RELATED: The Best First-Person Adventure Games Of All Time, Ranked
The third-person adventure genre contains some of the greatest 3D games in history. These games deserve recognition for their point of view. Whether you are a fan of the third-person or first-person, these games are empowering because you, the player, can drive their compelling narrative. To pay homage to the genre, we’ve listed the best third-person games.
Updated February 15, 2022 by Jack Pursey: Video games have taken players on many memorable adventures over the years as the industry continues its climb to become the most prominent form of entertainment. Games that let players embark on adventures have always been popular with consumers, as they often let players explore wonderfully imaginative fictional locations or real-world areas while completing dangerous quests from the comfort of their home.
There’s no shortage of excellent games from the genre, so we’ve updated this list to include some more of the best third-person adventure games.
25 The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Playable on: Nintendo 64, GameCube, Nintendo 3DS (3D remake)
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, which put a constant time constraint on the player.
24 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Playable on: PlayStation 2, Nintendo 3DS
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was developed by Konami and was first released exclusively on the PlayStation 2, before having a surprise Nintendo 3DS release nearly a decade later. Along with the change in setting, Snake Eater implemented a multitude of new features to the series, including close-quarters combat and a stamina gauge.
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The PlayStation 2 version of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater scored 91 on Metacritic and won a wide range of awards, including Best Action Game from IGN.
23 Grim Fandango
Playable on: PC, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Grim Fandango is a graphic adventure game that was developed by LucasArts. The game was a significant release in the graphic adventure genre, both for being widely considered to be the genre’s best ever game and for marking the genre’s fall from prominence.
Despite the game’s quality, Grim Fandango sold poorly as point and click gameplay was seen as outdated in 1998. Still, the game is great to play today, as it implements everything that made LucasArts’ adventure games so special in the 90s.
22 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC
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 to Bloodborneand the Souls games, such as the lack of leveling system, the 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.
21 Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Playable on: Xbox, PC, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was developed by BioWare and first released in July 2003 on the original Xbox before coming to PC later the same year.
The game is considered to be one of the best Star Warsvideo games of all time and one of the only games from the IP that almost certainly would have been a major commercial success even without the Star Wars branding. Fans of the game recently received some great news, as a remake of KOTORwas announced in 2021 for PC and PlayStation 5.
20 Rise Of The Tomb Raider
Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Google Stadia, and PC
Playing as protagonist Lara Croft, players assume the role of an archaeologist who ventures into ancient tombs searching for treasure and rare artifacts. The preservation of tombs is important to Lara Croft, which is what separates her from the bad guys.
Publisher Square Enix’s most recent Tomb Raider trilogy is arguably one of the best in gaming history. Rise of the Tomb Raider may be the best in the series for its invigorating action-adventure gameplay and intriguing story. This is one third-person adventure game you can’t miss!
19 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Playable on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Google Stadia, and PC
They’re calling it a Dark Souls-esque game, but it’s so much more on so many levels. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order contains the most exhilarating lightsaber clashes we’ve seen in Star Wars game thus far. Wielding the Force to combat opponents and achieve objectives has never been so intuitive.
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With a protagonist, Cal, who we have grown to admire,Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is deserving of its placement on this list. In this Star Wars game, players walk the path of a Jedi, starting as a Padawan. Training is long and tough, but the fate of the galaxy rests on your shoulders.
18 Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, and PC
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 adventure game had a significant improvement in naval combat. It received acclaim from the majority of critics. Simply put, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is gorgeous, and it’s one of the most charming third-person adventure games of all time.
17 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Playable on: PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4
When Uncharted 2: Among Thieves 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 foremost way to experiencethis game.
16 Batman: Arkham City
Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC
Winner of many GOTY awards, Batman: Arkham City brings players into a twisted world enshrouded in darkness. Batman: Arkham City is, without a doubt, a fine game in the Arkham series because of its gripping story and immersive world.
Players can glide from building to building, giving a feeling of weightlessness while almost freediving. Gliding alone makes this Batman game exceptional. 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 one gem from the Arkham series that can’t be missed.
