Highlights

• Third-person action-adventure games offer a full view of the character and allow for more complex movement and combat mechanics.
• Games in this genre often feature memorable characters like Link, Lara Croft, and Nathan Drake.
• Some standout titles in the genre include LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Sunset Overdrive, and Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag.

The third-person action-adventure genre has been one of the gaming industry's most popular styles of game for decades now. The third-person perspective sacrifices the immersion of a first-person perspective, but it allows players to get a full view of their character, giving game developers the chance to implement more complex movement and combat mechanics. Third-person games also tend to create more memorable characters, such as Link, Lara Croft, and Nathan Drake.

Among the countless AAA and indie third-person action-adventure games, there are a few standouts that have highlighted just how good the style of game can be when done right. Here are the best third-person action-adventure games of all time.

Updated February 14, 2024 by Alexandra O'Leary: The action-adventure genre is continually growing and gaining new, incredible titles every year. As such a diverse and expansive category, some of the best games in history have fallen under this umbrella - and many of the most decorated video games are third-person action-adventure titles.

While there are entire franchises full of great games, there's usually one or two standouts that go above and beyond to achieve true gaming excellence. To demonstrate and rank the best of the best, critic ratings have been taken into account as well as popular opinion, and including games from the same series has been kept to a minimum.

21 Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Metascore: 80

When Lego Star Wars: The Video Game was first released in March 2005, it was clear that Traveller's Tales had created something special. The style of the game certainly wouldn't go underutilized, as the British studio would go on to replicate and improve upon the collect-a-thon style of action-adventure game in countless other releases, with major franchises like Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and Lord of the Rings, all getting Traveller's Tales' brick treatment.

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is considered by many to be the standout title in the long-running series of movie tie-in Lego games, thanks to its huge amount of content and simple but rewarding gameplay and puzzles, along with simply how much fun it is to play at any age, especially with a friend.

20 Sunset Overdrive

Metascore: 81

Sunset Overdrive is an action-adventure game set in a punk dystopian world where players largely explore Sunset City via parkour and skating on rails. It's a relatively comical game, with zany villains and creative mechanics. The exploration and world bring a sense of adventure, while the freaky energy-drinker enemies provide plenty of action to keep players engaged.

While there's not too much in the way of plot or depth, Sunset Overdrive prioritizes fun. The vibrancy of the world matches the chaos of the narrative and the hilarity of the gameplay, making it a very exciting and entertaining game. There's a clear sense of joy that echoes throughout all aspects of Sunset Overdrive, proving the developers had a brilliant time making it - and players will certainly have a brilliant time playing it.

19 Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag

Metascore: 88

Released as a launch title for the Xbox One, some predicted that Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag would have its fair share of bugs. For such an audaciously expansive game, it plays phenomenally. It's one of the best ways to experience Assassin's Creed because of its immersive third-person gameplay.

Standing out from other Assassin's Creed games, this third-person action-adventure game had a significant focus on naval combat and received acclaim from the majority of critics. Simply put, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag is fun, gorgeous, and it's one of the most charming third-person adventure games of all time.

18 Alan Wake 2

Metascore: 89

Alan Wake 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2010 game Alan Wake. Released thirteen years after the original, Alan Wake 2 delves even further into the horror elements of the first game and begins to work through many of the unanswered questions players were left with.

Upon release, Alan Wake 2 received a lot of praise from players and critics alike. One of the biggest draws was the game's phenomenal graphics and design, as well as fantastic live-action and voice-acting performances. Critics thought that the approach to Alan Wake 2 was similar to its content and that the madness of it seemed to permeate through the entire game. While some players were underwhelmed by the detective aspects, others were delighted that it embraced horror so fully. Although some were disappointed with the few technical flaws the game launched with, overall, Alan Wake 2 was a triumph of the horror-action-adventure crossover. An intense story, terrifying combat encounters, and great characters easily make a game that's not to be missed.

17 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Metascore: 90

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was developed by FromSoftware and featured many similar traits to the Japanese company's Soulsborne releases. ​​​However, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has some notable differences from Bloodborne, the Souls games, and Elden Ring, such as the lack of a leveling system, the wonderful freedom of movement, and the combat, which is centered around blocking and deflecting. Sekiro was a huge hit with critics and won Game of the Year at 2019's The Game Awards.

