There are a lot of third-person action-adventure games out there, but here are a few that really stood out from the crowd.
Since the 1980s, third-person action-adventure games have been one of the most popular types of video games. The third-person view is less immersive than the first-person view, but it gives players a full view of their character and lets game designers make more complicated ways to move and fight. Characters in third-person games, like Link, Lara Croft, and Nathan Drake, also tend to stand out more.
There are a lot of AAA and independent third-person action-adventure games, but there are a few that really stand out and show how good this type of game can be when it’s done right. Here are the best action-adventure games you can play from the third-person perspective.
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
- Playable on: PC, Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, iOS, and Android
When Lego Star Wars: The Video Game came out in March 2005, it was clear that Traveller’s Tales had made something special. The collectathon style of action-adventure game wouldn’t go unused, as the British studio would use and improve on it in dozens of other games, including big franchises like Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and Lord of the Rings, which all got the brick treatment.
Many people think Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is the best in the long line of Lego games based on movies. This is because it has a huge amount of content, simple but rewarding gameplay and puzzles, and is fun to play at any age, especially with a friend.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Playable on: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, Oculus Quest 2, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Fire OS
Some people used to think that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was one of the top 10 best video games of all time. Most people no longer talk about the game in that way, and the game’s graphics have gotten worse over time, but there’s no question that San Andreas is still a lot of fun to play today.
Even though the setting and story of San Andreas are dark and violent, the game doesn’t take itself too seriously. Players can have a lot of fun with side tasks and the many, many cheats that can make the game even more ridiculous.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
- Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, and PC
Some people thought that since Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag was a launch game for the Xbox One, it would have a lot of bugs. For a game that is so big and ambitious, it plays amazingly well. Because it’s played from a third-person perspective, it’s one of the best ways to play Assassin’s Creed.
This third-person action-adventure game was different from other Assassin’s Creed games because it focused a lot on naval fighting and was praised by most critics. Simply put, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag is fun, beautiful, and one of the most charming third-person adventure games of all time.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Playable on: PlayStation 3
When Uncharted 2: Among Thieves came out, it was a huge step up in gameplay from the first game. The wall climbing, the action, and the story all got a lot better. Also, the story introduced Chloe, who is now one of the best-known secondary female figures.
As part of Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves was made better. Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is a remastered version of the trio that runs at 60 frames per second. It is the best way to play this game right now.
Batman: Arkham City
- Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PC
Batman: Arkham City, which won a lot of GOTY awards, puts players in a dark and twisted world.Batman: Arkham City is the best game in the Arkham series because it has a gripping story, an immersive open world, and well-balanced gameplay.
Players can glide from one building to another, which makes it feel like they are weightless and almost like they are freediving. The second Arkham game was a big influence on games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Marvel’s Spider-Man. It’s a real gem that you shouldn’t miss.
Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time
- Playable on: Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Mobile, and PC
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time came out in 2003, when platform games were becoming less popular and action games were becoming more popular. Instead of choosing one style over the other, Ubisoft chose to mix the two, showing that platforming could still be a part of action-adventure games.
Even though the game was popular, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’s version of modern platforming didn’t really catch on. This doesn’t mean that the game hasn’t held up well over time, though. In fact, its unique mix of styles still makes it feel new. The most highly acclaimed game in the long-running series is getting a remake, but there hasn’t been much news about it.
Okami HD
- Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2 (non-HD version), Wii (non-HD version)
It’s nice to be compared to someone or something that is one of the best at what it does, and Okami has the honour of being compared to The Legend of Zelda, which is the most highly acclaimed video game series ever.
Even though Okami has a lot in common with Zelda, it is not just a copy of that game. The game has a lot of great ideas and stands out. Because of its beautiful art style and main character, a wolf. This is something that Nintendo copied in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Grand Theft Auto 5
- Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
The huge Grand Theft Auto sequel made by Rockstar Games is one of the best games of all time. In Grand Theft Auto 5, players can do heists, own homes, steal and race cars, take part in deathmatches, and more. In Rockstar’s main game, there is always something new for players to do.
Grand Theft Auto 5 is like most other games in the GTA series in that it gives players a lot of freedom to explore the beautiful game world, do side tasks, go shopping, or just cause trouble.
Red Dead Redemption
- Playable on: PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Red Dead Redemption is the first game in the series. But it takes place after Red Dead Redemption 2 in terms of time. Players take on the part of John Marston, which is an all-too-familiar one. It’s about a Western cowboy gunslinger who tried to be good and make a living the right way. When his wife and child are taken, things change for John Marston. He has to take up guns.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was made by Rockstar, just like Grand Theft Auto 5. And gives players a lot of freedom to explore the carefully made world. The game’s sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, and another Rockstar game, Bully, came close to making this list.
The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
- Playable on: Nintendo 64, GameCube, and Nintendo 3DS (remake)
After the huge success of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, it would have been easy for Nintendo to play it safe with the sequel and just make Ocarina of Time 2 with few changes, knowing that the game would almost certainly still be a success.
But, to Nintendo’s credit, Majora’s Mask went in a totally different direction. It had a dark tone and a three-day cycle that made the player always feel like they were running out of time. The game is strange, sad, beautiful, and will stick with you.
God of War (2018)
- Playable on: PlayStation 4 and PC
God of War is a mythological action-adventure game where you play as Kratos and his son Atreus. Kratos has lost most of his skills, so you have to hack and slash your way through the game. The game stands out because of how great it looks and how well it works. It also has a great story that takes the series in an unexpectedly emotional way.
Even though 8 Ball Pool game didn’t have as many different bosses as some of the other games on this list, it’s still one of the best third-person action-adventure games of all time.
The Last Of Us
- Playable on: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 (remake)
There should be more to video games than just the basics. Both the story and the way you play The Last of Us are great. The game’s story, which is about Ellie and Joel, is known as one of the best and most moving in gaming history.
Their search for the Fireflies turns into a dangerous mission when zombies keep attacking and different groups are out and about. The PS4 version of The Last of Us Remastered made the original game better, but the PS5 version took it to a whole new level and is the best way to play the modern great game today.
The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
- Playable on: Nintendo 64, GameCube, and Nintendo 3DS (remake)
Many people think that this is not only the best third-person adventure game of all time. But also the best video game ever. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has a Metascore of 99, which is the best score ever given by Metacritic. It may never be topped.
Even though the fact that Ocarina of Time was the first 3D Zelda game helped it get good reviews. It wouldn’t be fair to say that was the main reason for its Metascore. The action-adventure game is still great to play today. Because it has some of the best puzzles and levels in the series’ history. It also has a touching story about a boy coming of age.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, and PC
FromSoftware made Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which had a lot in common with the Japanese company’s Soulsborne games. But Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is very different from Bloodborne, the Souls games, and Elden Ring. For example, there is no levelling system, you can move around a lot. And fighting is based on stopping and deflecting. Critics loved Sekiro a lot, and it won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019.
Like many of the Soulsborne games, Sekiro stands out with its smart level design, great boss fights, and beautiful art design that makes each area fun to play through.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
- Playable on: Wii U and Nintendo Switch
After using the same method over and over again, Nintendo realised that they needed to change things up so that they could attract a lot of new players. This led to Breath of the Wild, which is a new take on how Zelda games work.
Every part of this game has a sense of adventure and discovery that can’t be found anywhere else. This makes for some of the most memorable video game moments of all tim. As players seem to find amazing puzzles, bosses, and challenges around every corner.
