Didn't get any responses over at TBP, so I thought I'd try here. I haven't paid much attention to them in years (I think KQ 3 was the last one I played), but I know they're still out there and usually in the $10-20 range, which, being somewhat cash-strapped, has prompted me to take another look at the genre.
Anyone recommend any good ones from the last few years?
I'm guessing KQ is King's Quest. Can you tell us more about what you're looking for when you say adventure game? Is there anything in a game you don't like?
Seanchai
You can get the free remake of Quest for Glory 2 here:
http://www.agdinteractive.com/index2.html
That reminds me. I need to finish playing it. :)
Sam n' Max Season 1 (available in stores fro $20 - PC $40 - Wii). Very funny episodic game (where very month a new episode comes out for $10), they're in the middle of season2 right now.
Zack & Wiki: the Quest for Barbaros Treasure ($20 - Wii). This game is amazing. It's a lot like Monkey Island...but with levels.
If you can find a copy of Grim Fandango, it's one of the best games ever made. It's also happens to be my favorite adventure game ever.
sad thing is, Technomancer, adventure games are a dying breed. Recently though, there's been a bit of a resurgence (especially on the Wii).
If you're thinking of KQ where you type stuff, you might like text adventures.
I had a blast playing Anchorhead (http://www.highprogrammer.com/alan/rants/reviews/video_games/if/anchorhead.html). It's free. It's awesome. It runs on everyting.
Quote from: Seanchai;264055I'm guessing KQ is King's Quest. Can you tell us more about what you're looking for when you say adventure game? Is there anything in a game you don't like?
Seanchai
See here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_game) for a good explanation of what I mean.
Another way to (sort of) describe it is to imagine a computer rpg, then take away character creation and all the stats and number crunching (which just leaves the story). If CRPGs are Fighting Fantasy or Lone Wolf gamebooks, Adventure games are Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books (the comparison to interactive fiction is accurate, but with graphics added).
Quote from: KrakaJak;264764sad thing is, Technomancer, adventure games are a dying breed. Recently though, there's been a bit of a resurgence (especially on the Wii).
They've been on life support for years now, and certainly don't get anywhere near the publicity of other genres (is genre the right word, BTW?), but they've never gone away. I don't expect them to ever make a comeback, but I do think they'll be around for awhile, if for no other reason than the barrier to entry is much lower than for other types of games.
Would the Penny Arcade games on XBox Live count?
Seanchai
I'll 2nd Zack & Wiki it's a very good adventure game with fun puzzles. Don't let the initially semi-long intro dissuade you from playing the game proper.
The 2 Penny Arcade titles are very entertaining, if you find Penny Arcade entertaining. Though they are typically heavier on the combat side then traditional Adventure games, they are still quite fun. They are also available for Windows and OS X as well as Xbox Live.
Quote from: KrakaJak;264764If you can find a copy of Grim Fandango, it's one of the best games ever made. It's also happens to be my favorite adventure game ever.
I got stuck in the forest with the mad side-kick who drives the car and i never got beyond that point. :(
Haven't revisited it since. Dunno whether windows xp will run it. If it does, i might revisit it some day soon.
XP will run a great many odd things through Compatability Mode [which, if you don't know how to manipulate, is simple], and can run damned near anything with virtualization; I'm running DOS and Windows 2000 on my XP system [for Star Control 2 and internet security, respectively]. And that's on a Pentium 3. [Okay, a dual Pentium III-S 1.4ghz, but still.]
Grim Fandango!
The Longest Journey (2000) and its sequel Dreamfall (2006) are both amazing in different ways.
Syberia (2001) another adventure masterpiece.
The new Sherlock Holmes games developed by Frogwares are quite good, in special The Awakened, this ones uses Cthulhu Mythos as an essential piece of the plot.
I agree with the guys above, Grim Fandango is one of the best games ever made.
The more recent ones you would probably enjoy are: Overclocked a history of violence; The Experiment, Dracula Origin.
I'd say it's more of an RPG with adventure game elements. It's very funny though and definitely worth checking out.
I also recommend Psychonauts (currently available on X-Box Live arcade or used on PS2 and Xbox). It's written developed by the same guy who made Grim Fandango, but is a puzzle/platformer with adventure game elements.
Quote from: KrakaJak;268943I'd say it's more of an RPG with adventure game elements. It's very funny though and definitely worth checking out.
I also recommend Psychonauts (currently available on X-Box Live arcade or used on PS2 and Xbox). It's written developed by the same guy who made Grim Fandango, but is a puzzle/platformer with adventure game elements.
Completely agreed, I forgot about Psychonauts, great game. Make sure to play it with a gamepad though, it makes it easier.