Like many of the Soulsborne games, Sekiro stands out with its clever level design, superb boss fights, and beautiful art design that makes each area a joy to play through.

16 Spider-Man 2

Metascore: 90

Spider-Man 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Spider-Man and spin-off Spider-Man: Miles Morales. According to critics and fans alike, it did not disappoint. With an emotional and intense storyline, coupled with some brilliant motion-capture performances, Spider-Man 2 has easily won the hearts of players.

Spider-Man 2 has been applauded for its polish and packed gameplay, with critics pointing out how well it has built on the legacy of its previous two games. The game also features fun, fluid mechanics that - in tandem with the fantastic world-building - really make players feel like a superhero.

15 Shadow Of The Colossus

Metascore: 92 (2011) Metascore: 91 (2018 remake)

Shadow of the Colossus is one of the most beautiful and touching action-adventure games ever made. It's commonly used to demonstrate how video games can be considered art, thanks to its distinct art style and emotional narrative. Players follow a young person named Wander, who is on a journey to revive a woman named Mono. The original game was released in 2005 and received massive critical acclaim, then in 2011 a compilation of The ICO and Shadow of the Colossus was released for the PS3, and a remake was released in 2018 that was equally successful - a relatively rare achievement in gaming.

Even today, Shadow of the Colossus is considered to be a landmark of the gaming world. It is widely thought to be a masterpiece, and players who truly invest in the quiet, detailed nature of the game are sure to get even more out of it. In story, gameplay, character, and design, Shadow of the Colossus is a wonder of gaming that still meets expectations almost twenty years after release.

14 Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

Metascore: 92

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was released in 2003, right amid mainstream gaming's shift from platformers to more action-heavy games. Instead of picking a side, Ubisoft decided to combine the two styles, proving that platforming still had a place in action-adventure titles.

Despite the game's success, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time's take on modern platforming didn't exactly take off. This doesn't mean that the game has aged badly, though; in fact, it has done the opposite, with its unique blend of genres feeling fresh even today. The iconic series' most critically acclaimed game has a remake in the works, although news of the upcoming game has been few and far between.

13 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Metascore: 93

Although Uncharted 4 is not the highest-rated Uncharted game of all time, it still easily falls high on the list of brilliant action-adventure games. The game follows Nathan as he battles between his passion and his life, especially when old memories and faces start showing up. For the final time, players can travel the world as Nathan Drake and indulge in the mysteries of the past all while uncovering the truth of his childhood.

Released five years after the previous installment, Uncharted 4 made colossal leaps in graphics and design. The cutscenes in this game look movie-level realistic, and it's a great chance to see Nolan North's fantastic acting up close. Uncharted 4 holds up almost a decade after its release, proving it's the ideal example of how to make an outstanding action-adventure game. Additionally, it's the perfect conclusion to Nathan's story and will leave players satisfied, if a little heartbroken.

12 Okami

Metascore: 93

It's always nice to be compared to someone or something that is one of the best in its field, and Okami has the honor of being compared to The Legend of Zelda, one of the most critically acclaimed video game series of all time.

Despite the clear similarities, Okami is far from just being a Zelda clone. The game brings many fantastic ideas to the table and stands out with its beautiful art design and wolf protagonist, something that Nintendo would emulate in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

11 Batman: Arkham City

Metascore: 94

Winner of many GOTY awards, Batman: Arkham City brings players into a twisted world enshrouded in darkness. Batman: Arkham City is, without a doubt, the finest game in the Arkham series because of its gripping story, immersive open world, and fine-tuned combat mechanics.

Players can glide from building to building, giving a feeling of weightlessness while almost freediving. Games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Marvel's Spider-Man take a great deal of inspiration from the second Arkham game; it's a gem that can't be missed.

10 God of War (2018)

Metascore: 94

Following Kratos (who has been stripped of most of his powers) and his son Atreus, God Of War is a mythological action-adventure game with hack-and-slash combat. The game stands out with its spectacular visuals and technical performance, along with its excellent story that takes the series in a surprisingly emotional direction.

The game's lack of boss variety stopped it from reaching the heights of the few games remaining on this list, but it's still one of the greatest third-person action-adventure games of all time.

