if escaping a collapsing platform as it’s ravaged by the elements when all ties to the mainland have been cut off wasn’t terrifying enough, it seems you’ve been boarded by a different enemy that’s no less deadly, lurking in the incoming water, just waiting for you to come closer. And you thought Jaws was scary! At least sharks stay in the ocean. It sounds like a tense but wonderful time, and it’s probably just as well that we’ll get all wet so no one can see us sweat.  

Touch Detective Rising 3

Developer: BeeWorks

“Quirky” feels too tame a word to describe just how oddball the Touch Detective series can be, but there’s also a ton of heart and charm in these point-and-click mystery games by Japanese developer BeeWorks. The series follows a young girl named Mackenzie, who fancies herself a detective, along with her pet mushroom Funghi, as together they solve surreal mysteries amongst the peculiar residents of the small town of Osawari. Although perhaps we should say “point-and-tap,” since the first two games were released first on the Nintendo DS and later on iOS and Android. Keeping in that touch-screen vein, Touch Detective Rising 3 was launched in Japan on the 3DS in 2014 but is only now finally getting its first English-language release. Packaged as Touch Detective 3 + The Complete Case Files exclusively for the Switch, all three games in the franchise are included, plus two additional bonus mysteries starring Funghi, so this bundle is packed with plenty of content for Touch Detective fans to get excited about.

Twinsen's Little Big Adventure 1 Classic Remastered

Developer: [2.21]

The revival of Adeline Software’s cult classic Little Big Adventure series has been an odyssey in its own right, with numerous twists and turns already. Following the announcement of a brand new installment from a studio co-founded by Twinsen's art director Didier Chanfray, with input from franchise creator Frédérick Raynal, that idea was later shelved in favour of a remake of the first two original games instead. But we’ll take it! It’s been three decades since players first got to guide a ponytailed young Quetch on a quest to save the planet Twinsun from the clutches of the madman Dr. Funfrock, sometimes peacefully through typical adventuring means, sometimes with more aggressive, action-oriented tactics. The remake, under the direction of artist Paulo Torinno, will see the isometric presentation rebuilt from the ground up using the Unreal Engine, with hi-res animation and remastered music, along with some welcome quality-of-life upgrades, including an (optional) analog control scheme. No word yet on when this game will be finished, but the clock is ticking if they’re going to make the original game’s 30-year anniversary! 

A little action with your adventure?

Some of you may want to stop reading here, but if you occasionally like a little spice in your meatballs, keep going as we detail three of the most exciting action-adventure hybrids on the horizon, from storied franchises even the most diehard adventure gamer will surely be familiar with. 

Alone In The Dark remake

Developer: Pieces Interactive

Few video game horror franchises have the widespread respect and brand recognition of Alone in the Dark. While the original game laid the foundations for what would become the survival horror genre, the series’ roots are firmly planted in adventure territory. Surviving the Decerto Manor demanded both quick footwork and careful observation, making for an immersive and tense horror experience unlike anything else on the market in 1992. And yet despite this enduring legacy, the franchise has undeniably fallen on hard times in recent years. A horrendous Uwe Boll movie didn’t do it any favours, and the last several attempts to reinvent things with more of an action-horror emphasis weren’t well received.

Now Pieces Interactive and THQ Nordic are looking to go back to the series’ roots. A reimagining of the original game, Alone in the Dark will see players explore the Derceto Manor as either Edward Carnby (voiced and modelled after David Harbour) or Emily Hartwood (Jodie Comer). The publisher promises fans that the manor will be familiar, though the game will stand alone as a fresh start. Seemingly taking a cue from Capcom’s Resident Evil remakes, the vantage point has changed and the plot rewritten, but the spirit of the original remains. Mikael Hedberg, writer of SOMA and Amnesia, has penned the story, while concept artist Guy Davis (creature designer for several of Guillermo del Toro’s works) has created a number of terrifying Lovecraftian horrors for players to face. Though the combat looks quite entertaining, the narrative and puzzle solving appear to be the focus, and the designers have clearly spent a great deal of time honing the 1920’s gothic American south into a place that’s as beautiful as it is terrifying. It’s not for point-and-click purists or the faint of heart, but if you’re thinking this may just be the game that returns the franchise to glory, you’re certainly not alone. 

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Developer: MachineGames

We’ve known about Bethesda’s Indiana Jones project for some time, but until recently we weren’t really sure what to expect of MachineGames’ take on the beloved IP. But c’mon, it’s Indiana Jones, and that alone was enough to land the game on our most anticipated list last year, with little more than a teaser trailer to go on. Clearly we were overly optimistic about a 2023 release, but cut to 2024 and we finally have full gameplay and story details, as well as a promised launch date of sometime this year – and based on what we’ve seen, it can’t come soon enough. While MachineGames are known for their bombastic, violent retooling of the Wolfenstein shooter franchise, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle looks to be a smart blend of exploration and action. This is no pure adventure game, to be clear, but the available video footage offers a glimpse of Indy solving a series of puzzles, avoiding traps, and using that trusty whip of his to navigate the environments – and maybe disarm a few Nazis along the way. Intriguingly, for the first time we’ll get to really immerse ourselves in the role, viewing the action directly in first person. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is not The Fate of Atlantis, but it looks like an incredibly satisfying mix of brawn and brains, and could be one of Indy’s best virtual outings to date.

Star Wars Outlaws

Developer: Massive Entertainment

When powerhouse publisher EA Games lost its exclusive rights to make Star Wars games, Ubisoft wasted little time announcing its own installment in the immensely popular universe with Star Wars Outlaws, developed by Massive Entertainment. Players control the renegade Kay Vess, with help from her adorable sidekick Nix and commando droid ND-5, in this gorgeous-looking action-adventure. In this game we’ll need to cheat, steal and lie our way through dangerous situations in order to achieve the one thing that Kay so desperately desires: freedom. Occasionally we’ll need to do some shooting, yes, when stealth, smarts and guile aren’t enough, but it appears the developers are intent on giving players a choice of how to overcome most of the problems in their path. We’ll even get to hop into our spaceship to explore distant planets, making the experience feely truly open world – or rather open galaxy far, far away. If what we see in the gameplay video is a true indication of how the game will actually look and play, there is little doubt that Star Wars Outlaws will be a blast from beginning to end.

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