15 Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Playable on: PlayStation 4
It was a close call, but we have to give Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End this placement ahead of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Although Uncharted 2: Among Thieves may have been more impactful when it was released, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End has more robust gameplay combined with a more fascinating story.
Its masterful usage of wall climbing and numerous collectibles give the game tremendous replay value. You can even play Crash Bandicoot—a game within a game! You’ll be captivated by the story of this game, making it a must-play.
14 Dragon Age: Origins
Playable on: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC
When Dragon Age: Origins was released, new gamers finally realized why BioWare had such an esteemed reputation in the industry. The modern western RPG was full to the brim with excellent storytelling, memorable characters, and a combat system that was surprisingly entertaining even after all its caveats.
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Most players consider Dragon Age: Origins to be one of the best third-person games around, and for good reason. Any fan of complex narratives and amazing adventures should definitely give this title a go.
13 Horizon Zero Dawn
Playable on: PlayStation 4 and PC
Guerrilla Games was mostly known for the Killzone series, so it’s only a given that fans were surprised when this studio was chosen to develop a new post-apocalyptic action-adventure title…in third-person, no less. However, one can’t really complain after trying out the end result for themselves.
Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best third-person games that was released for the PS4. PC fans were rejoicing at the prospect of trying this game out when it was ported over…although the optimization took a few months to rectify.
12 Bloodborne
Playable on: PlayStation 4
While Dark Souls might be the most influential Miyazaki title, most fans of the Soulsborne games consider Bloodborne to be the best game made by the director. It’s a shame that Bloodborne is a PS4 exclusive since a lot of fans have been unable to try out one of the best third-person games ever made.
The fast-paced and brutal combat feels infinitely satisfying. This, coupled with a haunting Lovecraftian setting and one of the most riveting stories ever in a video game — despite the lack of any expository cutscenes or dialogue — makes Bloodborne a masterpiece in the eyes of many.
11 Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time
Playable on: Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Mobile, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a convenient title to start with, as it exemplifies the previous point. The game was released in 2003, right in the midst of gaming’s shift from platformers to third-person adventures. Instead of picking a side, Ubisoft decided to combine the two genres, proving that platforming still had a place in the modern world.
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 is getting a long-awaited remake in 2021, which may finally spark a resurgence of AAA platformers.
10 Okami
Playable on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 2, Nintendo Switch, Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and PC
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 most critically acclaimed video game series of all time, The Legend of Zelda.
Despite the clear similarities, Okamiis far from just being a Zelda clone. The game brings many fantastic ideas to the table, namely the beautiful art design, and its wolf protagonist; something that Nintendo would emulate with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
9 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Playable on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Although the first two Witcher games were praised by critics and fans alike, the series was still relatively unknown. This all changed in 2015 when CD Projekt Red fired themselves and their Witcher series into the limelight with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
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The Witcher 3: Wild Huntoffers one of the best open worlds in the history of gaming, with tons of excellent side quests that supplement the memorable story-driven adventure.
8 Mass Effect 2
Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC
From one of gaming’s great story-driven adventures to another, Mass Effect 2 significantly improved upon its already excellent predecessor with its expanded combat mechanics and a heavier emphasis on relationship building.
Mass Effect 2is the first game that many point to when discussing the impact of players’ choices in a game, as almost every important decision that the player makes in Mass Effect 2 leads to one of gaming’s best final missions, the “Suicide Mission.”
7 Grand Theft Auto 5
Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Rockstar Games’ behemoth of a sequel in the Grand Theft Auto series is possibly one of the greatest games of all time. In Grand Theft Auto 5, players can do 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.
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Third-person gameplay inGrand Theft Auto 5 allows players to see more of the game’s beautiful world. With the ability to switch between the third-person and first-person view, this game goes above and beyond.
6 Red Dead Redemption
Playable on: PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
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. Whether you’re a bigger fan of the first Red Dead Redemption or the second, both are exceptional third-person games in their own right.