9 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Metascore: 95

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was once considered by some to be among the top 10 greatest video games of all time. The game has fallen out of that conversation for most people today, and the game's visuals have aged particularly badly, but there's no doubt that San Andreas is still brilliant fun to play today.

Despite the game's gritty setting and ultra-violent story, San Andreas doesn't take itself too seriously, allowing players to have all sorts of fun through side missions and the many, many cheats that can ramp up the ridiculousness through the roof.

8 Red Dead Redemption

Metascore: 95

Red Dead Redemption takes place after Red Dead Redemption 2 chronologically but is the first game in the series. Playing as John Marston, players are put into an all too familiar role; it's about a Western cowboy gunslinger who tried to go straight and narrow by making an honest living. Things change once his wife and kid are kidnapped, and John Marston has to take up arms.

Like Grand Theft Auto 5, Red Dead Redemption was developed by Rockstar and gives players plenty of freedom to explore the meticulously crafted world. The game's sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, only narrowly missed out on this list, as did another Rockstar game, Bully​​.

7 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Metascore: 95

Following the enormous success of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, it would have been easy for Nintendo to justify playing it safe with the sequel and just making Ocarina of Time 2 with minimal innovations, knowing that the game would almost certainly still be a success.

However, to Nintendo's credit, that went in a completely different direction with Majora's Mask, which implemented a dark tone and three-day-cycle that put a constant time constraint on the player. The game is weird, bleak, artistic, and ultimately memorable.

6 The Last Of Us

Metascore: 95

Video games need more than the bare basics. The Last of Us excels with both an exciting story and unique gameplay. Following Ellie and Joel, the game's story is recognized as being one of the greatest and most touching in gaming.

Their journey to seek out the Fireflies escalates into a perilous quest with an ongoing zombie attack and rival factions at large. The Last of Us Remastered for PlayStation 4 enhanced the original experience, while the PlayStation 5 remake took it to a whole other level and is the best way to experience the modern classic today.

5 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Metascore: 96

Tears of the Kingdom is the highly anticipated, direct sequel to Breath of the Wild - one of the franchise's most acclaimed games. It did not disappoint and earned itself a place in the action-adventure hall of fame. With a map nearly tripled in size thanks to the sky islands and depths, Tears of the Kingdom is full of secrets, side-quests, and breathtaking locations.

The gameplay is streamlined and perfected, making combat fun and challenging. The new range of bosses is creative and exciting to battle, and the various tasks assigned to Link keep the storyline fresh. It's an outstanding example of a Zelda game, but also of a packed, endlessly enjoyable action-adventure game. Players could easily spend hundreds of hours in the game and not run out of things to do, making it incredible value for money.

4 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Metascore: 96

When Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was released, it was a massive leap in gameplay compared to its predecessor. The wall climbing, action, and story were all significant improvements. Furthermore, the story introduced Chloe, one of the most recognizable female secondary characters today.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was remastered as part of Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection. Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is a remaster of the trilogy in 60 frames per second; the collection is the best way to experience this game today.

3 Grand Theft Auto 5

Metascore: 97

Rockstar Games' behemoth of a sequel in the Grand Theft Auto series is one of the greatest games of all time. In Grand Theft Auto 5, players can perform heists, own properties, steal and race cars, participate in deathmatches, and more. There is never a shortage of content to keep players engaged in Rockstar's flagship title.

Like most games in the GTA franchises, Grand Theft Auto 5 gives players a ton of freedom to explore its stunning game world, as well as complete side quests, head to the shops, or just cause mayhem.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Metascore: 97

After utilizing the same formula over and over again, Nintendo realized that the franchise needed to be freshened up so that a wealth of new players could be swayed by their offerings. This led to the re-imagining of the Zelda formula that can be seen in Breath of the Wild. This installment truly shook up the franchise and brought a fresh, incredibly engaging take on what players have come to expect from the series.

The sense of adventure and discovery present in every aspect of this title is beyond compare and makes for some of the most memorable video game moments of all time, as players naturally stumble across incredible puzzles, bosses, and challenges that seem to be hiding around every corner. The gameplay feels so natural and real that it's hard to believe Zelda games weren't always this way, and it makes the world so vivid that it's easy to forget it's fictional.